Grand Riviera Princess Review: Our Family of 10’s Stay at the Family Club (Riviera Maya)

At a glance

Why you can trust this review

This isn’t a sponsored stay. Nobody comped our rooms, and no one from the resort reviewed these words before they were published. I plan travel for a living, so I went in evaluating the property the way I would for a client — but I was also there as a grandmother, a mother, and a wife, sharing the week with nine of the people I love most.

Travelling as a group of ten turns out to be the most honest way to judge a resort, because everyone notices something different. The five- and seven-year-old cared about the slides, the swim-out pool, and how many animals they could spot on the way to dinner. The adults paid attention to the food, the drinks, the rooms, the service, and whether a property this size could still feel relaxing. By the end of the week we had effectively crowd-sourced our own review around the dinner table every night.

The other thing that makes our visit unusual is the timing. We arrived the day after the resort reopened from a major renovation, which means we saw two things at once: a genuinely beautiful, freshly finished property, and the small, inevitable rough edges of a resort still tightening its last screws. If you’re reading this months later, most of the little issues we mention have almost certainly already been resolved — and the fundamentals underneath them were excellent from day one.

First impressions: bigger and calmer than the photos suggest

The first thing that registers as you drive through the entrance is the sheer scale. Photos online don’t prepare you for it. Wide tropical pathways wind through dense jungle landscaping, past ponds and little bridges, with palm trees, pools, and wildlife seemingly around every corner. It’s the kind of property you’re still discovering on day five.

What surprised me, given the size, is that it never felt crowded. Even in the busier stretches of the afternoon, in the common areas and at the restaurants, there was always another quiet corner to sit in, another pool to wander to, or another path to follow. For a family of ten with very different energy levels, that breathing room mattered more than I expected.

The renovation was obvious in the best way — the rooms, the public spaces, and the grounds all looked close to brand new. The only hint that the resort had reopened the day before was the occasional distant sound of a power tool, or a staff member adding finishing touches to a small area. Honestly, it never bothered us; if anything, it was reassuring to watch how much care was still going into getting the place exactly right. We visited in late May, and the weather was classic Riviera Maya — hot, humid, and bright, with only the occasional brief afternoon shower that passed as quickly as it arrived.

The one real frustration: our room keys

Our biggest headache happened before we’d even unpacked. Our key cards simply refused to work. For close to an hour we shuttled back and forth between reception and our rooms while staff reprogrammed cards, tested them, and tried again. We eventually got in — but over the week we were locked out a few more times and had to repeat the ritual.

It was genuinely annoying in the moment. But with the resort barely a day into its reopening, it read far more like a systems issue still being ironed out than a service problem. Every staff member who helped us stayed patient and apologetic and clearly wanted it fixed. If we returned now, I’d be surprised if it were still an issue.

The swim-out rooms were the best decision we made

If you take one thing from this review, take this: book the swim-out rooms, and if you’re a group, book them adjoining. Reserving several side by side meant our whole family was connected, and it shaped the entire rhythm of the week. Most mornings looked the same — coffee for the adults on the patio, and the kids slipping straight into the water before breakfast. There was no walking to a pool, no rounding everyone up; we just opened the patio doors and the day began.

The rooms themselves were beautifully renovated, with modern finishes, comfortable beds, powerful air conditioning, and genuinely strong Wi-Fi. The bathrooms were a standout, with both a spacious walk-in shower and an oversized tub. Ours comfortably slept our family of four on a king plus bunk beds, with a pull-out available if we’d needed it. The one feature that wasn’t ready yet was the child-safety gate between our patio and the swim-out pool — almost certainly another casualty of the reopening timing. Staff acknowledged it right away and told us repairs were in progress, but with young swimmers it’s worth confirming yours is working when you arrive.

One thing worth knowing is that the mini fridge wasn’t automatically restocked during our stay. Whenever we needed more bottled water, soft drinks, or beer, we simply called housekeeping and everything was brought up quickly. It was never a major inconvenience, but it’s helpful to know so you aren’t waiting for a scheduled refill.

