Royal Resorts.. (top 5) reasons why you love or hate these resorts!

[Ellis2ca]

Well, I just couldn't resist the temptation to do the same for the Royal Resorts, since the world seems to be divided into people that Love the Royal Resorts, or Love the Grand Mayan or Mayan Palace Resorts. You are all welcome to send in all of your complaints that you have had, ever.

My list of things I hate is very small... I don't have any list at all. I have never had a complaint. I have never been downgraded to any other resort, and I never heard of anybody else ever being downgraded. I have never been given a Villa without the view that I paid for. I have never been pressured to buy or lied to by a salesman... I have never had any complaint at all, and I have been a member since 1977, so that is 29 years of not one complaint. And I have never felt that I am being bled at the restaurants or for other services.

I love everything about them.

1. I love that the restaurants are very good but not expensive. I love to have breakfast at the Palapa of the Royal Mayan, or at Captain's Cove. I love El Conquistador. I also love that I can go to the restaurants of the Royal Islander, Royal Caribbean or Royal Sands, or across the island to the Palapa of Vacation Clubs when I go sailing there.

2. I love that we can buy whatever we want to at the supermarket, on or off the resorts, and nobody ever tells us we can't have this or that in our Villa, or in the resort. It is our home, and we can bring whatever we would like to, to our home.

You can buy a soft drink at the resort supermarket for about 50 American cents, and you can take it to the swimming pool area, or you can take it to the beach, and the waiters there will bring you a soft drink for about a dollar. Nobody ever tells you that you are a cheapskate or that you can't drink it here and compete with the restaurant.

3. I love that I don't have to call and reserve, I just get there and I know my Villa is for me, or for whoever I rented it to, or gave it to. Any simple letter or card is more than enough for a visitor to get his Villa, nobody has ever had a problem signing in. I like that they have a list of who is arriving downstairs as you get off the Taxi, they tell me "Mr. Toussier? yes... here you are... Welcome!.." It runs like a Swiss watch.

4. I love that they have sailboats and I can go sailing in the Lagoon or at Vacation Clubs. And it costs me zero pesos and zero cents. They also have free bicycles, which I also use a lot.

5. I love that people who trade in or rented are treated as equals, they also get the sailboats and the bicycles for free... This may not seem like much, but I was at a famous resort in Florida (where the Mouse is the leader of the band wherever he may be...) and they had free bicycles for owners but it cost for me to use a bicycle, so I didn't use them. I was treated very very badly in other ways, because I had rented from an owner and I was not an owner, and I will never forget it.

6. I love that at the end of 30 years, I got MUCH MUCH more than I paid for. I paid for 2 weeks at Vacation Clubs... I was confined to the property of Vacation Clubs... Now I have 4 big resorts that I can go to, to their restaurants or to their swimming pools... And we have a first class Spa at the Royal Sands... and soon there will be another Resort in Playa del Carmen.

7. I love that we have residual values at the end of our Right to Use. It is a Right to Use, but with a twist: we will probably get our money back at the end of the Right to Use, or we can buy another 30 or 50 years at half price. This REALLY is GOOD for us, because the DEVELOPERS don't lose their interest in keeping the resorts in top shape. My initial investment has gone UP in value, and I have never lost with the Royal Resorts.

8. I love that our maintainance fees are among the lowest in the industry for top of the line quality service. And... Service at the Royal Resorts is a different dimension from what I experienced at Orange Lakes Country Club or at Disney Vacation Village. This is what service at other places should be compared to. (Service at Mayan Palace in Acapulco was also excellent... maybe it is because we are in Mexico?)

I have been to other great resorts around the world, including Mayan Palace in Acapulco, and Disney Vacation Club in Orlando, and Orange Lakes Country Club in Orlando. They have jacuzzis, and washing machines in the Villa, and they have nicer furniture, perhaps... but there is something about the Royal Resorts that is just fundamentally right... they are honest, and they care about their members, they really do deserve the top ratings that they have gotten continuously on TUG, it has been YEARS that FOUR of the Royal Resorts are in the Top Ten... Just think of that... FOUR OF THE TOP TEN... FOR YEARS... that leaves only six spots for the rest of the INDUSTRY.

