Mayan Palace Resort / Hotel

12-06-2002

Can anybody tell me about this Resort? Is it a good place to stay for a week vacation spot?

pun · 12-07-2002

The Mayan Palace is in Cancun, which is geographically close to Playa del Carmen, but worlds apart from a vacation experience point of view. What are you looking for in a vacation destination? Some of the regulars on this forum have been to, or know about, almost every resort on the Riviera Maya. Let us know what's important to you, and what you plan to do, and we'll make some recommendations.

On another note, try the search feature at the upper right of this page. Type in what you would like to search for and, most likely, you will find what you're looking for.

If you happen to decide to stay in or near Playa del Carmen, check out the Cozy Hotels and Villas website here.

djcmo · 01-02-2003

I agree with Pun about it being worlds apart! One thing I might mention it that the Mayan Palace Resort is in no way affiliated with the Palace Resort chain which operates several other AI up and down the Riviera Mayan Coast.

I was literally mugged on every street corner on 5th avenue in PDC this past November by locals pushing the Mayan Palace Resort. I know these folks work on commission and are only trying to make a living, but they turned me off so much that I would never even consider looking at the property. Basically they try to get you to the resort so that the resort people and pitch a timeshare or vacation club offer to you. The locals will promise you almost anything to get you to go over to the resort, but unless you want to waste precious party time listening to high pressure sales pitches just say "NO GRACIAS!"

DJ

ps - If you're staying at an AI and planning on shopping in PDC, try you best to hide your plastic bracelets. I notice that these street hawkers like to target the plastic bracelets crowd the most. I guess they think we got lots of money or something! Boy, did I have them fooled!!!

Munichchick · 01-03-2003

The Mayan Palace is "not" in Cancun! It is south of Puerto Morelos about midway between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen. It is very close to the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar Resort. We stayed there last March and here is a little info about the resort. We own a timeshare here in CA and therefore have access to bonus weeks at other resorts and this is how we ended up staying at the Mayan Palace. They had a special 7 night deal for $89 for the whole week in a Hotel unit there. But here is the thing. The Mayan Palace will end up being one of the biggest Mega Resorts outside of Cancun along the Riviera Maya when it is finished. When we where there in March it was only about 45% finished and we where aware of this. We ended up unly spending 4 nights there (was still a good deal for us) and stayed at our favorite Resort in Playa the other nights. By now I would assume the MP is about 60% finished. The room was your typical 4 Star USAstyle Hotel Room. Super clean and nice bathroom but nothing special.
We got to see the living room of the 1 bedroom unit and it looked very nice and perfect for a family. The 1 bedroom unit can be locked together with the hotel unit and that makes it the 2 bedroom unit. We where greeted in the temporary lobby which later on will be the Spa building. It was nice for a temporary lobby and there was a small Gift Shop as well.
One large Building is finished that houses all the already finished rooms but all around it is alot of construction and environmental desctruction going on. We hatet that fact! The large permanent Lobby Building was still under construction. They had not started the water park, golfcourse and lagoons yet when we where there. However, the pool area is finished and it is very nice. There are several connected pools large as lakes with water falls and fountains. There are 2 pool bars, 2 Restaurants and the Beach Bar are all open. I would say if you are getting a cheap deal for this resort it would be okay otherwise I would not want to stay there for a high price and everything still under construction. Eventually the resort will be probably beautiful but it is not all the way finished and will probably still take a while.

Munichchick · 01-03-2003

Keep in mind there are many other very nice and more charming resorts along the Riviera Maya you can stay at that did not completly destroy the environment like the Mayan Palace did. Many of them included the environment in their design and left the Mangrove areas natural (very important for the reef and the cleanliness of the ocean). They built wooden walkways over the Mangrove areas and have beautiful lush but nicely groomed jungle areas between buildings etc. For example Iberostar Paraiso del Mar, Quetzal, Tukan and Cozumel did a great job and so did the Copacbana Resort at Xpu-Ha Beach. We find these resorts alot more beautiful and the rooms where much nicer designed as well.

Munichchick · 01-03-2003

Sorry about the typo. It is spelled Copacabana Resort.

01-17-2003

Hi, my girlfriend and I went to the Mayan Palace last February right after it opened and found it to be nice but raw. You could see it showed promise but wasn't there yet. Now we are considering going back in March because of a good deal we've been offered, has anyone been there recently that can give me an update on the construction and facilities? The beach, golf course, fitness, reastaurants, etc? Thanks!
-Jimmy

01-20-2003

Hello! I recently discovered this website and it has been very helpful. I am planning a honeymoon at the Mayan Palace in June 2003, it has already been booked and I can't go back on it now....So I am hoping that things at the resort have been completed or will be, by the time we get there. Does anyone have any info on the Mayan Palace, and suggestions for a honeymoon in the area. Any comments would be apreciated!
Thank You,
Misty

02-05-2003

I am going to the Mayan Palace in April. I am most concerned with reasonable transportation to Playa at night. Does the bus system work like Cancun? Is it whorth renting a car? I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks

Andrew D · 02-07-2003

Sorry Dan, you may be out of luck.

