The Grand Mayan Riviera Maya

[Linnea]

Okay, I read some of the search items. It is a lot of reading. I stayed at a Mayan Resort in PV 2 years ago during the 8.5 earthquake, kinda scary!

That is why I am choosing to goto the newest one. When I first asked about it I called the Conciege and spoke to them numerous times about the beach, now granted I am going in January for two weeks, have excellent exchange rooms and that all sounds fine. But I do love the beach. Can I walk with beach shoes or even flippers to snorkel out? Does anyone know if they serve drinks at the beach and if they are working on the beach to get it ready. I was told that it would be and now I am being told that it won't. Some promissing information would be nice. If it won't be, what is closest and has the best service and prices on drinks on the beach. I will be traveling alone and so will need to leave my backpac and stuff while swimming. How safe is this?

I have a one bedroom, sleeps 4 privately and 6 total, full kitchen, two tv's, patio with lap pool the first week, 2nd two bedroom, sleeps 6 privately and 8 total two full baths.

If I can't go, due to some things at work, would anyone be interested in buying that?

If so, what do you think is far to pay. I was thinking for two weeks in these rooms, the first week at least $1,000, and 2nd, $1200.

Please reply, I really want to go and just enjoy there. Also interested in timeshare. Where and how much do you think the best one is. I need to have a room that sleeps 4 private and prefer a refrigerator and deck.

Thanks! Linnea

[tommy]

daley <script type="text/javascript"> vbmenu_register("postmenu_46961", true); </script>
Junior Member

Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 8


<!-- icon and title --> Grand Mayan at the Mayan Palace
<hr style="color: rgb(85, 85, 118);" size="1"> <!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message --> I just returned from the Grand Mayan in the Riviera Maya. It is on the same property as the Mayan Palace. I exchanged into this timeshare through RCI. If you search the threads on this site, you will get info. 1) Beach: If you are coming here for the beach, you will be disappointed because of the rocky shore. They do have kayaks, snorkle excursions, etc though. If you walk 10 minutes to the south, there is a nice beach there. The pool is the most glorious pool I have ever seen! 2) Distances: It is on 307 which isn't near town, but it is only 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen. If you rent a car, the distance is no biggie, but we took public transportation and taxis so it took a little more time, but we saved a lot of money. The resort is very big and it is still under construction, although it was totally unobtrusive. People have complained about the distance from the room/lobby/beach/restaurants, but we didn't think it was extremely far. There are vans that can drive you around. From the complaints I read, I expected the distances to be much worse. 3) Meals: It is not all-inclusive but you give a deposit when you check in, and you just sign for everything, so you never have to carry cash with you. By the way, the tip was always included in the bill, including the bar charges. The food was more expensive here than in Playa, but when you factor in the travel into Playa, it works out the same. Good reports have been written about their Italian restaurant, Tramonto, but we all hated the food there. We liked Tum Tah restaurant down by the beach, the breakfast buffet ($15 US) at Del Lago and Balche Pool Restaurant. Also, I have never experienced better service here. They tried to cater to your every wish. The activities staff is awesome and there are loads of activities to do at the resort. There is wonderful entertainment every evening..you could spend time here and be happy. Then go to Playa and use their beach.

kel <script type="text/javascript"> vbmenu_register("postmenu_30538", true); </script>
Junior Member

Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2


<!-- icon and title --> robbed at the grand mayan
<hr style="color: rgb(85, 85, 118);" size="1"> <!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message --> just to let everyone know that there is a professional robber running around the grand mayan capable of entering your electronic safe especially when you are out on an excursion, this has happened to our family on dec 16th /03 and now unfortunatley we are aware of another family being robbed on jan 8/04. the hotel security does not or will not help in the matter so you are on your own, if you have an incident try to pressure RCI or whatever timeshare you use to help change this situation it is absolutely shameful that this is allowed to happen at an RCI approved resort. kel

[Linnea]

Are these pictures from the Mayan Riviera Beach?

[mnlakes56]

Having stayed there in March, Sunseekers info is pretty accurate, beach is rough , Tumtah restaurant by the beach is very good, so are their pizzas suprisingly...Room service is very reasonable also
Enjoy

[birdman]

I'm thinking the only thing that will improve the beach there is exactly what the folks in PDC don't want, ie; storms, big waves, or hauling in sand. They are trying different things to build & hold the sand but in the end it will be mother nature that decides when & where she'll deposit it, & or leave it there once she has.

[birdman]

The grand Mayan 1 bedroom in Januarry will probably bring $600-$800 the 2 bedroom should bring $750-$1000, maybe a little more depending on demand.
DO NOT BUY a timeshare while on vacation, there are lots of them for sell on the the internet through reputible agents for 1/4-1/2 what you will pay at a timeshare presentation. Look at a few, decide what you like, then JUST SAY NO & buy one when you get home

[Linnea]

Thanks, I bought my Pueblo Bonito from them in Mazatlan and held off until they finally sold me a unit that they had gotten back. That is what I would hold out for. You are right though, going through their song and dance is not fun and they will make you miserable and unhappy.

Can you direct me to a web site that is good for buying them. That way I can check out only those resorts while I am down there.

Also, your input on the beach in front of the resort.

I went to look for deals on hotels for one person in March and everything I looked at was really expensive if they were asking for that dollar amount per person.

Is there a link on this site to find those?

I will look too.

Thanks for your help.

[Linnea]

Thanks for the feed back. Can you walk into the water and then swim or are there huge rocks that stick out of the water?

Linnea

Also what kind of prices do they have for drinks at happy hour and food? Where do you think the best rooms are as far as accessibility to pool etc. If you can remember approximate number's that would help too.

[birdman]

We must travel in the same circles, we live near Quilcene, we're almost neighbors, we own at Pueblo Bonito in Mazatlan, bought it over the internet 5 years ago, $2500 through Century 21 wouldn't buy another though. I use the bonus weeks from RCI, its alot cheaper than maintainance fees most of the time, just travel in the off season & pick your location Friends were in Playa del Carmen last year & talked us into going down in Feb. we're staying at the Mayan Palace, bonus vacation--- 1 bedroom $594 Looking at the Mayan Palace map there's not many rooms very close to the pool or beach. Check out the hotel/motel guide on the home page here or contact Shammy lots of info to be gleaned from this site & fun to learn about Playa del Carmen in the process good luck & have fun