The beach

The resort sits directly on the Riviera Maya coastline, and it’s only a short walk from the Family Club through beautifully landscaped gardens.

During our stay, however, the beach itself was largely unusable because of an exceptionally heavy sargassum (seaweed) bloom. Massive piles of seaweed had washed ashore—large enough that tractors were working throughout the day trying to clear it. Despite the resort’s constant efforts, there was simply too much arriving from the ocean for the beach to be fully cleaned, making it difficult, and in many places impossible, to comfortably enter the water.

It’s important to note that this wasn’t a Grand Riviera Princess issue. Sargassum is a natural seasonal phenomenon that affects much of the Riviera Maya coastline, and every beachfront resort in the region faces the same challenge when conditions are particularly severe. The staff worked incredibly hard to manage it, but Mother Nature ultimately has the final say.

Fortunately, the resort’s many pools, swim-out rooms, water park, and extensive grounds meant our vacation never felt limited by the beach conditions. We still had an incredible week, but if spending every day swimming in the ocean is your top priority, it’s worth checking current sargassum reports before booking any Riviera Maya resort.

If you’re considering this resort, you can also browse Lisa’s hand-picked collection of  Mexico resorts and vacation packages⁠  to compare destinations across the Riviera Maya.

The food was the real story — starting with the buffet

Like a lot of travellers, we assumed the à-la-carte restaurants would easily outshine the buffet. We couldn’t have been more wrong. By the second day, it had become the running joke of our trip that we were more excited for the buffet than some of our dinner reservations. It wasn’t just the variety—it was the quality. Chefs grilled steaks to order throughout service, pizzas came out fresh from the oven, pasta was cooked right in front of you, and there were stations filled with fresh seafood, authentic Mexican dishes, international favourites, crisp salads, fresh fruit, artisan breads, and a dessert selection the kids looked forward to every night. Even with ten people ranging from a five-year-old to grandparents, nobody ever struggled to find something they genuinely wanted to eat. That’s incredibly rare at an all-inclusive. More importantly, the food was consistently fresh, well-seasoned, and regularly replenished, so nothing ever felt like it had been sitting under heat lamps for hours. After trying several specialty restaurants, we found ourselves happily choosing the buffet again and again—a compliment we never expected to give.

Even after seven days, we never felt like we were eating the same meal twice.

The restaurants

Even as a party of ten, we never had trouble getting reservations, which honestly surprised us. We expected organizing specialty dinners for a group our size to be one of the more stressful parts of the trip, but the process was straightforward and we were able to eat together every evening.

Our clear favourite was The Gallery. If you’re only planning to book one specialty restaurant during your stay, this would be my recommendation. The atmosphere felt a little more upscale than the others, the service was excellent, and both the filet mignon and duck were outstanding. It was easily our best à-la-carte meal of the week.

The Italian restaurant was another pleasant surprise. It doesn’t try to be traditional Italian, and that’s perfectly fine. Instead, it serves comforting, creative dishes that everyone at our table enjoyed. The homemade tortellini soup was excellent, and the lasagna was unlike any we’ve had before. It wasn’t authentic, but it was delicious, and we found ourselves talking about it long after dinner.

The steakhouse was the only restaurant that disappointed us. I ordered my steak rare, but it arrived so undercooked it looked as though it had barely touched the grill, not even a sear. While that can sometimes happen anywhere, it was especially surprising because the freshly grilled steaks at the buffet were consistently better throughout our entire stay.

What surprised us most was that the specialty restaurants never completely outshone the buffet. In fact, after several dinners, we found ourselves genuinely looking forward to going back to the buffet because the quality was so consistently high and the variety was unmatched. That’s not something we’ve often said about an all-inclusive resort, and it’s probably one of the biggest compliments we can give the food at Grand Riviera Princess. 

