by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 2:00 PM ET, Thu November 20, 2025
Sunwing Vacations hosted an intimate media event at its Toronto headquarters this week, offering an inside look at the full renovation and reopening of the Grand Sunset Princess, along with updates on its sister property, the Grand Riviera Princess.
Representatives from Princess Hotels & Resorts — including Eliana De Leon, Commercial Assistant; Manuel Serrano, Commercial Director; and Nicole Perez, Director of Sales — joined Jennifer Lucas, Director of Product for Sunwing Vacations Group, to walk through changes to the properties, positioning in the Canadian market, and what travellers can expect heading into winter.
Eliana De Leon, Jennifer Lucas, Manuel Serrano and Nicole Perez at the Sunwing event. (Photo Credit: Sunwing)
Grand Sunset Princess: Fully Renovated and Reopened
Princess Hotels confirmed that the Grand Sunset Princess has completed a full renovation program touching rooms, common areas, and guest facilities. The property has officially reopened, bringing refreshed accommodations and upgraded dining and bar spaces back into Sunwing’s lineup.
“Renovation is always good because you have a fresh hotel — you are having everything new,” Serrano said.
New room category Platinum Suite plunge pool, Grand Sunset Princess (Photo Credit: Sunwing)
The hotel remains part of a large multi-property complex just minutes from Playa del Carmen. Both Grand Sunset Princess and Grand Riviera Princess share facilities, restaurants, and pools, though each maintains its own lobby and reception area — a strategy that allows Sunwing to differentiate its product while preserving the guest experience.
Location and Value Top Selling Points
Serrano emphasized that Canadian travellers continue to look for strong value, quality food and beverage, and convenient access to local culture — areas he says the resorts excel in.
“If I have to say the three best selling points for me, the first would be quality–price. Second is our food and beverage. And third, the location,” he said.
Both Princess properties sit roughly five minutes from Playa del Carmen and about 45 minutes from Cancun International Airport, offering easy access to excursions throughout the Riviera Maya, including cultural sites like Chichén Itzá and regional cenotes.
Grand Sunset Princess (Photo Credit: Sunwing)
Four Hotels, Shared Access
During the presentation, representatives clarified how the broader complex functions.
The two featured properties, Grand Sunset Princess and Grand Riviera Princess, anchor a larger group of four hotels that also includes:
- Platinum Yucatán Princess (adults-only, guests have access to the complex)
- Family Club Princess (family-focused, with access to shared facilities)
Guests at Grand Sunset and Grand Riviera Princess enjoy full exchange privileges between the two, with most restaurants located centrally. “This hotel has two arms,” Serrano explained, “and everybody can use both.”
Platinum Club, Grand Sunset Princess (Photo Credit: Sunwing)
Demand from Weddings, Groups, and Incentives
Princess Hotels highlighted strong performance in the weddings and incentive travel segments — particularly from Canada.
Serrano noted that the properties have developed expertise in hosting multicultural weddings and large group events.
He also shared that the resorts’ value proposition continues to attract corporate groups.
Jennifer Lucas of Sunwing Vacations Group noted the strength of Princess Hotels within Sunwing’s product portfolio and emphasized continued demand from Canadian travellers, particularly families and wedding groups.
Riviera Now Closed
The resort complex first opened in 2007, and executives confirmed that this marks the property’s first complete renovation.
The Grand Sunset Princess was closed for six months to complete the full overhaul before officially reopening on November 1.
As of now, the Grand Riviera Princess is closed and undergoing the same renovation process, and is expected to reopen in April of 2026.
Common areas will see minimal structural changes, allowing for faster progress. It was also noted that guests staying during the Sunset renovation period did not submit complaints related to construction impacts.
“A Superstar Seller” for Canadians
“Grand Sunset Princess is an exclusivity for us. Canadians absolutely love this product,” Sunwing’s Director of Product, Jennifer Lucas said, adding that repeat rates remain high.
“We have a lot of repeat guests that book Grand Sunset Princess year after year.”
Lucas also endorsed the Platinum upgrade: “For an upgraded club type, it’s worth what you’re paying. We actually sell quite a bit of Platinum because of the extra amenities.”
New Categories: Platinum Swiss Country Club & Enhanced Laguna Villa Suites
Laguna Villa Suite, Grand Sunset Princess (Photo Credit: Sunwing)
Princess Hotels confirmed the introduction of new and enhanced room categories as part of the renovation:
- Platinum Swiss Country Club – a refreshed premium room category added through the renovation.
- Laguna Villa Suites – an adults-only section positioned between both properties, often used for honeymoons and offering:
- Exclusive lounge & pool
- Private check-in/out
- Concierge service
- Premium drinks
- Outdoor shower
- 24-hour room service
- Premium Wi-Fi
- Hydrotherapy session
- Weekly culinary experience (details pending)
Executives said advisors have praised the Laguna Villas so highly that Princess is evaluating whether to operate the section as a “small hotel within the complex.”
New and Upgraded Dining Options
Food quality was repeatedly highlighted as a strong selling point for Canadian travellers.
The renovation introduced several new or redesigned dining venues, including:
- New Food Court / Buffet
- Redesigned Italian restaurant with wood-fired pizzas
- New Brazilian Rodizio
- Expanded Asian restaurant offering:
- Teppanyaki
- Korean wok concept
- Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian fusion)
All à la carte restaurants remain fully included for guests, with only one exception: a beachfront specialty bar not included in the all-inclusive program.
New Amenities: Ice Cream Shop & Full Water Park
The complex also gains a number of family-friendly features:
- New 24-hour sports bar
- New main-plaza ice cream shop, open to all guests from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- New full water park, with slides designed to appeal not just to small children but teens — a gap Princess said it needed to fill.
New waterpark, Grand Sunset Princess (Photo Credit: Sunwing)
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