Mayan Palace

Gutzy · 12-03-2004

Found a pretty good deal for the Mayan Palace for March. We would like to come to Playa with our two teens (16 and 18) and was wondering if this would be a good place for us. We want to have some activities and access to town. Does this resort have all inclusive?

jeevers · 12-03-2004

mayan palace is a huge mega-resort that is not near anything but itself

JimmyMN · 12-03-2004

With so many better choices, I would definately skip the Mayan Palace. It's not all-inclusive and you'll be held hostage to use only their tour operators. They'll probably blitz you constantly to sit through their timeshare presentation. I also understand that their restaurants are fairly pricey and the closest town for any alternative restaurants would be in Puerto Morelos, about 3 miles away (15 miles to Playa del Carmen).

Watch for some travel specials that utilize the Playacar resorts which are a subdivision of Playa del Carmen. The Porto Real has an all-inclusive resort in the center of town and there's also one within walking distance to the north called Reef Club Coco Beach. Otherwise, there are plenty of great hotels in the town of Playa del Carmen where food/drinks are reasonably priced.

Jimmy

vagabond · 12-03-2004

I would stay right in playa man. forgot the AI exprience. do the city and stay on 5th ave somewhere. they will hound you everyday and try to sell you until you leave

divepuertomorelos · 12-04-2004

Actually Mayan Place is an all-inclusive and the rooms in the Grand Mayan are very good indeed. You are only 5 mins to Puerto Morelos for snorkelling and diving and 15 mins to Playa del Carmen for nightlife. If you want lots of nightlife and a lot of great restaurants to choose then you should stay in PDC. Both places are witihin easy reach of all the tourist destinations however.

vagabond · 12-04-2004

sure its nice if you want to be trapped in a BIG SOTRE>

vagabond · 12-04-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by divepuertomorelos

Actually Mayan Place is an all-inclusive and the rooms in the Grand Mayan are very good indeed. You are only 5 mins to Puerto Morelos for snorkelling and diving and 15 mins to Playa del Carmen for nightlife. If you want lots of nightlife and a lot of great restaurants to choose then you should stay in PDC. Both places are witihin easy reach of all the tourist destinations however.

and are you the one thats going to chase them around all week? trying to sell them a 30,000 week

Gutzy · 12-04-2004

Here is the deal. We are thinking of visiting the week of 3/19-26/05 (or 3/18-25) we found a deal at the Mayan Palace for about $1000 less than anything else. Anyone know where we can find something for 4 of us 2 adults, 2 children for less than $1000 that week? I'm just thinking that the price is worth it and it won't be that hard to get into Playa for eating, shopping, etc. Or is this totally not worth it and I should just forget the whole idea?

MWC · 12-04-2004

I stayed at the Mayan Palace in April 2003, and I want to clarify a few points for you. Others have covered the timeshare sales issue, which really got to be a pain -- they didn't leave us alone until about Thursday of our week.
If you're thinking this resort gives you easy access to Playa, that is not accurate. First of all, if you're expecting to cab it to Playa, the resort is set up in a way that your only access to the cabs is via the bellhop station. So you have to tip the bellhop who flags down your cab, then deal with the cabbie. If you rent a car, they've set up the parking the same way -- so you have to go past the bellhops to get your car, which they'll expect a tip for to go and retrieve it. (And the same on the return) The MP is set back quite far from the main highway, so you can't easily walk to a collectivo or anything.

If you're doing the driving -- the 15 minutes away doesn't sound too bad, except on the days when you've been go-go-go, and are exhausted, hungry and getting crabby. Then when you're tired (and maybe a little tipsy), trying to get home.

Also, for your kids, the beach at the Mayan Palace stinks, and the guests don't mingle much. So they're going to be bored.

I will second everyone who's pointing you to stay in PDC. Are you expecting to stay in one room or two? Start with the hotels associated with this site, to see if they can meet your needs. We are staying at the Hotel Vista Caribe between Xmas and New Year's. $105 US a night , for a 2bedroom suite, each with king bed.

