ASP Promotion and other questions

SigEpMike · 08-18-2003

Okay sunny, tralin, etc., here is a question for you guys. When you were at ASP did they have the Palace Passport promotion? If so, did you get everything you needed for the tours and the credit in the spa, golf, etc. when you arrived or did your travel agent get you the information beforehand?

Also, did anyone go to Xpu-Ha? If so, was it worth the trip and how did you get there?

Finally, I know none of you guys are married, but did you see what the special "honeymooner" perks were?

Thanks. In 20 days, I will be there.

08-18-2003

They will give you all of the info when you arrive. You can see a guest services representative and they will give you the packet. But I don't recommend it. It's kind of like visiting a used car lot in the middle of the tropics. They will also want to arrange a tour for you of the hotel. Decline that offer as it is the timeshare crap, however, they will call several times during your stay.

You can get the spa credit and tours without even seeing the timeshare salesman errr... Guest servives rep. If you go to the spa and book your appointments inquire as to the credit you have for services. They will take care of it right there. As for the tours just go walk up to the Chaza travel desk (one in each lobby) and they will handle all of the tour booking. This was my tactic on my second visit to the ASP.

We did go to XPU-HA. Gorgeous beaches, but TONS of kids!!! It came as culture shock after the adults-only enviroment. It is best enjoyed as part of the Tulum tour. For that tour you spend the morning at Xpu-Ha and in the afternoon you hit Tulum. Wear your beachwear to Tulum. They have gorgeous beach there too! You can also take a shuttle bus between ASP and Xpu or taxi. They are 5 minutes apart for each other.

Honeymooner perks were similar except for a cocktail recpetion and the staff identifying you by your pink wristband!

Enjoy!

sunnybrook31 · 08-18-2003

Mike,
For the most part I agree with Pauly. We didn't get "welcomed" (no champagne, no guest service person giving us anything) when we first got there. We weren't sure if we needed like a paper "coupon" for the promotion or they would just have some record of it in their computer. We booked both our golf and spa in the south lobby, and they credited the amount to our account without the benefit of the physical Palace
Promotions coupon book. There wasn't much more in the packet of crap that the guest service guy gave us except a map that we really didn't use and a list of the restaurants and their hours of operation, which was TOTALLY WRONG and made us madder when we showed up at times that the restaurant wasn't even serving. Basically what I'm saying is that you don't need to bother with the guest services person. And yes, they called us every day...and put notes on our door to do the "tour"/time share crap.

We pretty much did our own thing and didn't take advantage of any of the tours included in the Promotion....but I understand from Dicesare that they were all booked solid while we were there anyway...so I can't help you there.

Also can't help you with what you get with the pink bracelets. I'm betting you can get robes and champagne, though......

tralin · 08-18-2003

Ok, we did not get bothered by the time share people period. They brought it up at the guest services desk once, I firmly said we were not interesed (hinted we could barely afford this vacation, maybe that helped) and never heard from them again. Not a call not a note, nothing. We did use the map a lot the first week and we did get some valuable information about the resort that we found useful. So I DO recommend the visit.

The free tours will not be mentioned to you unless YOU ask about them. Just go to Chaza and give them your room number. I HIGHLY recommend Chichen Itza and maybe Akumal. But I don't recommend doing Tulum or Xel Ha of Xpu Ha on a tour. They waste too much time. As in my review "Awestruck by ASP" I explain everything there.

If a beach is a big deal to you the Xpu Ha is beautiful. We spent an entire day there but lucked out as the kiddies were at a minimum. Had they not been, we probably would have just gone into Playa Del Carmen to the beach there. The one by the ferry terminal was beautiful. Also, if you check on the general forum (or ask them) there is a relatively private beach that is supposed to be not well known and very romantic. (By private I mean few people).

