Posts: 6
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Apr 2005

posted 05-27-2005 07:08            

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Has anyone been to this resort? Would you recommend Grand Mayan Riviera Maya for May 2006? Or should I wait until something better comes up

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Posts: 4258
From: NY--Orlando International18 French Lick Springs IND7 Brassie Knob Villas GA7 Sky Valley GA 50,3,7,7 Sea Mist Cape Cod5 Flagship,AC NJ38 Telemark,WI 25
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 05-27-2005 08:15               

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Great resort, Huge and I mean Huge pool, Very nice Restaurant over looking the pool area. The only problem I had was the service was not up to par with other Mayan palaces. Also there are very few that speak english.

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Where to next ? Check My 19 Rci Journals login big_frank, Join me in the Hot Tub at www.tstips.com

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Posts: 364
From: Windsor, CA Own at Lake Condominium, Big Sky, MT
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 05-27-2005 09:12               

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One of the best things about TUG is the resort reviews. You have to become a member to access them but there is an awesome review written up about this resort that has become known as The Grand Mayan Riviera Maya Bible.

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Posts: 558
From: Granite Bay, CA, USA
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 05-27-2005 15:48               

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Stayed there in February. Some contruction still on-going, but not a problem. Great place, huge beautiful heated pools. Easy to get to Playa dal Carmen. I would stay there again without hesitation.
Marty

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Posts: 59
From: Errington B.C. Canada
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 05-27-2005 22:18               

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Hi We spent 2 weeks in 1 bedroom @ Grand Mayan Mayan Riviera Jan 05. Loved the resort and great hospitality. Only negative was beach was not good for swimming. Why go to Mexico if you can't swim in the warm Carribean water? Love the Mayan Riviera, but will try other resorts in future years. Good Luck and wishing all many great future exchanges. Bill& Linda

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Posts: 5
From:
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 05-28-2005 05:04               

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We stayed in a 2-bedroom unit at the Grand Mayan Riviera Maya in late March/early April. We have never stayed at a Mayan Palace resort, so can't compare with those. We have, however, stayed in many Gold Crown resorts over the last 22 years. The units at the Grand and the resort are lovely. The spa was great, food at the resort was a little expensive, but excellent. Everyone was helpful and treated us well. Two of the people in our party did not speak Spanish at all, but had no trouble communicating as many spoke English. Playa Del Carmen is very close and we ate most evenings there. If I were you, I would definitely grab this exchange. We would go back in a heartbeat if it weren't for the 1 in 4 rule.

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Posts: 1768
From: Valparaiso, IN Christmas Mountain Village week 27 and 30
Registered: May 2002

posted 05-28-2005 05:06               

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BigFrank, Marty, Anne, Bill & Linda we are staying there next Spring Break did you rent a car and if so would you again?

[This message has been edited by wauhob3 (edited 05-28-2005).]

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Posts: 5
From:
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 06-04-2005 06:06               

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Yes, we rented a car and would do it again. We had another couple who are divers with us, so we rented a full size car to accommodate all of the luggage. We ended up spending about $600 for the week because of the high cost of insurance. We usually don't buy the insurance on other exchanges, but were advised to take full coverage in Mexico. That said, we drove ourselves easily to Tulum, Xcaret, Puerto Morelos, Playa Del Carmen (daily),and there was another great beach farther south of Playa that I can't remember the name, that we drove to also. IMHO driving is the best way to see this area. The roads are mostly main highways and are in very good condition. We picked up and dropped off the car at the airport, so we did not have to worry about tranfer fees or reservations. If you rent a car, be careful to abide by the speed limit, and be careful of the "topes" (speed bumps). Some are very high and your car will bottom out if you are not going very slowly. Speed was being enforced constantly.

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Posts: 558
From: Granite Bay, CA, USA
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 06-04-2005 06:18               

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wauhob3, Guess we aren't making the decision about getting a car easy. We did not rent a car and if we went back we would not rent again. To get to Playa del Carmen, the resort offers a shuttle out to the main road. Taxis and vans, they call collectivos or something like that, come by often and stop to pick you up. The cost is $1 to $2 per person and we never waited more than 5 minutes. Coming back, we just caught the bus at the bus station in PDC. We also took the bus to Tulum and Cancun. It was very easy. Many others were doing the same thing. Go to the resort reviews of this place and find the review by Claire. Her review should be used as the bible for visiting here.
Marty
Edit: we don't speak Spanish either but had "no problemo" with the language barrier. Not everyone speaks English, but you ARE in Mexico.

[This message has been edited by california-bighorn (edited 06-04-2005).]
2nd edit: By using the vans,bus and a couple of taxis, we spent less than $100 for transportation for the week. The biggest expense was airport to resort and back expense.

[This message has been edited by california-bighorn (edited 06-04-2005).]

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Posts: 4258
From: NY--Orlando International18 French Lick Springs IND7 Brassie Knob Villas GA7 Sky Valley GA 50,3,7,7 Sea Mist Cape Cod5 Flagship,AC NJ38 Telemark,WI 25
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 06-04-2005 14:05               

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quote:

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Originally posted by wauhob3:
BigFrank, Marty, Anne, Bill & Linda we are staying there next Spring Break did you rent a car and if so would you again?

[This message has been edited by wauhob3 (edited 05-28-2005).]

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Yes I had a car. I for one rather come and go as I please. IMO you realy need a car from here since every thing is a distance. Cabs will cost you a lot if you want to go to Cancun. It will pay for itself just from the airport. One thing is gas is high.

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Where to next ? Check My 19 Rci Journals login big_frank, Join me in the Hot Tub at www.tstips.com

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