Not surprising, Mayan Palaces or Grand Mayans do not come close to the Top Ten, even if they are MORE LUXURIOUS. It isn't the walls and the furniture that makes a timeshare great, it is that you always feel great to be there, and everybody around you feels the same way.

(I will feel great again this Saturday, because I will be at the Royal Mayan again. Villa A 702, if any TUGgers are there... call me, it will be nice to meet you...)

- Ellis

 

[talkamotta]

I visited the Royal Mayan on December 10th last year. It was after the hurricane, so Cancun didnt have its best face on. I really liked the resort and I had a view of the street/bay. It isnt the most luxurious place I have been to and its not my favorite but it was still very good and I would love to go back there again. It deserves the high rating it gets and I feel lucky I was able to trade in to that resort. My favorite part of that resort was the Ocean, the good food and how friendly the people are.
I would do the trips with Thomas Moore a little differently but it worked well for the situation. (Didnt know which places were open due to the hurricane.)
Everyone has thier favorites and its for different reasons. Longboat Bay Club is my favorite resort but Marriot Grande Ocean in Hilton Head would be a close second. I havent been to Hawaii yet so Im not even counting there. When it comes right down to it, arent you glad our favorites arent all the same.

 

[M&M]

I thought the thread was titled "Top 5" reasons (LOL)

1. I love that the restaurants are very good but not expensive.
2. I love that we can buy whatever we want to at the supermarket, on or off the resorts, and nobody ever tells us we can't have this or that in our Villa, or in the resort.
3. I love that I don't have to call and reserve, I just get there and I know my Villa is for me, or for whoever I rented it to, or gave it to. Any simple letter or card is more than enough for a visitor to get his Villa, nobody has ever had a problem signing in.
4. I love that they have sailboats and I can go sailing in the Lagoon or at Vacation Clubs. And it costs me zero pesos and zero cents. They also have free bicycles, which I also use a lot.
5. I love that people who trade in or rented are treated as equals, they also get the sailboats and the bicycles for free...
6. I love that at the end of 30 years, I got MUCH MUCH more than I paid for.
7. I love that we have residual values at the end of our Right to Use. It is a Right to Use, but with a twist:
8. I love that our maintainance fees are among the lowest in the industry for top of the line quality service.
they really do deserve the top ratings that they have gotten continuously on TUG, it has been YEARS that FOUR of the Royal Resorts are in the Top Ten... Just think of that... FOUR OF THE TOP TEN... FOR YEARS... that leaves only six spots for the rest of the INDUSTRY.


(I will feel great again this Saturday, because I will be at the Royal Mayan again. Villa A 702, if any TUGgers are there... call me, it will be nice to meet you...)

- Ellis

(Sorry Ellis I consolidated your list to save room)

I have to agree with a lot of what Ellis has already stated...

1) The restaurants are good and reasonably priced.

2) The onsite super market is reasonably stocked and also reasonably priced. You can even order on line and have the supplies already in your villa when you check in (with no delivery charge)

3) You don't have to call and reserve your week or your villa. My son was asking me if I thought we'd be lucky enough to get the same villa again this year when we go. I told him that, Yes we are lucky to have bought into the Royal Resorts, but luck had nothing to do with us getting our same unit each year that we go. The system is set up that way on purpose!

4) All the free stuff. Free sailboat use, free snorkel and sports equipment, bicycles etc. Also Free Daily Maid Service (except on Sunday), Welcome party, taco party, pinata party etc.

5) I also love that renters, exchangers get treated just as owners. I have exchanged into Royal Caribbean and have rented at Royal Mayan, and Royal Sands and have always been treated just as great as when I'm there on the week that I own. (The reason I bought was because we loved the resorts so much when we visited as an exchanger, renter)

6) I also love the friendliness and hospitality of the staff.

7) The location can't be beat! The beautiful beaches, proximity to shopping, night life etc lends to a great all around vacation experience.

OK, so I exceeded 5 on my list also

Mike

 

[maja651]

I agree with Mike and Ellis about everything. My additions include:

1. I love that you buy a set week and villa. We have made a lot of friends who own the same weeks we do, and we look forward to seeing them every year!

