Gran Caribe Real (formerly Continental Villas) **** AI/EP

[Steve]

Gran Caribe Real

Renamed in March 2004 from the Continental Villas. Post comments, reviews, trip reports and links to your pictures for Gran Caribe Real here.

Originally Posted by Travel Center

Gran Caribe Real crowns the Real Hotels chain prestige with an unsurpassable mixture of excellent European service with the warm Mexican hospitality. Enjoy the beautiful blue Caribbean from sumptuous facilities in modern Mediterranean style, while we take care of every single detail to bring you an exceptional vacation, with the best All Inclusive concept around. The Gran Caribe Real is situated in the heart of Cancun’s lively hotel zone, between the sparkling Caribbean beach and Nichupte lagoon, just twenty minutes from Cancun’s International Airport, ten minutes from Kukulcan and La Isla Shopping Malls and within walking distance of the Convention Center, local attractions, shopping galleries, dining and thrilling nightlife. Relax, we guarantee you a pleasant stay.

Gran Caribe Real offers 638 luxury guestrooms attractively decorated with Caribbean motifs in contemporary style and an ample sense of comfort and privacy. Standard room amenities include full private bathroom and hairdryer, air conditioning, color cable TV with remote control, direct dial telephone with voicemail messenger service, alarm clock and mini-bar, safe deposit box plus balcony or terrace.

Gran Caribe Real features two bars and four restaurants located on the property. The Lobby Bar, with a great atmosphere, offers daily cocktails and live music. The bar Caribe offers poolside drinks, hamburgers, hot dogs and snacks. El Navegante Restaurant, on a covered veranda beside the main swimming pool, features a bounteous buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner. Las Conchas, located next to the main swimming pool with a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea, serves buffet breakfast, dinner and midnight snacks, and has a deli and salad bar for lunch. Paradise Cove overlooks the sea and specializes in seafood and cocktails for lunch. La Trattoria Restaurant, featuring elegant Italian cuisine, opens for dinner only.

In your spare time, join the daily complete recreational activities program. The Gran Caribe Real all-inclusive program offers activities including racquetball, squash, two tennis courts with lighting for night play, giant chess, half-court basketball, mini-golf and children’s play area. The resort features a complete gym with steam room, massage, physical conditioning equipment, cardiovascular area and aerobic classes, three freshwater swimming pools to ensure a full day of fun in the sun, as well as the Comfort Center, a spacious air-conditioned area with table games, billiards, and cozy reading sections. For guests who enjoy water sports, a wide variety of activities are available at our marina, including scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing and jet skiing.

Located at Km11 it is a short hop by bus to the party center. This hotel is Ocean side. Downtown is a 25 minute bus journey away.

Travel Center (All Inclusive)

Travel Center (European Plan)

[Logan]

Just returned from a week here, and I liked the resort for the most part. We stayed in the tower sections and had a lagoon view room with a 12 by 10 balcony which overlooked one of the three pools.

Pros

The rooms were nice, the staff was great, the time waiting for drinks was short. The beach was pretty good, plenty of room and enough chairs for everyone that wanted one. It looked like there was a little beach erosion, but nothing to bad. I swam in the ocean everyday, the surf was a little rough, and the flag was always yellow. They closed the beach between 5 and 6 pm everyday. (for swimming) There were plenty of activities everyday to keep you happy. Pat O'Brians and Margaritville were across the street. 8)

Cons

The food at the Albatros and Gavitos and even the pool side outdoor resturants got old fast. They served the same things it seemed everyday. It wasn't all that great either. Marias and the one by the beach (can't remember the name) were good. The Villas looked nice but were a long way from the activities. The resort seems large, and if you didn't set a time with people to meet them again, you might not see them again during your stay there. Never a problem at the smaller resorts. The 24 hour snack bar was at the end of the resort by the villias pool. Which made for a long walk for a snack at 3:00 am after a night out on the town.

I will stay here when I return in June with my kids, but when I go alone or with a friend in November I will look into a smaller resort like the Costa Real or BBG.

[ckolden]

Has anyone stayed at the Grand Caribe Real?

7 Friends and I are going to in a week or so. What did you like? Dislike? Any suggestions on where we should eat, activities, ect? Thanks.

[grbella]

I am confused :?
2 postings say this resort is near km11.... the map link below says it is near km5 or km6...
what is the acurate location of this resort?

http://www.cancuncare.com/maps/cancunmap.jpg

Thanks!

[Logan]

Gran Caribe Real (formerly Continental Villas) **** AI/EP

That is a older map, and the original Grand Caribe was there, I believe it's now the RIU.