Drinks and (excellent) coffee

The bars kept everyone happy throughout the week. Whether we were relaxing by the pool or winding down after dinner, it was never difficult to find a great drink. Frozen margaritas, mojitos, daiquiris, and classic cocktails were consistently well made, the pours were generous without being excessive, and the bartenders were always happy to recommend something new if we couldn’t decide. With multiple swim-up bars and lounges spread throughout the resort, there was never far to walk for your next drink.

Coffee deserves its own section because it genuinely exceeded our expectations. Mornings at the buffet started with traditional pot coffee served with whole milk rather than cream. It was perfectly enjoyable and exactly what most people would expect to accompany breakfast.

The real standout, however, was the resort’s beautiful café. Opening daily from 3:00 p.m. until 10:15 p.m., it quickly became one of our favourite places to relax. The space itself is stunning, featuring artistic décor, textured plaster walls, comfortable seating, and a cozy atmosphere that feels completely different from the rest of the resort. It became our afternoon ritual.

The coffee here was excellent. Proper cappuccinos, rich espresso, creamy iced coffees, and specialty drinks were made fresh to order and were among the best we’ve enjoyed at any all-inclusive resort. The display cases were equally tempting, filled with fresh croissants, chocolatines, macarons, sponge cakes, pastries, desserts, and other sweet treats that paired perfectly with an afternoon coffee.

Our only complaint is that it doesn’t open until the afternoon. Had it opened in the morning, it would have been our very first stop every day.

If you miss the café, don’t worry. The sports bar also serves excellent cappuccinos, frappés, and iced coffees, and many of the other bars around the resort offer surprisingly good espresso-based drinks as well. Whether you’re looking for your morning caffeine fix or an after-dinner coffee and dessert, Grand Riviera Princess delivers far better coffee than we’ve come to expect from an all-inclusive resort.

The sports bar & arcade

The sports bar quickly became one of our favourite places on the resort, especially later in the evening after the nightly shows. With 24-hour service, it was the perfect place to grab another bite before heading back to the room. The mozzarella sticks were a standout and quickly became a family favourite, while the chicken wings, nachos, tacos, quesadillas, burgers, and other pub-style snacks were consistently good. It was the kind of menu that appealed to both kids and adults, making it an easy choice whenever someone inevitably said, “I’m hungry again.”

The atmosphere was just as enjoyable as the food. Sports played on the televisions, the music created a fun but relaxed vibe, and the staff kept everything moving efficiently. Attached to the sports bar is a large arcade packed with games for all ages, which our grandchildren loved. It became a regular stop for us throughout the week, giving the kids another activity while the adults relaxed nearby. It’s a small part of the resort, but one that added a lot to our overall experience.

The wildlife makes this place feel different

One of the things our entire family will remember most about this vacation had nothing to do with the pools, restaurants, or shows—it was the wildlife. Walking through the resort genuinely felt like exploring a tropical jungle. Every morning and evening, before and after the midday heat, we found ourselves slowing down just to see what animals we could spot. Deer quietly grazed on the open lawns, coatis—the long-nosed, raccoon-like animals native to Mexico—wandered through the gardens looking for food, monkeys could occasionally be seen in the trees, and colourful tropical birds filled the air with constant birdsong.

As the day warmed up, the wildlife changed. Large iguanas stretched out on rocks and along the pool walkways, soaking up the sun, while little lizards darted between the gardens and pathways. Our grandchildren turned every walk into a scavenger hunt, excitedly pointing out each new animal they discovered. Even the adults couldn’t help but stop every few minutes to watch.

Coming from Canada, the vegetation was just as fascinating as the wildlife. The resort is beautifully landscaped with towering palm trees, dense patches of jungle, twisting tropical vines, enormous fan-like plants, bright flowering shrubs, and lush greenery that almost felt alien compared to home. Every path seemed to lead through another pocket of rainforest, making the resort feel less like a traditional all-inclusive and more like a nature reserve woven around luxury accommodations.

It’s one of the things that gives Grand Riviera Princess so much character. The wildlife isn’t hidden away—it’s simply part of everyday life around the resort, and it became one of the highlights of our stay. The only small downside was that the animals occasionally left evidence of their visits on balconies and walkways, but housekeeping responded quickly whenever we mentioned it, so it was never more than a minor inconvenience.

