Introduction
When choosing a Hotel in Playa Del Carmen it can be pretty overwhelming! But there is no better choice than the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel.
With so many to choose from its hard to know if you’re making the right choice. I know I felt super confused the first time I booked a holiday to Mexico, and I wanted to make sure I chose the Hotel that had everything I expected from a holiday. After lots of google searches and lots of time spent on trip advisor I finally settled on the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel. And from the minute I stepped foot in the Hotel, I knew all my research was worth it.
Overview
Ok, so the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel is actually known as two hotels, Grand Riviera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess. It has two lobbies, one for each title of the hotel but it is in fact just one hotel, one MASSIVE hotel. So don’t let the two names confuse you, they are both the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel.
One thing that is worth pointing out is when choosing a room at the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel is its important to select it under the correct name. I found for the platinum rooms its best to search under Grand Sunset Princess but if you’re looking for a more family themed holiday then search under Grand Riviera Princess. That really is the only difference between them.
The Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel is situated in Playa Del Carmen which is is located in the Mayan Riviera, in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is a stretch of Caribbean Coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches and crystal clear emerald sea.
The Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel is about a 15 minute drive to Playa Del Carmen town. There is a shuttle bus that will take you there from the Hotel for just a few Mexican Peso. (Make sure you ask at reception for the times of the shuttle bus.)
If you would like to know more about Playa Del Carmen, you can read my blog the best bars in Playa Del Carmen Mexico
The resort is huge and comprises of 674 rooms, 16 swimming pools, 12 bars and 9 restaurants. It also has shops, a casino, a nightclub, tennis courts and a spa.
It takes roughly 10 minutes to walk from the lobby to the beach but if your not up for walking there are golf buggies that can drive you around the resort instead.
Rooms
There are plenty of rooms to choose from at the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel ranging from standard rooms, swim out rooms, family rooms, platinum rooms and the villa suites.
I have personally stayed in the standard room and the Villa and given the choice again, the villa is a no brainer! So lets start with that:
Laguna Villa
The Laguna Villa is the crème de la crème of rooms at the hotel.
Situated in the middle of the resort overlooking its own private lagoon there really is no better option than this.
The room comes with a massive king size bed with jacuzzi bath directly behind it, a walk in wardrobe, mini bar with named brand drinks, an outside private shower (which I absolutely loved!) a huge balcony over looking the lagoon with day beds, and it own private entrance.
If you book the Laguna Villa you are automatically upgraded to a platinum guest which gives you a whole host of special extras.
You have access to a private pool only accessible to platinum guest, a private lobby, concierge service, name brand drinks, room service 24/7, free access to the whirlpool pool, access to a special dinner at the platinum guests restaurant and access to a platinum area on the beach, as well as lots of little extras too. I would highly recommend booking a platinum room for the ultimate in luxury experience.
Platinum Room
As with the Laguna Villas, the platinum rooms give you all the platinum guest benefits but the rooms are more of a standard variation then the Lagoon. One thing I did like about these rooms is the location, a lot of them over look the sea and to make that even more romantic there is a jacuzzi on the balcony. Sounds good right!
Swim Out Rooms
These rooms are obviously on the ground floor and are great for families. In fact some of them are family rooms and some of them back onto the family pool. These rooms are dotted all around the resort and are perfect if you like lazing by the pool but don’t want to venture to far from the rooms.
They are pretty much standard rooms but with the added bonus of having the pool directly off your balcony. Great for families or people who like to chill in there own surroundings but still want to be part of the action.
Standard rooms
As standard comes these are decent. Large rooms with lots of amenities. Hairdryer and safe is standard. As with all the rooms in the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel there is a mini bar. This is stocked up daily so I would suggest taking some drinks with you if you’re going on excursions because whatever you use, will be replaced free of charge.
These rooms are dotted throughout the hotel so location will be a surprise, but to be honest, wherever you are located in the hotel, you will be next to something so there is no good or bad place to be. They have a good sized balcony with a table and chairs too.
