Mayan Palace Resorts

[JEFF H]

We stayed at the Marina Pinacate and it was terrible. Have you actually stayed at the MP?

That explains it,
Marina Pinacate is a old condo project located on the rocks befor Sandy Beach. You should have done research on the web befor booking.
Sonoran Sea and Spa are new luxuary resort condo properties on
Sandy Beach. Sandy Beach is Sand not rocks as you seem to think.
My wife and I spent a week at the Mayan Palace Puerto Penasco last April on a exchange and much prefer the rentals at Sonoran Sea and Spa.
If your happy with your purchase at Mayan Palace and enjoy the resort thats all thats important.
I just wanted others who read to know there are other options.

 

[Parkplace]

Nemorn:

In life there are MP owners and MP 'wanna be's'.

You are now an owner in one of the best chain of resorts that I have ever been to, (and I have exchanged a fair bit) in the price range that does not break the bank.

Use them every year for the rest of your life and ENJOY THEM FULLY!! If you might have paid more than the next guy (who may be a tad smug) make sure you get your money's worth! Thats what we're doing. We too bought from the developer.

If you look at your 2 bedroom plus VF 2 bedroom like you have 4 weeks a year (lock-offs plus VF lock-offs) then you only paid $3500 per week for the 4 weeks. When you put two years back to back - you have 2 months of beautiful vacation in a first class resort every second year.

Good for you! You done good.

 

[nemorn]

I did do a lot of research on the internet and they LIE The pictures of the place looked awesome and I did not book online so that I could actually talk to someone down there and tell them my expectations. I also paid top dollar and it was really pretty ridiculous for what I got. The Sandy Beach units were even more expensive so I can't imagine why you would pay that? It would cover my MF for the year and I would get to stay a week at the MP instead I stayed three day's and paid a pretty penny to a dump.
We are very happy with our purchase and appreciate all the support we have gotten on the list so far aside from a few smug comments.

 

[JEFF H]

The Sandy Beach units were even more expensive so I can't imagine why you would pay that? It would cover my MF for the year and I would get to stay a week at the MP instead I stayed three day's and paid a pretty penny to a dump.
:

I normally Pay $700 for a full week rental in a 1-BR ocean-view unit at the Sonoran resorts.
If you book just the weekends or Holiday weekends the nightly rates will be higher.
Its really no different than the overpriced Timeshare rental rates available thru Mayan Palace and other resorts compared to the very discounted rates available for the same thing when rented thru other channels.

Im sorry if you feel my comments have been smug as that is not my intention at all.
I only pass on my experience as others on TUG also do to keep others from being taken advantage of by slick talking Timeshare sales sharks.
We only attempt to remove the Spin from developer sales and inform of the options available so others can make informed decisions.
Some will use the information they learn to act quickly and recind befor that option evaporates for ever.
The information found here on TUG can at times be a bitter pill to swallow.

 

[nemorn]

Jeff I don't feel you were smug at all. It's no problem. I was referring to the earlier post that I had responded to with my angry face..that's all. When someone say's things like "we love people like you". I find that to me smug. Sharing information is fine. I really do appreciate it. You are right, it is a bitter pill to swallow I have to admit but again that's why we decided to take our lumps and go with it.

 

[davilin88]

Seems to me, the only real complaints about M.P. is that the sales staff are pushy as all get out, lie about all the money you can make renting put vf weeks and such, but I think that, like my wife and me, owners mostly love what we have, a wonderful place to vacation each year, and that's what counts. Count us as big M.P. fans . We just won't be attending anymore sales pitches :zzz: for upgrades and such.