2. I LOVE the staff of the RR. They are the best in the world! I love that most stay RR employees for years, so when you return you see the same bartenders, same maids, etc. It truly is like coming home!

3. I LOVE the huge patios (verandas) that all of the villas have. Nothing better than my morning cup of coffee sitting out on the balcony overlooking the beautiful ocean!

4. The members - I have not met a member at the Royals that was not courteous to the people around him/her. Truly, the members are the best!

Things that need improvement:
1. The mixed drinks - while the taste is ok, I think they are very weak with alcohol.
2. The veranda covering thing on the 4th floor of phase I sitting area (by the ocean) I HATE that thing! It blocks part of our view of the ocean. (Note, it was NOT there when we purchased our unit, or the first couple of years.)
3. I wish they had more frequent bus times to/from VCI. Once an hour would be much more convenient.
4. Thomas Moore - sorry, but I am not a fan. I think the prices are too high and they are misleading. We booked the Coba tour with them and they told us we would be back by 5. (The length of the tour was very important to us because we didn't want to be gone all day). I speak Spanish, so there was no misunderstanding. We ended up getting back at 8:30 PM! We were not happy.

That's all for now!

Michelle

 

[reddiablosv]

Well, I just couldn't resist the temptation to do the same for the Royal Resorts, since the world seems to be divided into people that Love the Royal Resorts, or Love the Grand Mayan or Mayan Palace Resorts. You are all welcome to send in all of your complaints that you have had, ever.

My list of things I hate is very small... I don't have any list at all. I have never had a complaint. I have never been downgraded to any other resort, and I never heard of anybody else ever being downgraded. I have never been given a Villa without the view that I paid for. I have never been pressured to buy or lied to by a salesman... I have never had any complaint at all, and I have been a member since 1977, so that is 29 years of not one complaint. And I have never felt that I am being bled at the restaurants or for other services.

I love everything about them.

1. I love that the restaurants are very good but not expensive. I love to have breakfast at the Palapa of the Royal Mayan, or at Captain's Cove. I love El Conquistador. I also love that I can go to the restaurants of the Royal Islander, Royal Caribbean or Royal Sands, or across the island to the Palapa of Vacation Clubs when I go sailing there.

2. I love that we can buy whatever we want to at the supermarket, on or off the resorts, and nobody ever tells us we can't have this or that in our Villa, or in the resort. It is our home, and we can bring whatever we would like to, to our home.

You can buy a soft drink at the resort supermarket for about 50 American cents, and you can take it to the swimming pool area, or you can take it to the beach, and the waiters there will bring you a soft drink for about a dollar. Nobody ever tells you that you are a cheapskate or that you can't drink it here and compete with the restaurant.

3. I love that I don't have to call and reserve, I just get there and I know my Villa is for me, or for whoever I rented it to, or gave it to. Any simple letter or card is more than enough for a visitor to get his Villa, nobody has ever had a problem signing in. I like that they have a list of who is arriving downstairs as you get off the Taxi, they tell me "Mr. Toussier? yes... here you are... Welcome!.." It runs like a Swiss watch.

4. I love that they have sailboats and I can go sailing in the Lagoon or at Vacation Clubs. And it costs me zero pesos and zero cents. They also have free bicycles, which I also use a lot.

5. I love that people who trade in or rented are treated as equals, they also get the sailboats and the bicycles for free... This may not seem like much, but I was at a famous resort in Florida (where the Mouse is the leader of the band wherever he may be...) and they had free bicycles for owners but it cost for me to use a bicycle, so I didn't use them. I was treated very very badly in other ways, because I had rented from an owner and I was not an owner, and I will never forget it.

6. I love that at the end of 30 years, I got MUCH MUCH more than I paid for. I paid for 2 weeks at Vacation Clubs... I was confined to the property of Vacation Clubs... Now I have 4 big resorts that I can go to, to their restaurants or to their swimming pools... And we have a first class Spa at the Royal Sands... and soon there will be another Resort in Playa del Carmen.

