![]() Honeymooners (a marriage certificate is needed as proof of nuptials) get a free bottle of sparkling wine and fruit basket. Only Privileged Suites and Privileged Honeymoon Rooms have updated decor and furniture and nicer bathrooms, as well as access to the Privileged areas of the resort. Privileged Rooms are Catalonia’s version of an upgrade, but guests should be careful when booking, as it’s hard to know exactly what the upgrade provides. Some guests find that Privileged Rooms and amenities are not worth the extra cost per night. Privileged Superior Rooms are exactly like standard rooms, with the same dated decor and uncomfortable beds, but with access to Privileged areas of the resort, such as the Privileged Beach and the Pure Chill Out bar. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms (and throughout the resort). Bathrooms seem to have regular drainage problems, as well as temperature control issues in the shower. Bathrooms are decently sized with a few eco-friendly bath products, but the standard shower/tub combo, toilet, and single sink are pretty generic. Even if the hotel bills the room as “ocean view” it’s probably more likely that it overlooks the pool and perhaps the tiniest slice of ocean. All rooms have balconies, but most don’t really have any views. There’s a mirrored closet with an ironing board, a safe (access is free), and a mini-fridge containing water, juice, and soda. All the usual suspects are present - two (rock-hard) double beds or one king-size bed, a towel swan with scattered petals, a desk/dresser combo with a flat-screen TV, and a small table for two in the corner. Cheap wooden furniture sits atop white tile floors, and a bright orange accent wall brings a shock of color to the space. Rooms at Catalonia Riviera Maya were probably quite nice at one point in time, but now they look dated. Grounds are planted with tropical plants, palm trees, and dotted with black wicker furniture for lounging. Lines are long at the reception desk and it's not uncommon to see piles of luggage from guests coming and going. Patterned cushions top wicker couches and chairs and a wooden coffee table has seen better days. The lobby has an enormous pitched palapa-style roof and is painted in mustard-yellow and soft orange. And while most activities get plenty of participants, many guests are also content just sit back and relax. As the day progresses there seems to be a new activity to fill each hour - scuba lessons in the pool, water aerobics, Spanish lessons, tequila volleyball (yes, it’s what you’re thinking), snorkeling in the lagoon, beachfront yoga, ceramic painting - the list goes on. ![]() Each morning, the multilingual staff begins the day with song and dance - an upbeat number performed poolside to “Good Morning” a la "Singin’ in the Rain." Afterwards, the day’s activities are announced via blaring microphone - in about seven different languages. Guests are typically young couples and families, and there are perhaps few places on earth where so many nationalities can be found together at once. No matter the time of year, Catalonia Riviera Maya is crowded, and filled with the type of guests willing to fight you for a coveted spot around the pool.
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