I made a great choice when I decided to book the adults-only Platinum Yucatan Princess All Suites and Spa resort for part of my Oct. 2022 vacation.  Since I have a travel budget and also planned on staying at Secrets Moxche for this vacay, which is a very pricey resort, I knew I had to watch my spending carefully on my second choice.  What a treat it was, especially since I celebrated my birthday at this resort.  If you want to know the booking details, I reserved my room on the resort’s website using the My Princess free loyalty program and got several hundred additional dollars taken off the already steal of a deal price they were advertising.  It cost me just above $1,410 for five nights for two which I consider to be a tremendous deal for a four star all-inclusive property.  Plus, Princess resorts offers free cancellation if you book “Pay at the Hotel Rate”, just in case something comes up and you cannot make your trip.

As is my usual travel custom when flying to this area of Mexico, I flew non-stop out of LAX and made it to Cancun in just over 4 1/2 hrs.  My go-to shuttle company, USA Transfers, gave me another free upgraded vehicle for the journey from the airport to my resort and I made it in style in approximately 40-min. (the resort is just north of Playa del Carmen).  Resort staff who greeted me were very friendly and tagged my luggage for retrieval after check-in, I went into the Deluxe check-in lobby (there are two separate check-in areas–one for Deluxe and another for upgraded Platinum rooms) and was immediately helped by more friendly staff; a welcome drink was given at this point in the process.  Check-in took about 15 min. total and I was escorted to my room along with my luggage.  Just a note about the lobby bar–you will miss it if you blink.  It’s very small and tucked away in a corner of the Deluxe check-in area if you want something else to drink at check-in or while on your way to another resort destination during your stay.

I booked the Deluxe Jr. Suite Swimout and initially requested building 3 with direct access to the main pool and swim-up bar (Rooms #3001 thru #3019).  I was delighted that my request was honored and considered it to be a birthday surprise since I had emailed the resort and told them I was celebrating my birthday while there.  (Since room requests are never guaranteed, I suggest emailing your resort 7-10 days prior to arrival and re-state your request to improve your chances of getting what you want).  The room was very large for a Jr. Suite, more than enough room for two.  Surprisingly, small bottles of in-room liquor were included (tequila, rum, and vodka) but the bottle of sparkling wine was missing which should have been included as part of being a My Princess loyalty member.  No big deal, the other in-room alcohol was more than enough so I let it go.  I did want to remember the vacation, after all…One aspect of the room I should mention is that the bathroom area is divided into two parts, the toilet is separate with its own door for complete privacy while the rest of the bathroom is partially open to the rest of the room.  There is a translucent wall of glass between the tub and the room and, with the bathroom lighting, shapes from the bathroom can still be discerned if you are lying on the bed, for example.  So, this room is pretty much a no go for those who may be traveling with adult children or friends who you may not want to know in that kind of detail.

Since I booked a swimout room, I was anxious to get a look at my terrace and swim-up pool.  It was dark at the time, but it was evident I again had plenty of space, a drying rack, a separate table with a couple of chairs, and two full loungers which continued the modern architectural theme of the resort.  The water was warm, even at night, making it very swimmable even in the month of October.  The pool is supposed to be open until 8 p.m.

After unpacking and ogling my terrace night view, I was famished and sought out the buffet since I didn’t feel like dressing up to go to dinner.  Yucatan Buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with quite a variety of prepared and live cooking station foods to offer–bring your mask to wear going in/out of the restaurant and for selecting buffet items.  All my food choices were quite good and satisfied my appetite.  I was also impressed to find out that the buffet is actually open 24-hrs. with snacks available from 10 p.m. until breakfast is served at 7 a.m.  That is definitely something you don’t experience at other all-inclusive resorts.  While the buffet breakfast was great overall, I didn’t find my chilaquiles which to me is kind of like a prerequisite of travel to Mexico, lol.  Maybe they were there earlier and ran out, I don’t know, but I never found them on any of my other morning breakfast visits either.  Let me know if you ever find them.  There is a station for making your own mimosa if you are interested in starting your vacation drinking a bit earlier than normal…

I chose to dine at three resort a la cartes–Bruschetta (Italian), Tao (Asian), and Rodeo Grill (Tex-Mex).  A la cartes generally do NOT require reservations with several exceptions–the Teppanyaki show tables at Tao, the outdoor “Nest” tables at Rodeo Grill, and Skylight Restaurant which is an extra charge and also open to the public.  Below are my thoughts on the ones I sampled:

• Bruschetta:  The traditional bruschetta appetizer and the salmon main course were good while the restaurant ambiance was a mix of modern pics and old world Italian drawings on floor to ceiling panels.  Definitely recommend.
• Tao:  My favorite restaurant at this resort.  I always skip Teppanyaki show tables at this point in my travels since the show always seems to be the same.  When I checked into this resort I believe that staff told me to show up at the restaurant around 5:30 p.m. to make same day reservations for the show tables.  Please let me know if I heard this incorrectly.  Regular tables are for guests ordering from the standard menu, while the center of the restaurant has a very lengthy sushi/sashimi conveyor belt with surrounding seats for guests just wanting sushi/sashimi for dinner.  I was instructed by my waitress to help myself to the sushi/sashimi as many times as I would like after my order was taken.  Sushi and sashimi were served on small plates and were incredibly fresh and professionally prepared–I would give that part of the restaurant a 10 out of 10.  So if you like sushi and/or sashimi, this restaurant is on par with Takeshi restaurant at Atelier Playa Mujeres, a must dine!!
• Rodeo Grill:  This a la carte actually has two combined menus since it is both a steakhouse and a Tex-Mex restaurant.  The best of both dining worlds, right? I stuck with the Tex-Mex menu and found the appetizers to be a bit better than the main course.  If you want to splurge and spend some extra $ be sure to make reservations at the outdoor Nest tables

One of my dinners was spent at the 5th Ave. Sports Bar which was located at the adjoining sister resort, Grand Sunset Princess–you can watch multiple sports simultaneously since there are several flat screens showing various games such as soccer or football (go Raiders!  They never should have left Oakland, though…).  That place makes fantastic burgers–a bit larger than a slider with a great taste, you have got to try them (along with the other “pub food”) if you get over there.  If you want to explore off-site but don’t want to go far on an excursion and spend extra $, take the resort shuttle “train” to the Grand Riviera/Sunset Princess sister resorts.  Guests of Platinum Yucatan Princess have access to its non-upgraded areas including pools, bars, beach, and restaurants, a great plus since you can “stay at one play at three”.  You can catch the resort train on the south side of the Platinum Yucatan Princess by walking between the Platinum lobby to your left and the gift shops on your right and at the end of the hallway is the shuttle stop.  It will take you directly over to the Grand Riviera Princess resort; walk past the shops when you get off the shuttle then turn the corner to your right and keep going straight.  You will eventually run into the Sports Bar which happens to be on the Grand Sunset side of this mega-resort.  And an extra plus, you might just see monkeys if you go exploring there…

Just a word about room service–while I viewed the printed room service menu (found on the table in my guest room), I was not tempted to order anything.  It was pretty basic; I found the food quality at the restaurants here to be very good and more than adequate to meet my vacation dining expectations.  The room service menu is supposed to be upgraded in the Platinum room section but I never saw one so I cannot comment on the differences.

Interested in the on-site bars and entertainment?  Of course you are, so let’s get to it.  Beside the small lobby bar I already mentioned in the Deluxe lobby, there are eight additional resort bars.  (Not all bars are open to all guests, however):

• Check out Espera Bar which is located on what I refer to as “restaurant row” where many of the resort restaurants are located.  Espera Bar serves a great chocolate martini so definitely check that out.  It is located between Bruschetta and Tao restaurants, so if you are waiting to get a table at any of the restaurants for dinner you can grab a quick drink here.
• There is an on-site “disco”, Salsa, where you can go to have a drink later on in the evening, sing a song on karaoke nights, play some trivia games, or partake in theme nights.  I never stay up too late on vacation plus I cannot dance so I skip going to resort discos on a frequent basis, so, there are no pics here of the disco.  My bad.
• Evening entertainment is held primarily in two places–the Plaza Bar and the theater, both these venues have their own bars as well.  Don’t miss the Reggae Party on Saturday night at the Plaza Bar area, the band was very good.  Due to rain there was no live fire show at the Plaza Bar area on Sunday evening; instead there was a neon light show in the theater meant to simulate different aspects of the live fire show.  Not quite the same but entertaining nevertheless.
• It’s not a standard bar, but check out the Flaming Mexican Coffee station which is located near Tao restaurant.  You can choose one of three different liquors (I chose Bailey’s) and the staff member will light the liquor and pour it back and forth before he mixes it with the coffee.  A different experience and a nice touch as an after dinner drink. (See my Instagram page, allinclusivegal, for a short video of this “show”).
• Skylight Restaurant has its own bar but it is only for patrons of that restaurant.
• Let’s not forget the pool bars…there are two swim-up bars (one in the Deluxe pool and the second in the upgraded Platinum pool), plus a regular pool bar on the other side of where the swim-up bar is in the Deluxe pool area.  FYI:  I found the swim-up bar in the Deluxe pool to be continually short staffed; if you don’t want to wait forever for the bartender to get to your order get out of the pool and go to the pool bar just steps away.  You will get faster service.  Also, Deluxe section guests cannot use the upgraded Platinum swim-up bar but Platinum guests may use Deluxe amenities.
• And let’s not forget the beach bar with the great ocean view.  Don’t forget to order a snack at the beach snack shack which is located just a bit further along the beach from the bar.

