Viva Wyndham Maya, not completely impressed

[beachlvr]

Thanks for the helpful info. on the Viva Maya. Hubby & I are headed there in a few weeks. I just have a few questions...Are there minibars in the rooms? How about a clock/radio? Hair dryer? Just hate to pack unneccesary things! Was there drink/bar service at the beach? Much topless? Thanks! Can't wait to get there...first time staying this close to PDC...we usually stay further south but the price was right on this one and we're pretty flexible travellers. Any other tips you may have to share would be great!

[beachlvr]

Another Viva Maya question ..Which buildings are close to the beach...any suggestions on how to request a room close to the beach? Thanks!

[LndShrk]

Originally Posted by beachlvr

Thanks for the helpful info. on the Viva Maya. Hubby & I are headed there in a few weeks. I just have a few questions...Are there minibars in the rooms? How about a clock/radio? Hair dryer? Just hate to pack unneccesary things! Was there drink/bar service at the beach? Much topless? Thanks! Can't wait to get there...first time staying this close to PDC...we usually stay further south but the price was right on this one and we're pretty flexible travellers. Any other tips you may have to share would be great!

My wife & I stayed At Viva Mayan last May for our anniversary - we had a GREAT time.
Here's their web site: http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/CZMVM/main.wnt?aff=wyn02

To answer your questions: No mini bar in the rooms, you can have room service (once daily) bring drinks/food to your room. Clock/radio & hair dryer - I beleive they did. I always use my sport watch for my alarm. Also had satelite TV - CNN & ESPN. The main pool/beach bar is very convenient and they have wait staff walking through to keep thing clean. "Much topless?" - Now THAT'S a difficult question. This resort is very European, so you will have women that are topless on the beach. We did not see any women in the pool area topless. Other tips - (1) Go to dinner at Club Viva in Playa del Carmen - it right across the stree from the Blue Parrot. The dinner in not included in the normal fee - for $10 you get a 3 course meal + your beverages. An EXCELLENT meal. (2) When you check in keep an eye out for Nicolas (tall French Canadian), he's in Guest Services - a good contact if you need something. (3) If you want to get away from everyone else - you can walk 30 minutes or so south, past the Gala Resort, you can find your own semi-private beach. ENJOY yourself!!!

[sandynow]

Originally Posted by beachlvr

How about a clock/radio? Hair dryer?

I have stayed there twice and loved it. The bathrooms have a hair dryer attached to the wall. On our first stay there was not an alarm clock in the room. We asked for one at the front desk and they brought one to us. On our second trip there was an alarm clock in the room when we checked in.

Have a great time!

[CdnNascarGirl]

as we never seen any of that, maybe it's just for Viva By Request members?? If you don't like topless then you may have to close your eyes cause you see all sorts of shapes, sizes and ages...some that shouldn't be bared...eeewwwww.

Anyway, we never did go to the Club Viva restaurant but it sounds like a good idea. Have a great time!!!

Originally Posted by LndShrk

My wife & I stayed At Viva Mayan last May for our anniversary - we had a GREAT time.
Here's their web site: http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/CZMVM/main.wnt?aff=wyn02

To answer your questions: No mini bar in the rooms, you can have room service (once daily) bring drinks/food to your room. Clock/radio & hair dryer - I beleive they did. I always use my sport watch for my alarm. Also had satelite TV - CNN & ESPN. The main pool/beach bar is very convenient and they have wait staff walking through to keep thing clean. "Much topless?" - Now THAT'S a difficult question. This resort is very European, so you will have women that are topless on the beach. We did not see any women in the pool area topless. Other tips - (1) Go to dinner at Club Viva in Playa del Carmen - it right across the stree from the Blue Parrot. The dinner in not included in the normal fee - for $10 you get a 3 course meal + your beverages. An EXCELLENT meal. (2) When you check in keep an eye out for Nicolas (tall French Canadian), he's in Guest Services - a good contact if you need something. (3) If you want to get away from everyone else - you can walk 30 minutes or so south, past the Gala Resort, you can find your own semi-private beach. ENJOY yourself!!!

[Amateurbigfoot]

Its like guys in speedos, just not natural and very hard on the eyes.

Thanks for the tips. Cannot wait...less than a week now.

