Gran Porto Real Playa Del Carmen All-Inclusive Resort, Playa del Carmen

We just got back from our vacation there and had the same problem at the front desk. They had our reservation - but they did not have a room for us or the other 30+ people trying to get rooms. Basically their attitude was just go to another hotel that they picked and they would pay for it. They had no concept that we would be concerned about what type of flea bag hotel they were shipping us out to. As we wasted our first three hours in Mexico arguing with the front desk, about 10 different people who were already checked in had stopped by and said the same thing happened to them a couple of days ago and what to try to get (free tours, lobster dinners, $ credits at the gift shop). So basically it became a joke for those who stayed to go down to the lobby and watch new people being shipped out and to see what kind of deal the hotel was offering. Luckily our Worry Free Vacations rep appeared and just said "hey this is Mexico - its busy season and this happens all the time at this hotel". A lot of help he was. Bottom line is next day we got our room by noon after spending one night in a sub-par hotel. Hotel was nice, beach was sandbagged due the damage from the hurricane a couple of years ago but was nice. Service was good, except for the Time Share Reps who will hound you every time you step foot in the lobby. If you want to play the game of assuming they will honor your reservation (think of Seinfeld reserving the car) not a bad place to go. I will never go back though.

My friends booked their wedding on April 27th at the Gran Porto Real. It was 40 close friends and family. It turned out that they did not have a room for the Bride and Groom and 20 of their guests were shipped out to another resort of lesser value. The lobby was full of screaming guests that also did not have rooms...totally separate from the wedding party. It turned out that the resort had overbooked by more than 70 rooms. The only good thing about this resort is the location...there are plenty more resorts in Playa...save yourself the nightmare...stay somewhere else!!!

My family and friends booked a spring break vacation at the Gran Porto Real thinking we were headed for a relaxing and extravagant holiday. What we ended up with was disapointment, mental anguish, and plenty of wasted vacation time. After a long and tiring day of travel our group arrived at the Gran Porto Real Resort only to be told that, although they could confirm our reservations, there were no more rooms available at the resort. After much frustrating discussion, we finally agreed (under protest) to be transported 20 minutes up the beach to a luxury resort for an interim stay...we were promised that it would not be Cancun as we had already visited this place and wanted to be in the Playa del Carmen area. 45 minutes later we were back at a resort in the Cancun airport area. This proved to be only the first of many lies. The day that the Gran promised to pick us up for our return to the Gran Porto, they were two hours late in arriving. Once we finally arrived, despite guarantees that our upgraded rooms would be ready, they continued to stall and to make false promises throughout the afternoon. 6 hours later we were finally given rooms, only to discover that not only were they not the upgraded suites promised, but they weren't even the suites we had orignially booked. There was no "Ocean View" to be seen anywhere...we were given standard rooms accross from a construction site. We went back to the front desk for another round of aggravating discussion, in which my mother was actually insulted. While they admitted that we were not given what we had oridinally booked, they didn't offer to make an efforts to correct the error. Unfortunately, our case is not an isolated incident. On a daily basis, other vacationers could be seen having the same discussions with the front desk, and they too were treated with the same careless disreguard. The management of bookings, the behaviour and attitude of the front desk staff, and the accomodations we received were far from the five star standards that we had paid for. Added to this were several other factors that detracted from the quality we had expected. For example, cleaning staff continued to unlock the patio door and leave the front door to the room open. I would seriously caution anyone thinking of booking a vacation at this resort.

Our family had a great time at the Gran Porto Real. The location is great - go out the front and you are in the city, go out the back, and your toes are in the sand. Had two rooms, one was too close to the kids club (noisy), but they changed with little fuss. Beware the consierge service, just an attempt to "upgrade" to the resort next door, no real help after we declined. I told my travel agent that I wanted to open my door, and my feet touch sand, and she accomodated, with a patio and an iron gate the only thing separating... I had no problems with the beach, loved every minute of it. Proximity to 5th avenue is a big plus because we all tired of the buffet and restaurants at the resort quickly. The shows at the resort were laughable, but we enjoied the attempt at entertainment. The excursions offered through the hotel were pricey, but enjoyable - especially the Alltournative trip to Coba - well worth the price. Bring lots of ones, they only make change in pesos, and at a poor exchange rate. I would definitely recommend this resort, we all had a great time.

Loved the location. The hotel is in town and also on the beach. Lots to see in town. The food at the hotel was wonderful. Service was excellent, especially the frozen drinks poolside. Very, very disappointed with the beach. All the advertisements show a sandy white beach right in back of the hotel. In reality, you can't access the water to swim because of all the boats. There were lots of rocks too. You had to walk way down the beach to find a place to enter the water. The beach was a big disappointment.

This was our first trip to Mexico and let me say we were pleasantly surprised. This hotel was excellent..We were there the first week of December. We were upgraded upon arrival to an Ocean Front walk out room..it was amazing.. the staff was so friendly and helpful..Teresa & Benito were quick with the drinks every day! We will miss them.. But not for long! We're already planning a trip back within the year!!! Lots of activities for kids, but quiet enough for adults without kids..We were never bothered by noise. Our room was silent, never heard anything going on outside when the door was closed. It is a smaller hotel (270 rooms), which we loved. Made it much more quaint..And walking distance to 5th Avenue. A "must visit" hotel in my opinion.

I have been goin to the Gran Porto Real Ressort for several years now, and I absoulutley love it..The reason I keep going back is because the hotel really is first class, with a middle class price.. It truley is a wonderful place to complete your stay at Playa..Everything is all inclusive, and the food is great, as well as the drinks. The hotel has a lot of swim up bars which are great to just sit back and have a cocktail. I would like to go back soon..

Unless you plan on spending every day on the beach, you may want to choose this resort for the adjacent location to 5th Avenue for shopping, plus they have nightclubs on the beach for evening activities. Weather in November was really hot, although every day it rained for 10- 15 mins. Annoying at first, then you get used to it. Junior Suites that face the ocean have fantastic views, very large and clean. Food at buffet is great for breakfast and lunch but dinner could offer more choices. The (2) restaurants included are the Italian and Mexican. Gets repetitive with only 2. My only objection is that the people staying across the street at the other Real Resort can come to your place, but we were not allowed to visit over there- they literally stop you in the lobby. You cannot beat the service at this resort. Everyone from the maids to the beach waiters go over and above to assist you. Lots of security visible at all times so you feel safe. Beachfront is eroding at this resort so beach is short but they allow you to go to the beach next door which is wider and nicer. Overall, I would recommend this property for a destination.

Gran Porto Real (Playa Del Carmen) was a wonderful place to spend a week with 30 other relatives. The kids and adults alike spent most of the time hanging around the pool. Activities staff (notably Spike) was awesome. Water polo, volleyball, nightly stage shows (FABULOUS), etc. Rooms were huge, well-appointed, and the shower was at least 8'x6'. Maid service well deserved a nice tip. The kids room (a full-service daycare) was a hit with activities galore. Food was good. Beach buffet came in handy for when you wanted to eat in your bathing suit. If you did not care to venture off to 5th street or go on an excursion, all of the activities on the grounds are plenty enough to keep you satisfied. Also, the massage my husband and I had in the spa was our best ever! Our family is definitely planning on coming back next year!!!

The staff were so friendly and helpful. The hotel was just amazing and the view was brilliant. I wasn't keen at first about going shopping locally as we would get hassled.