I had started a previous thread on this but thought that it would be more concise to start a new one and keep it strictly to a list of changes in the last year.
There has been a lot of changes here at the Grupo Vidanta's Nuevo Vallarta resort since our last visit in February 2014 and communication from the Vidanta Grupo has been none existent in these regards (but plenty of marketing emails). Basically when you get here it's ... SURPRISE!. Unfortunately the concierges and staff are left holding the bag having to explain after the fact to the many irate members.
So here is a list of changes that we've discovered in the last few days and we feel that you should know before you get here so it isn't more of an irritant than it could be:
- they no longer convert any traveler's checks (apparently this has been the case for the last few months). They were exchanged back in Feb 2014.
- they now charge $25 pesos per bin (free for luggage and stuff but charge for groceries after arrival) at the new arrival/departure area (none of it goes to the staff), you still have to tip the bus boys when they bring it to your room. You can however choose to bring the bags yourselves. We did this but used one bin for the heavy stuff and tipped the bus boys what we would normally tip for bringing in the bags (they're the ones who will bear the brunt of it). I would like to know if anyone knows the actual rules for this. It is still a mystery what is or isn't.
- for the GL members, the cards to do laundry are no longer sold by the concierge on your floor, must go down to the main floor concierge. Why do that? What possible advantage could this possibly bring?
- leaving the resort is a lot more inconvenient: take a shuttle from building to the Santuario, walk to the other side about 100 m (maybe more) take a second shuttle to the Loading Area (Transportation Depot??) where you can either get your car or further out to the Taxi service area (and non shaded parking). This is as far as the shuttles go. You still have to walk over 300m to get to the main gate or 400m to get to the excursion bus stop or Taco's Break. This is too far for my mother and many others who have mobility issues. It can take quite a while on the weekend when there are a lot of people leaving/arriving. It's a 20 minutes walk from the Santuario to the Taxi stand and it requires some walking on the road (not safe).
Can someone who has a car update us as to the rules with the new layout/services/fees?
If anyone has any additional changes that they've observed since last year please append.
None of these items are huge (well maybe forcing people to walk across the Santuario every time can be VERY inconvenient for some) but they can certainly irritate and tarnish an otherwise great vacation.
When combined with the gargantuan snafu of our reservation and the mediocre experience when trying to book the golf, it sent my father onto the warpath (as well as quite a few others that we've met). Most were from the GL and Spa Towers but some were from the GM. I think it's mainly because they're expecting a certain level of service for the money that they had to spend and the increases in the MF each year yet they keep taking more of the amenities away (anyone remember when we used to get coffee and baked goods delivered to your suite every morning; being ferried from the taxi to your building in 1 shuttle or driving up to the building itself ... etc... etc...)
There has been a lot of changes here at the Grupo Vidanta's Nuevo Vallarta resort since our last visit in February 2014 and communication from the Vidanta Grupo has been none existent in these regards (but plenty of marketing emails). Basically when you get here it's ... SURPRISE!. Unfortunately the concierges and staff are left holding the bag having to explain after the fact to the many irate members.
So here is a list of changes that we've discovered in the last few days and we feel that you should know before you get here so it isn't more of an irritant than it could be:
- they no longer convert any traveler's checks (apparently this has been the case for the last few months). They were exchanged back in Feb 2014.
- they now charge $25 pesos per bin (free for luggage and stuff but charge for groceries after arrival) at the new arrival/departure area (none of it goes to the staff), you still have to tip the bus boys when they bring it to your room. You can however choose to bring the bags yourselves. We did this but used one bin for the heavy stuff and tipped the bus boys what we would normally tip for bringing in the bags (they're the ones who will bear the brunt of it). I would like to know if anyone knows the actual rules for this. It is still a mystery what is or isn't.
- for the GL members, the cards to do laundry are no longer sold by the concierge on your floor, must go down to the main floor concierge. Why do that? What possible advantage could this possibly bring?
- leaving the resort is a lot more inconvenient: take a shuttle from building to the Santuario, walk to the other side about 100 m (maybe more) take a second shuttle to the Loading Area (Transportation Depot??) where you can either get your car or further out to the Taxi service area (and non shaded parking). This is as far as the shuttles go. You still have to walk over 300m to get to the main gate or 400m to get to the excursion bus stop or Taco's Break. This is too far for my mother and many others who have mobility issues. It can take quite a while on the weekend when there are a lot of people leaving/arriving. It's a 20 minutes walk from the Santuario to the Taxi stand and it requires some walking on the road (not safe).
Can someone who has a car update us as to the rules with the new layout/services/fees?
If anyone has any additional changes that they've observed since last year please append.
None of these items are huge (well maybe forcing people to walk across the Santuario every time can be VERY inconvenient for some) but they can certainly irritate and tarnish an otherwise great vacation.
When combined with the gargantuan snafu of our reservation and the mediocre experience when trying to book the golf, it sent my father onto the warpath (as well as quite a few others that we've met). Most were from the GL and Spa Towers but some were from the GM. I think it's mainly because they're expecting a certain level of service for the money that they had to spend and the increases in the MF each year yet they keep taking more of the amenities away (anyone remember when we used to get coffee and baked goods delivered to your suite every morning; being ferried from the taxi to your building in 1 shuttle or driving up to the building itself ... etc... etc...)
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during non peak hours ( after 1 PM) under adult supervision (must be in the same room). Their staff have been advised and the concierges will receive the update at their weekly meeting. I've suggested that they post the rules at the Gym front desk as well as document them for the concierges. It would avoid a lot of unnecessary arguments and dis-information.
I will update what I can. 