My travel agent told the hotel (without tell us) that we were honeymooners. So we got the perks but I felt guilty using them. The other couple we were vacationing with were honeymooners. I'm not sure what all they got. There is a desk specifically for honeymooners. They do have their own cocktail party to meet the other honeymooners, a picture, a t-shirt, I think a robe, a bottle of champagne, and a bunch of other stuff but I don't know. I can ask my friends what they got if it's important to you.

The spa discounts I believe you can get right at the spa. You don't need your coupon. At least I didnt'. They pretty much have everyone's info in the computer for everything so no matter where you go, they know what you get. I believe you need to visit the guest services desk to get the golf stuff but I could be wrong with that one.

Hope this helps.

Tracy

SigEpMike · 08-18-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by "sunnybrook31"

Also can't help you with what you get with the pink bracelets. I'm betting you can get robes and champagne, though......

Maybe that is why you didn't have the robes! :lol:

08-18-2003

Oh you funny guy! You've made a good choice and when you are on your honeymoon, how can you not have a geat time.

Tracy
(To lazy to sign in.)

Liza · 08-18-2003

Hi everyone,
I'm still trying to adjust to being back home in NC. I could have stayed at ASP for soooo much longer than a week. The spa is wonderful you and your new wife will absolutely love it. We took a cab to Xpu-Ha one afternoon, $6.00 I think. It was great except there's a LOT of walking depending on where you want to go. We snorkeled in their lagoon, be sure and get lifevests.....we got called down for not having them on. Had to get out and put one on immediately. The lagoon was very nice, we enjoyed it a lot. Had lunch at the open air restaurant located beside the lagoon. It was ok but food at ASP was much better. As was stated above, there was also a lot of kids there. But it's a family resort so no big deal really. Just a shock to the system after being at ASP for a few days. The beach at Xpu-Ha is so beautiful. I think someone said that's where they filmed the movie "Blue Lagoon". We walked from the lagoon to the pool (it was completely full of kids so we moved on) to the beach. It is worth going there for. Also best part of the trip was renting a car and driving to several different snorkeling spots in Akumal. The Yal-Ku Lagoon was great, saw a lot of fish there. That's also where my bikini top broke and I think a few people saw more of me than I meant for them to!
I would absoulutely NOT go on a tour to Tulum. We drove there ourselves so we could be on our own schedule. I heard so many people say they felt like they were held hostage on the tours because they stopped at roadside markets and jewelry stores. I would suggest doing it on your own. If you go to Tulum you should go early, it gets SO hot. Go and have a time to remember. Oh yeah.....I had a robe and I wasn't a honeymooner, god how I loved that robe. I called down and requested it and it was there in less than 10 minues, actually they brought 2 of them. We were greeted with champagne also. We arrived on a Saturday morning around 11:00, not sure if that makes any difference. Have a wonderful honeymoon. Congrats!!!!

Liza · 08-18-2003

Hey......if I can offer you one more suggestion.....if you have time, catch the ferry and go to Cozumel for the day. They have the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. We rented a jeep and found such great spots.
Have fun.

dorish34 · 08-18-2003

Make sure you post your comments after your trip---I'll be going at the end of September!!! thanks, dorish34

djcmo · 08-20-2003

I'll toss in my 2 pesos!

I'm with tralin, I heard about the timeshare folks from trip reports and other folks before we left but never had anyone bother us at ASP the entire week we were there which was in November '02. At that time the resort was only about 50% occupied. As for the tours, don't waste the time. You can take the palace shuttle or taxi to Xpu-Ha anytime you want. There weren't many kids there in November either! We loved Xpu-Ha for daytrips but if you do it as part of the Tulum tour you'll feel rushed and really won't get to see much of it.

The champagne was flowing at the registration desk when we got there and I saw it everytime we passed through the lobby! It may depend on when you check-in. They seem to have there act together more on the weekends.

Going again this November and actually staying in one of the timeshares so that should protect me during the next visit!!

