posted 03-19-2005 13:45               

Thanks

posted 03-22-2005 18:39            

We are going to Grand Mayan next November with another couple. Would love any hints/tips with regards to where to eat/things to do/things to see while there. We have not been to Acapulco before.

posted 03-22-2005 19:59               

quote:

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hints/tips with regards to where to eat/things to do/things to see in Acapulco

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Mayan Palace is about 10 km from the nearest part of Acapulco ("Diamante") and about 25 km from center city. We rented a car (US$28 per day for a Nissan Tsauro from Budget arranged online in advance--their rental desk is at the domestic baggage pickup point, the other end of the terminal building from where international flights get their bags). Driving is challenging, part mountain highway and part busy boulevard. If you don't have a car be aware that in Acapulco taxis is there's no meter, and you must negotiate the fare before you get into the cab. Don't overpay for the ride from airport to hotel--it's about a 3 mile trip.

We drove into the city to go to a fancy restaurant (we got very lost, stopped at a cab stand and were very happy to pay Peso20 = US$2 to follow the cab from the stand to our destination, about half a mile). Another time we drove in to see the cliff divers (and paid a dollar or two to the man who seems to control the parking spaces next to the entrance). Another time to eat at a rustic fish restaurant at the downtown beach, "Amigo Miguel." And again to go to the famous club Palladium, arrive at midnight and leave at 5 AM, crowd a lot younger than us but fun to be there (with our earplugs), unlimited drinks about US$70 for two; cheaper on Thursday Ladies' Night.

Actually our best find was Restaurant La Granja, right outside the main gate to the Mayan Palace, to your right on the way out, or you'll see it on your left coming from the airport just before you turn into the entrance. Terrific chicken, fish dishes (dorado is best). Open 9 AM for breakfast, then lunch and dinner until 8:00. No English spoken and no English menu, but we managed. Without a car it might be a 25 minute walk or I suppose a 2 minute taxi.

Costco is about a mile from the main gate although we didn't go there.

Our first night Sunday we ate at the resort at the fish restaurant, that's their special paella night but it was very disappointing and we stayed away from the restaurants after that. Best bet poolside and beachside is each day's daiquiri special, 2 for 1 all day. Poolside food also is quite good (guacamole, nachos, chicken sandwich, etc.) and priced fairly. And we liked the room service order of half a grilled chicken with veg and potato also priced fairly.

Walk down the beach about 100 yards (south) and you'll come to the Mayan Palace Beach Club, a narrow enclave just off the beach but with a very nice splash pool, music and bar service. One day during Spring Break they had an unlimited beer deal going for the college kids that was fun for them.

The resort is beautiful and maintained by an enormous staff of people. Do your best to have a room that's not near a construction site. The Mayan Palace side has some big projects going on, and there is also some work being done in parts of the Grand Palace.

As I've written here before, we were practically forced to upgrade our RCI exchange at checkin from Mayan Palace to Grand Palace, which meant we had spend a morning taking the sales tour, but the Grand Palace room was so spectacular we were glad we did it.

posted 03-22-2005 21:20               

Colleen - We are going November 26, 2005. Will you be there then?