Gran Bahia Principe Tulum Hotel, Tulum, Mexico
Hotel Information
Recent Price: £242
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
Stretching along a glorious, 1km-long beach, this is one of those hotels where there's so much to do you don't know where to start. Not only has the hotel got an amazing variety of water sports, tennis courts and gym for fitness buffs, but just at the entrance is the fabulous entertainment village Hacienda Dona Isabel. Here you'll find shops, daily live music, shows, a disco and even Merengue and Salsa dancing lessons. loading...
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Gran Bahia Principe Tulum Hotel Reviews
" The 3 of us stayed at this resort for... "
Submitted By: Mr W Miller
The 3 of us stayed at this resort for a week during August 2007 as part of the Yucatan Peninsula tour. In my opinion, the hotel looks good on the surface, but we had a few comments as you will see.
Pros:
*Great cocktail bars - Excellent idea of having the ice cocktails (Pina Colada etc) in the coolers on the bars, and the Pool bar was great.
*Mini Trains to take you everywhere - again, another great idea, considering the size of the resort (see con's).
*Mini bar was refilled regularly with drinks etc for when you don't want to go out to the bars or snack bar.
*Swimming pools are a decent size and (as mentioned above) the pool bar is an excellent addition. There was the great choice between the noisy main pool, where everything was happening, and the quiet secluded pools, where you could relax more.
*Good customer service - our air conditioning broke down whilst we were there, and it was fixed within the hour, even though it was reported at 10 o’clock at night!
*Entertainment was generally good and varied (although we were only there for 1 week). Some others have mentioned that it was too short, but we found that it was generally the right length to keep you distracted after your evening meal, before retiring to bed or one of the numerous bars for the rest of the evening.
*The Dive Centre offered a good mix of specialist dives (Wall shark trips (snorkelling) and Cenote dives - both highly recommended) and normal dives with good wildlife and equipment (too much to do in 1 week!). The boats were also of a high quality, and the staff were very friendly.
*Trips offered in the hotel were very good and offered a good mix for all the family.
Cons:
*Food! Whilst we were there all 3 of us had upset stomachs through some sort of dodgy food (we are seasoned travellers and had no problems in Hong Kong etc). After the first night the shine of the buffet-style food wore off and we started to dread meal times. We did go to one of the A La Carte restaurants whilst we were there, but 2 of us were too ill to enjoy it. Also the location - you are not easily able to get out to go anywhere else for food, which restricted you to staying in the resort.
*The rooms were somewhat reminiscent of Butlins, with big apartment blocks of rooms with 2 beds, a TV and a small bathroom. Most of the light fittings wobbled, and there were wires running across the floor. However, the air conditioning was good, and the mini-bar was kept relatively well stocked, so not all bad.
*Too Big! - The Hotel complex was a bit too big, particularly if you get allocated a room quite far out from the amenities. This meant that you would have to walk for about 5-10 minutes to get to anything, or catch one of the trains that came round every 10 minutes or so. Only a minor negative, but it did restrict us to what we wanted to do.
*The Snack Bar served warmed up food 24 hours a day, but I would recommend avoiding this for anything bar a soft drink, as the food was horrible.
*The Exchange rate in the hotel was a bit of a rip off, and you would be best to change your currency elsewhere.
Overall, I am sure the hotel would be great for most people; however, the food that we experienced put us off ever going back, and severely spoilt our holiday.
I have given both sides of the argument, and if you are researching the hotel for a possible holiday, make your own choice. I personally wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Pros:
*Great cocktail bars - Excellent idea of having the ice cocktails (Pina Colada etc) in the coolers on the bars, and the Pool bar was great.
*Mini Trains to take you everywhere - again, another great idea, considering the size of the resort (see con's).
*Mini bar was refilled regularly with drinks etc for when you don't want to go out to the bars or snack bar.
*Swimming pools are a decent size and (as mentioned above) the pool bar is an excellent addition. There was the great choice between the noisy main pool, where everything was happening, and the quiet secluded pools, where you could relax more.
*Good customer service - our air conditioning broke down whilst we were there, and it was fixed within the hour, even though it was reported at 10 o’clock at night!
*Entertainment was generally good and varied (although we were only there for 1 week). Some others have mentioned that it was too short, but we found that it was generally the right length to keep you distracted after your evening meal, before retiring to bed or one of the numerous bars for the rest of the evening.
*The Dive Centre offered a good mix of specialist dives (Wall shark trips (snorkelling) and Cenote dives - both highly recommended) and normal dives with good wildlife and equipment (too much to do in 1 week!). The boats were also of a high quality, and the staff were very friendly.