[grbella]

I hope someone can help me decipher which hotel is which.... I am to be staying at the Gran Caribe Real (per the travel agent)....
One board says the Gran Caribe Real was "Continental Villas"
Another says "Riu Caribe" formerly "Gran Caribe".... is the Gran Caribe Real NOW the Riu Caribe? OR is the Gran Caribe Real still known under that name? oh...I am SO confused...and I haven't had any margarita's yet!! :?

Perhaps maybe a KM marker number would be helpful too, if anyone knows it.
Thanks!

[lindat]

We stayed at the Caribe Real ( formerly Continental Plaza) last year...it was NOT good. Service was horrible, food was really bad. Rooms were beautiful, but air conditioning didn't work, and neither did the fridge. Elevator broke 5 times, ( once with us in it). Managment was rude and surly. We would NOT go back again.

[Michael F.]

According to Real Resorts home pages, the Gran Caribe Real does exist and is at km 11.5. Nice looking property:
http://www.realresorts.com.mx/Caribe%5FReal/

[cruiserlv]

we are visiting oct. 2-10th for a friends wedding. What can we expect? All the pictures I have seen of the resort just show one pool...yet someone said this is a huge resort?

[Brookers13]

i dont know about the pools...but the resort is very long...not like the moon palace...but longer than most on the strip...just what i noticed...we didnt stay there but had friends who did

[grbella]

We stayed for 7 days in July... it was VERY hot (we live in Florida!) and humid. The A/C hardly worked at all! They ended up giving us a fan in our room, which did help a little.
We had a room in the villa area, not the tower (main hotel area)...yes, it is a long walk to go eat, etc. but the privacy was nice.
We enjoyed the food...although I came to Mexico to eat Mexican food...hardly got any! Service was always good, food always fresh. We were on an all inclusive plan and took advantage of the room service a couple of times...which I recommend against...each time, the order was wrong and cold!
We tipped well, so perhaps that is why we had good service (not room service). I am glad we didnt stay in the "towers"...the power was out 1 day for about 6-8 hours...those stairs get a bit difficult after a couple of floors. Just so happened that the day the power went out there was a lot of rain...so you couldn't even swim or go for walks to amuse yourself...just how many times can you play BINGO?!?!?!

Anyway...the place certainly does need some work, but our maid kept our room nice for us and we took lots of cool showers to keep cooled off. It probably isn't the nicest/best hotel on the strip...but we enjoyed it!

[cruiserlv]

Great info....thanks!

[Drewbert]

Anyone know if the Gran Caribe Real is up and running and taking guests for Nov 21?

[aztec_guera]

I have heard and they are not. The tower portion will reopen on dec 15th with the Villa portion to open at a later date. The sister hotel might be able to accomodate you. It is the Gran Costa Real. I know it officially re-opens on Dec 1 100%. I am not sure if they have a portion open now for guests. It was my understanding that they don't but it would be worth a call. They are located on Playa Linda and didn't sustain the damage that the Gran Caribe did. Give the Costa Real a call. I have the number if you need it.

[4stix]

Does anyone know if the gran caribe real is a party spot during march break. I have stayed there before but never during that time and i have enjoyed myself very much everytime i have gone. I only want to stay there during that time if there are going to be a lot of young people staying there. If anyone could give me any help i would appreciate it. thanks

[whdream]

I think it is pretty good during March Break I am lookin to go there myself I have heard the crowds are good. But do keep in mind it is a family resort. Not adults only.

[Bugzar]

Has anyone been to the Gran Caribe recently? I am headed there on Feb 20th, and am just wondering the status of the beach/hotel etc.!
Thanks!

[S†eve0]

I would very much like for people to fill me in on the Grand Caribe Real.I am heading there on December 5th for a whole week and would like to know if there is still construction going on there.I see the other posts were pretty old so that is why I ask.So basicly , anyone that has been there recently ?

Pics will REALLy help. Hehe thanks

[MN_Mike]

We are staying here Jan 11th - 18th of 2007. My brother (as a gift!) upgraded our basic rooms to the Junior Suite Ocean Front. I think this is off on the villa side and not in the main tower.

Can anyone who has stayed here recently comment on pros and cons of the ocean front villas vs. the main tower?

Thanks!

[Spens]

We just got back and the place is getting better and better. Lots of work is going on in the new phase. I would recommend upgrading to these rooms. The beach is fine but has taken a pounding from the waves. As February comes, that should wind down. The new phase is actually called The Royale and includes a new pool that just opened while we were there. We did have to put up with construction noise but it was well worth having a room that had never been used yet. The food was okay but will get better as they are adding 3 restaurants. Service and alcohol was great though.

