A Simple Guide to a Complex Resort

Four resorts—one adults-only, some family-friendly, some beachfront, some not—are all set within the sprawling 983-acre Bahia Principe Riviera Maya complex located an hour south of Cancun.

To help you determine which property will provide the right fit for your clients, we’ve broken down the features, amenities and target markets for each resort, from lowest priced to the highest.

GRAND BAHIA PRINCIPE COBA

BEST FOR: Families with young children.

AMBIANCE: Opened in 1988, the complex’s largest resort offers myriad amenities for kids and features large, well-maintained rooms with simple, classic décor.

ROOMS: 1,080, all with balconies and bathtubs. Junior Suite Superiors and Family Junior Suites sleep four. Family Master Suites are adjoining rooms sleeping eight. The latter two categories are closer to the family-zone pool and include welcome packages with children’s bath kits/bathrobes and minibars with milkshakes and soft drinks.

DINING: Eight bars and nine restaurants: one buffet, two poolside eateries and six dinner-only, à la carte, including Mashua for Peruvian-Japanese and Portofino for Italian.

POOLS: Two, both quite large.

BEACHFRONT: Guests take a tram to Grand Bahia Principe Tulum for beach access.

FAMILY FRIENDLY: Especially for those with small children. There’s a large kid-friendly pool and adjacent waterpark, a kids’ club, teen club and babysitting services.

ADULTS-ONLY: No, but two secluded whirlpool areas tend to be quiet.

INCLUDED: Wi-Fi in the lobby, one hour of watersports rental daily, all amenities here and at Tulum, unlimited dining at Coba’s buffet and pool restaurants, and the six à la carte restaurants at Coba (or the nine at Tulum) for three nights during a seven-night stay.

EXTRA FEES: In-room Wi-Fi and safe, spa treatments and rounds at Riviera Maya Golf Club.

NIGHTLY RATES: From $150 per person, double, in high season (December to April) and $106 in low season.

GRAND BAHIA PRINCIPE TULUM

BEST FOR: Couples and families seeking value.

AMBIANCE: Opened in 1997, the resort is set along the complex’s best beach. Rooms and décor are similar to those at Coba.

ROOMS: 978, all with balconies, including Superiors, Junior Suite Superiors and Junior Suite Superiors Oceanfront. All sleep three adults or two adults and two kids. Junior Suite bathrooms have jetted tubs.

DINING: Seven bars and 11 restaurants, one buffet, one beachfront, and nine à la carte, including Tequila for Mexican and Don Pablo.

POOLS: A large, lively one overlooking the beach and two smaller but still sizable pools set amid tropical landscaping.

BEACHFRONT: Yes.

FAMILY FRIENDLY: Yes—and it has two kids’ clubs, but also appeals to budget-conscious couples and groups of friends.

ADULTS-ONLY: No.

INCLUDED: Wi-Fi in the lobby, one-hour free watersports rental daily and access to all amenities here and at Coba. Guests can enjoy unlimited dining at Tulum’s buffet and beach restaurants, and reserve at the nine à la carte restaurants at Tulum (or the six at Coba) for three nights during a seven-night stay.

EXTRA FEES: In-room Wi-Fi and safe, spa treatments, programs at the onsite Dolphinarium and rounds at Riviera Maya Golf Club.

NIGHTLY RATES: From $150 per person in high season and $106 in low season.

LUXURY BAHIA PRINCIPE SIAN KA’AN

BEST FOR: Couples who don’t like all-inclusive resorts.

AMBIANCE: If it weren’t for the plastic wristband snapped on at check-in, guests at this upscale contemporary resort (opened in 2011) might not think they’re at an all-inclusive.

ROOMS: 420, all spacious, with identical modern décor, except that some have Jacuzzis: Junior Suites and Junior Suite Superiors (second floor with balcony but no Jacuzzi), Junior Suite Superior Gardens (ground level with Jacuzzi on patio) and Junior Suite Superior Penthouses (third floor with rooftop Jacuzzi). Bathrooms have walk-in showers.

DINING: Five bars and four restaurants: Yalku buffet, a casual poolside restaurant and two à la carte options—Alux for contemporary gourmet and Maiko for Japanese.

POOLS: Four, all tucked amid tropical foliage.

BEACHFRONT: The resort is surrounded by jungle and a 10-minute tram ride from an adults-only beach area at Akumal.

FAMILY FRIENDLY: No guests under 18.

ADULTS-ONLY: It’s the complex’s sole adults-only resort.

INCLUDED: Resort-wide Wi-Fi, in-room butler service and unlimited access to the complex’s 29 bars and all à la carte restaurants.

EXTRA FEE: Spa treatments and rounds at Riviera Maya Golf Club.

RATES: From $183 per person in high season and $130 in low season

LUXURY BAHIA PRINCIPE AKUMAL

BEST FOR: Beach-loving couples and families with teens.

AMBIANCE: Opened in 2005, Akuman is an upscale option for families and has an adults-only section catering to couples. Rooms have Mexican-colonial-inspired décor with whitewashed four-poster beds.

ROOMS: 758, all with balconies and bathrooms with shower/jetted tub combos: Junior Suite Superiors and Junior Suite Superior Ocean Fronts sleep two adults and two kids, and Junior Suite Deluxes and Junior Suite Deluxe Ocean Fronts sleep three adults.

DINING: Nine bars and five restaurants: one buffet, one beachfront and four à la carte, including Frutos del Mar for seafood and adults-only Los Corales for Brazilian rodizio.

POOLS: Three, all overlooking the beach, including a massive river-like pool and an oceanfront adults-only infinity pool.

BEACHFRONT: The resort offers direct beach access.

ADULTS-ONLY: Guests can book a room in an adults-only area and enjoy the amenities at the adults-only Sian Ka’an.

INCLUDED: Resort-wide Wi-Fi, kids’ club, teens’ club and unlimited access to all the entire complex’s bar and restaurants.

EXTRA FEE: Bahia Spa treatments and rounds at the Riviera Maya Golf Club.

RATES: From $196 per person in high season and $139 in low season

For more information on Bahia Principe Riviera Maya and its four properties, visit bahia-principe.com.