The Barcelo Maya Palace
The Barcelo Maya Palace opened in December 2007. This high-end all-inclusive property is part of the huge five-hotel Barcelo Maya Beach Resort complex, located between Puerto Aventuras and Xpu-Ha, about 15 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. The resort is on the northern end of the complex and appeals primarily to families and couples. It features Moorish-inspired architecture with large plazas that open to the sea. Guests have access to the facilities at the other Barcelo Maya Beach Resort properties as well as to the complex's new European-style spa and conference center. The resort is Green Globe Certified.
The open front entry treats arriving guests with a dramatic view of the ocean. Guestrooms are housed in two- and three-story Mayan-influenced structures, staggered back from the beach to maximize views of the beach and pools. Lush tropical gardens give the entire space a bit of a magical and faraway feeling.
The resort has three a la carte specialty dinner restaurants: French, Brazilian and Caribbean. There are also two breakfast and lunch buffets, and a beachside grill serving casual lunches and dinners. Guests can also enjoy 17 additional restaurants within the Barcelo complex. The poolside bar is open until early evening and guests tend to congregate around the lobby bar at night.
Active guests will enjoy the hotel fitness center, a massive swimming pool (with separate adult area and kids' water park), tennis courts, sport courts, minigolf, water polo, volleyball, sailing, windsurfing Roomand kayaking. The hotel can arrange excursions for scuba diving, snorkeling, golf, fishing and other activities nearby.
There are several shops and boutique stores within the property. Car rental can also be arranged on-site. In addition, the hotel has 30,000 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom accommodating up to 700 guests. The business center is modern and well-equipped. Free parking is available to guests, who are transported throughout the property in shuttles.
Elevators are available to take guests to upper floors. Guestrooms are 800 square-foot junior suites, with separate sleeping and sitting areas and spacious bathrooms with spa-like garden tubs and walk-in showers. The decor is contemporary, but with a nod to the colonial Mexican influence. They feature 40-inch flat-screen satellite TVs, high-speed Internet (for a fee), minibars, pillow-top mattresses, dual phone lines, coffeemakers and a private balcony or terrace.
Room service is available 24 hours. Smoke-free and wheelchair-accessible rooms, plus laundry and dry-cleaning service are available. The resort has a subtle presence of security, including an access control gate, 24-hour guards, security cameras and key cards. It is comparable to the Iberostar Paraiso properties and is more upscale than many of the properties located within the Playacar development.
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