Housekeeping, service, and Wi-Fi

Housekeeping was excellent throughout our stay. Our rooms were cleaned thoroughly every day, fresh towels were replaced, the beds were beautifully made, and everything always felt clean when we returned from breakfast or the pool. We also found the housekeeping staff incredibly trustworthy and attentive to detail. Whenever the local wildlife left its “calling cards” (poop) on our balcony, someone came to clean it surprisingly quickly so we could continue enjoying the patio.

The only small thing worth knowing is that our mini fridge wasn’t automatically restocked each day. Instead, we simply called housekeeping whenever we needed more bottled water, soft drinks or beer, and everything was brought up promptly. It wasn’t a major issue once we knew how the system worked.

The staff throughout the resort deserve a lot of credit. Every employee we encountered was warm, patient, and genuinely seemed happy to help. The only challenge we occasionally experienced was the language barrier. Some staff members—particularly in a few of the restaurants—spoke very little English, which sometimes made ordering food or asking questions a little more difficult. That said, nobody was ever rude or dismissive. Everyone made a genuine effort to understand us, often using gestures, translation apps, or finding another staff member who could assist. If you speak even a little Spanish, it definitely comes in handy, but even without it we always got where we needed to.

The complimentary Wi-Fi was another pleasant surprise. Whether we were uploading photos, making video calls back to Canada, browsing social media, or streaming content before bed, the connection was consistently fast and reliable throughout the resort. Premium Wi-Fi was available for approximately USD $18, but honestly, we never once felt the need to upgrade. The free service handled everything we needed without issue.

Getting there and getting around

The resort is roughly a 45-minute drive south of Cancún International Airport, and arranging the transfer ahead of time (rather than sorting it at the airport) made arrival painless for a group our size. On property, the trade-off for all that beautiful scale is walking — it’s a big resort, and getting from the far rooms to the beach or a particular restaurant is a proper stroll. There’s internal transport to help, and honestly the walks themselves were pleasant thanks to the gardens and the animals, but if anyone in your group has mobility limitations, it’s worth requesting a room located centrally, near the Family Club pools and dining.

Before leaving Canada, we also recommend setting up a  Mexico travel eSIM⁠  so you land with mobile data already working instead of relying on expensive roaming or airport Wi-Fi.

The reopening reality — and the pool incident

Because we arrived the day after reopening, a few details were still unfinished. One water slide remained closed for construction, you’d occasionally hear power tools, there was a little dust in spots, and the swim-out pools had some loose mosaic tiles. Our kids, with the logic only children have, started collecting the tiny blue tiles from the bottom of the pool as “souvenirs.” It was funny — and it was also a clear sign that finishing work was still underway. The larger public pools, for what it’s worth, looked excellent.

The loose tiles did lead to the one moment that genuinely rattled us: one afternoon our grandson cut his foot on one in the swim-out pool. What stayed with me afterward, though, wasn’t the injury — it was the response. Lifeguards were there immediately, management arrived quickly, an incident report was completed, and staff checked in on him over the following days. We also noticed visibly more attention being paid to cleaning and inspecting the swim-out pools for the rest of the week. Mistakes happen, especially at a property days into reopening; how a team responds tells you far more than the mistake itself, and this team responded well.

Evenings and entertainment

The nights had an easy rhythm we settled into fast. The theatre ran entertaining shows suitable for the whole family — we caught a genuinely fun Michael Jackson tribute show, and a fire-dancing performance out in the plaza that the kids talked about for days. Adults looking for more could head to the on-site nightclub, while the rest of us were perfectly happy lingering over a drink after dinner as the live performances played. There was always something on without it ever feeling forced or overwhelming.

