Mayan Palace--ask away

Linda · 02-27-2002

Just back from our 2 week stay. (last Fri.) I made a number of notes while there and by no means am I an expert but I can update you on what's going on, and maybe help out with some details, etc. Thought it just might be easier to start a new topic. Our stay was from 2/8-2/22/02.

I am off to the Dr. soon but I will check on the board later.

p.s. Katrina, great job on the photos for everyone!

Linda

theresalynn · 02-27-2002

Linda,
Sorry to hear the weather wasn't great. Still, it must beat the 5F we had this morning! Brrr....

We are booked to stay at the Mayan Palace in Oct. I'm sure they'll have lots more of the construction finished by then. However, it seems that most people who have been to the Mayan Palace say they wouldn't go again until the construction is finished. Since we have 8 months to find a different place to stay, I'm wondering if I should do just that. We exchanged through RCI into the Mayan Palace. We were also given the options of an all-inclusive in Cancun or an all-inclusive in Playa del Carmen. We chose the Mayan Palace because it was non-AI and we like to try out different eating spots. Also, we are bringing 2 kids (ages 14 and 11) and the AI fee was really going to add up. We decided that we'd never eat and drink as much on our own as it was going to cost us for the AI fee, and we could put the money we saved into activities. Do you think it's worth putting up with the noise to avoid the AI?

We like to be on the go, so we probably won't sit and lounge at the resort much. After reading this board for several weeks I've already started my "To Do" list. I've never been to Mexico, but from the maps I've looked at it seems that the Mayan Palace is away from the action. Did you feel you spent a lot of time traveling b/c the MP was not in town? Did you spend most of your time at the resort, in Cancun, or in PDC?
Thanks!
Theresa in Shoreview

barbsayers · 02-27-2002

Linda - hi. Came across this site today and saw your message. I am a Mayan Palace timeshare owner; going to check out the new resort in Playa del Carmen in May - interested to see how it compares with Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo. (I am a Mexico junkie - go every year to Puerto/Nuevo and have done Cancun twice. This year, doing Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen and Cancun in one trip.

Would love to hear how it has progressed till now and what you thought of it.

Thanks.

barb
(barbe@cornelius.com)

Linda · 02-27-2002

As I stated before, things change there almost daily so by Oct. there should be more choices for eating (let's hope so). As for a 14 and 11 yr. old, there will not be much for them to do at the palace itself, but there are plenty of other spots to visit, Xel-Ha, Xcaret, Tulum, Cozumel, etc. Don't plan on much more than swimming in the pools (which are gorgeous), the beach is rocky, but if you can get by the initial rough parts, the further down you get (either north or south) the better it becomes to either walk or swim. Eventually there is supposed to be a golf course (Jack Nicklaus designed) and a water park but they are a LONG way off. Don't worry about the AI, right now you can only eat at the one restaurant and it is costly. Approximately $7 US for kids for the breakfast buffet and $10-$15 US for adults depending on whether or not you get the cold or hot buffet. You can also order from the menu, we did not do that. Mostly we just had yogurt, cereal, and some of those fabulous Mexican pastries every day. (we had the kitchenette unit) and it has a small frig, microwave, 2 burner stove, pots and pans, coffee pot and the all important blender (better than mine at home).

As far as comparing this Mayan Palace to any of the others (we have also been to Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco) there is no comparison, not yet anyway, they have a very long way to go. By the way, the biggest problem with the ongoing construction is not really the noise, you get used to it after a bit but it is the constant in and out of your rooms for minor problems. And do not, I repeat, do not take a shower without locking your bathroom doors (there are 2 if you are in a condo unit), enough said.

The pool area is beautiful as they all are at the palaces, but the first week there were some great hammocks and then they were gone, replaced with some bed like contraption for what we called the "platforms", but of course right now there is only one for the whole area. If you like to just sit in the sun like me, this place will work for you, but even I got bored after awhile and unless you go into PDC, there is really nothing else to do.

p.s. if I had it to do over, I would rent a car , if for nothing else than to drive to PDC and save on that awful taxi fare. We paid a wide variety of prices for cabs over our 2 wks. plus we took the bus when we could, but the ride into PDC and back to the palace was as much as a good meal at one of the restaurants in town.

Munichchick · 02-27-2002

Linda! How far is Tres Rios from the Palace?

Munichchick · 02-27-2002

Just wanted to share this little tip! If you are the rental car driver you get in free at Tres Rios. We have been there before and if you like nature you will love it. We floated down a jungle river without another soul around and it was so beautiful. Kayaking up the other little river is fun as well.

Linda · 02-27-2002

Quote:

On 2002-02-27 16:30, Munichchick wrote:
Linda! How far is Tres Rios from the Palace?

Not very far, maybe a 5-10 minute drive at most, I think.

**james** · 02-27-2002

I don't understand the draw.