Who’s interested in pool foam parties?  I have found that the right ones are a ton of fun and only add to my enjoyment of my resort stay.  Platinum Yucatan Princess has an awesome pool foam party held on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Deluxe section pool.  It just so happened that it also fell on my birthday so needless to say I had a blast in the pool that afternoon.  Plenty of music, drinking, dancing (I dared to dance in the pool, lol), poolside games, more drinking, be sure to attend for a good time.  Check out my Instagram page (allinclusivegal) for more pics and a short video of this event!

Here’s something many of you may not know about this resort, or, if you do know, you may not take advantage of it during your stay at Platinum Yucatan Princess–when I was there only two adults were paddle boarding.  There is a Sports Park not too far from the main part of the resort.  You can easily walk there (it’s about 10 min. from the lobby to the entrance) or you can take one of the complimentary bicycles which are kept outside the Deluxe lobby by the excursion desks and ride there.  The Sports Park offers morning yoga and daily exercise classes, paddle boarding in the man-made “lake”, a batting cage, archery, air rifle shooting, and a multi-purpose sports field for those who want to practice their soccer moves.   There is supposed to be a place to practice your golf putts but I didn’t come across it–that doesn’t mean it’s not there.  Check out equipment at the “clubhouse”, or play a game or two of pool with a soothing “lake” view.  The clubhouse does NOT have a bar, only a water cooler.

The beach at this resort frequently gets a bad rap.  Granted, it is a thin strip of sand in comparison to many other resorts, but it wasn’t as bad as resort reviews led me to believe.  I liked the more natural feel of the beach area with lots of the natural flora in place (there is a large area of mangrove jungle just north of this resort), plus the water is great for lazy swimming.  I would bring water shoes if you have more sensitive feet; ocean entry can be a bit rough in spots.  Enjoy a drink from the beach bar and/or request something from the extensive beach grill menu which is on the other side of the bar and has its own seating area with ocean views.

If you don’t like the beach area here, walk south to enjoy the beach at Grand Riviera/Sunset Princess.  They have non-motorized water sports equipment, loungers, its own bar, plus a beach club area that is an extra charge, however.

Just a note about guests who may want to wander off-site for a change of pace.  Although I did not take advantage of the amenity, there is a sign by the bicycles which advertises the fact that the resort offers a shuttle to/from Playa del Carmen for an extra charge.  If interested, you may want to inquire as to how to sign up for this service.

I almost forgot to mention Platinum Yucatan Princess’ resident cat.  You will see it all around the resort on a daily basis–it is very friendly and will allow people to pet it, just don’t take its nightly nap seat cushion in the area between the Deluxe and Platinum lobbies…

I had a great vacation at Platinum Yucatan Princess and found it to be a remarkable value for all that I experienced.  It is a four star resort; you can see some signs of wear and tear around various resort areas, but I don’t need luxury surroundings and amenities to have a great time.  Would I return to this resort?  Absolutely. I would recommend this resort for adults who enjoy good food, want lots of options for having fun, want large guest rooms and suites, enjoy good entertainment, and want lots of value for their money spent.

Take a moment or two and enjoy the photo gallery below–just click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger view of the picture.

The comments in this review are those of the author/reviewer.  This trip was paid for in its entirety by the author; at no time were any monies or services exchanged for this review.

Location:  40-min. south of the Cancun airport

Telephone:  52-984-148-6600, or 1-833-457-6219 for information or reservations (from the US)

email:  reservas@princess-hotels.com for information and reservations