What we’d do differently

Nothing major — but a week of notes from ten people produces a short, useful list for next time:

• Book the swim-out rooms again, no question — and adjoining again.
• Pack waterproof sandals for the kids (handy with the loose tiles, and for the pool decks generally).
• Make our Gallery reservation on day one instead of mid-week.
• Skip the steakhouse and lean into the buffet steaks and the italian restaurant instead.
• Bring binoculars — the kids would have loved them for the wildlife.
• Build in even more unstructured buffet-and-pool time; that’s where the trip actually lived.

Who this resort is perfect for

After a week of evaluating it from every angle, this is an easy resort to place. It shines for large family groups, multi-generational trips, families with young children or teenagers, and grandparents travelling with grandchildren — anyone who wants a lot of choice and activity without feeling packed in, and Canadians chasing a reliable winter escape. If what you want instead is a small boutique hotel or a quiet adults-only luxury retreat, this isn’t the match. But if you’re travelling with children, it’s one of the easiest recommendations I’d make.

Should you book it?

Final thoughts

Looking back, what stays with me is how positive the whole week was despite arriving one day after reopening. Yes, there were loose pool tiles, a closed slide, some lingering construction, and those maddening room keys. But every one of those issues traced directly back to the timing of our visit, not to the resort itself — and underneath them, the fundamentals were already outstanding. The rooms were beautiful, the buffet was a genuine highlight, the restaurants (Gallery especially) delivered, the coffee was a treat, the Wi-Fi was strong, the pools were lovely, the staff were kind, the wildlife was magical, and the entertainment was fun. It’s a property that somehow manages to feel both enormous and relaxing at once.

Most importantly, our family of ten came home with memories we’ll be telling each other about for years. Would we return? Absolutely — and I’d genuinely love to see it again once the final post-renovation details are complete. If this was Princess Family Club Riviera at its roughest, its future is very bright.

If you’re considering the Grand Riviera Princess—or any Riviera Maya resort—Lisa can help compare room categories, arrange flights, transfers, insurance, and recommend the best resort for your family. Learn more about her  travel planning services⁠

Overall rating: 4.8 / 5

If you’re planning a family trip to the Riviera Maya and want a resort that truly caters to children while still giving the adults plenty to enjoy, this is one I’d confidently recommend — and one I’d happily help you plan.

Frequently asked questions: Grand Riviera Princess & the Family Club

Is Grand Riviera Princess (Princess Family Club Riviera) worth it?

Yes. Based on our family of ten’s stay, it’s worth it for families, multi-generational groups, and anyone who wants a large all-inclusive resort with renovated rooms, strong food, great pools, wildlife, entertainment, and plenty for children to do. We visited just one day after the resort reopened from renovations, so we experienced a few early issues, but the overall vacation was still excellent.

Is Princess Family Club Riviera good for families?

Yes — this is where the resort shines. The Family Club is especially good for families with young children because of the swim-out rooms, water slides, kids’ club, large pools, family-friendly buffet, arcade, sports bar, ice-cream shop, and nightly entertainment. Our grandchildren, ages 5 and 7, had something to enjoy every single day.

What is the difference between Princess Family Club Riviera and Grand Riviera Princess?

Princess Family Club Riviera is the family-focused section within the larger Grand Riviera Princess resort complex. Staying at the Family Club gives families dedicated family amenities while still allowing full access to the broader Grand Riviera Princess property — restaurants, pools, bars, entertainment areas, gardens, walkways, and resort shuttles.

Are the swim-out rooms worth it?

Yes — the swim-out rooms were the highlight of our stay. We booked several side by side, which made it easy for everyone to gather. The kids could swim right outside the room while the adults relaxed with coffee on the terrace. The rooms were freshly renovated, spacious, comfortable, and ideal for a family group.

Were there any issues with the swim-out rooms?

Yes, but most seemed tied to the resort reopening immediately after renovations. Some small mosaic tiles were loose in the swim-out pool, and one of our grandchildren cut his foot on a broken tile. Lifeguards and managers responded quickly, completed an incident report, and increased attention to cleaning and inspecting the swim-out pools afterward.

How was the food at Grand Riviera Princess?