Way out of town, bad beach, construction, buffets, wrist bands...?

You can stay in town and have everything you want.

Munichchick · 02-28-2002

Let me explain the draw! First of all it is NOT and all-inclusive. Therefore, no wristbands! Secondly, most of the people that have stayed there or will be staying there in the near future got super cheap deals for the place. We are only paying US$199 for 2 people 7 nights in the Hotel Unit = $28.45 per night!!! No other hotel that has nice rooms and a nice pool can beat that price during high season! We are on a budget for this trip and rather spend our money on rental car, nice dinners and drinks in PDC, tours, snorkeling and shopping than on a hotel room. Sure we would rather stay at the Shangri-La or other nice Hotel that is "not" under construction but we don't want to pay more than we have to.

Dagen · 02-28-2002

Munichchick...unfortunately, they ask you to wear wristbands so they can identify you as a guest. James, the only draw is the price and the name...west coast Mayan Palace facilities are very nice. I can't see any other reason why someone would choose MP over PDC.

Munichchick · 02-28-2002

Oh No! We hate those darn wristbands.

theresalynn · 02-28-2002

The reason we picked the Mayan Palace is because they are not all-inclusive. For my family of 4 to stay at an all-inclusive for a week would have been an additional $1500. I like margaritas, but I don't think I could drink enough to get my money's worth. So, we'll put up with some construction and spend the money on activities. I'm hoping by Oct, when we go, they will have more finished and the noise won't be near the pool and restaurant. The RCI web site says that phase I will be completed May 31 and phase II will start June 1 and after that the noise level will go down.

Dagen · 02-28-2002

Exactly the reason most of us avoid the all inclusive......

Linda · 02-28-2002

Quote:

On 2002-02-28 13:24, Munichchick wrote:
Oh No! We hate those darn wristbands.

Don't worry, one snip of the old scissors(packed in your check-in bags, of course) is all it takes to rid your self of that little blue or red wrist thing, we had ours on for about 3 hrs. and that was it, they only questioned us once at the pool when ordering drinks, and we just stated that we hated them.

Merk · 02-28-2002

I have to agree with Munichchick regarding the cost of a weeks stay at the Mayan Palace - $200 for the week can't be beat. My money is going towards a rental car, and I'll be spending most of my evenings in PDC for dinner and drinks. I enjoy trying new restaurants so the AI option is one I don't often choose. The MP pool looks like a wonderful place to laze away the afternoons over a few Dos Equis or margaritas. All-in-all, for the cost I don't think I'll have much to complain about :smile:

02-27-2002	#4 (permalink)
Linda toe in water Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Oakdale, Mn. Posts: 51	As I stated before, things change there almost daily so by Oct. there should be more choices for eating (let's hope so). As for a 14 and 11 yr. old, there will not be much for them to do at the palace itself, but there are plenty of other spots to visit, Xel-Ha, Xcaret, Tulum, Cozumel, etc. Don't plan on much more than swimming in the pools (which are gorgeous), the beach is rocky, but if you can get by the initial rough parts, the further down you get (either north or south) the better it becomes to either walk or swim. Eventually there is supposed to be a golf course (Jack Nicklaus designed) and a water park but they are a LONG way off. Don't worry about the AI, right now you can only eat at the one restaurant and it is costly. Approximately $7 US for kids for the breakfast buffet and $10-$15 US for adults depending on whether or not you get the cold or hot buffet. You can also order from the menu, we did not do that. Mostly we just had yogurt, cereal, and some of those fabulous Mexican pastries every day. (we had the kitchenette unit) and it has a small frig, microwave, 2 burner stove, pots and pans, coffee pot and the all important blender (better than mine at home). As far as comparing this Mayan Palace to any of the others (we have also been to Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco) there is no comparison, not yet anyway, they have a very long way to go. By the way, the biggest problem with the ongoing construction is not really the noise, you get used to it after a bit but it is the constant in and out of your rooms for minor problems. And do not, I repeat, do not take a shower without locking your bathroom doors (there are 2 if you are in a condo unit), enough said. The pool area is beautiful as they all are at the palaces, but the first week there were some great hammocks and then they were gone, replaced with some bed like contraption for what we called the "platforms", but of course right now there is only one for the whole area. If you like to just sit in the sun like me, this place will work for you, but even I got bored after awhile and unless you go into PDC, there is really nothing else to do. p.s. if I had it to do over, I would rent a car , if for nothing else than to drive to PDC and save on that awful taxi fare. We paid a wide variety of prices for cabs over our 2 wks. plus we took the bus when we could, but the ride into PDC and back to the palace was as much as a good meal at one of the restaurants in town. __________________ Linda

02-27-2002	#8 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,539	I don't understand the draw. Way out of town, bad beach, construction, buffets, wrist bands...? You can stay in town and have everything you want. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

