Grand Bliss Maya Riviera Surcharges? When to pay?

[billymach4]

Trip booked late May for Grand Bliss. I will call tomorrow.
But? What if you don't call ahead? Just show up at checkin? Guess they collect this fee at check in?

What do you do? Call in ahead and settle the Surcharge?


REQUIRED SURCHARGES (energy, accommodations/occupancy tax, bed tax, fees or other miscellaneous) ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OCCUPANT AND ARE
PAYABLE DIRECTLY TO THE RESORT. Surcharges are subject to change without notice.
Confirmations made on or after July 10, 2020: 0BED: USD200. 1BED: USD 450. 2BED: USD 700. Resort fee per unit/per week. Resort Fee includes: One way transfer for
international flights from airport to resort. Welcome cocktail, newspaper, access to gym, maid service, internal transportation and Wi - Fi. ‚ Confirmations
made on or before July 9, 2020: 0BED: USD168. 1BED: USD 252. 2BED: USD 420. Resort fee per unit/per week. Resort Fee includes: One way transfer to resort,
welcome cocktail, newspaper, access to gym, maid service, internal transportation and Wi - Fi. To schedule airport transfer to resort: https://shuttleservices.vidanta.com
The following information must be provided within five days before check-in: confirmation number, name of the resort and flight information. Valet parking: MXN 100
daily/per car. Guests are responsible for payment of Environmental / Infrastructure fee per night, per unit: 0BED/1BED: MXN28.86. 2BED: MXN 57.72. MANDATORY
PREPAYMENT REQUIRED 30 days prior to check-in. Call toll-free 855-264-5117 from Mexico 800-700-7300 to prepayment. * DINING EXPERIENCE IS AVAILABLE FOR
AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE *

 

[hurnik]

The only "surcharges" I've seen at Vidanta are the Mexican government tax that I believe is around $3-12 USD per day. You pay that when you check out.

The RESORT charges listed (Resort fee), depend upon whom you exchanged through. Typically if you used Interval, you'll get an email claiming to be from Interval, stating your reservation is subject to cancellation if you don't pre-pay 2 weeks in advance. When you call the toll free number, it's not Interval, but rather Vidanta directly and they'll typically offer some sort of "incentive" to pre-pay. Typically it's a certain dollar amount in "credit" to be used for room charges (everything at the resort is charged to the room, so basically all your food and beverages from the resort). The offers vary. For a studio, I've been offered $100 credit. For a 2 BR I've seen $250 credit, or the latest offer appears to be if you pre-pay $1600 in advance, you get a $400 credit.

Keep in mind that there have been some issues with the pre-pay if you have to cancel. Personally I'd increase my trip insurance to cover that amount. Typically Vidanta will offer to let you use that within X months (I've seen it as low as 6 months) or you lose it and some cases it's completely non-refundable, but as is typical with Vidanta, everything changes all the time.

Dunno about RCI offers or SFX (I have not stayed via an SFX exchange since the increase in resort fee imposed by Vidanta)

 

[pittle]

They will put them on your bill. Be sure to take your dated reservation receipt so they charge you the correct amount. They will charge you the amount listed for the time of the reservation. In addition the the resort fee, you will pay the room tax too. Everyone pays that.

Even though we are owners, we do sometimes exchange in because the costs are less than MF. We have used RCI, II and SFX for exchanges or getaways and just paid the fee when we checked out.

 

[easyrider]

The Bliss might be the best location at Vidanta, imo. We stayed at the Luxxe through SFX and paid the resort fee when we arrived to be checked in. When we arrived they took us to a line of check in for our building. Then we spoke to a concierge. Then we went to our building where we checked in. When we checked out is was in our building and we did settle up our bill at this time.

It was a long process to check in. That might be the only thing that I didn't like. I think the Bliss might be the best location on the Vidanta property.

Bill

 

[Eric B]

The Bliss might be the best location at Vidanta, imo. We stayed at the Luxxe through SFX and paid the resort fee when we arrived to be checked in. When we arrived they took us to a line of check in for our building. Then we spoke to a concierge. Then we went to our building where we checked in. When we checked out is was in our building and we did settle up our bill at this time.

It was a long process to check in. That might be the only thing that I didn't like. I think the Bliss might be the best location on the Vidanta property.

Bill

OP was asking about the Grand Bliss in RM, not NV. It’s towards the back near the motor lobby there and not near much of anything; in NV, the Grand Bliss is centrally located, but the landward side is exposed to noise from Sanctuario when there are shows on. There is no Bliss in NV, but in RM it’s only a few buildings adjacent to the Jungle Luxxe lobby and Jungala — that one isn’t a great location, either. I believe it’s the Grand Bliss NV you’re referring to and agree that it’s a good location so long as you’re on the oceanside. The Mayan Palace in NV is right next door and also fairly centrally located.

 

[easyrider]

OP was asking about the Grand Bliss in RM, not NV. It’s towards the back near the motor lobby there and not near much of anything; in NV, the Grand Bliss is centrally located, but the landward side is exposed to noise from Sanctuario when there are shows on. There is no Bliss in NV, but in RM it’s only a few buildings adjacent to the Jungle Luxxe lobby and Jungala — that one isn’t a great location, either. I believe it’s the Grand Bliss NV you’re referring to and agree that it’s a good location so long as you’re on the oceanside. The Mayan Palace in NV is right next door and also fairly centrally located.