ShootinBlanks · 12-05-2004

Well I will be staying at the Mayan Palace the first week of February and it sounds like I may be in for a treat. We were able to use our timeshare there so I guess we'll see what happens. With the way everything has been going at work, I'll be glad to just get out of town and away for a week. Any other opinions on the Mayan Palace? I may end up staying somewhere else on the next trip, but this is where I'll be this time.

jeevers · 12-05-2004

if you have a deal at mp you have to use it

check out pdc while visiting and i think next time youll stay elsware

either way its better than home

make the best of a good time

Gutzy · 12-05-2004

Well you have talked me out of it. Not sure if we will go to PDC this year or not. Budget is tight and that is why we were thinking of the Mayan. If anyone knows of any accommodations (not AI) in PDC for 2 adults, 2 teens let me know. We need it for the week of 3/19-3/26 (flexible one day either way). Thanks to all of you for your input.

MWC · 12-05-2004

Shootin blanks -- We were at the MP on a timeshare, too. Search for my trip report (either search "Mayan Palace" or my posts for my full opinion, which might be helpful. Around late April or May 03)

Gutzy -- try contacting Heather/Anna/James directly from this website (I don't know who's in charge of condo rentals these days). They might be able to find you a condo situation in your price range. And start researching hotels; depending on your room needs, you should find what you need in that price range.

vagabond · 12-05-2004

do the Mayan palace its nice and if you need to stay there do it. The place is very nice, just thought you might want to be in PDC closer. but go ahead and stay there. there will make you go to a presentation and will give you money to go. I think maybe 250 bucks. so go man, go

birdman · 12-06-2004

I've heard good & bad about the mayan Palace we're booked for the 11th -18th of Feb plan on spending some time in Puerto Morelos & PDC & am sure we can figure out a decent means or transpotation as for the time share folks if they have the guts to ask more than once I have to guts to tell em to take a hike

12-03-2004	#1 (permalink)
Gutzy into ruins Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 63	Mayan Palace Found a pretty good deal for the Mayan Palace for March. We would like to come to Playa with our two teens (16 and 18) and was wondering if this would be a good place for us. We want to have some activities and access to town. Does this resort have all inclusive?

12-04-2004	#8 (permalink)
Gutzy into ruins Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 63	Mayan Palace Here is the deal. We are thinking of visiting the week of 3/19-26/05 (or 3/18-25) we found a deal at the Mayan Palace for about $1000 less than anything else. Anyone know where we can find something for 4 of us 2 adults, 2 children for less than $1000 that week? I'm just thinking that the price is worth it and it won't be that hard to get into Playa for eating, shopping, etc. Or is this totally not worth it and I should just forget the whole idea?

12-05-2004	#12 (permalink)
Gutzy into ruins Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 63	Mayan Palace Well you have talked me out of it. Not sure if we will go to PDC this year or not. Budget is tight and that is why we were thinking of the Mayan. If anyone knows of any accommodations (not AI) in PDC for 2 adults, 2 teens let me know. We need it for the week of 3/19-3/26 (flexible one day either way). Thanks to all of you for your input.

12-05-2004	#14 (permalink)
vagabond way into it Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 194	Gutzy go do the Mayan palace its nice and if you need to stay there do it. The place is very nice, just thought you might want to be in PDC closer. but go ahead and stay there. there will make you go to a presentation and will give you money to go. I think maybe 250 bucks. so go man, go

12-03-2004	#2 (permalink)
jeevers beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 409	mayan palace is a huge mega-resort that is not near anything but itself