 

[nemorn]

I agree about that. I know that the MP is pretty strict I guess about how many sales you have in a month etc..? It was not our experience that they were too pushy, but again we were ready to buy. I didnt like how long they kept us though...that was a little annoying with three kid's crying and ready to go to the beach. I told them so and they gave me about 10 coupons for free dinners and sunset cruises.
I said to the guy..."I feel like I am on a used car lot and you are trying to spin me? and what I don't get is that.....you got me?" I was ready to buy and then I almost walked out. So they did some fast working and got everything together. Not sure why that happened. I saw people come and go that day so I don't think they are as bad at the Puerto Penasco location as described in some of the other places?
I think some of that comes down to management as well. So do you think it's worth it to accept the upgrades in leau of the salespitch...or best to just skip it? I don't want to be in a sales office for six hours when I have no intention of upgrading that's for sure, but I really do want to stay in one of the grands

 

[Linda74]

I don't know about upgrading to a full kitchen but I do know that you do not have to take the tour if they offer an upgrade. We told them we would not do the tour, had no interest in purchasing another timeshare and they upgraded us anyway. I think it depends on occupancy rates....but if taking the tour would give you a larger unit, I would probably do the tour.

 

[musictom]

We just won't be attending anymore sales pitches :zzz: for upgrades and such.

I, on the other hand, look forward to our annual owner's "informational meeting and tour".

We're owners at the MP (bought from the developer -- b4 learning about TUG ) and I LOVE going through these meetings. When they start on the sales pitch, I simply bring up things like the $.01 MP auction on eBay, the fact that my TS doesn't draw SQUAT on RCI, the fact that their suggested rental sites are another SCAM, that our opinion is that the MP sales staff committed fraud, etc.

I say this to the salesperson with a nice smile on my face, but make sure that my voice slowly builds to where at least several other tables can clearly hear my complaints. We have NO problems getting our upgrades, and getting escorted out well within the promised 90 minutes!:whoopie:

BTW, we're leaving Friday for another two weeks. Count us as another family that LOVES the Mayan Palace, but has NO use for their sales staff. We simply decided to use the heck out of our timeshare, and enjoy everything the MP has to offer. We can't wait to get down there again.

Tom

 

[nemorn]

Since I am so new can some of you who are experienced tell me about RCI and what you mean when you say that MP doesnt trade well? I called RCI when we first started all of this and they told me that MP was their "gold crown" (I know you guy's know all of this). So why is their any problem with trading Seems like beach front in Mexico would be a great trade for someone
So would you please share some of your experiences so that I have some idea of what I am in for if we want to trade. My husband mentioned skiing and I would love to go to Europe. Right now we are happy with Mexico, but I am sure at some point we will want to see other things:zzz:

 

[taffy19]

I have no personal experience with Mayan Palace exchanges with RCI but I have read many times here and yonder that you will get an excellent exchange if you use SFX. This is another exchange company and they always ask MP owners to deposit weeks with them and they may give you an extra week too and you can ask personal questions here which will be answered quickly!

 

[nemorn]

Isn't SFX stateside only??

 

[taffy19]

No, have a look at their web site what they have.

 

[J.M. from Toronto]

Not to rain on anyone's parade as I also think Mayan Palace has some great facilities and is one of the few places on the Mayan Riviera that you don't have to go all-inclusive. But I have to agree that lying is what M.P. salesmen resort to if they have a customer that is not interested in buying. We already owned three timeshare weeks elsewhere when we went for a presentation. We were happy with what we already owned and thought we could just trade into M.P. occasionally. We kept saying no and that's when the lies really started. First, that someone had just upgraded and so they could offer us a much lower price as the units were resales. This was only on the condition that we sign a waiver of our 5 day right to cancel. Even though we couldn't use all the units as we don't get 7 weeks holidays each year, they said we could rent them through one of the agencies they recommended for $2200/week. When we still said no our salesman's supervisor (a fellow Canadian named Sean) said that even though they don't ordinarily do rentals, as an incentive to buy M.P. would rent our four units out the first year and we would receive a cheque at the end of the year for the total. Boy, were we ever gullible!!! It was several months later when we went on their website to book for the next year that we noticed that the weeks they said they were going to rent for us were still on our account. When I phoned customer service to inquire, they said none of those promises were in the written contract and so they couldn't honor any of them. when I asked to speak to our salesman or his supervisor to confirm these verbal promises, they said they no longer worked there. That's when I realized WE HAD BEEN SCAMMED! I began searching the web and found that I was not alone, there have been literally hundreds of people who are in the same boat. Other victims of timeshare fraud by the Mayan Palace are banding together and taking legal action. More info can be found on http://www.mayanresorts.info/ or http://www.mayanpalace.info/. It's unfortunate that a resort with so many good features has to stoop so low.

