Hotel | Luxury Interior Design Journal

Princess Resort Panorama

I had the pleasure of vacationing in August with my family and the Grand Sunset Princess resort in Playa del Carmen Mexico. The unfortunate location of a deadly November 15th 2010 blast.

Grand Sunset Princess Mexican resort at sunset

This resort was spectacularly beautiful. The sunsets, views, relaxation, food and serenity mixed with hundreds of exciting guests from around the world made for a wonderful packed week and great vacation. I am often unable to unwind while on vacation and therefor tend to go for education and opportunity packed trips in busy metropolises like New York, Chicago, Montreal, Vancouver and now soon Milan. But every now and then I really need to stop over thinking design and absorbing my surroundings like a sponge to just lay back and enjoy nature and family.

My dad and I at the Sunset Princess resort August 2010

I loved having my brother Tom Bielecki (aspiring photographer) with me documenting the trip and shedding light on new ways of looking at things. My sister and I were able to connect on anything from random to fascinating like the Russian couple and their matching lime green thong swimwear. I also appreciated the time with my mom and dad spending some much needed quality time and laughs. I am glad I got to share the plate sized steak, entourage of desserts, countless mango daiquiris and Mayan coffee. Enjoying the simple things is honestly sometimes the best.

Sunset Princess resort and spa

The design details are classic Mexican resort style with Mayan references. All the white walls and ceilings with marble floors and counters and backlit onyx wall features and sculptures contrast beautifully with the beautiful blue/green of the ocean and royal blue of the endless resort swimming pools.

Sunset Princess panorama of Lagoon

Grand Sunset Princess hotel lobby

The suites are well appointed, clean and new with rain shower heads, wood furniture and marble floors. Each with a stunning view and some with steps that lead directly into the water.

Grand Sunset Princess suites

Sunset Princess resort main square at night

Weddings occur daily on the beach or in the grass. This resort creates a stunning background for photographs along with its breathtaking fine sand beach.

Sunset Princess resort lobby ceiling

Breakfast and lunch buffet

Kathy and I eating breakfast at the buffet

I hope they are able to restore this relatively new property to the condition is was and prevent an accident as painful as this from happening again.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those to passed away tragically. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May they rest in peace.

Sunset Princess main building hallway

On my last trip to New York I had the joy of doing a tour through the newly renovated Park Plaza Hotel on 5th avenue and central park right in the heart of royal and historic New York City. This Iconic hotel has been turned into a combination of hotel suites and residences. The majority of the hotel suites face the newly constructed central tranquility garden and the show stopping residences have multi-million dollar views of glorious central park. The renovation cost was over 400 million dollars with custom carpets, Baccarat chandeliers by philipe stark. From the day it opening on October 1, 1907 it was reported to be on of the greatest hotels in the world costing 12 million dollars to construct in its time.

Each suites decor features Louis XV style handcrafted, carved and inlayed furnishings. The bathrooms have 24 carat gold tiles, sinks, faucets and doorknobs and beautiful marble counters and tiles.