Gran Bahia Principe Riviera Maya Resort Tulum, Mexico

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It is pleasing to report that despite having previously been on many excellent All Inclusive holidays this was the most enjoyable and best value holiday that we have ever experienced. The hotel was very comfortable and the staff were always both keen and happy to help with whatever problems we confronted them with. The food was exceptional, the daily buffet was varied and provided a staggering degree of options, it is hard to imagine any palate not being satisfied with the selection that was offered. We visited 4 of the specialist restaurants that were available and every one has something special to offer and everyone was most enjoyable. The bar offered a very good range of drinks including cocktails that all were covered by the all inclusive policy - even the mini bars in the rooms were stocked with all inclusive offerings. The trips that were offered were outstanding, the whale shark experience is something that non of us will forget as was the dolphin swim. We also went on the 'Fat Cat' and Xel-Ha trips, both of which were excellent. The hotel facilities and daily entertainment were difficult to criticise, the entertainment was varied so some nights it was not as appealing as others but generally it was of a high standard. I would have no hesitation in recommending this hotel to anyone. [more...]

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Just got back from spending the best holiday ever in Mexico we stayed in the Riviera Maya resort at the Gran Bahia Principe Tullum we was allocated on arrival to Tul lum what a fantastic hotel the staff are fantastic and so friendly the food was superb they cater for every one could not fault it If I had anything negative to say about this hotel it is the air conditioning needs to be up dated it was not very good and the bedrooms could do with a refurbishing but for the length of time spent in it we could live with it The al a carte restaurant's were brilliant try the international at Tullum you wont be disappointed I cant praise this hotel enough cant wait to go back you also have the use of the other two hotels what more can you ask for Lynn and Frank England [more...]

Date of review:1 Oct 2011

We stayed at this resort for two weeks from the beginning of October for the second time and if anything it was better than last year! We had emailed ahead and had t he A La Cartes reserved for us so we had a really lazy holiday and were pampered again. Yes this resort is huge but easy to get around on the little carts if you dont or cant walk and all three lobbies are very grand and impressive. The only thing we would have liked is in the evening when the entertainment in the lobby bar finished at 10 30pm, people just sat around looking lost and expecting more music, it would be nice if at least the singers carried on till 11pm then you could always go to the Hacienda, or just have music playing instead of nothing? The food in the buffet restaurants was really good and we alternated nights there with the A La Cartes. Our favourite A La Cartes were - Don Pablo, beautiful gourmet restaurant, both the fillet mignon and shrimp main meals were delicious; The Arlequin, another gourmet one, absolutely gorgeous The Mikado, Japanese, try and book the show table its fascinating, how the chef can throw the bowls of rice in the air without dropping them is amazing! Gran Tortuga, Brazilian, several types of meats brought to your table and sliced off until you turn your card to red. Lamb, steak, chicken, sausage etc etc,its up to you! We stayed at the Tulum Hacienda like last year and had breakfast and lunch in the Tequila restaurant which was very similar but just on a smaller scale to the big buffet restaurants.Gabriel used to look out for us and had a glass of champagne and coffee on the table as soon as we walked in! He never stopped working for a minute he was excellent but to be fair all the staff wherever you go from Tulum, to Coba to Akumal worked tirelessly. Many thanks to Martina who cleaned our room very, very well and to all the staff who made our holiday so relaxing, Isabela in the Tulum lobby bar was very happy and efficient, we remember her as a trainee last year! We walked a couple of times on the beach from Tulum up to the swing bar at Akumal and then had a walk round then on to Coba and everywhere was spotlessly clean. We didnt go on any trips through choice and still had a wonderful time and cant understand the odd bad review. Our light wasnt working on the balcony, no big deal, but within 15 minutes a workman fixed it! I would recommend this resort to anyone and everyone and we are hoping to return next year. Nicky your help was invaluable and you organised our rooms and A La Cartes even before we arrived and made our wedding anniversary a very special day indeed, many, many thanks to you! [more...]

Date of review:1 Sep 2011

Everything about this resort is just great. The complex is big but has quiet places if you want them. Food excellent, beaches superb. Would reccomend to anybody.

Date of review:1 Aug 2011

This hotel was just great, we had no issue's at all, all the staff are very friendly and very helpful, the resort setting is superb and if like me you are a scuba di ver the sea is warm (20 deg C at 18m) clear (25-30m viz) and full of life you'll enjoy your diving all the more for that. The food was plentiful high quality and very varied, the hotel and room is kept immaculate by the army of staff that works there, they clean the beach by hand every day of sea weed. The only problem that I found for me is the mosquito, despite putting on copius amounts of replent I got bitten more times on this holiday than any other I have been on while others in my party were hardly bitten at all, I guess my blood must taste sweeter. Trips are quite expensive also for the various ones available, we found that Xplor was great fun and well worth a visit but it was a rush to get around everything. At the hotel there is a chance to swim with dolphins although there are a number of other places where you can do this also. The Mayan ruins at Tulum and Coba are worth a visit too although we found it to be very, very hot on the day we went, hat's and sun cream are a must. All in all this was a great holiday and we were sad to leave the place at the end, we made the vow to go back one day and in the not too distant future to. I have no problem in recommending this hotel to anyone with young or teenage families as there is always something going on. [more...]