[carday22]

I'm heading down to Gran Caribe Real April 5th/07, any new info on the resort? Who's the number one bartender to seek out to mix us the premier margaritas? Any current info would be appreciated.

[Hyru]

How is this hotel party wise in comparison to Oasis Cancun?

[davissummer24]

I stayed at the gran caribe june 06. Keep in mind this is considered a 'family' hotel although they do allow breakers. When I was there in June( single female) I saw a good combo of everyone: young, old, gals like myself and guys but there was families there so I don't really consider it to be a party spot but I did have a blast. I think you will find alot of graduation trips there during the summer but families as well

[Hyru]

Originally Posted by davissummer24

I stayed at the gran caribe june 06. Keep in mind this is considered a 'family' hotel although they do allow breakers. When I was there in June( single female) I saw a good combo of everyone: young, old, gals like myself and guys but there was families there so I don't really consider it to be a party spot but I did have a blast. I think you will find alot of graduation trips there during the summer but families as well

Hey thanks for the info... a few questions if you dont mind...


1) how was the food?
2) What percentage were younger crowd (Under 30) and how was their girl/guy ratio?
3) Ive heard about the graduation trips as well... but this would make it more of a party hotel than others, no?

[Linnysue]

Wow, this thread is pretty dated.

We have a party of 6 going to the Gran Caribe from 4/5/08 - 4/12/08 (I know, I know...spring break), and was wondering about the lack of beach.

We visited this resort in 2005 and the beach (pre-hurricane damage) was incredible, now I hear there is no beach at all.

Anyone here been there recently who can give us a report? We're planning on having a good time no matter what, but would like some input on the current situation with this resort. Thanks.

P.S. - Just joined this forum today. Glad to be here.

~Linnysue

[Linnysue]

Originally Posted by Linnysue

Wow, this thread is pretty dated. No one here has been to the Gran Caribe since last year?

We have a party of 6 going to the Gran Caribe from 4/5/08 - 4/12/08 (I know, I know...spring break), and was wondering about the lack of beach.

We visited this resort in 2005 and the beach (pre-hurricane damage) was incredible, now I hear there is no beach at all.

Anyone here been there recently who can give us a report? We're planning on having a good time no matter what, but would like some input on the current situation with this resort. Thanks.

P.S. - Just joined this forum today. Glad to be here.

~Linnysue

[4fours]

Hi Linnysue,

We are going 4/19 thru 4/24 and I was wondering the same thing. The resort website shows great beaches but I have read different reviews recently saying there was no beach? Hopefully with us asking the same questions somebody will know the answer.

[DConCT]

I'm going to the Avalon Grand which is right down the beach from the Gran Caribe Real...

Check out this pic from Jan 21, 2008 looking south

and you will see that at least at the Avalon Grand, the beach is completely gone right up to the wall... they won't even let you down the stairs, you have to go a few hotels up the road to gain access.

another traveler from mid February 2008 to the Avalon Grand said the beach was still gone.

[Hyru]

Hey guys,

the beach at GCR is pretty limited... Theres maybe 10meters or so of sand... and on your backdrop is a huge wall, similar to the above posted pic.

That being said, there IS a beach (just not much).... and you can always take a few steps to the side and youll get more beach.


I encourage you to visit GCR, its a great resort... besdies the lack of beach, I would say its 100% great.

[pjscardz]

I stayed here in 1989 for spring break when it was the Fiesta Americana Suites and Villas. At the time the tower section was fairly new and the villas were the oldest. Fiesta Americana was just building the Grand Coral Beach resort at this time. They put us in one of the villas and the A/C didn't work. It was nice to be oceanfront (no beach) but the villas were old and without A/C we asked to be moved. They moved us to a tower room directly over the main pool with a great ocean view. The room was nice and the service at the resort was good. Overall we were pleased with our stay - but that was 20 years ago.

It doesn't look like they have done much to the resort except cosmetic upgrades. That's more than likely the reason you hear about power outages, elevator failures and A/C units not working. It is a big resort and the beach comes and goes. When we were there the only beach was to the south of the villas. The waves from the ocean were crashing on the wall in front of the main pool. Employees told us they had a pool on the beach that was washed away by a hurricane the previous fall.

The whole east facing side of Cancun is famous for "lack of beach" issues. They need to build a barrier reef off the coast to help protect it.

The location of the resort was great. We could walk or crawl to all the bars with ease. I wouldn't hesitate to give it a try for the right price.