Longtime Marriott owner tries Westin Lagunamar

[californiagirl]

My husband is attending a conference this week in Wisconsin so I thought I would look at availability in Interval. (No offense to those of you from Wisconsin but I did not have a burning desire to tag along with him.) The Westin Lagunamar was available as a getaway. I booked a one bedroom for ~ $600 for the week. This is a beautiful property in a beautiful location. The unit is clean and recently remodeled. Everything is in good condition and the kitchen is well stocked. About a week prior to arrival I received an email from my “concierge”. He asked if I had any special requests. I said I would love to see the ocean from the balcony. He replied that since I was an owner he would have no trouble fulfilling that request. Imagine my surprise to get a high floor, fantastic, ocean view room…on an interval reservation! The attached photo is from my living room. Once settled I went to thank him and I asked him about getting such a nice room as an Interval reservation. He said in his system it only showed me as an owner not as an Interval trader. I didn’t argue with him and happily accepted the room.

Except for one day the weather so far has been outstanding! The staff has been friendly and welcoming. They are serious about chair hogs here. You sign an agreement at checkin that you will not reserve unoccupied chairs. I have repeatedly witnessed pool staff tagging chairs, then removing the items. Being low season here in Cancun even without doing that there are plenty of pool chairs and umbrellas to go around. In high season I’m sure that is much more appreciated. The chairs and umbrellas on the beach are free! As an owner in Hawaii it surprises me that they are overlooking a revenue stream. I got a glance at the efficiency units and Wow! The kitchen has a 3/4 size refrigerator and a two burner stovetop. The bathroom has a hot tub. It is probably the nicest efficiency unit I have ever seen. I wish Marriott would have built their units like that.

The location in the resort zone is good, right across the street from La Isla. This is one of the few non-all inclusive properties in Cancun. Since I don’t drink alcohol I appreciate that. However the on property food options are not the best. I couldn’t see eating every meal on property all week so I took the bus to Walmart the morning after I arrived. I stocked up on breakfast food, water and soda, and took a cab back. I haven’t been impressed with food I’ve tried so far at the resort. I‘m going to “steak night” here tonight.

A word about La Isla. I have been to Cancun twice before, the last time in 2004. La Isla was fairly new then. The south section has really declined. Probably a victim of covid. The north section is newer and nicer. Sadly the restaurants are typical tourist venues…ie Hooters and the like.

Overall a very nice place to spend a week. I’m happy to answer any questions.

 

[pacman777]

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Looks like your room was in building 6 or 7 on 4th or 5th floor. Probably my favorite timeshare resort. 90% of rooms have ocean views. Wish all beach resorts were planned and laid out like WLR. If you like seafood, check out my two favorites El Fish Fritanga (close by) and Puerto Madero (fancier and about 1.5 miles away)

 

[bobpark56]

At least 3 downtown restaurants provide excellent dining, at prices lower than in the Zona Hotelera: La Dolce Vita, Peters, & La Habichuela. Buses are cheap, but scout out the routes before going (check with the concierge). Prices for meals are sufficiently lower to pay for a taxi, if that is your preference.

 

[CPNY]

My husband is attending a conference this week in Wisconsin so I thought I would look at availability in Interval. (No offense to those of you from Wisconsin but I did not have a burning desire to tag along with him.) The Westin Lagunamar was available as a getaway. I booked a one bedroom for ~ $600 for the week. This is a beautiful property in a beautiful location. The unit is clean and recently remodeled. Everything is in good condition and the kitchen is well stocked. About a week prior to arrival I received an email from my “concierge”. He asked if I had any special requests. I said I would love to see the ocean from the balcony. He replied that since I was an owner he would have no trouble fulfilling that request. Imagine my surprise to get a high floor, fantastic, ocean view room…on an interval reservation! The attached photo is from my living room. Once settled I went to thank him and I asked him about getting such a nice room as an Interval reservation. He said in his system it only showed me as an owner not as an Interval trader. I didn’t argue with him and happily accepted the room.

Except for one day the weather so far has been outstanding! The staff has been friendly and welcoming. They are serious about chair hogs here. You sign an agreement at checkin that you will not reserve unoccupied chairs. I have repeatedly witnessed pool staff tagging chairs, then removing the items. Being low season here in Cancun even without doing that there are plenty of pool chairs and umbrellas to go around. In high season I’m sure that is much more appreciated. The chairs and umbrellas on the beach are free! As an owner in Hawaii it surprises me that they are overlooking a revenue stream. I got a glance at the efficiency units and Wow! The kitchen has a 3/4 size refrigerator and a two burner stovetop. The bathroom has a hot tub. It is probably the nicest efficiency unit I have ever seen. I wish Marriott would have built their units like that.