Date of review:1 Aug 2011

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Date of review:1 Aug 2011

Two brilliant weeks, stayed in the Coba, you should read up about the resort on Tripadviser because the TC Reps tell you nothing useful, they cover the trips availab le and have a guest speaker who also tries to sell you some trips. The transfer from the airport to the hotel is almost like slowing down outside your hotel throwing your luggage out of the coach and shouting 8 guests for the Hotel '***' who get off the coach then they drive off, the arrival at the Gran Bahai Principe was basically 'if you can see your bags on the road outside, then this is your hotel' The TC rep had no idea what was going on. The Hotel was very good and they went out of their way to make you feel welcome loads of facilities available to use for free but you needed to know about them before the last few days of the holiday. The A La Carte option is only worth it because it breaks up the pattern of the buffet bar which incidentally runs out of certain dishes by 9.15pm, they then spread out whats left across the serving dishes, however the choice prior to 9pm is very good. Overall the resort is really good and I would stay there again. [more...]

Date of review:1 Jul 2011

This was our first time in Mexico. I must admit after a 10 hour flight we did not enjoy another 2 hours in a bus having to stop off at other hotels on the way, which when you left the main road there was still a long drive down until you got to the Reception. Being the last hotel did mean a long wait (4 hours since touch-down) but this was soon forgotten when we arrived and a welcome cocktail was waiting. Although there were a lot of us waiting at the reception to be served it did not take long for us to book in and and be driven to our room. We stayed in a Junior Suite in the Tulum area and although not exactly what I was expecting it served its purpose but was not quite as luxurious as I thought it would be. The buffet resaturants at all three hotels were great and although I could not fault them at all they did become a bit repetitive however having the choice of Al a Carte resaurants did help and these were excellent (we particularly liked the Japanese Show Table) Pools were lovely but did need to be up at 7am if you wanted to get a lounger. Waitress service was excellent in the Bars and lots of cocktails to try out. This resort is well worth a visit just watch out for the Mosquitos. [more...]

Date of review:1 Jul 2011

Stayed here for two weeks, family of five, 2 adults and 3 teenagers. Stayed in the Tulum hotel, we all had a great time, lovely hotel, immaculate grounds and great service from the staff. Food was very good, lots of choice at the buffet, although by the second week did become repetitive. Service could be slow at times, clearing the table and replenishing drinks. Bedrooms very clean, although one room did have a musty smell, which never seemed to go away. All members of staff worked very hard to keep people happy, whether at the bar, restaurant or reception etc. [more...]

Date of review:1 Jul 2011

This holiday was ideally suited to my older teenager of 18 years and he enjoyed the nightclub. There was enough for him to do on site without having to go out. My 15 year old didn't do a lot but still enjoyed the holiday. The reef was amazing and it was like being in an aquarium just walking in. Take shoes you can swim in as the urchins are huge and there are loads of them all along the beaches. The Gran Bahia Principe had wonderful Al Carte restaurants -book before by email, or as soon as you get there. For the gourmet al la carte restaurants you must wear smartish trousers and for all al la cartes must be on time. The non gourmet restaurantsa generally were not air conditioned. The food and the service at the restaurants both al la carte and buffet was excellent. The Gran Bahia beach and accommodation was very disappointing. There are signs up on the beach to say that you cannot swim in the sea at all - infact the dead reef along a lot of the beach stops you going in anyway. Our accommodation was very worn and the rooms smelt of sewage and they pumped out an area whilst we were there. Considering we had paid extra for the Hacienda there was no advantage in the rooms only that we had a small restaurant for breakfast and lunch which wasn't so crowded which we prefer - there was less choice. You got an extra al la carte meal per week was worth it as we all loved the al la carte food and experience. The shows ranged from good to mediocre - I have seen a lot better. Overall value for money I thought the holiday was good, the accommodation was very worn and the food and service was excellent. The beach was no good if you wanted to swim by the Hacienda. The journey there is extremely long - I thought the plane was very comfortable but it took a good 3-4 hours from the plane and to our room - it was a very tiring journey and the humidity in July/August is energy sapping. The coach on the way back had no seat belts, and it was extremely cramped and uncomfortable. [more...]

Date of review:1 Jul 2011

The Gran Bahia Principe COULD be a fabulous resort. The location is great, the grounds are stunning the pools are top rate and the beaches are lovely and really safe for children. BUT the rooms are tired dark are supplied with the most basic cosmetics. They are over three floors and if like us you are unlucky enough to be on the ground floor then expect to hear EVERYTHING from those above you. I have never tried all inclusive before and probably never will again - and this was even when we took advantage of the Al a Carte Restaurants three times a week. Food was frequently luke warm and although there was a good variety it soon got tiresome. During our stay I complained about our room to the Thomas Cook Rep who proved totally incompetent and impotent in resolving any issues. I also wrote to the hotel manager with no response. To give you a clue about this resort the only British Newspaper available to you is THE SUN!! I will never travel with Thomas Cook again [more...]

Date of review:1 May 2011

Me and my boyfriend have been on loads of Long Haul all inclusive Holidays and up until now have never returned to the same hotel, we will be returning to this hotel next year or possibly again later this year, dragging along my very fussy sister in law, brother and neice. This just says it all, everything was fantastic could not fault a thing. [more...]

Date of review:1 May 2011

the holiday was first class ,staff, location,food and drink was superb,our only thing we thought spoilt things was the evening entertainment.we had to leave the bar area and go to what was like a disused picture house, with no bar,you had to leave the show,and go back to the bar.but the shows were good,if only 45 minutes long,there were two sets of groups playing in the bar area,one was good the only in all honesty we had enough off in the first week.but would i go back again,in the blink of an eye yes. [more...]

Date of review:1 May 2011

Great holidays!!!! I would recommend it to anyone. The resort is so big you can't get bored over there. Food and drinks are fantastic plus you get three free booking s in a la carte restaurant each week. There is no such a thing as happy hour, coctails are available for free all day and night long! There are bars and restaurants everywhere you go, wonderful service, people are so friendly, they couldn't do more for you. The only disappointment was the rep who wasn't very helpful, was never at the office when supposed to, so we bought few tours with Bahia Tours reps who were very efficient and offered competitive prices. So ask around first before you book anything. You can also take the local buses which cost around £2 one way to go to Playa del Carmen, Tulum or Akumal for a lovely day out. That's one of the resorts I'd like to go back to one day again as it's worth every penny :) Have a marvellous holiday! [more...]

Date of review:1 Mar 2011

This was our second visit to Gran Bahia Principe, we went last year as well. I can't fault the staff,the cleanliness, the choice of food and drink. I heard many othe r guests saying it was brilliant and would be coming back. It's so nice to have the choice of three hotels to roam between so you don't have to be in the same bar every night. You can choose lively pool bars, the beach, quieter places to just lie and read. The weather was great, just one stormy afternoon. We didn't do any excursions this time as we only have a week, but we took ourselves off to the town, Carmen del Playa a couple of times and down the road to Tulum. This was cheap and easy to do on the local bus which stops outside the hotel. The holiday was a real tonic, so nice to be warm and in holiday mood after the long cold winter! [more...]

Date of review:1 Mar 2011

The hotel is beautiful, and set in a stunning location but: I did not expect to have to pay for a safety deposit box in a 5* resort. Also the hotel staff had no idea about how to deal with a single person. I was ignored in restaurants, although the food was good in the speciality restaurants I tried, the service was terrible. I was frequently shoved in a corner as they really didn't know what to do with me, as they only seem to be able to cope with couples or groups. The buffet restaurant was hard work, on a couple of occasions they cleared my things away as they thought I had finished. The resort is too big, although being able to walk between the 3 hotels and the hacienda was nice, as it made it feel like you got out of the hotel. If you are going on your own I would recommend a smaller hotel where it is easier to see the same staff and guests, therefore making your holiday more friendly. [more...]

Date of review:1 Feb 2011

We loved this holiday from beginning to end. Thomas Cook are great at what they do, organised and good value for money. The resort caters for all needs, dietry and i n every other sense. The buffets are amazing the service and friendliness of the staff makes your holiday more enjoyable. The resort is vast and even when fully booked you dont feel like its over crowded. If you want a party atmosphere you can have one. If you want peace and quiet you can have that too.Golf buggies transport people around the resort to its various areas, beach, restaurants, pools etc so if you dont want to walk or have young kiddies help is there. The resort is next to a nature reserve so theres lots of wild life to see which we loved, also the bay and beach are very safe and shallow so again great for kids- feed the fish in the morning in crystal clear warm water. Finally the flight again fabulous, very long but the crew are great and work very hard to make the journey enjoyable. We will definately be regulars to this lovely place from now on. Enjoy [more...]

Date of review:1 Feb 2011

After a long flight from Gatwick to Cancun ( almost 11 hours) we had a futher two hours travel to our resort and of course we were the last to be dropped off! There should have been a more dieect route to our hotel instead of calling at several others on the way. However that was the only complaint and once we entered the Bahai Principe hotel complex the holiday was fantastic with absolutely superb dining, great entertainment and a resort that had beutiful beaches, good swimming pools and well maintained grounds that were full of wildlife including many species of colourful birds. There were numerous a la carte restaurants, great bars, good music and a full programme of entertainment both day and evening. The standard of the resort was probably the best overall that we have experienced and the quality of furnishings, decor, pool areas and self service restaurants was very high. Food was freshly prepared and there was a great variety of dishes on offer.If you wanted snack food there were several restaurants open 24 hours . The clientele was varied in age range and there were many Canadians in the resort who had escaped severe winter conditions and luxuriated in the sunshine of Mexico. We found the clientele generally very polite and friendly and we were soon into a routine of getting up early to enjoy the weather as the sun set around 5.30 pm. While the entire resort comprised three hotels all of the facilities were accessible to guests and even though the resort was well spread out, there were three kinds of transport for guests to be used We were told by the travel rep that it was completely safe to go outside the resort and use local transport and went to the beautiful beach at Akumal where here was plenty to se and do . We enjoyed also a trip to see the Mayan ruins at Tulum and also went to the Playa del Carmen town to do some shopping. [more...]

Date of review:1 Jan 2011

Lived up to all expectations and beyond.

Date of review:1 Jan 2011

A great base from which to explore the history, and present-day life, of the Yucutan peninsular.

Date of review:1 Nov 2010

Booked this hotel as had previously visited in 2006 and recommended it to friends in Canada for their daughter's wedding ceremony. The hotel is very big consisting o f 3 large hotels in a complex all facilities and restaurants through out the complex can be used. The beach at the Tulum end is very rocky and swimming is not possible on most days (red flag showing). The beach at the Akumal end is better and there are lots of fish in shallow water. The hotel standard is very good and has a dress code in the al a carte restaurants but was disappointed that not every one followed it. The Japanese and Brazilian restaurants were very good but were booked up very quickly. You are allowed to visit 3 al a cartes in a 7 day period. Our biggest disappointment with the holiday was that we specifically booked the Tulum hotel as we were attending the wedding of our friends from Canada, only to be told on arriving that Tulum was fully booked and we were staying at the Coba hotel, which was a long way from the ceremony. As we booked up months in advance this last minute change without being told beforehand was very poor. Apart from this personal disappointment the holiday was very good, the hotel is hugh and service and food was very good but a little monotonous in the buffet restaurants and sometimes not very hot, they do not have a hot plate facility so the food gets cold very quickly. I would recommend the location and holiday if you want a relaxing beach holiday but it is remote and the journey from the uk is very long (12 hour flight and 1.5 hour transfer). [more...]

Date of review:1 Jun 2010

This was the best Holiday i have ever been on. We traveled with our 2 year old daughter, and the staff couldnt do enough for us. Not only were they friendly but if y ou did have a problem it was sorted within the hour. (Had a little problem with room fridge). The hotel itsself had everything you needed and more, and the little trains that run you between the hotels are great. The food was out of this world and if you were still hungry they had a 24 hour snack bar too, not like you needed it. Just make sure you take some good sun tan cream because its hot hot hot. Cant wait to return to Mexico! [more...]

Date of review:1 Jun 2010

Wonderful Time at Bahia Pricipie Akumal. We were upgraded to another room when we arrived which was a fantastic start to the holiday. The food both at the a la carte s and Buffet was excellent. Room was fantastic and the maid was very attentive as well as the guy who restocked the mini bar daily. Main pool really nice but a bit noisy if you want to relax, there are other quieter pools around the resort though. Service was fantastic especially at the bars where the staff always asked if you would like another when you have finished your drink. Evening entertainment not all that great but is mainly for children. There was a disco at the hacienda most nights but we didn't go. The beach was lovely and there are designated areas where you can swim and the water is calmer. We booked all our excursions through our Thomas Cook reps that were very helpful and told us how to get into the local town, Playa Del Carmen, on the local transport (collectivo). Playa Del Carmen is a lovely place and very friendly towards tourists Overall we had a fantastic time and would defiantly recommend this resort [more...]

Date of review:1 Jun 2010

The Gran Bahia Principe exceeded our expectations. Could not fault anything. Would recommend to anyone thinking about going to Mexico. And while there, you have to t ry the coco banana - fabulous especially when made with vodka!!! We booked our excursions through the Thomas Cook rep (Akeem) who was very helpful. We went to Tulum and Coba, Chichen Itza, Fat Cat and Xcaret and would strongly recommend them especially Xcaret. You must also go to Arlequin, the best a la carte retaurant in the resort. We would also recommend a trip to nearby Playa del Carmen. [more...]