Pool
The Grand Sunset and Reviera Princess Hotel has a staggering 16 pools!! And they cater to all moods.
Surrounding the outer edges of the grounds is the swim up pools that go about half way around the hotel. There are also many other pool.
The family pool with lots of fun water activities for the kids.
the lagoon style pool with swim up bar for a more relaxed experience.
The party pool which is situated right in the middle of the complex and has a swim up bar and entertainment daily including bingo and drinking games. This is where the fun really happens and where you will find the louder, more excitable guests,, This is also personally my favourite pool as I got speaking to so many people here and it found myself laughing the afternoon away. There is also a jacuzzi in this pool as well as the relaxing pool nearer the beach.
There is also two pools for platinum guests which have sunken sun chairs in them. I really liked these pools for the morning time chill and to shake off the night before with a refreshing dip. They also bring snacks round on a trolley at lunchtime in the platinum pool area, meaning you never have to stray, and they have waiter service for drinks and private toilets. Only guests with a Platinum wristband can enter these pools which makes it feel really exclusive.
The pools are the perfect temperature and t feels like stepping into a cool bath meaning you can stay and swim all day and feel refreshed but not cold!
The Beach
The beach is at the far end of the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel and to access this you walk over a bridge and through a small section on mangrove.
The sand is a beautifully white and so soft on your feet.
There are plenty if chairs to choose from each with a sun shade if you need it (which you probably will!) and it is a waiter service for drinks so once you find your spot, you can relax all day!
There is a volley ball court on the beach too, although in that heat I cannot imagine why anyone would want to use it!
The beach has had a bit of an issue with sea weed over the last few years and there really is little the hotel can do to control it. BUT every day you will see hotel staff digging away in the scorching sun trying to remove it to make it as scenic and pleasant as possible and my god do these guys work hard.
Be prepared to get approached frequently by sellers on the beach selling all sorts from hats to watches, jewellery and even a photo experience with some less then willing animals. This can get a bit tedious and off putting but if you are not interested just politely decline or stay away, you soon get used to it and they are only trying to make a living.
Safety was a concern of mine on the beach as it accessible to anyone but actually I didn’t have any bad experience. Just to be on the safe side I bought a waterproof bag and took that with me if I was headed into the sea with all my valuables in, but towards then end of the holiday it didn’t seem as much as of a concern. With that being said though, don’t just assume your items will be safe!
There is lots to do on the beach. I already mentioned the Volley ball court but there is also water sports on offer. You can hire a kayak or small sail boat at no extra charge, you just need to put down a deposit and bring some idea. You can also hire jet ski’s but these are at a slight cost
Once a week there is also an afternoon foam party on the beach which is sooooooo much fun! I would recommend checking this out if you get the chance. – Please note, this is currently not running due to covid restrictions.
Another thing to point out about the beach is that there is a VIP area by the chill out bar. This is only accessible to people who have paid for a beach dinner in the restaurant but is actually really worth doing if you can afford it.
You get lovely cushioned beds or day beds, fresh cold towels to cool you down, and they will even clean your sun glasses, all included. It does make for a more relaxing and comfortable trip to the beach and the toilets are a bit nicer too.
There is also a platinum area that is roped off for platinum guests. Again here the beds are a bit comfier but you don’t get as many perks as you do at the chill out area.
Restaurants And Food
I was astonished at the choice of food at the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel. There are a mega 12 restaurants!! And they cater for all tastes.
You will never get bored with what is to offer here and the standard of food is also very good.
I was nervous at the thought of eating in Mexico (mostly because of the reaction Charlotte had to drinking the shower water in Sex and the City 2, after living on chocolate cups for the majority of her stay) but I was soon to realise that it was all a myth and I have had some of my favourite meals in this hotel.
