Imperial Fiesta at Hotel Casa Maya

[Al D]

I'm staying at the Imperial Fiesta next week.
Does anyone have any suggestions for getting a preferred room?I currently have a 2br, but I'm by myself so I can downsize to a 1br in a better location.

The last review is 3-1/2 years ago. Even the old reviews are a bit mixed.
I'm also hoping to find a nice gym to work out, if anyone knows of one in the area.
Thanks,
Cabo Al

 

[tonyg]

Hi Al. Can't comment on the room assignment, but there used to be good beachfront restaurants well within walking distance on both sides of Casa Maya. If they are still there, they may be worth a try.

 

[KarenLK]

tony, the only one left nearby is Dolcemente Pompeii...that shopping center is totally abandoned.

 

[Al D]

Hi Tony.
Thanks.
I met you about 7-10 years ago in Cancun at a TUG get together when the Royal Sands first opened.
At the time we were both collecting Royal weeks around week 40-41?
I hope all is well.
Thanks,
Al

 

[stuvan]

We have stayed there 3 times, once in a 1BR (which was in the older hotel style building) and twice in a 2 BR in the new building. The new building is preferable, in my opinion. Both 2 BRs were adequate, but the one they placed us in this past January was absolutely wonderful. It appeared to have been converted from a private condo. Eight floor penthouse with great outdoor patio overlooking the public beach. (toward the bridge at Playa Linda) We were blown away by the room and furnishings. Totally did not expect it since we flat out refused to deal with the sales presentation at checkin.

Dolcemente Pompeii is still there and very good Italian. You can walk on the beach, or the sidewalk out front. It is back off the street and looks like a private home from the street side. They do put out a sign some nights on the sidewalk next to the main drag. Also bus stops on both sides very near the hotel.

I'll try to remember to post a review with some pictures, but the pictures I took this year are not typical of what we have had in the past.

Stu

 

[stuvan]

Al,

Forgot to add that there is a fitness center at Casa Maya (Imperial Fiesta Club) between the tennis courts and the new building, it has it's own, very quiet, pool as well. We did not use it though, preferring to use the excellent paved walking, running, biking path that parallels the sidewalk in this part of the hotel zone. This keeps you away from the busy street and runs for miles, most of it in shade. Can go in either direction, even take it up to the little French bakery on the other side of the street before the golf course road.

Stu

 

[Al D]

Thanks Stu.
When I get there I'm going to tell them that Stu said to give me his room

 

[Neesie]

We have stayed there 3 times, once in a 1BR (which was in the older hotel style building) and twice in a 2 BR in the new building. The new building is preferable, in my opinion. Both 2 BRs were adequate, but the one they placed us in this past January was absolutely wonderful. It appeared to have been converted from a private condo. Eight floor penthouse with great outdoor patio overlooking the public beach. (toward the bridge at Playa Linda) We were blown away by the room and furnishings. Totally did not expect it since we flat out refused to deal with the sales presentation at checkin.

Stu

I was quite pleased to see this, as I have also read a lot of mixed reviews on Casa Maya. I have an RCI trade there for Jan 2013 for a 2BR. We've invited another couple to go with and weren't expecting the wonderful accomodations that we've had at other Mexican resorts but totally looking forward to the Carribean beach. I'll keep watching this thread in hopes of more suggestions for dining, etc. from this resort. We do love to ride Mexican busses and are looking forward to going to downtown Cancun. I'd like to hear of inexpensive but good places to eat that are a walk or bus trip away from here.

 

[stuvan]

Thanks Stu.
When I get there I'm going to tell them that Stu said to give me his room

I wish you luck with that. I think is was 2801, but can not recall for sure. The unit next to ours appeared to still be a condo, with elaborate furnishings and many indoor and outdoor plants. Kind of hard to know for sure what is going on here, but our rooms keep getting better. Maybe time to quit while we are ahead.

I almost have my review finished and will post it later today.

Stu

 

[stuvan]

Thanks Stu.
When I get there I'm going to tell them that Stu said to give me his room

Found the receipt. 2801 is the room number. Good luck, it was a gorgeous room with a great sunset view. The balcony wraps around and looks over the lagoon also. Had an extra unused area that looked like it used to house desks and computers with a big bank of windows looking out to the street. We stored all are luggage here. Have a great time.

Stu

 

[stuvan]

Submitted a review and lots of pictures this afternoon. Watch for them.

Stu

 

[Neesie]

Casa Maya is a dump

I realize the OP is long gone but thought I'd add this to anyone else who might do a thread search for Casa Maya.

Having returned from an exchange in January 2013 (2 br / 2 ba) I can absolutely say this is the worst exchange we have made in 20 years of timesharing. The accomodations have been partied in, and partied hard. After seeing the worn down, musty smelling unit we were assigned to we were actually going to cave and take a tour. But, no, it does not elevate you to "preferred status" they would only give a credit for food, drink, massage, etc. Anyways, we were moved the following morning - after my horror of opening a drawer and finding exactly where the rotten odor was coming from. A previous tenant apparently peed in one of the bedroom drawers. For that we were merely moved to another shabby unit, at least the second one didn't overlook the loading dock.

The carpet in the unit was very uneven and bumpy, not to mention filthy. It is the first Mexican rental I've stayed in that did not have tile or marble floors. The furniture on the balconies was rusted.

The resort itself had dark hallways, no air conditioning in the common areas or elevators and a very shabby on-site bar. The lounge singer was fine the first night, but night after night he was the only entertainer singing from the same 8-10 songs!

For a one month vacation, this was the poorest choice we made in rentals. We decided while on this trip to relinquish our interest not only in RCI but our home resort as well. We have been booking accomodations to supplement our timeshare trips and now that the kids have grown and gone we are fine using other methods to book our trips that involve less fees and hoops than a timeshare exchange.

 

[stuvan]

It sounds like my decision to “quit while we are ahead” was the right one. We did not go back to Casa Maya this past February; chose the Westin Lagunamar instead and enjoyed it very much. Very nice resort and with La Isla right across the street, a lot of choices of restaurants. Guess I’ll forget about Casa Maya (Imperial Fiesta Club) for future visits. If the Royals continue with their AI push and with the upcoming sale (?) of the Royal Mayan, not much left to trade into in Cancun. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Just have to rent from a Royal owner which has worked very well in the past.
Stu

 

[Al D]

Sorry Neesie had such a bad visit. I stayed there last year and the place was nice. It wasn't the Royals or the Ritz, but it was fine for me. My room was big and spacious. The help was friendly and everything was fine for me. I have only stayed at the Royals while in Cancun and that's a tough act to follow. I would stay at the Casa Maya again. Sounds like it's the luck of the draw on rooms.