Date of review:1 Jun 2010

We have just returned from a 2 week all inclusive holiday in Mexico staying at the Gran Bahia Principe. We decided to chose the particular hotel having stayed at one of the sister hotels last year in Jamacia. The holiday did not disappoint - although the transfer between the airport and the hotel is approx 90 mins - it was well worth it. The complex of 3 hotels is fantastic - although there are over 2000 rooms there is so much space that you would not know the amount of people staying on the resort. The rooms are all excellent - all low rise buildings - no concrete jungles here! The resort is in the middle of nowhere - sea on one side, forest on the other but there is activities for those who start twiddling their thumbs after a few days - free bike hire, a gym, mini-club for the kids and organised activities for the grown ups. There is also a spa for those who want some 'r and r', tonnes of sun loungers around the pool and also scattered along the beach for the sun worshipers! Being all inclusive drinks and food are avaiable 24 hours per day - they also re-stock the fridge each day in the rooms. There are also a la carte restaurants where you can reserve a table in advance - including French, Mexican, Italian, Japanese or even Brazilian (great for those meat lovers!) Entertainment was ok - there are live bands in each hotel and also shows on the evening- the Michael Jackson show was actually not that bad! The staff was so friendly and helpful - nothing was too much trouble. Can't fault the holiday at all - the weather was great and have come back home feeling very relaxed! One word of warning - can be a shock to see lizards and igunas strolling around the complex - got used to them after a few days though! [more...]

Date of review:1 Jun 2010

This holiday was paradise. Cant praise it enough. The complex was spotlessly clean and well maintained. The food was excellent with endless choice. All the staff are friendly and helpful, Definitely worth 5 star and more! Thomas Cook ensured a prefect holiday from start to finish, very well organised and we was well looked after. Cant understand why anyone would complain about anything at this resort. [more...]

Date of review:1 Jun 2010

This was our 5th time at Bahia Principe, but first time travelling with Thomas Cook. The flight to Mexico was by far the best we have experienced yet.!!!! There was plenty of staff available and the toilets were always well stocked and immaculate. What can I say about Bahia Principe.......after being there 5 times and planning to go back 2011 its a great place to go. I can strongly recommend a la carte restaurants Don Pablo, Mikado, Le Gourmet and Arlequin, The resort is spotlessly clean and the staff are all so friendly. Its a huge resort with 3 hotels where you can use all facilities. It is easy to get around the resort with buses and golf buggies available at all times. There are numerous pools with plenty of sun loungers and a large beach also with a vast ammount of sun loungers. I take my teenage daughters every year (who have started taking friends) and they also thoroughly enjoy themselves and cant wait to return. [more...]

Date of review:1 May 2010

Not an auspicious start with the newsflash on Sun 16th May that all UK airports north of Birmingham closed. However, Manchester reopened in time for our flight on Mo nday.Downside was flight was nearer 12 hours instead of the usual 10 because of the volcanic ash. We were in a great holiday mood when we landed, but it didn't last long as it took us 3 hours to get through Cancun airport - 2 hours to passport control and 1 hour through baggage reclaim. Tip when going through Baggage Reclaim/customs, look for the line where you only have to hand in your form and press a red button, it's faster. We arrived at the Bahia and our bags were dropped outside reception. Unfortunately no one could tell us which resort we were staying at (there's 5 or 6 at the Bahia). I went to the Akumal reception to see what I could find out. Guess what? I was told we shouldn't have been dropped there but at Golden instead. I asked what I needed to do to get where we needed to be and was told to get one of the guys who drive the buggys/trains to take us over. This we did and checked into reception at Golden to be given our room details. Found that we had been put on the top floor. There's no lifts and with a baby just under two years old and a pushchair it wasn't the ideal situation. We decided to stay put for the night and sort it out the next day. Katie (the rep) did get us moved to a ground floor room at Coba on the Weds afternoon but not before the original room got flooded on the Tues night from the torrential downpour (roof was leaking). Settled into our new room we set about enjoying the rest of our holiday. Have to say the buffet restaurants are excellent with loads of choice and staff were pretty good. We also tried 5 of the speciality restaurants. Best restaurant for being looked after - the Mediterraneo. Best food the Mikado Japanese restaurant. Pools and beaches were excellent, very good entertainment. Only other downside - mosquitos and midges. They’re aggressive and you need to make sure you use DEET spray otherwise you'll get bitten to pieces. Lobby bars always busy in the evenings and usually a queue for drinks. Best to tip the waitresses a couple of dollars and she'll look after you all night. 2nd week's weather was great, lot's of sunshine and hot (30+). We did have a problem halfway thru second week when the baby was covered in a rash from head to toe. We took her to the docs at the Hacienda who thought it might be chicken pox and advised us to take her to hospital at Playa Del Carmen for confirmation. Make sure you have good travel insurance as it's a very expensive. Paediatrician said was viral infection. Medication sorted we went back to the resort. Stayed out of the sun whilst baby was unwell, managing to get a bit more sun on the two days before we flew home. So not quite the holiday we expected, but you have to make the best of things. Would we go back there. Yes, probably. But there are other resorts locations we'd probably go to first. [more...]

