Has anyone stayed at Vidanta since massive resort fee increase?

[hurnik]

Just wondering (may have to also ask in the Exchanging sub-forum??) how many of TUGGERs have (or know people who have) exchanged via Interval, RCI, SFX (not sure if ThirdHome has the massive fees imposed as well) with any of the Vidanta resorts since June of 2024 when they jacked up the resort fees?

I'm a bit surprised at this point that Vidanta hasn't relented (9 months now), so either a lot of people ARE exchanging and paying the extra thousands, or they apparently have enough owners now that they don't need "new food". At least IMO.

 

[Jim Mc]

We are going in August It looks like the cost of a 3 bedroom for members, I am assuming II members, is $550. What concerns me is the $2500 deposit they want up front. Will this be a hassle getting it back once we check out and haven't either went to a presentation or bought?

 

[WorldT]

We are going in August It looks like the cost of a 3 bedroom for members, I am assuming II members, is $550. What concerns me is the $2500 deposit they want up front. Will this be a hassle getting it back once we check out and haven't either went to a presentation or bought?

I don't think that is a deposit. I believe that is your resort fee and you will NOT be getting it back. I would recommend you go back and read your reservation closely.

Edit: I do see a security deposit of $2500 for a 1 bedroom GV @ RV booked via gateway on II.
The cost of the gateway itself is $2,479.00 and the resort fee for that is $150 per week.
Totally different set of numbers for the Grand Mayan.
Still waiting this out .

 

[wmgjr]

Same thought about the "deposit", read closely that is about the amount they were charging on RCI after the increase.

Thirdhome hasn't finalized negotiations with Vidanta, inventory is not showing up still.

I stayed in the 4 bedroom Grand luxxe via Thirdhome before the fee increase and didn't think the fees were worth it then. Plus there were a few issues with our stay. No interest in going back.
Not when places like Solaz, Nobu, and Diamante can be booked for less or similar.

Hopefully the higher resort fees was just a strategy to get occupancy low so they could renovate. They definitely need to.

 

[TheHappyWanderer]

I think they ask for a refundable deposit now, in addition to the resort fee. Can anyone confirm this, and did you get it back afterwards?

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

I think they ask for a refundable deposit now, in addition to the resort fee. Can anyone confirm this, and did you get it back afterwards?

Hi @Jim Mc , @TheHappyWanderer & Others

Re - " Deposit "
It is done as a hold on your credit card ; and is no different than when a hotel asks for a credit card at check in against room charges.
All restaurants - pool bar service etc. charges are done against your room number / chip wristband room key.

If you have a 2 bedroom { lockout ] they can set up 2 different charge accounts.
The only time you would use a credit card is on the day you check out and after you have cleared the room account charges.

Note : If you do not wish to pay via the credit card used for the hold / deposit; you can pay cash or use a different credit card.
Also - The billing is listed in Pesos [ USD total shown] I always have the total billed in Pesos as I am using a Canadian credit card .

The required checkout time from your suite is 10 am and you might wish to access the pool and have lunch before catching a late afternoon flight. You can use a credit card there to pay the lunch bill.

You will enjoy the daily housekeeper and towel replacement.

Have a great vacation.

 

[Jim Mc]

T-Dot-Traveler

Thanks for clarification. This will be fourth time trading into Grand Luxxe and each time the cost and fine print seems to change. If it wasn't for that BS it would be no brained to stay there. But seems as if they have stopped depositing into II, at least for now

Jim Mc

 

[dioxide45]

T-Dot-Traveler

Thanks for clarification. This will be fourth time trading into Grand Luxxe and each time the cost and fine print seems to change. If it wasn't for that BS it would be no brained to stay there. But seems as if they have stopped depositing into II, at least for now

Jim Mc

I understand that with II the new process is to book them as getaways and the pricing structure is different than previously. We may not see them in II exchange again unless they revert to the old pricing model.

 

[VanX]

We just stayed at Mayan Palace in a 1 bedroom in Feb but booked a last minute week through a TUG member for $800 USD and there was no resort fee. There was a $1K refundable deposit.

I’m an avid RCI exchanger and had considered this resort since it has no all-inclusive option but I couldn’t find a way to book without a resort fee through RCI or other options, until I found a TUG last minute deal.