*Trips offered in the hotel were very good and offered a good mix for all the family.
Cons:
*Food! Whilst we were there all 3 of us had upset stomachs through some sort of dodgy food (we are seasoned travellers and had no problems in Hong Kong etc). After the first night the shine of the buffet-style food wore off and we started to dread meal times. We did go to one of the A La Carte restaurants whilst we were there, but 2 of us were too ill to enjoy it. Also the location - you are not easily able to get out to go anywhere else for food, which restricted you to staying in the resort.
*The rooms were somewhat reminiscent of Butlins, with big apartment blocks of rooms with 2 beds, a TV and a small bathroom. Most of the light fittings wobbled, and there were wires running across the floor. However, the air conditioning was good, and the mini-bar was kept relatively well stocked, so not all bad.
*Too Big! - The Hotel complex was a bit too big, particularly if you get allocated a room quite far out from the amenities. This meant that you would have to walk for about 5-10 minutes to get to anything, or catch one of the trains that came round every 10 minutes or so. Only a minor negative, but it did restrict us to what we wanted to do.
*The Snack Bar served warmed up food 24 hours a day, but I would recommend avoiding this for anything bar a soft drink, as the food was horrible.
*The Exchange rate in the hotel was a bit of a rip off, and you would be best to change your currency elsewhere.
Overall, I am sure the hotel would be great for most people; however, the food that we experienced put us off ever going back, and severely spoilt our holiday.
I have given both sides of the argument, and if you are researching the hotel for a possible holiday, make your own choice. I personally wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Eclipse
" We just returned from the Bahia... "
Submitted By: Mr R Weston
We just returned from the Bahia Principe in Mexico. Absolutely fantastic hotel(s)we stayed at Tulum hotel in which we were located very close to the beach.
When it rained we were "forced" to spend our time in the bar during the day, drinking the hotels choices of cocktails and tequila .
The night time not very entertaining. My daughter was too young to go in hacienda so all there entertainment at night is a 1hr show then listening to a trio band sing. And closes at 11pm.That would be my only complaint .
The hotel itself is clean, staff are very pleasant, food amazing(although towards the 2nd week got a little predictive in choice but you have also ah la carte,Mexican,grill and oriental rest's).
If you jump the local bus into Playa del Carmen, it will you approx us$3 each person (one way) take about 20-30 mins. Their buses are little mini bus's seat about 12 persons ,but in warm weather, well you could imagine heat inside.
You can catch this right outside the main gates. Another way to get there ,is by local taxi(us$30 one way).
Be careful at exchanging money in hotel. Exchange rate in hotel as at 8/10/07 £1 = 16 Mexican pes whilst at home £1 =19.5 Mexican pes.
Departure tax is us$49 or $530 Mexican pes.
Finally, because I could on on forever about this 1st class hotel, if you pay for a safe deposit box(us$ 70) make sure you get a receipt when you pay or else they will try to make you pay at check out. Trust me on this one because that is what happened to me.
When it rained we were "forced" to spend our time in the bar during the day, drinking the hotels choices of cocktails and tequila .
The night time not very entertaining. My daughter was too young to go in hacienda so all there entertainment at night is a 1hr show then listening to a trio band sing. And closes at 11pm.That would be my only complaint .
The hotel itself is clean, staff are very pleasant, food amazing(although towards the 2nd week got a little predictive in choice but you have also ah la carte,Mexican,grill and oriental rest's).
If you jump the local bus into Playa del Carmen, it will you approx us$3 each person (one way) take about 20-30 mins. Their buses are little mini bus's seat about 12 persons ,but in warm weather, well you could imagine heat inside.
You can catch this right outside the main gates. Another way to get there ,is by local taxi(us$30 one way).
Be careful at exchanging money in hotel. Exchange rate in hotel as at 8/10/07 £1 = 16 Mexican pes whilst at home £1 =19.5 Mexican pes.
Departure tax is us$49 or $530 Mexican pes.
Finally, because I could on on forever about this 1st class hotel, if you pay for a safe deposit box(us$ 70) make sure you get a receipt when you pay or else they will try to make you pay at check out. Trust me on this one because that is what happened to me.
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Airtours
" We booked these ourselves on the... "
Submitted By: Mr L Fox
We booked these ourselves on the internet and we booked flights and the hotel and transfers separately.
The hotel complex is really huge but manages to maintain the exclusiveness of a 5* Hotel especially being all inclusive.
We travelled as a party of 2 adults and 1 child age 3 years. The holiday was faultless everything was perfect. Even the drinks in the mini bar were free and stocked up regularly never had that before in a hotel.
The hotel was clean and staff were very helpful and friendly.
