Here’s another budget, family-friendly all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya which offers great deals many times throughout the year. It’s called BlueBay Grand Esmeralda, and it’s located north of Playa del Carmen. While not classified as a mega-resort, BGE has 979 rooms and suites, three pools (no swim-up bar, however), two buffets and six a la carte restaurants, a sports bar (no A/C), six bars including a beach bar with swings, theater, tennis courts, jogging trail, spa and gym, motorized and non-motorized water sports, and kid’s club. Since the resort is large, it also offers golf cart service to take you around the resort if you wish.
Category Archives: Resort Videos
All Ritmo Cancun Resort and Waterpark–A Suite Review
Looking for more affordable all-inclusive resorts in Cancun? Here’s a family-friendly all-inclusive optional resort just north of downtown Cancun on the way to Playa/Costa Mujeres beach areas. It’s the All Ritmo Cancun Resort and Waterpark (which used to be called Sea Adventure Resort and Waterpark); it changed its name two years ago, but most of what the resort has to offer has not differed in any significant manner.
New Swim-Up Rooms at Flamingo Cancun Resort–A Suite Review
Not every traveler can afford a $5k+ vacation for two for a week at a luxury 5-star resort. So I’ve decided to do a series of suite reviews in Cancun/Riviera Maya all-inclusive resorts (or all-inclusive optional resorts) which will give you the most “bang for your buck” (vacation dollar/euro/peso, etc.).
The Master Suite at Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun–A Suite Review
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun resort in the Hotel Zone is part of the impressive Grupo Posadas hotel chain which also runs Live Aqua properties. If you know anything about Live Aqua resorts, you expect the Condesa Cancun to be something beyond the typical all-inclusive resort experience. A guest’s stay begins with entering the property under the impressive palapa roof which covers the lobby area (the palapa roof rises up to a height of 118 feet tall). One’s stay only gets better with the resort’s terraced pools which include cascading waterfalls, multiple poolside Jacuzzis, a beachfront swimup bar and small kid’s water park with slides, a separate beach bar, and varied dining choices including four a la carte restaurants, a sushi bar, poolside grill, ice cream shop, dessert carts, and poolside BBQ’s options. There is evening entertainment, and both younger children and teens have their own spaces for socializing and scheduled activities.
Royal Tower Guest Room at Grand Park Royal Cancun–A Suite Review
Looking for nice adults-only accommodations in a family-friendly Cancun Hotel Zone resort? Grand Park Royal Cancun offers its Royal Tower adults-only section with a great location–within a mile of the clubs which means a long walk or an easy bus ride to evening fun!
Master Suite Swim-Out at Dreams Playa Mujeres–A Suite Review
I stayed at Dreams Playa Mujeres several years ago in a Preferred Club Jr. Suite; if I ever return here, the Preferred Club Master Suite Swim-Out would be a great alternative to match my vacation favorites–a swim-up suite with lots of space plus an ocean view. Perfect.
Newly Renovated Swim-Up Suite at Secrets Maroma–A Suite Review
Secrets Maroma has been a favorite adults-only resort in the Riviera Maya since it opened in 2008. Popular with honeymooners and those celebrating anniversaries, the resort is located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (voted as “Worlds Best Beach” for four consecutive years by the Travel Channel). The beach is exquisite with its white sand and azur-colored ocean water, calm waves for swimming, and underdeveloped surrounding area–there are only a handful of resorts (some are not all-inclusive) gracing lovely Punta Maroma.
Rooftop Master Suite at Ocean Riviera Paradise–A Suite Review
Ocean Riviera Paradise resort has a lot to offer families–four main pools, three swim-up bars, 10 restaurants, 12 total bars, separate coffee and ice cream shop, sports bar, theater, disco, bowling alley, casino, spa, gym, and a children’s water park. It’s situated north of Playa del Carmen, so it’s an easy cab ride into town for some additional fun and shopping opportunities.
The Hideaway Swim-Up at Royalton Riviera Cancun–A Suite Review
This particular Royalton resort has been open since 2015 and has gained the reputation as a great family-friendly place to vacation with a party-like atmosphere (the beach can be less than spectacular, but that is common in the Puerto Morelos area). Within lies a “resort within a resort” which is the adults-only section called the Hideaway . Both sections offer rooms that can be further upgraded which is referred to as the Diamond Club–Diamond Club offers butler service, upgraded in-room amenities, better room locations, etc. (check out the link above).
Secrets Playa Mujeres Master Suite With Private Pool–A Suite Review
This adults-only resort is located in the Playa Mujeres area north of downtown Cancun. It’s within easy walking distance to its family-friendly sister resort, Dreams Playa Mujeres. One great aspect about this Secrets resort is that all guests have access to the adjacent Dreams resort–only upgraded Preferred Club guests have access to Dreams’ lazy river, however. Otherwise, Secrets’ guests can use all other Dreams’ facilities including the pools, bars, restaurants, even the water slides. (The easiest way to get over to the Dreams resort located to the south of Secrets is to take the beachfront path).