The food was one of the biggest surprises of the trip. The buffet was excellent — fresh steak, pasta, pizza, seafood, Mexican dishes, breakfast items, desserts, fresh bread, fruit, and plenty of variety. For our family of ten, the buffet was often just as good as, and sometimes better than, the specialty restaurants.

What were the best restaurants at Grand Riviera Princess?

Our favourite was The Gallery, especially the filet mignon and duck. The Italian restaurant was also very good, with creative options like homemade tortellini soup and a unique lasagna. The steakhouse was our least favourite — we personally found the buffet steak better during our stay.

Is it hard to get restaurant reservations?

During our visit we had no trouble getting reservations, even as a group of ten. It may vary with season and occupancy, but we found the booking process easier than expected. If you’re travelling with a large group, it’s still smart to arrange reservations early in the trip.

How is the buffet at Grand Riviera Princess?

The buffet was outstanding. It had enough variety for adults, young children, picky eaters, and adventurous eaters alike — fresh grilled steak, pasta, pizza, seafood, breakfast options, desserts, and international dishes made it one of the strongest parts of the resort experience.

Does Princess Family Club Riviera have a water park?

Yes — there’s a water-park area with slides for children, and our grandchildren loved it. One slide was still being finished during our stay because we visited right after the reopening, but the water park was still a major highlight for the kids.

Is Grand Riviera Princess too big?

It’s a very large resort, so expect a lot of walking. That said, the size is part of the appeal. It never felt overcrowded during our stay, internal shuttles were available, and the walkways are beautiful — tropical landscaping, wildlife, pools, gardens, and shaded areas throughout.

What animals can you see at Grand Riviera Princess?

We saw deer, iguanas, lizards, coatis, and monkeys around the resort. The wildlife was one of the most memorable parts of the trip for our grandchildren. The only downside is that animals can leave droppings on balconies or walkways, but housekeeping responded quickly whenever we mentioned it.

How was the service?

The staff were kind, patient, and genuinely welcoming — service was one of the strongest parts of the stay. The only challenge was that not all staff spoke English, especially in some restaurants, so there were occasional language barriers. Even so, everyone tried their best to help.

Was there construction after the renovation reopening?

Yes. We arrived one day after the resort reopened on May 27, 2026, so a few finishing touches were still happening — occasional power tools, some dust, one water slide still being worked on, and loose tiles in the swim-out pool. These weren’t enough to ruin the trip, but they’re important context for our review.

How was the Wi-Fi?

The free Wi-Fi was very good. We used it for messaging, social media, video calls, and general browsing without needing to upgrade. Premium Wi-Fi was available for around USD $18, but the complimentary service was perfectly acceptable.

Is the coffee good at Princess Family Club Riviera?

Yes. The café and bars served excellent cappuccinos, iced coffees, and espresso drinks. The best coffee was at the café, which opened in the afternoon during our stay — we only wished it opened earlier, because it would have been our first stop every morning.

Is there nightlife at Grand Riviera Princess?

Yes. There were entertaining evening shows in the theatre and the plaza, including a Michael Jackson show and a fire-dancing show during our stay. Adults could also visit the on-site disco/nightclub, while families enjoyed drinks, live performances, and evening entertainment around the resort.

Is Grand Riviera Princess good for large groups?

Yes. Our group of ten stayed in rooms side by side, which made the trip much easier. It worked well for grandparents, adult children, couples, and young grandchildren, with enough space, food variety, entertainment, and pool access for everyone to enjoy at their own pace.

What should families know before booking?

The resort is large, so comfortable shoes help. Swim-out rooms are worth considering, especially for groups. The buffet is excellent, the wildlife is a major highlight, and the water park is great for kids. If you’re visiting shortly after the renovation, expect a few finishing touches or minor issues as the property settles.

Would we return to Grand Riviera Princess?

Yes. Even with a few reopening issues, we had a spectacular vacation and would recommend it to families visiting the Riviera Maya. Once the final renovation details are fully corrected, we believe the resort will be even stronger.