Date of review:1 May 2010

Mexico was a lovely place to go for a honeymoon. It is definitely suitable for couples of any age. There is so much to do so no chance of getting bored. There are th ree seperate hotels on the resort and you are able to use the facilities at each. Food is really good at the resort with a good choice of almost everything. They also have a la carte restaurants, with a choice of three a week to go to. They are lovely. I would definitely recommend it. [more...]

Date of review:1 May 2010

A group of 6 of us stayed in the Tulum section of the Gran Bahia and had an amazing time. The hotel is huge with buggies taking you between the different sections an d each lobby is very impressive. There is plenty to do at the hotel with activities and the sports centre as well as numerous bars and a nightclub in the evening. The food is of a good standard and the a la carte restuarants that can be booked are excellent with a wide range of cuisines to choose from . Also all the staff are extremely friendly. The location is around 30 minutes from the nearest town however you can easily get a taxi or bus for a small price and it is well worth a visit for authentic Mexico. I would like to re-visit the hotel one day as it fulfilled everything that I could want from a holiday. [more...]

Date of review:1 May 2010

We stayed at this hotel 5 years ago with the grandchildren and we thought it was fab, we returned this year to a totaly different holiday, we stayed at the Acumal si de and the food in the restrant was never hot and was a poor choice,they were always running out of black tea and the waiters were too lazy to go and find some so we went and found them ourselfs, our fridge was only filled up 4 times in the 2 weeks we were there and toilet paper was also not filled daily. the Coba and the Tulum side were much better and the pool areas were also laid out better. we booked the Italian and the next day we were all running to the Loo and several other custmers were also runing to the loo and they had all eaten in the Italian. The spa is not free, i dont mind paying for a massage or facial but the sauna and other faclities should be free, the safe is also not free. On a good note the train drivers were very nice and plesent especialy Jose [more...]

Date of review:1 May 2010

This resort was amazing as soon as we arrived we were greated with cocktails and the staff made us feel very welcome, they brought our cases to our room for us and p rovided dressing gown and slippers. The rooms were nice with air conditioning and a free mini bar! there was a wide choice of places to eat and all the food was amazing, there was a choice of pools quite ones or more livley ones, the buses were ev rey few mins to take you around the resort and the beach was amazing and so clean. The staff were very friendly and they even had a doctors on the resort for when i needed medication. If you wanted to venture out the 5th avenue with bars and restaurants and the famous coco bongos was about 30-40 mins away in a taxi but worth it. Would definitley return here and reccommend to anyone. [more...]

Date of review:1 Apr 2010

We found this resort spacious plenty of choice ,local trolley bus to ferry you to all three hotels where you can eat all inclusive ,Choice of swimming pools. Staff v ery friendly and helpfull.The main bar is closed at midnight the beach bar is open 24hrs for drinks and snack so nobody need to starve.Beaches are beautiful white sand and clear water. Although there is a massive choice on the Buffet when bored with it try the Al-a-Cart there is plenty to choose from. You dont have to be stuck on a complex there is plenty to see outside. take a taxi bus [mini bus ] 40 min ride to Playa Carman good shopping area for 30pesos one way in the opposite direction is Tulim where you can visit ruins and pyrimid a 20min ride by Taxi bus. [more...]

Date of review:1 Apr 2010

Thank you to Thomas Cook and the Iceland volcano for giving us a fantastic long holiday: The Gran Bahia Principe (Coba resort) is a wonderful place to stay. The hote l is absolutely huge, and is split into three lobbies, Akumal (with beach), Coba (with the best pool) and Tulum (beach and next to the Hacienda Dona Isabel - the nightlife area). Travelling around by shuttle buses is fast, easy and entertaining as the hotel grounds are beautiful. Each lobby/hotel has its own main buffet and surrounding a la cartes. A la cartes are limited to 3 reservations per week - I'd recommend the Arlequin for fine dining. The best service is in Don Pablo. The buffets are similar, but the best are at Tulum and Coba. There is a very large choice, from Mexican specialities to Italian, American and Japanese (for amazing sushi, go to Coba buffet when it's their Italian theme... counterintuitive, I know, but worth it!). Food is fresh and replaced regularly to keep it that way. There are snack bars everywhere and on Thursdays and Saturdays, the Tulum pool offers pina coladas served in coconut shells! Very popular, so be there at 12 sharp. The entertainment is great for sports enthusiasts - volleyball, water polo, aerobics, soccer. There are Spanish classes at Coba pool and bike tours of the entire hotel. You can also get bikes from the Hacienda area and go around on your own. There are tennis and basketball courts, and many runners in the mornings. For the golf enthusiasts, there are 3 9-hole courses across the road from the hotel and you can play for free (though you pay for the clubs and golf buggy). There are PADI certified scuba diving centres and plenty of opportunities for diving or becoming qualified. At night, there are music bars with live bands, dancing lessons outside and karaoke inside. At 9 (Akumal and Tulum) and 10 (Coba), there are theatre shows with professional dancers. There are occassional special shows like Michael Jackson and Circus. Thursday night is a Mexican Fiesta (tickets at a price) over at the Hacienda - entertaining and worth the money if you play all the games and win lots of tequila! Every night after 10, we went to the Hacienda for the outdoor dancing and then the disco at midnight. If you're feeling lost in all these references to the different areas, don't worry, you get a map of the hotel grounds, and you'll learn to get around within a day. You will enjoy exploring Gran Bahia Principe, and you'll probably end up wishing you had a few extra days! Go for it and book it, you will not regret it. [more...]

