Family Club at Grand Riviera Princess

Family Club at Grand Riviera is an upscale option targeted at families with small children. From the get-go, the resort is designed to appeal to younger kids, displaying bright colors and kid versions of adult hotel features like parking spots. It some ways, the hotel's kid-friendly approach can feel almost like a hotel amusement park for kids, with some parents seeking out a little more of an adult atmosphere with their access to all features at Family Club's sister property the Grand Riviera Princess. Still, while the kid features can be convenient, other facilities, including the beach and restaurant options can be a hassle to reach. On the whole, travelers looking for an overtly kid-centric property will find the Family Club fits the bill.

Family Club at Grand Princess Riviera is located a 15-minute drive from the center of Playa del Carmen. It shares space within the large, beachfront resort complex of Grand Riviera Princess All Suites & Spa Resort. Popular family-friendly eco-parks such as Xplor and Xcaret are a 30-minute drive south, while the turtle-filled waters of Akumal Bay and the beachside ruins of Tulum are 45 minutes and an hour away, respectively. The Cancun International Airport is a 40-minute drive north of the hotel. 

Echoing the theme of the resort, all 144 guest suites at Family Club at Grand Princess Riviera feature design details that appeal to both parents and children. Rooms are not true suites, instead featuring both the bedroom and sitting area in the same space. Guests can expect upscale attributes like polished marble tiling, separate jetted tubs and rainfall showers, and understated warm earth-tone decor. Kid-centric amenities include step stools, welcome pirate dolls, and bath robes for kids. All suites have furnished balconies, plus there are swim-out suites with loungers and direct ladder access to a shared pool. The maximum capacity is five, with either a king-sized bed plus a single and bunk beds or two double beds and a pullout sofa. Quality amenities consist of minibars stocked with beer, soda, juice, and water, 32-inch flat-screen TVs with kid-friendly satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, toiletries, hairdryers, electronic safes, and ironing facilities. 

The all-inclusive package here includes most food and drink, with upgrades available for premium liquor, wine, and menu options. Family Club guests are given a wristband to wear that gives them exclusive access to special kid perks such as the pirate buffet, water park, and kiddy pools. Those who upgrade to platinum status will receive additional access to exclusive pool and beach areas, plus extra bars with premium liquor options and service perks like pillow menus. Extra fees come with spa treatments, certain a la carte restaurants, and the resort complex's Chill Out beach club. Guests at this resort also have access to facilities and features at the Grand Riviera Princess. 

The pirate-themed Buffet Restaurant Family Club functions as this resort's main buffet (adults can order off of a menu), and it's a hit with kids. A climbable pirate ship, wood barrel seating section, faux-tattered curtains, and themed entertainment add good details, though the food receives mixed reviews, with particular woes over the lack of a live cooking station. Other on-site options at Family Club include a 1950s-style ice cream parlor and casual items at the Family Club's pool bar. Guests here also have additional dining options located at the Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Spa & Resort, including two more buffets and a total of seven a la carte restaurants, such as Asian, Mexican, Italian, seafood, and fondue, though these spots have also gotten mixed reviews on food and food quality. Dress codes for a la carte restaurants stress no flip flops, T-shirts, or shorts, and some guests reported having a difficult time securing the required reservations for these restaurants. Paying out of pocket at the beachfront Chill Out restaurant gives good value since it gives diners access to the Chill Out area of the beach. This resort does not have room service.Drinks get good reviews and are easy to come by thanks to nine bars, ranging from pool and beach bars to a 24-hour sports bar and lobby bars, located across the larger resort complex. Guests at Family Club also have exclusive access to a family-friendly pool bar. 

Where this resort shines is its kid-friendly features, which start from the small kid-sized car park for plastic strollers and continues through the resort's daytime and evening kids' clubs for ages 4 to 12. Kids' club activities include arts and crafts, a mini cinema, puppet shows, and video game room, while the teen program (for teens aged 13 to 16) focuses more on competitive sports, video games, and group activities like weekly dance clubs. There are a total of 12 pools available to guests at the Family Club Gran Riviera Princess, with four dedicated to children, including the pool within the kids' club area and a pirate-themed water park. Guests should be cautious of slippery pool areas. Most activities are included, ranging from bingo and dance classes to an in-pool introduction to scuba diving and the sports area at the Grand Riviera Princess property, which has six tennis courts, paddle courts, and archery. This is also where guests will find access to free non-motorized water sports, yoga classes, and a spacious and bright gym with enough machines and weights for an average workout. Family Club itself does not have beach access, though guests can take a free trolly shuttle over to the Grand Riviera Princess property for access to a private, white-sand beach. Here, there are several beach chairs, straw umbrellas, and a gazebo often used for weddings. There is no spa on-site at this property, but guests have access to the spa at the Grand Riviera Princess. The upmarket spa has a hydrotherapy circuit and variety of treatments. A few treatment rooms are housed in rustic huts overlooking the lagoon. The resort has a shuttle bus that runs into Playa del Carmen for a small fee. Wi-Fi is free in rooms and in designated public areas throughout the resort.