The location in the resort zone is good, right across the street from La Isla. This is one of the few non-all inclusive properties in Cancun. Since I don’t drink alcohol I appreciate that. However the on property food options are not the best. I couldn’t see eating every meal on property all week so I took the bus to Walmart the morning after I arrived. I stocked up on breakfast food, water and soda, and took a cab back. I haven’t been impressed with food I’ve tried so far at the resort. I‘m going to “steak night” here tonight.

A word about La Isla. I have been to Cancun twice before, the last time in 2004. La Isla was fairly new then. The south section has really declined. Probably a victim of covid. The north section is newer and nicer. Sadly the restaurants are typical tourist venues…ie Hooters and the like.

Overall a very nice place to spend a week. I’m happy to answer any questions.








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Most if not all of the Vistana lockoffs are not efficiencies. They are smaller one-bedroom units in many cases or deluxe studios. The Vistana properties are far superior to Marriott units in this regard.

 

[timsi]

My husband is attending a conference this week in Wisconsin so I thought I would look at availability in Interval. (No offense to those of you from Wisconsin but I did not have a burning desire to tag along with him.) The Westin Lagunamar was available as a getaway. I booked a one bedroom for ~ $600 for the week. This is a beautiful property in a beautiful location. The unit is clean and recently remodeled. Everything is in good condition and the kitchen is well stocked. About a week prior to arrival I received an email from my “concierge”. He asked if I had any special requests. I said I would love to see the ocean from the balcony. He replied that since I was an owner he would have no trouble fulfilling that request. Imagine my surprise to get a high floor, fantastic, ocean view room…on an interval reservation! The attached photo is from my living room. Once settled I went to thank him and I asked him about getting such a nice room as an Interval reservation. He said in his system it only showed me as an owner not as an Interval trader. I didn’t argue with him and happily accepted the room.

Except for one day the weather so far has been outstanding! The staff has been friendly and welcoming. They are serious about chair hogs here. You sign an agreement at checkin that you will not reserve unoccupied chairs. I have repeatedly witnessed pool staff tagging chairs, then removing the items. Being low season here in Cancun even without doing that there are plenty of pool chairs and umbrellas to go around. In high season I’m sure that is much more appreciated. The chairs and umbrellas on the beach are free! As an owner in Hawaii it surprises me that they are overlooking a revenue stream. I got a glance at the efficiency units and Wow! The kitchen has a 3/4 size refrigerator and a two burner stovetop. The bathroom has a hot tub. It is probably the nicest efficiency unit I have ever seen. I wish Marriott would have built their units like that.

The location in the resort zone is good, right across the street from La Isla. This is one of the few non-all inclusive properties in Cancun. Since I don’t drink alcohol I appreciate that. However the on property food options are not the best. I couldn’t see eating every meal on property all week so I took the bus to Walmart the morning after I arrived. I stocked up on breakfast food, water and soda, and took a cab back. I haven’t been impressed with food I’ve tried so far at the resort. I‘m going to “steak night” here tonight.

A word about La Isla. I have been to Cancun twice before, the last time in 2004. La Isla was fairly new then. The south section has really declined. Probably a victim of covid. The north section is newer and nicer. Sadly the restaurants are typical tourist venues…ie Hooters and the like.

Overall a very nice place to spend a week. I’m happy to answer any questions.







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As owners, we already pay for the beach and pool chairs and umbrellas through our maintenance fees. Therefore, it would be unfair for Marriott to charge us additional fees to rent them. This is especially true at Lagunamar, where there are plenty of chairs and umbrellas available, unlike at other resorts where this is clearly an oversight. Marriott should not try to make money from their own poor planning that artificially creates a shortage. However, who knows, maybe you are giving them an idea. Maintenance fees have already surged under Marriott management (even before the COVID inflation).

 

[californiagirl]

Thank you for the restaurant suggestions! I’m happy to pay for a taxi. I took the bus to Walmart because I enjoy being among the local people. I enjoy the culture of the real people. My only reluctance in venturing out after dark is related to being here alone.

I agree wholeheartedly that Marriott should not charge for chairs and umbrellas on the beach in Hawaii, yet they do. I’m taking full advantage while being here.

 

[californiagirl]

BTW my steak was outstanding, the rest was on par with cruise food. Not terrible but not fine dining.

 

[dioxide45]

Breakfast at Oceano is far better than any of the specialty nights. Breakfast is buffet but a number of items served cook to order. Go after 9am for free mimosas. You can also use the food discount on breakfast unlike the specialty nights.

 

[vacationtime1]

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Looks like your room was in building 6 or 7 on 4th or 5th floor. Probably my favorite timeshare resort. 90% of rooms have ocean views. Wish all beach resorts were planned and laid out like WLR. If you like seafood, check out my two favorites El Fish Fritanga (close by) and Puerto Madero (fancier and about 1.5 miles away)
[/QUOTE]

Our two favorites, also.