DJ 8)

08-18-2003	#1 (permalink)
SigEpMike ruined Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 92	ASP Promotion and other questions Okay sunny, tralin, etc., here is a question for you guys. When you were at ASP did they have the Palace Passport promotion? If so, did you get everything you needed for the tours and the credit in the spa, golf, etc. when you arrived or did your travel agent get you the information beforehand? Also, did anyone go to Xpu-Ha? If so, was it worth the trip and how did you get there? Finally, I know none of you guys are married, but did you see what the special "honeymooner" perks were? Thanks. In 20 days, I will be there.

08-18-2003	#2 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	See the guest services rep or NOT! They will give you all of the info when you arrive. You can see a guest services representative and they will give you the packet. But I don't recommend it. It's kind of like visiting a used car lot in the middle of the tropics. They will also want to arrange a tour for you of the hotel. Decline that offer as it is the timeshare crap, however, they will call several times during your stay. You can get the spa credit and tours without even seeing the timeshare salesman errr... Guest servives rep. If you go to the spa and book your appointments inquire as to the credit you have for services. They will take care of it right there. As for the tours just go walk up to the Chaza travel desk (one in each lobby) and they will handle all of the tour booking. This was my tactic on my second visit to the ASP. We did go to XPU-HA. Gorgeous beaches, but TONS of kids!!! It came as culture shock after the adults-only enviroment. It is best enjoyed as part of the Tulum tour. For that tour you spend the morning at Xpu-Ha and in the afternoon you hit Tulum. Wear your beachwear to Tulum. They have gorgeous beach there too! You can also take a shuttle bus between ASP and Xpu or taxi. They are 5 minutes apart for each other. Honeymooner perks were similar except for a cocktail recpetion and the staff identifying you by your pink wristband! Enjoy!

08-18-2003	#9 (permalink)
dorish34 very sparkly Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: PA girl Posts: 34	ASP Make sure you post your comments after your trip---I'll be going at the end of September!!! thanks, dorish34

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08-18-2003	#3 (permalink)
sunnybrook31 way into it Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 106	Mike, For the most part I agree with Pauly. We didn't get "welcomed" (no champagne, no guest service person giving us anything) when we first got there. We weren't sure if we needed like a paper "coupon" for the promotion or they would just have some record of it in their computer. We booked both our golf and spa in the south lobby, and they credited the amount to our account without the benefit of the physical Palace Promotions coupon book. There wasn't much more in the packet of crap that the guest service guy gave us except a map that we really didn't use and a list of the restaurants and their hours of operation, which was TOTALLY WRONG and made us madder when we showed up at times that the restaurant wasn't even serving. Basically what I'm saying is that you don't need to bother with the guest services person. And yes, they called us every day...and put notes on our door to do the "tour"/time share crap. We pretty much did our own thing and didn't take advantage of any of the tours included in the Promotion....but I understand from Dicesare that they were all booked solid while we were there anyway...so I can't help you there. Also can't help you with what you get with the pink bracelets. I'm betting you can get robes and champagne, though......

08-18-2003	#4 (permalink)
tralin way into it Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 134	Ok, we did not get bothered by the time share people period. They brought it up at the guest services desk once, I firmly said we were not interesed (hinted we could barely afford this vacation, maybe that helped) and never heard from them again. Not a call not a note, nothing. We did use the map a lot the first week and we did get some valuable information about the resort that we found useful. So I DO recommend the visit. The free tours will not be mentioned to you unless YOU ask about them. Just go to Chaza and give them your room number. I HIGHLY recommend Chichen Itza and maybe Akumal. But I don't recommend doing Tulum or Xel Ha of Xpu Ha on a tour. They waste too much time. As in my review "Awestruck by ASP" I explain everything there. If a beach is a big deal to you the Xpu Ha is beautiful. We spent an entire day there but lucked out as the kiddies were at a minimum. Had they not been, we probably would have just gone into Playa Del Carmen to the beach there. The one by the ferry terminal was beautiful. Also, if you check on the general forum (or ask them) there is a relatively private beach that is supposed to be not well known and very romantic. (By private I mean few people). My travel agent told the hotel (without tell us) that we were honeymooners. So we got the perks but I felt guilty using them. The other couple we were vacationing with were honeymooners. I'm not sure what all they got. There is a desk specifically for honeymooners. They do have their own cocktail party to meet the other honeymooners, a picture, a t-shirt, I think a robe, a bottle of champagne, and a bunch of other stuff but I don't know. I can ask my friends what they got if it's important to you. The spa discounts I believe you can get right at the spa. You don't need your coupon. At least I didnt'. They pretty much have everyone's info in the computer for everything so no matter where you go, they know what you get. I believe you need to visit the guest services desk to get the golf stuff but I could be wrong with that one. Hope this helps. Tracy