 

[rubin]

To sum it up:
Buy Mayan at resale prices. Buy Mayan to enjoy the resorts, which are quite nice
Do not buy Mayan for investment. Do not buy Mayan for rental profit.

This really should apply to all timeshares. Except for a very select few resorts, timeshares will not appreciate in value, and rental prices may simply cover the maintenance costs.

Unfortunately, greater than 95% of those who attend time share presentations, have never heard of TUG.

 

[davilin88]

Absolutely right. Also ignore their recommended t.s. dealers. While we were getting dpwn to brass tacks on our purchase, the salesman placed a call to Vacations Only, i'm sure youve seen the ads on tv. Their representative told us we could get much more than we paid for our Tahoe t.s. We went with them to sell that unit, paid the upfront fee (big mistake) and now, 4 years later, can't even talk to anyone there. We have left messages that have never been answered and, needless to say, still own our t.s. in Tahoe.

 

[Neesie]

I'm tempted to bring the print-out with!

To sum it up:
Buy Mayan at resale prices. Buy Mayan to enjoy the resorts, which are quite nice
Do not buy Mayan for investment. Do not buy Mayan for rental profit.

This really should apply to all timeshares. Except for a very select few resorts, timeshares will not appreciate in value, and rental prices may simply cover the maintenance costs.

Unfortunately, greater than 95% of those who attend time share presentations, have never heard of TUG.

Excellent point!

I will be going to the Grand Mayan/Mayan Riviera on Friday. I do NOT intend to take the timeshare tour or buy any property. I followed the link to www.mayanresort.info (provided by jmfromtoronto) and am tempted to print the "lies" that they tell people to sell their condos! Basicially, I just want to have a good time but the sharks better stay out of my way! That is, unless Musictom is with me!

 

[davilin88]

We just were at the M.P. Nuevo Vallarta last month and got a good laugh out of the warning on the checkin desk. It warned of people at the airport claiming to be M.P. reps offering free taxi rides for a deposit and promise to attend a sales tour, said it was a rip off (NO!) and promised to reemburse anyone who had fallen for it. We had'nt, but wondered if you have to attend the sales pitch to get reembursed .

 

[happymum]

MP/GM Mayan Riviera

We just returned from 2 weeks at the resorts. We were offered $100 and 10% off our 2 week bill if we did the tour. It was relatively low-pressure, although they had a hard time responding when they saw the prices we had paid for our existing timeshares, all purchased re-sale. When the manager realized that there wasnt a hope we were purchasing, he sneered "Why did you tour if you knew you wouldnt buy?" as he walked away. I would like to have had a chance to point out that they specifically invite by saying "we know you are not going to buy, but just take a look..." however he had stomped off before I had a chance.
I did bring up the really negative on-line reports and the bait and switch tactics. Also completed my comment card with criticism over their techniques. We enjoyed the properties, there is no need for high pressure sales.:annoyed:

 

[John Cummings]

We have stayed at the Grand Mayan - Riviera Maya and the Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta. The resorts, amenities and service was awesome. I rank them at the top of the list. We are not owners but exchange into them via SFX. My advice is if you don't like being harassed then don't attend their sales presentations. We never attend sales presentations at any t/s resort. We have never had any pressure at the Grand Mayan resorts to attend any sales presentation. If one opts to do so then be prepared to pay the price for it.