I didn't know that about the Bliss. Is there a Luxxe without the pre-fix Grand as well ? Thanks.

Bill

 

[Eric B]

I didn't know that about the Bliss. Is there a Luxxe without the pre-fix Grand as well ? Thanks.

Bill

Not to my knowledge. The levels are Sea Garden, Mayan Palace, Bliss, Grand Mayan, Grand Bliss, Grand Luxxe, and the Estates with a few oddities thrown in their like the Jungle Luxxe (a.k.a., Deluxxe) and the Deluxxe at the Grand Mayan.

 

[Mulli]

Not disagreeing with anyone but here is what I know. Been to Vidanta Riviera Maya a dozen times. We liked staying in the Grand Mayan buildings 1-5 many times.
Nice to be able to walk to where ever you are going. Other GMayan buildings can get far from things in the Jungle. Literally. Maybe if you are a golfer that is good too.
We stayed at Grand Lux Jungle 1 bedroom. Lovely but didn't like being that far away from anything. Literally didn't know where we were most of the time. They did offer very good shuttle service/connections. At the end of the day, we would pick the Grand Bliss at RM to stay any next time. Walkable to many things, good shuttle connections, rooms recently updated and very quiet, still have access to Beach Club (slightly overrated in our opinion). Good places to eat. We mostly use the sancuary pool, some beach cabanas for shade, maybe the infinity pool. At 70+ with some melenoma issues, we are as careful as we can be and search for shade. Maybe we are normal, maybe not. Unfortunately we bought into Vidanta before learning of Tug. But we have moved on. Mostly.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

I didn't know that about the Bliss.

Is there a Luxxe without the pre-fix Grand as well ?
Thanks.
Bill

I have a memory of being told about the Luxxe and Grand Luxxe at a 2010 presentation in Mazatlan.
I think Mansions of the World ( then planned in Buenos Aries) was also a future build topic.

There was a GL model suite at Mazaltlan that we walked through ; but I have no marketing material or visuals to confirm these memories.

I recall later "hearing" (or perhaps reading on TUG) , that not enough Luxxe units were sold to justify a building, and so they eventually (no charge) upgraded those Luxxe purchasers to Grand Luxxe.
WIth Bliss - apparently they sold enough contracts that they needed to do something ; since many of the purchasers were existing Mayan Palace owners and it was becoming difficult to satisfactorily explain why someone paid money to upgrade and all they could book was Mayan Palace.
The RM Bliss satisfied the contractual obligation ; and the rumoured NV Bliss has remained unbuilt.

********
The 2010 presentation was our first "owner" one and at our first Mayan resort visit since having bought in 2006.
I booked in Jan. to go in Feb. and we had a choice of Mazatlan Sea Garden or Acapulco MP.

I also recall that the some college golf event in Puerto Penasco was used as a sales shill tool to try and convince us to buy more units and rent them back to Grupo Mayan. Our son who joined us for the pitch was taken cognitive science courses in college at the time.He still loves telling how the sales person showed us family pictures of her young children and then later got kind of angered and teary when we didn't buy.

Both our sons came & it was a great vacation.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

I didn't know that about the Bliss.

Is there a Luxxe without the pre-fix Grand as well ? Thanks.
Bill

I have a memory of being told about the Luxxe and Grand Luxxe at a 2010 presentation in Mazatlan.
I think Mansions of the World ( then planned in Buenos Aries) was also a future build topic..............

Here is an article I found from March 16 - 2010 from the Banderas News announcing the opening of Grand Luxxe NV in April 2010.
Banderas News -March 16 2010 - The Grand Luxxe opens in Nuevo Vallarta

At the very bottom it says :
".....New Hospitality Brands will include The Bliss , Grand Bliss, Luxxe and Mansions of the World...."

Re: the mentioned Vidanta 2010 launch of Ocean Breeze Hotels
- Ocean Breeze is aka - The Sea Garden.NV & Acapulco

************
FYI - You can book through the Ocean Breeze name for shorter then 7 night stays.
I was able to suggest that to our friends who stayed with us for a week at the MP NV and were flying out on Sunday am.
They were able to book 2 nights in an OB hotel room for about $100 usd per night ( price was in pesos).
We were there for the week in a 1 bedroom Sea Garden.

 

[easyrider]

Here is an article I found from March 16 - 2010 from the Banderas News announcing the opening of Grand Luxxe NV in April 2010.
Banderas News -March 16 2010 - The Grand Luxxe opens in Nuevo Vallarta

At the very bottom it says :
".....New Hospitality Brands will include The Bliss , Grand Bliss, Luxxe and Mansions of the World...."

Re: the mentioned Vidanta 2010 launch of Ocean Breeze Hotels
- Ocean Breeze is aka - The Sea Garden.NV & Acapulco

************
FYI - You can book through the Ocean Breeze name for shorter then 7 night stays.
I was able to suggest that to our friends who stayed with us for a week at the MP NV and were flying out on Sunday am.
They were able to book 2 nights in an OB hotel room for about $100 usd per night ( price was in pesos).
We were there for the week in a 1 bedroom Sea Garden.