The food was outstanding in the buffet restaurant. We only went to the a la carte restaurants once as the buffet was so good and great for a 3 year old to try different things.
We took the advice of other reviews and booked this on our first day.
We hired a car one day and went to Cancun which was nice very large built up hotels but definitely preferred the Rivera Maya area.
Excellent value for money the hotel was just over £1000 for all 3 of us for 2 weeks all inclusive. Obviously flights were on top of this. We will definitely be going back.
The hotel complex is really huge but manages to maintain the exclusiveness of a 5* Hotel especially being all inclusive.
We travelled as a party of 2 adults and 1 child age 3 years. The holiday was faultless everything was perfect. Even the drinks in the mini bar were free and stocked up regularly never had that before in a hotel.
The hotel was clean and staff were very helpful and friendly.
The food was outstanding in the buffet restaurant. We only went to the a la carte restaurants once as the buffet was so good and great for a 3 year old to try different things.
We took the advice of other reviews and booked this on our first day.
We hired a car one day and went to Cancun which was nice very large built up hotels but definitely preferred the Rivera Maya area.
Excellent value for money the hotel was just over £1000 for all 3 of us for 2 weeks all inclusive. Obviously flights were on top of this. We will definitely be going back.
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- Date of Holiday:Apr 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" I stayed at this hotel with my family... "
Submitted By: Miss R Horwat
I stayed at this hotel with my family and it was excellent.
The food was really nice and the rooms were well kept and the mini bar was always topped up :).
The swimming pools and other facilities were well kept.
I would visit the hotel again and recommend it to all of my family and friends.
The food was really nice and the rooms were well kept and the mini bar was always topped up :).
The swimming pools and other facilities were well kept.
I would visit the hotel again and recommend it to all of my family and friends.
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- Date of Holiday:Nov 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:MyTravel
" The rooms were very clean and well... "
Submitted By: cgsevenoaks
The rooms were very clean and well kept. The choice of restaurants and food was never ending. The shows were excellent. The staff were always friendly and helpful and always had a smile, especially when you try to speak some Spanish. There was just so much to do but not enough time to do it. We only scratched the surface of the choices available. The A La Carte restaurants were also excellent but you have to book as soon as you arrive as they get booked up quickly.
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- Date of Holiday:
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Overall holiday was excellent, only... "
Submitted By: yvette
Overall holiday was excellent, only booked it 3 weeks before departure, up graded out flight when booking (which was well worth it), On arrival at resort we were overwhelmed at what was in front of us! Service was outstanding from time we arrived, we were quickly checked into hotel and luggage taken to our rooms for us by the bell boys, then returned to lobby to pick us up and take us to our room on golf type carts. The room was spotlessly clean on arrival and was cleaned every day throughout our 14 day stay. Clean towels every day if we wanted them and also towel decorations done by cleaners everyday too! Mini bar in room was filled daily with beer, bottled water, diet coke, real coke, sprite, soda water and a carton of orange and apple juice, also most days they would leave maybe crisps or chocolate in fridge too.
The hotel/resort was huge but spotlessly clean everywhere, all pools were clean and fresh towels available at poolside huts (given a card per person on arrival to exchange for towels) plenty of pool/beachside sun beds with sun shades however our second week we did notice that people were putting towels out early in morning to save beds (this wasn’t the case our first week) so therefore we then had to do the same if we wanted to get a bed with shade by the pool, but plenty available on beaches. resort split into different complexes main being Tulum, Akumal and Coba transport available all around resort in the means of mini road trains/golf cart type things which were great and always available.
Restaurants were excellent buffet type used for breakfast, lunch and evening meals however you are given the choice of 3 visits per week to the al a carte restaurants of which there are several to choose from. Our favourite was the Don Pablo in the main Tulum lobby, service and food was excellent. Food was excellent in all restaurants though and choice in the buffet restaurants was always varied and of excellent quality.
we went to the local Dolphin discovery (booked with first choice rep) this was excellent too really enjoyed swimming with the dolphins and other sea life creatures. My husband and son played golf twice at the local Playcar golf course which was also excellent and they also booked this with the hotel hospitality service. Expensive but worth it!
The only down side I had of the whole holiday experience was the taxi ride to Player del Carmen which was horrendous! But obviously nothing to do with the hotel or first choice. I personally wouldn’t go in taxi again.
But most definitely will go back to Gran Bahia Principe hopefully next year! Already started looking.
If anyone would want to ask any specific questions would be more than happy to answer them.