La Vaqueria Restaurant
A steak house offering a good choice in cuts of beef as well as other dishes if you are not fond of steak. Great sides and they cook the Steak exactly to your taste.
It has a ranch like vibe with cow skin and plaid and you really do feel like you’re dining in the wild west.
The restaurant is reservation only and this can be booked from the hotel lobby or the restaurant reception. Dress code is smart casual and the restaurant is open from 6pm – 11pm daily.
Mamma Mia Restaurant
A beautifully designed Italian restaurant with all your favourite Italian cuisine.
This is a romantic little restaurant great for a date night. With a large choice of pasta and pizza dishes that are all full of flavour and just what you would expect from an Italian restaurant.
The restaurant is reservation only and this can be booked from the hotel lobby or the restaurant reception. Dress code is smart casual and the restaurant is open from 6pm – 11pm daily.
La Hacienda Restaurant
There is no point coming to Mexico if you don’t sample the traditional Mexican food and I was not disappointed. As well as the Mexican favourites such as taco’s, fajita’s and enchilada’s they also have a wide choice of traditional Mexican dishes.
Enjoy a Mexican favourite and soak up the Mexican atmosphere complete with sombrero’s.
The restaurant is reservation only and this can be booked from the hotel lobby or the restaurant reception. Dress code is smart casual and the restaurant is open from 6pm – 11pm daily.
La Fondue Restaurant
This one took me by surprise a little. Not the kind of restaurant I would expect to find in a luxury Mexico resort but they have thought this through and it has paid off!
Travel to Switzerland for a taste of some traditional Swiss dishes. Have a craving for meatballs? well crave no more! This works really well as a food choice and I really enjoyed tasting all the food they had on offer here.
The restaurant is reservation only and this can be booked from the hotel lobby or the restaurant reception. Dress code is smart casual and the restaurant is open from 6pm – 11pm daily.
Miso Restaurant
My favourite of all the restaurants at the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel. I always make sure I visit at least twice.
Choose from a traditional Asian sit down meal or book the teppanyaki show (I highly recommend this!). Watch the chefs cook in front of you whilst throwing flames, tossing eggs and aiming rice into your mouth. So much fun and the food is utterly mouth watering!! A must do!
The restaurant is reservation only and this can be booked from the hotel lobby or the restaurant reception. Dress code is smart casual and the restaurant is open from 6pm – 11pm daily.
Las Olas Restaurant
You cant go to a beach side resort without sampling the sea food! Fresh, delicious catches.
Try the lobster….you will not be disappointed!
The restaurant is reservation only and this can be booked from the hotel lobby or the restaurant reception. Dress code is smart casual and the restaurant is open from 6pm – 11pm daily.
La Fleur Restuarant
International Cuisine in first class setting. There is something here for all taste buds!
The restaurant is reservation only and this can be booked from the hotel lobby or the restaurant reception. Dress code is smart casual and the restaurant is open from 6pm – 11pm daily.
Chill Out Restuarant
Situated right on the beach, you cannot get more romantic than this. Booking’s are over 4 settings so it always feel intimate and exclusive. It is a three course meal and drinks and its some nice grub!
This is not included in the all inclusive package and does come at an extra cost, I would really recommend this though as not only are the food and setting exquisite, you will also get entry to the exclusive chill out beach for the rest of your stay.
If you are staying in the Laguna Villa you can also get breakfast here free of charge every day. Its the best way to start the day!
The restaurant is reservation only and this can be booked from the hotel lobby or the restaurant reception. Dress code is smart casual and the restaurant is open from 8:00am – 12:pm for breakfast and 6pm – 11pm for dinner daily.
Buffet Restaurants
There is also 4 buffet restaurants situated throughout the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel , all open daily and all serving food throughout the day. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There is a huge choice of dishes from all over the world and something for everyone.
I love the breakfast here as its just such a massive selection! you can also have dishes made in front of you if you have a particular dish in mind.