Daytime nothing beats collectivo (10 pesos) or a bus (Mayab or Playa Express - Riviera is express line and does not stop at MP). Late evening/night your options are limited to a taxi or a rental car.

02-16-2003

Can a group of four take a taxi back at night from Playa and what would we expect to pay? Or is renting a car for the week worth it just for night trips and transportation to and from airport? Thanks for your help.

pun · 02-19-2003

A taxi would be cramped with 4, but I think it's possible. Keep in mind, rental cars are pretty cheap down there. We rented directly from the Royal Hideway and paid $50/day for an air conditioned car with full coverage insurance included. I've heard of deals as cheap as $30/day. If you're half as active as we were, you'll spend $30/day on taxis anyway. Mi dos centavos.

02-26-2003

Hello! We are taking two adults, four teenagers, and two young adults with us to Playa Del Carmen for spring break. I was wondering about the fun activities for teenagers and young adults in or near the Mayan hotel. Does anyone know the legal drinking age for clubs and how many activities 18 year olds and over can do? If you do, please respond! Thank You.

02-28-2003

My husband and I are planning a trip with another couple to stay at the Mayan Palace in late June and are very interested in restaurant prices at the resort. Also, there are so many excursions nearby we don't know which ones are worth taking... i.e. swimming with dolphins, mayan ruins, etc., or how about a ferry ride to Cozumel? Any suggestions as to what you enjoyed the most? Also, what about safety, is it safe to explore Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum without a tour group? Any input would be very much appreciated!!

04-04-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by "Misty"

Hello! I recently discovered this website and it has been very helpful. I am planning a honeymoon at the Mayan Palace in June 2003, it has already been booked and I can't go back on it now....So I am hoping that things at the resort have been completed or will be, by the time we get there. Does anyone have any info on the Mayan Palace, and suggestions for a honeymoon in the area. Any comments would be apreciated!
Thank You,
Misty

My family and I are going to this resort next Saturday, I have seen such a diversity of opinion regarding this resort, I can't wait to form my own opinion.
maryann

12-06-2002	#1 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Mayan Palace Resort / Hotel Can anybody tell me about this Resort? Is it a good place to stay for a week vacation spot?

01-17-2003	#7 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Mayan Palace Hi, my girlfriend and I went to the Mayan Palace last February right after it opened and found it to be nice but raw. You could see it showed promise but wasn't there yet. Now we are considering going back in March because of a good deal we've been offered, has anyone been there recently that can give me an update on the construction and facilities? The beach, golf course, fitness, reastaurants, etc? Thanks! -Jimmy

01-20-2003	#8 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	honeymoon at Mayan Palace Hello! I recently discovered this website and it has been very helpful. I am planning a honeymoon at the Mayan Palace in June 2003, it has already been booked and I can't go back on it now....So I am hoping that things at the resort have been completed or will be, by the time we get there. Does anyone have any info on the Mayan Palace, and suggestions for a honeymoon in the area. Any comments would be apreciated! Thank You, Misty

02-05-2003	#9 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Mayan Palace here I come. I am going to the Mayan Palace in April. I am most concerned with reasonable transportation to Playa at night. Does the bus system work like Cancun? Is it whorth renting a car? I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks

02-26-2003	#13 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Mayan hotel info Hello! We are taking two adults, four teenagers, and two young adults with us to Playa Del Carmen for spring break. I was wondering about the fun activities for teenagers and young adults in or near the Mayan hotel. Does anyone know the legal drinking age for clubs and how many activities 18 year olds and over can do? If you do, please respond! Thank You.

12-07-2002	#2 (permalink)
pun way into it Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 176	The Mayan Palace is in Cancun, which is geographically close to Playa del Carmen, but worlds apart from a vacation experience point of view. What are you looking for in a vacation destination? Some of the regulars on this forum have been to, or know about, almost every resort on the Riviera Maya. Let us know what's important to you, and what you plan to do, and we'll make some recommendations. On another note, try the search feature at the upper right of this page. Type in what you would like to search for and, most likely, you will find what you're looking for. If you happen to decide to stay in or near Playa del Carmen, check out the Cozy Hotels and Villas website here.