The hotel/resort was huge but spotlessly clean everywhere, all pools were clean and fresh towels available at poolside huts (given a card per person on arrival to exchange for towels) plenty of pool/beachside sun beds with sun shades however our second week we did notice that people were putting towels out early in morning to save beds (this wasn’t the case our first week) so therefore we then had to do the same if we wanted to get a bed with shade by the pool, but plenty available on beaches. resort split into different complexes main being Tulum, Akumal and Coba transport available all around resort in the means of mini road trains/golf cart type things which were great and always available.
Restaurants were excellent buffet type used for breakfast, lunch and evening meals however you are given the choice of 3 visits per week to the al a carte restaurants of which there are several to choose from. Our favourite was the Don Pablo in the main Tulum lobby, service and food was excellent. Food was excellent in all restaurants though and choice in the buffet restaurants was always varied and of excellent quality.
we went to the local Dolphin discovery (booked with first choice rep) this was excellent too really enjoyed swimming with the dolphins and other sea life creatures. My husband and son played golf twice at the local Playcar golf course which was also excellent and they also booked this with the hotel hospitality service. Expensive but worth it!
The only down side I had of the whole holiday experience was the taxi ride to Player del Carmen which was horrendous! But obviously nothing to do with the hotel or first choice. I personally wouldn’t go in taxi again.
But most definitely will go back to Gran Bahia Principe hopefully next year! Already started looking.
If anyone would want to ask any specific questions would be more than happy to answer them.
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" Well this was my first holiday... "
Submitted By: kay1986
Well this was my first holiday abroad, I had never been on a plane before at all and to be on a plane for the first time for a massive 10 hours was big to me, but I was too excited to let it bother me. I didn’t have any expectations of this holiday, the only thing I knew was that the people who had been said it was fantastic.
I went with my boyfriend and to cut a long story short, it was BRILLIANT, the most relaxing holiday I could ever imagine...for someone who has never been away before this holiday was more than anything I ever could dream of. Which is bad in a way because for a first time abroad and with it being such a gorgeous place then the next holidays will have a lot to live up to ha ha!
Where do I begin, the food was fantastic, throughout the 2 weeks of being there you could have 2 meals per week at one of the 6 restaurants, there were Chinese, grill, seafood and more. The buffet was outstanding, such a wide selection, they had theme nights were great, which went from French cuisine to Australian ha ha, yet still having another range of choice for the people who do not like to try these new things. Waiters were fantastic, and with them being so nice you was always trying to learn what Thank you and Please were in their language as you wanted to make an extra special effort for them. Breakfast, dinner and tea were all worth the visit.
The pools were superb also, there was entertainment at the main pool area in Tulum which was great for all the people who like to have fun. There were enough loungers to go around and you could ever get a little resort bus to the Akumal pools which were just as gorgeous.
Rooms were superb, so many small lizards around they start to feel like family, but don’t worry, they don’t enter your room, they just chill out outside as your room is fantastically air conditioned so they don’t want to enter, the maids who clean your room are so nice too, everyday they make a small figurine out of your towels and place it on the end of your bed which are great. You have mini bar which is stocked up every other day also...its like Royalty.
I have got so much more to say but I think what I have said will hopefully impress you and I can promise that you will not be let down by this holiday, if I could I would give it a 100 out of 10...such a clean, friendly, well organized, gorgeous, hot place to be. You honestly won’t want to come home!
I went with my boyfriend and to cut a long story short, it was BRILLIANT, the most relaxing holiday I could ever imagine...for someone who has never been away before this holiday was more than anything I ever could dream of. Which is bad in a way because for a first time abroad and with it being such a gorgeous place then the next holidays will have a lot to live up to ha ha!
Where do I begin, the food was fantastic, throughout the 2 weeks of being there you could have 2 meals per week at one of the 6 restaurants, there were Chinese, grill, seafood and more. The buffet was outstanding, such a wide selection, they had theme nights were great, which went from French cuisine to Australian ha ha, yet still having another range of choice for the people who do not like to try these new things. Waiters were fantastic, and with them being so nice you was always trying to learn what Thank you and Please were in their language as you wanted to make an extra special effort for them. Breakfast, dinner and tea were all worth the visit.
The pools were superb also, there was entertainment at the main pool area in Tulum which was great for all the people who like to have fun. There were enough loungers to go around and you could ever get a little resort bus to the Akumal pools which were just as gorgeous.
Rooms were superb, so many small lizards around they start to feel like family, but don’t worry, they don’t enter your room, they just chill out outside as your room is fantastically air conditioned so they don’t want to enter, the maids who clean your room are so nice too, everyday they make a small figurine out of your towels and place it on the end of your bed which are great. You have mini bar which is stocked up every other day also...its like Royalty.