[beachlvr]

Thanks for the info! Will definitely do the Viva restaurant in PDC...sounds like fun. We always like to have some of our meals off the resort and haven't been to PDC in a few years. I've ordered the MapChicks map because I'm sure things have changed in the last 3 years. Any advice for requesting a room in a building close to the beach...? Does anyone remember how the buildings are numbered? We signed up for the Wyndom by request and sent the info to the resort...a few extra perks might be nice if they actually honor it in Mexico! Our reservations are through Apple and they didn't offer a room option....so I assume it's totally up to the hotel to assign as available. Thanks again...any other tips/ info anyone else might have to pass on would be great!

[LndShrk]

Originally Posted by beachlvr

We signed up for the Wyndom by request and sent the info to the resort...a few extra perks might be nice if they actually honor it in Mexico! Our reservations are through Apple and they didn't offer a room option....

Since you went through Apple, you're best bet is to contact VM directly to ask about room preference and or upgrade.

Since the buildings run perpendicular to the beach - VERY few room actually "face" the beach. Our room was in the first north buliding facing the gardens & main dining room. I'm sure you'll see it when you walk up the ramp to the dining area - 3rd floor patio suite. No beach view, just a giant private patio...

[CdnNascarGirl]

a travel agency then you won't get any Wyndham By Request, they don't do it for travel agency reservations. We did that and they wouldn't honor ours, we made our reservations through Sears and they go through Sunquest...so don't be alarmed if you don't get anything in your room.

Our room number was 2119 and it was bottom floor directly across from the pool. 2110 was on the backside of the same biulding, bottom floor with the terrace viewing the ocean. That was a very nice view, wouldn't have minded that room and they had a real king size bed too.

I don't know alot on how the buildings are numbered accept for that one.

Originally Posted by beachlvr

Thanks for the info! Will definitely do the Viva restaurant in PDC...sounds like fun. We always like to have some of our meals off the resort and haven't been to PDC in a few years. I've ordered the MapChicks map because I'm sure things have changed in the last 3 years. Any advice for requesting a room in a building close to the beach...? Does anyone remember how the buildings are numbered? We signed up for the Wyndom by request and sent the info to the resort...a few extra perks might be nice if they actually honor it in Mexico! Our reservations are through Apple and they didn't offer a room option....so I assume it's totally up to the hotel to assign as available. Thanks again...any other tips/ info anyone else might have to pass on would be great!

[jtbrown]

Thanks for the review, it's been very helpful. One question, what transportation did you use from the airport to the VIVA Maya. Also, were there any restaurants you visited that you would recommend? We are headed to VIVA Maya February 25th - can't wait. thnks

[CdnNascarGirl]

It was supplied through Sunquest so if you booked through a travel agent what you do is get your bags, go through the security and go directly outside (your rep may also be holding a sign inside). Do not stop at any of the booths inside, all they want to do is sell stuff to you. There were only 4 of us going to our resort and we boarded the same bus as the people that were going to the Riu's and a couple of other resorts. If you booked with an agent as them to make sure, other than that there should be taxi's and such but it may be pricey.

Originally Posted by jtbrown

Thanks for the review, it's been very helpful. One question, what transportation did you use from the airport to the VIVA Maya. Also, were there any restaurants you visited that you would recommend? We are headed to VIVA Maya February 25th - can't wait. thnks

[Softy57]

CdnNascarGirl....you have not been b**#hy, just honest.We stayed at Viva Azteca & visited Viva Maya in 04.Nice properties and all beds[mostly] in Playa are hard. Would just say that price wise,if you look at some of the Hotels offered on this site,they are 80-100$ per. night in high season,most with brkfst and beach club priviledges at a nice beach. No softer beds,but when you get a drink at Bourbon St. Bar,Beer Bucket,Tequila Barrel,etc,you WILL get a buzz after 2 to 3. That was my issue also with AI. I would have 12-20 rum punches,Coladas,sea breezes,whatever,& never get a buzz. Went downtown,2 drinks with a nice dinner & had to take a 1/2 hour break!! Our best steak dinner last year at Tango Taco cost about 50$us but included 2 drinks[or 3?] and tip.Ten days last year & never gained a pound. Maybe because we walked from No. area all over 5th Ave. nightly,and I didn't drink 1000 empty calories a day in drinks that had no "booze" in them.LOL Just my dos pesos.