01-02-2003	#3 (permalink)
djcmo way into it Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 226	I agree with Pun about it being worlds apart! One thing I might mention it that the Mayan Palace Resort is in no way affiliated with the Palace Resort chain which operates several other AI up and down the Riviera Mayan Coast. I was literally mugged on every street corner on 5th avenue in PDC this past November by locals pushing the Mayan Palace Resort. I know these folks work on commission and are only trying to make a living, but they turned me off so much that I would never even consider looking at the property. Basically they try to get you to the resort so that the resort people and pitch a timeshare or vacation club offer to you. The locals will promise you almost anything to get you to go over to the resort, but unless you want to waste precious party time listening to high pressure sales pitches just say "NO GRACIAS!" DJ ps - If you're staying at an AI and planning on shopping in PDC, try you best to hide your plastic bracelets. I notice that these street hawkers like to target the plastic bracelets crowd the most. I guess they think we got lots of money or something! Boy, did I have them fooled!!!

01-03-2003	#4 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 857	The Mayan Palace is "not" in Cancun! It is south of Puerto Morelos about midway between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen. It is very close to the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar Resort. We stayed there last March and here is a little info about the resort. We own a timeshare here in CA and therefore have access to bonus weeks at other resorts and this is how we ended up staying at the Mayan Palace. They had a special 7 night deal for $89 for the whole week in a Hotel unit there. But here is the thing. The Mayan Palace will end up being one of the biggest Mega Resorts outside of Cancun along the Riviera Maya when it is finished. When we where there in March it was only about 45% finished and we where aware of this. We ended up unly spending 4 nights there (was still a good deal for us) and stayed at our favorite Resort in Playa the other nights. By now I would assume the MP is about 60% finished. The room was your typical 4 Star USAstyle Hotel Room. Super clean and nice bathroom but nothing special. We got to see the living room of the 1 bedroom unit and it looked very nice and perfect for a family. The 1 bedroom unit can be locked together with the hotel unit and that makes it the 2 bedroom unit. We where greeted in the temporary lobby which later on will be the Spa building. It was nice for a temporary lobby and there was a small Gift Shop as well. One large Building is finished that houses all the already finished rooms but all around it is alot of construction and environmental desctruction going on. We hatet that fact! The large permanent Lobby Building was still under construction. They had not started the water park, golfcourse and lagoons yet when we where there. However, the pool area is finished and it is very nice. There are several connected pools large as lakes with water falls and fountains. There are 2 pool bars, 2 Restaurants and the Beach Bar are all open. I would say if you are getting a cheap deal for this resort it would be okay otherwise I would not want to stay there for a high price and everything still under construction. Eventually the resort will be probably beautiful but it is not all the way finished and will probably still take a while.

01-03-2003	#5 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 857	Keep in mind there are many other very nice and more charming resorts along the Riviera Maya you can stay at that did not completly destroy the environment like the Mayan Palace did. Many of them included the environment in their design and left the Mangrove areas natural (very important for the reef and the cleanliness of the ocean). They built wooden walkways over the Mangrove areas and have beautiful lush but nicely groomed jungle areas between buildings etc. For example Iberostar Paraiso del Mar, Quetzal, Tukan and Cozumel did a great job and so did the Copacbana Resort at Xpu-Ha Beach. We find these resorts alot more beautiful and the rooms where much nicer designed as well.

01-03-2003	#6 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 857	Sorry about the typo. It is spelled Copacabana Resort.

02-07-2003	#10 (permalink)
Andrew D lost on fifth Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hamilton, Ontario Posts: 13	Sorry Dan, you may be out of luck. Daytime nothing beats collectivo (10 pesos) or a bus (Mayab or Playa Express - Riviera is express line and does not stop at MP). Late evening/night your options are limited to a taxi or a rental car.

02-16-2003	#11 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Can a group of four take a taxi back at night from Playa and what would we expect to pay? Or is renting a car for the week worth it just for night trips and transportation to and from airport? Thanks for your help.

02-19-2003	#12 (permalink)
pun way into it Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 176	A taxi would be cramped with 4, but I think it's possible. Keep in mind, rental cars are pretty cheap down there. We rented directly from the Royal Hideway and paid $50/day for an air conditioned car with full coverage insurance included. I've heard of deals as cheap as $30/day. If you're half as active as we were, you'll spend $30/day on taxis anyway. Mi dos centavos.

02-28-2003	#14 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Excursions and Restaurants My husband and I are planning a trip with another couple to stay at the Mayan Palace in late June and are very interested in restaurant prices at the resort. Also, there are so many excursions nearby we don't know which ones are worth taking... i.e. swimming with dolphins, mayan ruins, etc., or how about a ferry ride to Cozumel? Any suggestions as to what you enjoyed the most? Also, what about safety, is it safe to explore Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum without a tour group? Any input would be very much appreciated!!

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