I have got so much more to say but I think what I have said will hopefully impress you and I can promise that you will not be let down by this holiday, if I could I would give it a 100 out of 10...such a clean, friendly, well organized, gorgeous, hot place to be. You honestly won’t want to come home!
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- Date of Holiday:Oct 2004
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:AirtoursMy Travel
" Myself, my husband and two children,... "
Submitted By: bevils
Myself, my husband and two children, age at time 11 + 3 stayed at this wonderful hotel for two weeks in June 2004, this is an all inclusive resort and you could not wish for any better.
There are two hotels on the complex, Tulum and Akumal, we stayed at Tulum, but you can use both hotels, the staff are so friendly and cannot do enough for you.
There is a children’s club that runs from 9-5 and we couldn’t walk past without my son wanting to go in, and he basically stayed there for the two weeks, they gave him breakfast, took him swimming, gave lunch swimming and playing on the beach looking at all the different sea life then they took him for dinner and i picked him up, with him reluctantly leaving at 5oclock.
My husband enjoyed the scuba diving and considering he cant swim, i think was pretty amazing, the dive instructors were a+++++++.
My favourite excursion must have been the ATV through the jungle, which is a very reasonable price and you book from the hotel hacienda, either a full or half day, i did the full, my daughter and i would definitely want to do this again.
There is always chance to buy videos or DVDs of your excursions very cheap, or you can have some professional pics taken around the pool.
The rooms are spacious enough for a family of four and the fridge was stocked daily with soft drinks, beer crisps and chocolate, also the maid left towel art in the room every day which amused the children.
I would recommend this hotel 100%
There are two hotels on the complex, Tulum and Akumal, we stayed at Tulum, but you can use both hotels, the staff are so friendly and cannot do enough for you.
There is a children’s club that runs from 9-5 and we couldn’t walk past without my son wanting to go in, and he basically stayed there for the two weeks, they gave him breakfast, took him swimming, gave lunch swimming and playing on the beach looking at all the different sea life then they took him for dinner and i picked him up, with him reluctantly leaving at 5oclock.
My husband enjoyed the scuba diving and considering he cant swim, i think was pretty amazing, the dive instructors were a+++++++.
My favourite excursion must have been the ATV through the jungle, which is a very reasonable price and you book from the hotel hacienda, either a full or half day, i did the full, my daughter and i would definitely want to do this again.
There is always chance to buy videos or DVDs of your excursions very cheap, or you can have some professional pics taken around the pool.
The rooms are spacious enough for a family of four and the fridge was stocked daily with soft drinks, beer crisps and chocolate, also the maid left towel art in the room every day which amused the children.
I would recommend this hotel 100%
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2004
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:MyTravel
" The hotel, its surroundings, staff -... "
Submitted By: Miss S A Harper
The hotel, its surroundings, staff - everything was perfect! Nothing was too much trouble and we were always greeted by "Hola" everywhere we went!
The rooms were spacious and clean.
It was our first time in Mexico and first time all inclusive and there was nothing to fault.
The beach was perfect - although slightly rocky from the immediate vicinity of our hotel but as you walked down the beach towards Bahia Principe Akumal, the water was rock free and perfect!
Highly recommended!
The rooms were spacious and clean.
It was our first time in Mexico and first time all inclusive and there was nothing to fault.
The beach was perfect - although slightly rocky from the immediate vicinity of our hotel but as you walked down the beach towards Bahia Principe Akumal, the water was rock free and perfect!
Highly recommended!
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- Date of Holiday:May 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Airtours
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The place itself is huge three resorts in one. You have to take shuttle carts around which is quite good, The pools and grounds are beautiful and well kept but it is badly let down by the rooms. We had a ground floor room which was infested with ants. The nets and curtains and bedspread were filthy and stained and I even found blood on the lillow case. The room smelled of dirt and mould. The balcony light did not work. The side of the jacuzzi bath had fallen off showing the electrical workings. It was covered in dust and filth as it had obviously been off for some time. We also had cockroaches in the room. The roon was never cleaned properly and in 2 weeks the bed was not changed.
The food like all All Inclusives was repetetive and served up luke warm or cold on cold plates. The A La Carte restaurants however were very good although you can only have three per week.
One thing to be aware of is that there is NO air conditioning ANYWHERE apart from the rooms. Eating is a nightmare in the evenings. If you sit near the windows you are bitten alive by mosquitos.
My advice is to avoid this place as judging by the reviews it is going downhill.
None of my complaints were dealt with at the time and although the hotel have contacted me after reading my review on Trip Advisor they have never addressed my complaints or replied to their initial enquiry.
Just beware