Thanks for the info T.

Bill

 

[billymach4]

Hi all again. Thanks for all of the replies.
Still have not called Vida / Vidanta. Have time. But I will do that this week.

Few more questions?

"One way transfer for
international flights from airport to resort."

How to arrange for transportation from the airport?

Can I pay for my resort fees in Pesos. Seems like there may be a better exchange rate when paying in Pesos when I get to the resort?

TIA again!

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Can I pay for my resort fees in Pesos. Seems like there may be a better exchange rate when paying in Pesos when I get to the resort?
TIA again!

Yes you can pay in pesos. The Vidanta billing system operates in pesos.
You will get the best deal if you use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

 

[AKC3333]

Yes you can pay in pesos. The Vidanta billing system operates in pesos.
You will get the best deal if you use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

I have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. How do I pay in pesos and how does that get me the best deal?

 

[Eric B]

I have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. How do I pay in pesos and how does that get me the best deal?

When you check out at most, if not all, resorts in Mexico they will give you the option of paying in pesos or dollars. Because they are located in Mexico, typically pesos would be the default currency they charge credit cards in but they will run a charge denominated in dollars for the "convenience" of the customer by changing the costs from pesos to dollars using whatever exchange rate they are giving, which is typically not as good as the interbank rate you get when charging in a foreign currency.

At Vidanta, they have always given me that option. For the resort fees, which are listed in US currency on the exchanges, they use the same exchange rate they would otherwise use and convert it into pesos - that conversion generally includes the small profit (1-2% or so in my experience) they or the bank would get through the exchange transaction, so by paying with a credit card and getting the interbank rate you will save about 1-2%. YMMV depending on any fees applied.

 

[AKC3333]

Oh okay. So the $950usd is the USD price they have converted using their own conversion rate. I can just ask for them to reverse it back and charge it to me in pesos?

 

[Eric B]

A better way to think of it is that there is a $950 resort fee on your bill along with the various taxes that are denominated in pesos (~50 pesos or so a day, maybe) and anything you charged to the room. Assume for the sake of argument that the taxes and what you charged add up to a total of 20,000 pesos for the week and they have a posted exchange rate of 20 pesos to the dollar but the interbank rate is 21 pesos to the dollar. Your choices would be to pay $950 + 20,000 pesos/20 pesos per dollar = $1,950 by charging it in dollars or $950 * 20 pesos per dollar +2,000 pesos = 39,000 pesos by charging it in pesos that your bank/credit card company will change to dollars as 39,000 pesos/21 pesos per dollar = $1,857.15 for a savings of $92.85. The numbers will be different, of course, but the principle is the same.

 

[AKC3333]

Ok makes perfect sense. Thanks!

 

[snickers104]

How far in advance of your reservation do you usually get the email or call?

 

[TheHappyWanderer]

Is there any difference in the discounts/resort credits you will receive if you do pay the resort fees in advance over the phone? (Not taking into consideration any seperate discounts/resort credits you get for attending a presentation.)

 

[siesta]

Is there any difference in the discounts/resort credits you will receive if you do pay the resort fees in advance over the phone? (Not taking into consideration any seperate discounts/resort credits you get for attending a presentation.)

No, pay the resort fee at checkout.
To be clear, the credits you get for a TS tour won’t offset your resort fee. It will only offset room charges.

 

[billymach4]

Finally got around to calling Vidanta. The young lady on the phone indicated the new policy was to pay resort fees within 30 days of arrival. I said that's not what my friends have been telling me? She said this was a new policy. I fluffed it off and then proceeded to make arrangements for my pickup at the airport. She confirmed my Reservation and did not press me further for payment.

I intend to pay the fee at checkout in pesos as has been recommended here.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Finally got around to calling Vidanta. The young lady on the phone indicated the new policy was to pay resort fees within 30 days of arrival. I said that's not what my friends have been telling me? She said this was a new policy. I fluffed it off and then proceeded to make arrangements for my pickup at the airport. She confirmed my Reservation and did not press me further for payment.

I intend to pay the fee at checkout in pesos as has been recommended here.

Just an FYI -
I believe the resort fee payment will be required at check in and is charged to your card at that time.

There is also the standard hold put on a credit card at check in as a deposit towards all charges you make to your room number..
At check out you can pay that anyway you wish. [The resort operates on a charge to your room number basis]

 

[mike53]

We recently paid the resort fee in advance on an II trade and were told we would have a $250 resort credit. Let's see if this happens.

 

[TheHappyWanderer]

We recently paid the resort fee in advance on an II trade and were told we would have a $250 resort credit. Let's see if this happens.

I did an II exchange to Grand Luxxe Riviera Maya, paid the $450 resort fee in advance, and received a $200 food and beverage credit for paying in advance when I arrived there last week.

They told me I wouldn't have received the $200 credit if I had waited to pay the resort fees when I got there, but I am just wondering if that is true.