Date of review:1 Apr 2010

My hubby and I have just returned from our honeymoon at this fabulous resort. It was pure paradise. We were both more than ready to relax and unwind having got marri ed two days before travelling and being so busy in the lead up to the wedding. We travelled first class and were treated like royalty which got our holiday off to a very good start. We arrived and were amazed by the sheer size and layout of the complex. The hotel has three parts to the resort Coba (being the newest), Akumal and Tulum. We stayed in the Tulum area. (there is a tram like system that runs regularly throughout all parts of the resort which was huge and we found it very handy).The staff were very obliging and helpful at all times, especially upon check in. Their english was great and we felt they could not do enough to help. We stayed all inclusive which meant we were able to use all facilities throughout the whole resort which was 24hour all inclusive. There were lots of pools to use and getting loungers was never a problem, but the hotel was right on the beach which was absolutley stunning. The sand was pure white and sea cystal clear. The food was served buffet style and was lovely, there was always lots of choice and kept hot and replenished regularly. There were also a la carte dining options offered which were all gorgeous especially don pablo which offered gourmet cuisine. All of the bars were well stocked (bonus) and bar service was second to none. The rooms were kept very clean and had air con which was very much needed in the heat. We had a fab rep within the resort- Kareem- who was very helpful and informative in the welcome meeting. We went on a few trips which although seemed expensive initially were well worth the expense. ( swam with dolphins, visited 8th wonder of the world- chichen itza, swam in a cenote and did a cancun bar crawl finishing in cocobongos- jim careys show bar which was awesome). The weather was hot throughout our two week stay. It did rain once but was still warm and we remained in the pool!!! We planned this to be a holiday of a lifetime and it lived up to every expectation. AMAZING! Hopefully would love to go back one day. [more...]

Date of review:1 Feb 2010

Our flight was delayed by 24 hours, which is ages in the world of all inclusive. Yes Thomas Cook did the right thing and put us up in a hotel but no alcohol allowanc e and no toothbrushes, toiletries or PJs. But what a long winded process, not explaining to some people properly about their airport purchases going landside and not being able to be taken back through the next day caused many grumbles from passengers. Hotel did not supply us with the correct room, we specifically requested two beds in the room and when we challenge them on this they said they were overbooked & had no rooms available. We persisted & oddly all of a sudden there was a room available that met our needs, sort of! But because our room was changed we lost our a la carte bookings which we did not know until arriving at the restaurant. The walls in this complex are paper thin so be prepared for late nights if your neighbours are night owls. The Mayan people are lovely and nothing is ever too much trouble, food was great as was the 24 hour availability. A lovely resort with plenty to keep you occupied. [more...]

Date of review:1 Nov 2009

The staff were extremely welcoming and accommodating for the whole 2 weeks. The buffet restaurants were good and the al a cartes amazing. The entertainment was great , and the service and standards throughout the entire resort are unbelievable. [more...]

Date of review:1 Oct 2009

We travelled to Mexico in October a little wary of the weather as regards hurricanes etc. The weather was absolutely beautiful, a little rain now and then but it was over with in a few minutes and then back to blue skys. The resort was spotless , always workers beavering away to keep this place in imaculate condition. There are 3 resorts to the complex, Coba, Tulum and Akumel. When we arrived late after a lomg long journey we were place in Coba (most of the English seem to put there)- this resort is not directly onto the beach like the other 2. When we were shown into the room is smely damp and musty, and even the bed felt damp to sleep on. As we were exhausted we stayed there over night but I didn't unpack as I knew we would be moving the next day. We ask the rep and she said just go to the desk and ask to transfer. I wanted to be near the beech so asked to move to Tulum resort. Best move we made, we were steps from the pool and beach. The room was not as new as Coba resort but it was quite and roomy. The food in the resort is exceptionally good for all inclussive, plenty of choice and everything you could possibly want. The a la carte food was good although helpings are always minimal, unless you go to the one where they feed you until you call stop !. The salad bars were always top notch, I don't eat fish or seasfood so was a little worried about the seasfood a la carte, but the had a chicken dish on and it was excellent. The beaches are kept well and maintained each morning, the water is clear and war and the fish swim up to be fed, you get mugged when you paddle into the water. Best fish spotting is near the pier at Akumel beach. The Akumel pool is the best for quite relaxation. No need to tote heavy towels from resort to resort just get your card back and hand it over in exchange for a towel, when you have finished there get your card back and walk to your room along the lovely beach. There are plenty of sunbeds both at the pools and on the beach. We went out to the ruins at Tulum in taxi and he waited for us until we returned to the cab. We went on the shuttle bus to Playa Carmen but that is mainly shops so didn't stay long. We didn't do other excursions as we had been on some when we stayed at Cancum a few years before. This place is great the only thing my husband complained about was the quality of the beer, I don't drink much so I was OK. The staff are friendly and helpful and all the public areas are beautiful with their main statue to the centre of the reception area. Wildlife abounds, iguanas, deer, coatis and birds. Super place just a little way from the airport after a long flight from the UK.Would go back if we went to Mexico again. [more...]

