Our Family’s Pick Among Barcelo’s Riviera Maya All Inclusive Resorts

Imagine an easy, breezy, sunny vacation at the all-inclusive Barcelo Resorts on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Families find that impressive dining options, friendly service, entertainment and organized kids’ activities make the trip to nearby Cancun worthwhile.

The Barcelo Maya Grand is a complex of six intermingled resorts on a broad expanse of beach, fronting the Caribbean Sea just 75 kilometers south of the Cancun airport. From upscale Premium Level rooms on the beautiful beach to a choice of eight swimming pools — including semi-Olympic and adults-only swimming pools — there is something for everyone.

The whole place is wonderfully suited for families, especially those with older children who can be given the freedom to roam this sprawling property.

We Came, We Stayed, We Chose Our Favorite All-Inclusive Resort

How do you choose among six neighboring resorts? Start by taking a good look at your travel party. Then, read on…

Among the properties, the Barcelo Maya Riviera Adults Only is the resort — you guessed it — for adults only. It’s a real treat for families and multigenerational groups where everyone is 18 years and older.

The Barcelo Maya Palace is another upscale hotel in the complex, yet this one welcomes families. In fact, special family amenities include three pools (one adults only), fitness center, shopping mall and U-Spa. Kids get their own a water park, a U-Kids Spa and a mini-club. All ages enjoy the beach, recreation facilities and evening entertainment together.

The Barcelo Maya Beach, Barcelo Maya Caribe, Barcelo Maya Colonial, and Barcelo Maya Tropical are the other all-inclusive hotels within the Barcelo Maya Grand complex. The Caribe is notable for its swim-up rooms with private plunge pools, and its sports bar, bowling alley and pirate-themed waterpark. All ages are welcome at these resorts, with children younger than 2 years staying free of charge, and ages 2-12 paying only 50% of adult rates.

Barcelo Maya Grand Amenities to Make Your Vacation Unforgettable

Our choice, the Barcelo Maya Colonial Beach – a Barcelo “premium” resort – occupies the upper end of the mid-level tier of resorts, meaning it does not pretend to be the Four Seasons but is a qualitative step above typical all-inclusive properties in the Caribbean.

All of the 1,972 rooms at the resort are quite comfortable and larger than at most resorts, with marble baths, balconies, and European styling.

Rooms Designed for Seaside Comfort at Barcelo Resorts

Whether you’re a couple craving a romantic oceanfront suite, a family needing space to spread out, or a solo traveler seeking luxury, Barcelo Mayan Riviera Resorts has the perfect room for you. Choose from:

• Premium Level Oceanfront Suite: Pure bliss with stunning views.
• Superior and Family rooms: Spacious and convenient, often with connecting options.
• Premium Level Junior Suites: Elevate your experience with exclusive perks and access.
• Premium Level Oceanfront Junior Suite: The ultimate oceanfront indulgence.

Adventure is Just a Step Away at Barcelo’s Riviera Maya Complex

Barcelo guarantees that your family vacation is all about creating unforgettable memories together. Plus, having six resorts at different price points means any family can enjoy a vacation here. (The Barcelo Maya Tropical is often the cheapest.) Remember that no matter where you sleep, you can enjoy most of the amenities at the neighboring Barcelo Resorts. That’s why they offer a wide range of activities and amenities designed to delight guests of all ages, 365 days a year:

Activities for the Little Ones at Barcelo Maya Grand Family Resorts

• Indoor Play Zone: A vibrant, air-conditioned space filled with toys, games, building blocks, and arts & crafts supplies.
• Outdoor Playground: Kids can burn off energy on the slides, swings, and climbing structures while making new friends.
• Kids’ Pool Area: A dedicated shallow pool with playful water features and small slides, perfect for safe splashing and fun.
• U-Kids Spa: Introduce your little ones to the joys of relaxation with gentle massages, colorful manicures, and playful pedicures.
• Movie Nights: Cozy up for special kids’ movie screenings with popcorn and snacks.
• Barcy & Friends: Your kids will love meeting our friendly Barceló mascots, Barcy the Turtle and his pals.

Teen & Tween Excitement at these Mexican All-Inclusive Resorts

• Non-Motorized Water Sports: Explore the turquoise waters of the Riviera Maya with kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and sailing.
• Social Hub (seasonal): Our dedicated teen club offers a vibrant space for socializing, making new friends, and chilling out.
• DJ Workshops: (Seasonal) Aspiring DJs can learn the basics of mixing and beat-matching from our resident DJ.

Fun for the Whole Family at Five out of Six Hotels at Barcelo Maya Grand

• Pirate’s Island Water Park: Experience thrills on our larger slides and attractions at Pirate’s Island (additional fee applies).
• Swimming Pools: Choose from a variety of pools, including options with swim-up bars for adults and zero-entry pools perfect for toddlers.
• Miniature Golf: Enjoy a friendly round of mini golf on our 18-hole course.
• Bowling: Have a fun family bowling night at our four-lane alley.
• Eco-Tours: Explore the natural beauty of the Riviera Maya with family-friendly eco-tours, such as snorkeling in cenotes or visiting a turtle sanctuary.

Usually our family favors small properties to avoid crowds and noise, but Barcelo uses its size to great advantage. Guests can choose to participate in a myriad of organized or individual activities or head off by themselves and usually find a quiet place to rest and relax.

Barcelo Maya Grand Offers Dine-Around Dining Experience

And rather than offering only a few dining choices, guests have a choice of scores of restaurants, snack bars and bars, serving steak, seafood, Asian, Italian, Mexican and more. And while not all of the food hits the high water mark, the quality and variety clearly are a step above many other all-inclusive places (in particular the seafood buffet). Note that two of the resorts are priced about 15% higher than their neighbors because of the larger room size and other amenities, therefore, families who dine around may have to pay some “up-charges” at various restaurants.

In two huge amphitheaters available to all the guests at the four adjoining resorts, Barcelo stages evening musical reviews that can be quite entertaining, depending on your taste in music. Barcelo also offers two of our least favorite activities at oceanfront resorts: karaoke in the amphitheater and noisy poolside games of Trivial Pursuit.

You Get What You Pay For at Quality All-Inclusive Barcelo Grand Resorts

Cancun, of course, is packed with quality all-inclusive, family resorts as you can see from our Top 10 Cancun Resorts list. However, Barcelo’s resort complex pampers guests with a large variety of high quality offerings no matter the room rate. That you can intermingle your time at the resorts — dining and swimming at each on alternate days — makes it a great place for a family reunion, too.

Overall, we give high marks to the hotel staff and its location, and even higher grades to the range of activities and quality of the amenities. They stand out at this all-inclusive resort, where pretty much everything is included other than private babysitting.

Ready to start planning your dream getaway? Let’s chat about making your Barcelo Mayan Riviera Resorts vacation a reality.

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