Grand Sunset Princess All Suites Resort

Connected to its sister property, the Grand Riviera Princess, the Grand Sunset Princess is situated in Playa del Carmen along a gorgeous stretch of beach. The grounds are meticulously manicured with pretty gardens, stone sculptures, and walkways lined by palm trees. Room buildings are just a few stories high, which adds to the quiet, relaxed atmosphere, though this also means sprawling grounds, so guests should be prepared to walk or take the resort shuttle. Reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda, the open-air lobby has various seating arrangements and overlooks a courtyard with water features and basket weaved bucket chairs. Expect to see roaming cats, coatis, and iguanas. Most guests at the resort are couples, but plenty of families and groups frequent the property as well.

The Grand Sunset Princess All Suites Resort & Spa is located a 15-minute drive from the center of Playa del Carmen. The resort has a shuttle bus that runs into Playa del Carmen for a small fee. The hotel has private access to the sandy beach area and the water of the Caribbean Sea, but depending on where the guest room is located, guests may be walking 10 minutes to it; there is a trolley to shuttle guests to the beach. The Cancun International Airport is a 40-minute drive north of the hotel. 

The 672 guest rooms range from Junior Suites to Platinum Suites, some of which are swim-out. All have similar sleek, modern furnishings -- wood furniture, padded headboards, sitting areas with a sofa, small table and chairs, and seashell canvas print. Beds are firm (common in Mexico) and are either king or doubles. All rooms have ceiling fans, air-conditioning, coffeemakers, and minibars with water, soft drinks, and beer, which are restocked daily. There are small flat-screen TVs, which isn't quite up to this caliber of hotel. The marble bathrooms are large and each has a shower and jetted bathtub, except for the Junior Suites which only have a walk-in shower; Princess brand toiletries are provided. The Laguna Villa Suites also have a gorgeous outdoor shower. Upgrading to a Platinum Suite means a whirlpool on the terrace, in-room premium bar, and access to the Platinum Lounge.    

There are two buffets and seven a la carte restaurants to choose from, including Italian, Mexican, and Asian; many of the restaurants receive mixed reviews and reservations are required for a la carte dining. There are 10 bars throughout the resort, including a 24-hour Sports Bar serving nachos and burgers in a space filled with sports decor (mostly USA teams) and billiards tables. Guests have reported that it's worth it to pay to eat at the Chill Out restaurant, as it then gives you access to the private Chill Out section of the beach. Note that some restaurants require men to wear long pants, so better bring a pair unless you want to spend a pretty penny at the gift shop; there are no clothing restrictions for women.

The hotel enjoys a pretty white-sand beach with ample chairs, palapas, and a gazebo that often hosts wedding ceremonies. (Note that the beach at Catalonia Playa Maroma is arguably better, but that resort is farther from town.) Depending on the room location, it can be a bit of a trek to the beach, though there is a trolley available. There are ample pools to choose from -- 12 in total; this includes calm adult-only, one for Platinum guests, and children's pools; many have swim-up bars. Many guests have commented on how slippery the floors around the pools are, and some even have been injured after falling.

The upscale spa has a large hydrotherapy circuit and a range of treatment options available; some treatment rooms are in wood shuttered huts with straw roofs above the lagoon. The fitness center is spacious and bright, with plenty of cardio machines, free weights, and exercise balls.

A kids' club is available for little ones and guests of all ages can use the sports facilities -- tennis courts, basketball court, non-motorized water sports, and even archery. There's also a disco and theater for day and nighttime entertainment.