Date of review:1 Sep 2009

Where can I start to describe the best holiday, honeymoon and experience of my life? Myself and my new husband had the absolute pleasure of staying in the Gran Bahia Principe in Riviera Maya in September for a week's all inclusive break. Before we arrived we were super-excited - as a young couple with two children we had never been away without them before, and certainly never anywhere so grand - so this was a real treat! After a 10 hour flight - we arrived at what I can only describe as the most beautiful place I have ever seen - like something out of a movie. From the moment we arrived, we were treated so well from the staff at the resort - with a drink on arrival and the most courteous of staff. Our luggage was taken to our room by the porters, who throughout the week were the most pleasing and nicest of men you could meet. After receiving all the information we needed about the layout of the resort and the facilities available, we were taken to our room which was just lovely. So clean, spacious - everything we could have hoped for. From there we explored the hotel facilities - which are just fantastic. With several hotels within the resort and the chance to use them all, we had a great time finding out everything they had to offer. From start to finish, the week's holiday was just sensational. The food was to die for - a wonderful selection at the buffet every day and night plus the choice of three A la Carte dining experiences out of a possible nine (six for a two week break). We opted for mexican, italian and a gourmet restaurant - which was like something out of Masterchef! We couldn't believe it was free and all part of your all inclusive package! The pools were beautifully laid out, with the added bonus of a poolside bar within. Life doesn't get much better when you can swim over to the bar and enjoy a pina colada! The hotel has plenty to do during the day activity-wise, or if you prefer some quiet time , there are plenty of pools that offer just that. Entertainment is offered at each hotel every night. We regularly went to different hotels throughout the week, and with the resort transport running between each one regularly you can easily go between. We also found the Thomas Cook rep very helpful, and booked two excursions that she recommended. The dolphin trip was by far the best experience of our lives, and something we will never forget. When I went to book my honeymoon I was interested in Paphos and had never thought about Mexico. The Thomas Cook travel agent at Braehead, Glasgow recommended Gran Bahia to me and I am so grateful to her for this. A honeymoon is a once in a lifetime experience which should provide memories to treasure for ever. This is how I feel about my time at Gran Bahia. It is truly a magnificent place to stay, and the entire week was completely faultless. I have already started saving to take my two sons next year. Thankyou Thomas Cook for a wonderful honeymoon. [more...]

Date of review:1 Jul 2009

Gran Bahiia Principe is a fabulous holiday resort. It is very big and very spread out, which I think makes it much more interesting than many of the smaller more com pact resorts. You can either take lesiurely walks around the resort or there will always be the little resort trains to transport you to wherever you want to go. These are on the go all day every day until late at night and will take you to anywhere in the resort. We always found the drivers to be really helpful and cheery always willing to stop and pick you up en route!! Lots to do - we had two teenage boys with us and they were never bored! Choice of restuarants is unbelievable! The two Gourmet restaurants were the best - be sure to book these right away as they can be difficult to get. There is a 24 hour buffet restaurant and I must say the food always looked really fresh! No problems getting sun loungers either around the pool or down by the beach given the spread of the place! The day time entertainment and the evening shows were really good - some of the best we've seen! You could even take in a few a night as they are on at different times in the three different hotels! You could also sit outside and listen to the live band playing at the little candle lit tables which was lovely! The Shopping Centre across at the Hacienda was as good as anything you will get elsewhere - we done all of our shopping across there and managed to bag quite a few bargains! One of the ladies even sewed by burst beach bag for me while I was in the shop - how lovely was that!! In terms of trips xel-Ha is an absolute must and only about 10 minutes from the hotel! We also went on the catamaran trip and the boys absolutely loved it as the crew were great fun! Swam with turtles and saw some beautiful fish and coral! We had a lovely lunch on board and drinks and fresh fruit were served throughout the day - it was magic! I can think of nothing negative to say about this resort at all! If you are thinking of booking to go - don't hesitate you will have a wonderful time! If you're already booked - lucky you!! We can't wait to go back!! [more...]