 

[KimR]

Have Studio, Want 1BR

I am very happy with my little hotel unit, but want a kitchenette. It appears that my options are:

1) Upgrade through MP sales, who I really don't want to deal with
2) Sell my studio for nothing and buy a 1BR
3) Keep my studio, buy a 1BR and try to rent the studio

Is this accurate?

If I keep my studio and buy a 1BR, can I book a 2BR? If so, I assume I pay the maintenance fee on both, which is probably higher than the maintenance on a 2BR, right?

Thanks!
Kimberly

 

[Neesie]

I am very happy to report that everything went better than expected with our trade into the Grand Mayan (Riviera Maya). There was no bait and switch, we received a very impressive 2 bedroom unit in the Grand Mayan. We were offered the timeshare tour and politely declined (at check-in) and was not bothered again. I seriously wish that Fairfield properties would take a hint from the Mayan Palace properties. I used to try to sneak by the Fairfield concierge everytime I set foot on the property!

I do have to mention that the units were incredibly beautiful, clean and comfortable. The pool was fabulous! I read a review that said the pool was dirty, so again, I was a little apprehensive. After the first trip to the pool, my mind was at ease. I grew up with a swimming pool and have maintained my own for the past 13 years. They are a lot of work. If someone sees a blade of grass, etc. they should not be grossed out. I would be mortified if I found out that people thought my pool was filthy because a leaf or two might be floating in it. Hey, that's nature...it is different from filth. We found it amazing that the pool had so many sections and a few different levels that it cascaded down. My husband noted that they would be able to shut down different areas of the pool, if need be, for maintenance. They did an awesome job.

There is construction for a new water park near the gift shop. It was not noisy or distracting, unless you are like my husband who enjoys watching construction. They certainly do things different in Mexico.

I hope other posters will have a wonderful time at the Mayan Palace(s), whichever one you go to. We were quite impressed with the resort and would LOVE to return.

 

[Zib]

Kimberly, We bought our first Mayan studio at Puerto Vallarta when it was "Vidafel" and it was really cheap then. Later we needed a bigger unit
so we bought (Ouch! from the developer) a one bedroom so we could use it as a 2 bedroom if we wanted. If we book as a 2 bed we only pay the 2 bed mt. fee (less than separate studio & one bed). We now buy resale but will never regret the first weeks that we bought because we feel we have more than gotten our moneys worth in the wonderful vacations we've taken over the years. Also here's what I usually do with my studio. It works for now until/unless they rebuilt Sea Garden Mazatlan into a bigger Mayan Palace. We book a studio week at Sea Gardens Mazatlan. They only have 2 bedroom units there. Then we give it to one of the smaller trading companies, Platinum Interchange, Trading Places, Donita's Dial an Exchange and we get a 2 bed exchange without paying an upgrade fee. It works for us for the places we want to go.

 

[cirkus]

Mayan Palace Riviera Maya-need more room

I have a 2BG timeshare reserved thru SFX for Christmas week 2007 for my family of 5, but now my 3 adult children may want to bring friends. Mayan Palace has a max of 6 adults and 2 kids (under 12). I'm looking for a way to accomodate another 2 adults, either in Mayan Palace or in a nearby hotel. Any ideas?
Bill

 

[John Cummings]

We just were at the M.P. Nuevo Vallarta last month and got a good laugh out of the warning on the checkin desk. It warned of people at the airport claiming to be M.P. reps offering free taxi rides for a deposit and promise to attend a sales tour, said it was a rip off (NO!) and promised to reemburse anyone who had fallen for it. We had'nt, but wondered if you have to attend the sales pitch to get reembursed .

We stayed at the Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta for 2 consecutive weeks last April. I had communicated with Mayan Palace Resorts by e-mail regarding transportation from the airport to the resort. They informed me that a shuttle would pick us up at the airport and it was free. We waited for 45 minutes and then took a taxi. I reported it to the concierge at the Grand Mayan. He was very nice and refunded our taxi fare after I showed him the e-mail and receipt for the taxi fare.