No reservation is needed which I loved. You can just walk in when you’re peckish and eat whatever you fancy. Dress code is casul.
Breakfast – 7:00am – 10:30am. Lunch 12:00pm – 3:00pm. Dinner 6:00pm-11pm.
Ice Cream Parlour
Situated behind the Riveria lobby and within the family club is the ice cream parlour.
Indulge in your favourite Ice cream Sundays and cool down from the midday heat.
There are loads of flavours and toppings to choose from and its a child’s (and adults) dream!
Other place to grab a bite
As well as the 12 restaurants at the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel there are many other options for snacks and light bites.
The sports bar serves snacks 24/7 and this is really handy for a late night munch after too many tequilas.
The beach has a snack bar serving burgers and grills which is open daily.
There are also a few pop up grills that appear throughout the day serving burgers and taco’s, perfect for a mid afternoon snack!
Bars
There are 12 bars dotted around the resort all serving a purpose – we know what that purpose is too, right ;).
You’re never far way from a drink in Play Del Carmen and this is even more true at the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel!
They have lobby bars, beach bars, swim up pool bars…..you name it, they have it!
There are a few bars in particular that I would like to highlight though. The first is the sports bar.
The perfect place to unwind after a hard day sunbathing, with tranquil seating areas outside, over looking the lake. Or sit inside and watch your favorite sports game whilst playing some pool. This bar has a really fun athmosphere and is open 24/7!! Even better!
The theatre bar is in the main square of the resort and a lovely place to sit after an evening meal. With regular live music and shows its a really fun way to finish off the day.
Not ready to finish off just yet though…..? Then head over the the nightclub! It opens at 10pm and can only really be identified by the glass door that says club on it. – Please note, this is currently not running due to covid restrictions.
Its not a huge club but is actually laid out like a legit, proper night club! complete with DJ booth and dance floor. I have had some really fun nights in here and as with everything in the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel, its all included in your stay!
Entertainment
There is a whole host of entertainment on offer at the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel both in the daytime and night.
The kids club has a daily activity schedule including games, craft and a family film club.
The pool area also puts on games and it starts with early morning pool bingo for your chance to win some prizes curtesy of the hotel.
Come early afternoon things liven up with drinking games and competitions hosted by the hotels entertainment staff, and these guys know how to have a good time and put on a good performance! you can also play water volleyball in the main pool.
The beach hosts volleyball too! along with yoga and morning work out classes. They also put on a foam party once a week which is not to be missed. I had so much fun dancing and getting covered in foam!
You can also hire kayaks, sail boats and jet ski’s (for an extra charge) from the beach.
At night the entertainment continues with live music and shows in the courtyard bar as well as a full on theatre show in the theatre. I found myself in the middle of a Moana show and let me tell you, it was really good! Not just for the kids!!
The sports bar has pool tables if you’re up for the challenge, and as mentioned above you can head on over to the night club to continue the partying into the early hours of the morning.
They also have a tennis court and archery on site if your feeling active!
The Spa
The Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel has one of the best spa’s I have been to.
They have a massage pool with a choice of massage jets and a jacuzzi which is a great way to get some down time if the outdoor pools are getting a bit lively!
It has a fish spa and a gym, so if you don’t want to miss out on your daily work outs whilst on holiday you don’t have to!
The best part for me was the treatment rooms. I have had a couple of massages here and they have just been amazing! They have a wide choice of treatments and even have a treatment room with a private hot tub. A real romantic treat and great for newlyweds enjoying their honeymoon.
There is also a hairdressers on site so you can be assured you have the opportunity to look good, and feel great!
Platinum guests receive a free 25 minute treatment and access to the massage pool too!
Wildlife
A strange category to have on a blog about a hotel review….I know, but you will be surprised at just how much wildlife there is at the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel! I was taken by surprise as soon as we arrived.
The hotel is built around protected mangrove and they ensure that all the wildlife on site is nurtured and cared for.