[CdnNascarGirl]

and that was almost 17 years ago now. We went to an AI in Venesualla for our honeymoon back in 89 and I was doing alot of comparing to that stay. Sure things are alot better now but atleast then we did get a good buzz when we had a few drinks. That's what I missed.

Back in 89 the accomodations were really rustic, but we enjoyed it because we had never been anywhere before. In 2004 we took a cruise to Cozumel and that was awesome!! I would definitely do that again and this time it would be a longer cruise. We only did 4 days because I wasn't sure how I would be on a boat but I loved it.

So, I guess if your looking to get hammered at an AI you have to go to the store first and get the good stuff ....

Originally Posted by Softy57

CdnNascarGirl....you have not been b**#hy, just honest.We stayed at Viva Azteca & visited Viva Maya in 04.Nice properties and all beds[mostly] in Playa are hard. Would just say that price wise,if you look at some of the Hotels offered on this site,they are 80-100$ per. night in high season,most with brkfst and beach club priviledges at a nice beach. No softer beds,but when you get a drink at Bourbon St. Bar,Beer Bucket,Tequila Barrel,etc,you WILL get a buzz after 2 to 3. That was my issue also with AI. I would have 12-20 rum punches,Coladas,sea breezes,whatever,& never get a buzz. Went downtown,2 drinks with a nice dinner & had to take a 1/2 hour break!! Our best steak dinner last year at Tango Taco cost about 50$us but included 2 drinks[or 3?] and tip.Ten days last year & never gained a pound. Maybe because we walked from No. area all over 5th Ave. nightly,and I didn't drink 1000 empty calories a day in drinks that had no "booze" in them.LOL Just my dos pesos.

[JJG]

Here is what we did last time we went to Azteca. (The first time we went there it was not a Wyndham but the last time we went there it was a Wyndham.)

I booked through a travel agent, not through Wyndam, so we couldn't get "Wyndham by request" points.

However, it is good to be a "Wyndham by request" _member_. So go onto the wyndham web site and join wyndham by request and get a membership number. Then, email the hotel and let them know you are looking forward to your trip and that you are a wyndham by request member and tell them your membership number.

This gets you a two things that I can remember:
You get a different colored wristband. I know, that and a nickel, but it might have had some use.
You get a "welcome" waiting for your in your room, which includes balloons (the kids like those) and a welcome drink on ice waiting for you in the room - whatever drink you specified on the wyndham web site - I remember having a cold beer while doing enough unpacking to get my family out onto the beach. That was pleasant.

So you might as well become a wyndham by request member. It takes little time and you'll get a few little treats.

JJG

p.s. This spring break will be our third trip to the Azteca. We like the more laid back atmosphere there. You can stroll over to the Maya any time you want. My kids are older (12 and 16) so that is a big adventure (but safe as long as they are with a group) - walking over to Maya for lunch, for example.

[CdnNascarGirl]

But remember, you cannot get Wyndham By Request benefits if you book through a travel agent. We did that very same thing, got our number, booked our trip (not knowing that booking through an agent doesn't get you anything) and we weren't ellageable for it.

You have to book direct if you want those perks.

Originally Posted by JJG

Here is what we did last time we went to Azteca. (The first time we went there it was not a Wyndham but the last time we went there it was a Wyndham.)

I booked through a travel agent, not through Wyndam, so we couldn't get "Wyndham by request" points.

However, it is good to be a "Wyndham by request" _member_. So go onto the wyndham web site and join wyndham by request and get a membership number. Then, email the hotel and let them know you are looking forward to your trip and that you are a wyndham by request member and tell them your membership number.

This gets you a two things that I can remember:
You get a different colored wristband. I know, that and a nickel, but it might have had some use.
You get a "welcome" waiting for your in your room, which includes balloons (the kids like those) and a welcome drink on ice waiting for you in the room - whatever drink you specified on the wyndham web site - I remember having a cold beer while doing enough unpacking to get my family out onto the beach. That was pleasant.

So you might as well become a wyndham by request member. It takes little time and you'll get a few little treats.

JJG

p.s. This spring break will be our third trip to the Azteca. We like the more laid back atmosphere there. You can stroll over to the Maya any time you want. My kids are older (12 and 16) so that is a big adventure (but safe as long as they are with a group) - walking over to Maya for lunch, for example.