08-18-2003	#6 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Oh you funny guy! You've made a good choice and when you are on your honeymoon, how can you not have a geat time. Tracy (To lazy to sign in.)

08-18-2003	#7 (permalink)
Liza very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 28	Hi everyone, I'm still trying to adjust to being back home in NC. I could have stayed at ASP for soooo much longer than a week. The spa is wonderful you and your new wife will absolutely love it. We took a cab to Xpu-Ha one afternoon, $6.00 I think. It was great except there's a LOT of walking depending on where you want to go. We snorkeled in their lagoon, be sure and get lifevests.....we got called down for not having them on. Had to get out and put one on immediately. The lagoon was very nice, we enjoyed it a lot. Had lunch at the open air restaurant located beside the lagoon. It was ok but food at ASP was much better. As was stated above, there was also a lot of kids there. But it's a family resort so no big deal really. Just a shock to the system after being at ASP for a few days. The beach at Xpu-Ha is so beautiful. I think someone said that's where they filmed the movie "Blue Lagoon". We walked from the lagoon to the pool (it was completely full of kids so we moved on) to the beach. It is worth going there for. Also best part of the trip was renting a car and driving to several different snorkeling spots in Akumal. The Yal-Ku Lagoon was great, saw a lot of fish there. That's also where my bikini top broke and I think a few people saw more of me than I meant for them to! I would absoulutely NOT go on a tour to Tulum. We drove there ourselves so we could be on our own schedule. I heard so many people say they felt like they were held hostage on the tours because they stopped at roadside markets and jewelry stores. I would suggest doing it on your own. If you go to Tulum you should go early, it gets SO hot. Go and have a time to remember. Oh yeah.....I had a robe and I wasn't a honeymooner, god how I loved that robe. I called down and requested it and it was there in less than 10 minues, actually they brought 2 of them. We were greeted with champagne also. We arrived on a Saturday morning around 11:00, not sure if that makes any difference. Have a wonderful honeymoon. Congrats!!!!

08-18-2003	#8 (permalink)
Liza very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 28	Hey......if I can offer you one more suggestion.....if you have time, catch the ferry and go to Cozumel for the day. They have the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. We rented a jeep and found such great spots. Have fun.

08-20-2003	#10 (permalink)
djcmo way into it Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 226	I'll toss in my 2 pesos! I'm with tralin, I heard about the timeshare folks from trip reports and other folks before we left but never had anyone bother us at ASP the entire week we were there which was in November '02. At that time the resort was only about 50% occupied. As for the tours, don't waste the time. You can take the palace shuttle or taxi to Xpu-Ha anytime you want. There weren't many kids there in November either! We loved Xpu-Ha for daytrips but if you do it as part of the Tulum tour you'll feel rushed and really won't get to see much of it. The champagne was flowing at the registration desk when we got there and I saw it everytime we passed through the lobby! It may depend on when you check-in. They seem to have there act together more on the weekends. Going again this November and actually staying in one of the timeshares so that should protect me during the next visit!! DJ 8)

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