On the bridge to the beach, do not be surprised if you come across monkeys, lizards and alligators. Don’t freak out though, stay out of their way and they will stay out of yours.
Whilst I was there though I did hear a story of one of the monkeys running off with a ladies bag……another, rather strange reason to keep an eye on your belongings.
As well as the above, I can guarantee you will also see the Mexican white nosed Coati. I have never seen an animal like it before and had to actually google what it was! They look VERY cute! (especially the babies!) and run around the hotel in packs.
I was actually woken on my first day to about 60 of them climbing the trees directly outside my room. It was an amazing experience! These animals do have very sharp teeth though! so DO NOT try and stroke them! Also, keep an eye on your food and drink.
These cheeky little fella’s are not fazed by people and will try and nick your things. I am sure a few of them were getting drunk on discarded cocktails too!
You will also come across iguanas bathing in the sun all over the hotel. Again, don’t bother them and they wont bother you! They are pretty chill!
Another frequent visitor are the cats, they roam around waiting to be stroked and made a fuss of like cats do.
I have to admit when I first arrived I was a little nervous and cautious about all the animals but you soon get used to them, and how cool to spend your holiday home with exotic animals too!
Other Hotel information
Apart from all the wide variety of things mentioned above, there are a few other bits I wanted to point out about the hotel.
The first thing is if you are looking to book any excursions then you have plenty of choice here. There are lots of excursion stands with a whole host of different days out on offer. I would suggest visiting a few of them before you part with any cash, as they all offer different things and for different prices.
There is also a small shopping area within the hotel. The shops include a jewellers,3 gift/convince shops and a place to purchase photos if you have been papped by any of the hotel staff.
There is a Wedding concierge who will help to plan the whole day if you are thinking of celebrating your big day here. I saw a wedding take place and it was beautiful! The staff we working so hard all day long to make it special and they did a great job!
For anyone who enjoys a flutter there is a Casino in the hotel that is open 24/7. – Please note, this is currently not running due to covid restrictions.
One thing that is also worth mentioning is tipping. PLEASE tip the staff, and tip them as generously as possible. They work really long hours in the blistering sun and do an absolutely fantastic job! Please don’t be ‘that guy!’
FAQ
What Is The Difference Between Grand Riviera Princess And Grand Sunset Princess?
The Grand Riviera Princess is centred on family and is close to all the family entertainment. It also has family rooms. Both the Grand Riviera and The Grand Sunset have their own lobbies but both hotels are on the same complex and in reality, one big hotel.
How Many Rooms Does The Grand Riviera Princess Have?
The Hotel has 674 rooms. This gives you a good idea of the size of the hotel. Each room is just as good as the next and all finished to a high standard.
What Is Best Month To Visit Riviera Maya?
March and April are the best months to visit due to the warm temperatures and low rain fall.
How far Is Grand Riviera Princess From The Airport?
The hotel is 50km form Cancun International Airport. This is roughly around 40 – 45 minutes by car.
What Is The Hottest Month To Go To Riviera Maya
June is the hottest month in the Riviera Maya area but most months of the year will see temperatures rising to 25 degrees and higher.
So I think that’s it! Hopefully I have covered everything you need to k now about the Grand Sunset and Riviera Princess Hotel. Playa Del Carmen is such a beautiful place to visit and I cant recommend it enough! You are sure to have an amazing time if you stay here and wont regret it!
Please fell free to comment below on your own expereibnces or if you have any questions and I will be sure to answer them.
If you liked this blog, please check out my other blogs under My Adventures
Enjoy Mexico!
Emma x
Can you tell me how much it us to upgrade to platinum for two adults foe 2 weeks please
Hey, thanks for your comment. It really depends on the time of year you travel and how far in advance you book your trip but for me….it worked out roughly £250 more than a standard room and it was worth every penny!
This really answered my problem, thank you!
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