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02-27-2002	#1 (permalink)
Linda toe in water Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Oakdale, Mn. Posts: 51	Just back from our 2 week stay. (last Fri.) I made a number of notes while there and by no means am I an expert but I can update you on what's going on, and maybe help out with some details, etc. Thought it just might be easier to start a new topic. Our stay was from 2/8-2/22/02. I am off to the Dr. soon but I will check on the board later. p.s. Katrina, great job on the photos for everyone! Linda

02-27-2002	#2 (permalink)
theresalynn lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Shoreview, MN Posts: 11	Linda, Sorry to hear the weather wasn't great. Still, it must beat the 5F we had this morning! Brrr.... We are booked to stay at the Mayan Palace in Oct. I'm sure they'll have lots more of the construction finished by then. However, it seems that most people who have been to the Mayan Palace say they wouldn't go again until the construction is finished. Since we have 8 months to find a different place to stay, I'm wondering if I should do just that. We exchanged through RCI into the Mayan Palace. We were also given the options of an all-inclusive in Cancun or an all-inclusive in Playa del Carmen. We chose the Mayan Palace because it was non-AI and we like to try out different eating spots. Also, we are bringing 2 kids (ages 14 and 11) and the AI fee was really going to add up. We decided that we'd never eat and drink as much on our own as it was going to cost us for the AI fee, and we could put the money we saved into activities. Do you think it's worth putting up with the noise to avoid the AI? We like to be on the go, so we probably won't sit and lounge at the resort much. After reading this board for several weeks I've already started my "To Do" list. I've never been to Mexico, but from the maps I've looked at it seems that the Mayan Palace is away from the action. Did you feel you spent a lot of time traveling b/c the MP was not in town? Did you spend most of your time at the resort, in Cancun, or in PDC? Thanks! Theresa in Shoreview

02-27-2002	#3 (permalink)
barbsayers sandflea Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 1	Linda - hi. Came across this site today and saw your message. I am a Mayan Palace timeshare owner; going to check out the new resort in Playa del Carmen in May - interested to see how it compares with Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo. (I am a Mexico junkie - go every year to Puerto/Nuevo and have done Cancun twice. This year, doing Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen and Cancun in one trip. Would love to hear how it has progressed till now and what you thought of it. Thanks. barb (barbe@cornelius.com)

02-27-2002	#5 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 855	Linda! How far is Tres Rios from the Palace?

02-27-2002	#6 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 855	Just wanted to share this little tip! If you are the rental car driver you get in free at Tres Rios. We have been there before and if you like nature you will love it. We floated down a jungle river without another soul around and it was so beautiful. Kayaking up the other little river is fun as well.

02-28-2002	#9 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 855	Let me explain the draw! First of all it is NOT and all-inclusive. Therefore, no wristbands! Secondly, most of the people that have stayed there or will be staying there in the near future got super cheap deals for the place. We are only paying US$199 for 2 people 7 nights in the Hotel Unit = $28.45 per night!!! No other hotel that has nice rooms and a nice pool can beat that price during high season! We are on a budget for this trip and rather spend our money on rental car, nice dinners and drinks in PDC, tours, snorkeling and shopping than on a hotel room. Sure we would rather stay at the Shangri-La or other nice Hotel that is "not" under construction but we don't want to pay more than we have to.

02-28-2002	#10 (permalink)
Dagen toe in water Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 40	Munichchick...unfortunately, they ask you to wear wristbands so they can identify you as a guest. James, the only draw is the price and the name...west coast Mayan Palace facilities are very nice. I can't see any other reason why someone would choose MP over PDC.

02-28-2002	#11 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 855	Oh No! We hate those darn wristbands.

02-28-2002	#12 (permalink)
theresalynn lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Shoreview, MN Posts: 11	The reason we picked the Mayan Palace is because they are not all-inclusive. For my family of 4 to stay at an all-inclusive for a week would have been an additional $1500. I like margaritas, but I don't think I could drink enough to get my money's worth. So, we'll put up with some construction and spend the money on activities. I'm hoping by Oct, when we go, they will have more finished and the noise won't be near the pool and restaurant. The RCI web site says that phase I will be completed May 31 and phase II will start June 1 and after that the noise level will go down.

02-28-2002	#13 (permalink)
Dagen toe in water Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 40	Exactly the reason most of us avoid the all inclusive......

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02-28-2002	#15 (permalink)
Merk very sparkly Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Bemidji, Minnesota Posts: 28	I have to agree with Munichchick regarding the cost of a weeks stay at the Mayan Palace - $200 for the week can't be beat. My money is going towards a rental car, and I'll be spending most of my evenings in PDC for dinner and drinks. I enjoy trying new restaurants so the AI option is one I don't often choose. The MP pool looks like a wonderful place to laze away the afternoons over a few Dos Equis or margaritas. All-in-all, for the cost I don't think I'll have much to complain about :smile: