A large, economical all-inclusive resort just north of Playa del Carmen, the Grand Riviera Princess caters well to families. The food is fairly typical for an all-inclusive (inconsistent and not overly impressive) and the overall service receives somewhat mixed reviews; but the resort offers a nice white-sand beachfront (despite some occasional seaweed; the beach has a strong positive effect on the Overall Beach Resort Rating), quality rooms for the price with a modern vibe and jacuzzis and swim-out suites available, top-notch on-site restaurant variety, six tennis courts, and an impressive 12 swimming pools (eight for adults, four for kids; this also helps the Overall Beach Resort Rating). Other family-friendly amenities include a 1950s-themed milkshake bar and ice cream parlor, a small kids water park with fountains and slides, separate kids and teens clubs, and a pirate-themed buffet. There’s also painting, movie nights, archery, and fire shows and other entertainment. For adults, there are multiple bars, a spa with a hydrotherapy circuit, a nightclub, and adults-only pools (eight of them, as previously mentioned). There’s also a “Family Club” section of the resort (booked separately) with rooms with bunk beds and other kid-friendly amenities, but these rooms are a little far from the beach relative to most of the property.
On-site COVID-19 testing prior to departure is available for a fee ($35 for rapid antigen tests and $125 for PCR tests).