Grand Bahia Principe Tulum

One large entrance -- announced by prominent signage and the bright yellow, pink, blue, and  green building (the Hacienda Dona Isabel) -- services all four resorts located inside the gigantic Bahia Principe complex. Past the guard gate, a winding road with a few turns and roundabouts leads to the Grand Bahia Principe Tulum's statement circular lobby with large pillars, a high-as-can-be thatched roof, and a Mayan-themed totem pole as the centerpiece. Gleaming marble tile floors and potted green plants and trees add to the sophisticated tropical ambience. 

Of the four properties on the complex, Tulum tends to draw a younger crowd and has a slight party vibe. Perhaps this is because of the many weddings that take place on the grounds' beachside gazebo, or simply because Coba has more's kid-friendly features and tends to draw more families. Whatever the reason, Tulum feels like the center of it all; it's home to the longest stretch of beach, a Dolphinarium, and a scuba center; it is also the closest to the Hacienda Dona Isabel's casino, shops, and nightclub. However, even though it only has around 100 fewer rooms than sister property Coba, Tulum has about half of the features -- fewer a la carte restaurants, snack bars, bars, and pools -- which makes it feel a bit more congested.  

About halfway between Akumal Beach and Tulum, Highway 307 becomes flanked with the grandiose entrance gates to both the Grand Bahia Riviera Golf Course and Club and the Bahia Principe resorts entrance. Cancun Airport is a straight shot north and takes just over an hour to reach, while Playa del Carmen can be reached in just under 40 minutes. Akumal Beach's center and turtle-filled waters are just a short 10-minute drive up the road and can be reached by cab or collectivo. Xplor, Xel-Ha, and Xcaret are located along the Highway between Akumal and Playa del Carmen. 

On the whole, all 978 rooms are simple but comfortable spaces with private outdoor space, basic marble tile floors, pale yellow walls, blue and white fabrics, and cream, painted colonial-style wooden furniture that's slightly dated. Decor is the same that is found in the Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal resort but rooms lack the Luxury Bahia's extra amenities (which include butler service and 24-hour room service). Sitting areas include simply fashioned couches, and a small table and chairs set up in front of a glass sliding door to the room's private outdoor space. A long, glass-topped desk hides the minibar and is the resting spot for a flat-screen TV, ice bucket, and coffeemaker. Marble bathrooms are a standard size and feature hairdryers and makeup mirrors, plus basic toiletries like shampoo, soap, and body lotion.

The entry-level Superior Rooms only lack the hydromassage tubs and couch sitting area found in Junior Suite Superiors, while rooms in the Club Hacienda level get extra amenities such as free Wi-Fi in the clubhouse, bathrobes and slippers, and extra a la carte dining reservations. 

Tulum's main buffet restaurant Yucatan serves up international fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with special themed cuisine nightly during dinner service. If you have a hankering for a specific type of food, you can check out one of the three reservation-required a la carte spots on-site: La Gran Tortuga-Rodizio (Brazlian steakhouse), Tequila (traditional Mexican), or Don Pablo (modern cuisine). Just remember you'll need to make advance reservations and that guests are only allowed to dine a la carte three times per weeklong stay; men are required to wear long trousers at these venues. Otherwise, you can grab a quick bite at the 24-hour buffet-style Las Olas snack bar. Though guests can access facilities at sister property Grand Bahia Principe Coba, they can't access its restaurants.

Tulum gives guests six spots to grab a drink, alcoholic or not, including three pool bars and a patio-style beach bar. Just off the lobby, there's a circular indoor spot called Bar Akumal with a dance floor, loads of tables and chairs set up and windows looking out onto one of the pools. There are also a coffee, tea, and cookies served here during the day. There's also a theater bar aptly named Broadway, and a bonus unofficial terrace bar that opens up on the terrace behind the lobby to serve sundowners. 

Grand Bahia Tulum delivers all of the features expected of an all-inclusive mega-resort, including daily activities like dance and exercise classes; medical service; shuttle service; and assortment of shops. However, for a resort this size, there are only two pools -- though they're both quite large, with blue-and-white striped sun loungers and personal palapa huts for shade. The main pool is home to the swim-up bar, volleyball net, and is where activities like water polo take place; it's huge and free-form, with several bridges spanning it and a shallow kiddy section. The other pool has non-heated jetted pools, daily barbecue, and a bar hut, and can feel quite crowded. Tulum's beach is the largest stretch of all the resorts within the complex, with crystal clear waters, patches of coral rock, and powder-soft sand. Solid blue loungers in two rows are set up with private palapas. Since all resorts have access to Tulum's beach, it's a gamble whether or not it'll feel full. 

Family-friendly features include a Bahia Scouts kids' club and on-site Dolphinarium where you can either watch a show from the sidelines or get in the water with the dolphins themselves. There's a spa on the Tulum property, but since the Coba spa was renovated in 2014, it might be worth heading over there for a swanky treatment or two. Both spas also have a beauty salon with hair and nail treatments and a small indoor gym with cardio machines, weights, and a few yoga/stretching mats. Guests also receive one hour of free non-motorized sports each day of their stay, so you can strap on a snorkel or paddle on the open waves. 

Off-site features shared across all resorts in the complex include the Riviera Maya Golf Club with 18- and 9-hole courses, plus cenotes and a jungle area; Hacienda Dona Isabel with shops, a nightclub, and live music. There's also a kids-only water park that Tulum guests can access over at the Coba property. 

Unfortunately, guests are only given one free hour of Internet (on one device) per day, and can only access it in the lobby. Additional Internet service is for a fee. However, all local taxes and tips are included (though many guests choose to tip bartenders for good service anyway).

This hotel offers a tourism attraction that involves animals. You can learn more about the cruelty animals suffer in captivity here.