12-03-2004	#3 (permalink)
JimmyMN party machine Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Minneapolis-St. Paul Posts: 2,509	With so many better choices, I would definately skip the Mayan Palace. It's not all-inclusive and you'll be held hostage to use only their tour operators. They'll probably blitz you constantly to sit through their timeshare presentation. I also understand that their restaurants are fairly pricey and the closest town for any alternative restaurants would be in Puerto Morelos, about 3 miles away (15 miles to Playa del Carmen). Watch for some travel specials that utilize the Playacar resorts which are a subdivision of Playa del Carmen. The Porto Real has an all-inclusive resort in the center of town and there's also one within walking distance to the north called Reef Club Coco Beach. Otherwise, there are plenty of great hotels in the town of Playa del Carmen where food/drinks are reasonably priced. Jimmy

12-03-2004	#4 (permalink)
vagabond way into it Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 194	I would stay right in playa man. forgot the AI exprience. do the city and stay on 5th ave somewhere. they will hound you everyday and try to sell you until you leave

12-04-2004	#5 (permalink)
divepuertomorelos into ruins Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: puerto morelos, mexico Posts: 71	Actually Mayan Place is an all-inclusive and the rooms in the Grand Mayan are very good indeed. You are only 5 mins to Puerto Morelos for snorkelling and diving and 15 mins to Playa del Carmen for nightlife. If you want lots of nightlife and a lot of great restaurants to choose then you should stay in PDC. Both places are witihin easy reach of all the tourist destinations however.

12-04-2004	#6 (permalink)
vagabond way into it Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 194	sure its nice if you want to be trapped in a BIG SOTRE>

12-04-2004	#9 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6,016	I stayed at the Mayan Palace in April 2003, and I want to clarify a few points for you. Others have covered the timeshare sales issue, which really got to be a pain -- they didn't leave us alone until about Thursday of our week. If you're thinking this resort gives you easy access to Playa, that is not accurate. First of all, if you're expecting to cab it to Playa, the resort is set up in a way that your only access to the cabs is via the bellhop station. So you have to tip the bellhop who flags down your cab, then deal with the cabbie. If you rent a car, they've set up the parking the same way -- so you have to go past the bellhops to get your car, which they'll expect a tip for to go and retrieve it. (And the same on the return) The MP is set back quite far from the main highway, so you can't easily walk to a collectivo or anything. If you're doing the driving -- the 15 minutes away doesn't sound too bad, except on the days when you've been go-go-go, and are exhausted, hungry and getting crabby. Then when you're tired (and maybe a little tipsy), trying to get home. Also, for your kids, the beach at the Mayan Palace stinks, and the guests don't mingle much. So they're going to be bored. I will second everyone who's pointing you to stay in PDC. Are you expecting to stay in one room or two? Start with the hotels associated with this site, to see if they can meet your needs. We are staying at the Hotel Vista Caribe between Xmas and New Year's. $105 US a night , for a 2bedroom suite, each with king bed.

12-05-2004	#10 (permalink)
ShootinBlanks toe in water Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 45	Well I will be staying at the Mayan Palace the first week of February and it sounds like I may be in for a treat. We were able to use our timeshare there so I guess we'll see what happens. With the way everything has been going at work, I'll be glad to just get out of town and away for a week. Any other opinions on the Mayan Palace? I may end up staying somewhere else on the next trip, but this is where I'll be this time.

12-05-2004	#11 (permalink)
jeevers beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 409	if you have a deal at mp you have to use it check out pdc while visiting and i think next time youll stay elsware either way its better than home make the best of a good time

12-05-2004	#13 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6,016	Shootin blanks -- We were at the MP on a timeshare, too. Search for my trip report (either search "Mayan Palace" or my posts for my full opinion, which might be helpful. Around late April or May 03) Gutzy -- try contacting Heather/Anna/James directly from this website (I don't know who's in charge of condo rentals these days). They might be able to find you a condo situation in your price range. And start researching hotels; depending on your room needs, you should find what you need in that price range.

12-06-2004	#15 (permalink)
birdman añejo Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wa state Posts: 1,677	I've heard good & bad about the mayan Palace we're booked for the 11th -18th of Feb plan on spending some time in Puerto Morelos & PDC & am sure we can figure out a decent means or transpotation as for the time share folks if they have the guts to ask more than once I have to guts to tell em to take a hike

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