Quote:
Originally Posted by Thor
Barcelo Maya is a massive resort, family friendly, in a spectacular part of the mayan riviera.
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We've been to both the Barcelo (X2) and the Grand Bahia Principe (x2) in the Riviera. Both are fantastic resorts and essentially interchangeable to our family (2 adults late 30s, 2 kids 3 and 7). They both have awesome waterparks (Barcelo has a new one that costs as well in the old Beach section) that the kids used 2-3 hours each day. We've never used the kids clubs (kids aren't that interested) but they do look like fun.
We stay at whichever is cheaper, and unfortunately lately Barcelo hasn't been competitive, even on the My Barcelo discounts.
Barcelo is closer to the airport, but only by 15 minutes or so. Barcelo closer to Playa Del Carmen, GBP is much closer to Tulum if that's your bag.
The Barcelo has changed now - the four non-palace resorts are all "interchangeable" unlike before where there were three "tiers" of parts of the resort. Staying at the Beach/Caribe/Colonial/Tropical still means you can't use the Palace pools or restaurants (though I think you can pay to use the restaurants).
The Bahia Principe is the opposite - they've now moved the Akumal portion to their "prestige" collection (or whatever they call it) and so people staying at Tulum and Coba can no longer use the Akumal beach, pools, restaurants, or facilities. And it's the best beach. Sian Kaan also has a nice beach that is roped off. The Coba beach (where we stayed) was hard to swim in because of the seaweed. Guys were working every day to get rid of it, but the next morning it was right back to where it was. Tulum beach had small stretches easy to get into but it was hard to get over from the Coba even with the shuttles.
