Hi, We are planning a trip to the Mayan Riviera this Xmas and are considering the follwing all-inclusives: Catalonia Royal Tulum, Barcelo Maya and Gran Bahia Principe Tulum. Any comments/feedback on the resorts, beach, facilities, food etc would be greatly appreciated.

Personally, I don't like feeling stranded on a resort unless I am with a large group and many of these resorts are like that unless you want a 1/2 hour taxi ride. We just returned from the Royal Playa del Carmen (adults only) and they have a sister resort Gran Porto next door that is a family resort. I just posted a trip report a few days ago. The town of Playa is amazing. It is clean, fun and a great place to go and not feel trapped. They have amazing restaurants, so you really would not even need an AI. I just can't say enough about the town....I fell in love with it and can't wait to return. As for the AI we stayed at also very nice and would return in a second. It was a bargain for what we got. I just want to experience some of the amazing restaurants we saw.

My wife and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary at the Royal Hideaway(in PDC) and thought very highly of the service/restaurants/grounds etc.. We have been to 3 different Sandals resorts and thought the RH had better food and was more "laid back". The beach area is small because of hurricane damage/erosion though. Definitely pricey and you pay extra for water sports, snorkeling ($33pp), scuba diving($109pp)compared to Sandals where a one time fee of $70 gets you a scuba dive per day(if not fully booked) and snorkeling is free the entire stay. The RH is much quieter and seemed to have LOTS of honeymooners the week we were there(17 couples arrived on Monday alone!!) Top notch service and room service is free of charge if you want to just be alone. Good luck!!

Personally, I would stay away from the Bahia Principe. We stayed there 3 times from 2001-2004. The beach is a huge drawback....so full of rocks that we couldn't go in the water even with shoes on. The swimming pool never seems to be heated and is quite cold. As I remember, we always went in the fall. Hope this helps!

We loved the Barcelo Maya. The beach is beautiful, and very long - never a problem finding a spot or chairs, even though we travelled in high season.

We travelled with our elderly parents, and it was a great place to do that - they could do their activities, we could do our more active passtimes, and then e'd all get together for dinner.

Food is the same as it is in all of these places - passable. Avoid the specialtty restaurants, and stick with the Mexican food in the buffet - it's fantastic! Fresh fish is also wonderful!

Of the ones you mentioned, go with the Barcelo. Great beach. We stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar during Christmas week and had a great time.
You better book something right away as the resorts fill up for the holidays.