7. I love that we have residual values at the end of our Right to Use. It is a Right to Use, but with a twist: we will probably get our money back at the end of the Right to Use, or we can buy another 30 or 50 years at half price. This REALLY is GOOD for us, because the DEVELOPERS don't lose their interest in keeping the resorts in top shape. My initial investment has gone UP in value, and I have never lost with the Royal Resorts.

8. I love that our maintainance fees are among the lowest in the industry for top of the line quality service. And... Service at the Royal Resorts is a different dimension from what I experienced at Orange Lakes Country Club or at Disney Vacation Village. This is what service at other places should be compared to. (Service at Mayan Palace in Acapulco was also excellent... maybe it is because we are in Mexico?)

I have been to other great resorts around the world, including Mayan Palace in Acapulco, and Disney Vacation Club in Orlando, and Orange Lakes Country Club in Orlando. They have jacuzzis, and washing machines in the Villa, and they have nicer furniture, perhaps... but there is something about the Royal Resorts that is just fundamentally right... they are honest, and they care about their members, they really do deserve the top ratings that they have gotten continuously on TUG, it has been YEARS that FOUR of the Royal Resorts are in the Top Ten... Just think of that... FOUR OF THE TOP TEN... FOR YEARS... that leaves only six spots for the rest of the INDUSTRY.

Not surprising, Mayan Palaces or Grand Mayans do not come close to the Top Ten, even if they are MORE LUXURIOUS. It isn't the walls and the furniture that makes a timeshare great, it is that you always feel great to be there, and everybody around you feels the same way.

(I will feel great again this Saturday, because I will be at the Royal Mayan again. Villa A 702, if any TUGgers are there... call me, it will be nice to meet you...)

- Ellis

The Royal Resorts are certainly quality destinations, and when I exchanged into the Royal Mayan I was treated like an owner. But in fairness, I have to ask, has the issue of payment of resudual value at VCI been worked out to the satisfaction of owners? Is it what was promised? Ben

 

[taffy19]

What a wonderful thread to read because everything is positive. I know where I would like to stay if I had a chance to visit the East coast of Mexico. I have seen many pictures too and the beaches look ideal.

 

[maddaug]

Going to Royal Caribbean in 2 weeks

Nice to read all the positives about the Royal Resorts. We are renting in 2 weeks and it's our 1st time in Cancun. Needless to say we are quite excited about this new adventure to Mexico. All the great things said about the Royals are the reason we wanted to stay there.

Talkamotta, we also own at Longboat Bay Club and visited last year for the 1st time. We blew into town with the beach renourishment in front of our beach and red tide of all things. It was a real bummer but we still had a great time. Love the area. Wonder how the beach looks now. We will have to wait till next year to see. I look forward to the blue of the Caribbean. I'm all about the beach.

 

[jasm]

I agree with all the "Things I Love" mentioned by prior posters when it comes to my ownership at the Royal Sands. However, I do have two negatives:

1. The daily aggravation over pool chairs - people who stake their claim with towels on loungers (sometimes as many as a dozen!) at 6:00am and leave them empty for hours, and managements' reluctance, even refusal, to enforce the chair rules. (this was my experience for the past 3 years).

2. Being approached by sales staff taking potential purchasers on tours of the property to give my testimonial. Some days I was stopped 3 to 5 times!

Perhaps these problems occur because I own two of the busiest weeks - 51 & 52. But the chair situation in particular is unacceptable.

Otherwise - we love it!

 

[3kids4me]

We had a wonderful time at the Royals. No, it's not a perfect place...but what is?

What we liked:

1. The breakfast buffet...incredible food and very inexpensive!

2. The free sailboat rental

3. The beach at the Islander for the lovely waves and the beach at VCI for the calm water, and the fact that you have a choice of both

4. The fact that there is a travel desk right in the resort in case you want to make last minute plans.

5. The beautiful pools and the swim-up pool bars that were kid-friendly for lunch.

6. The people who own there...all very friendly, and most we met had never heard of TUG because they never trade their week and have no need for additional information.

7. The lovely view of the pools and ocean from our balcony.

What could use improvement: (and I don't know if these are new things since the hurricane or not)

1. The shuttle to VCI only runs once very two hours...wish it were more!

2. The food at the resort restaruants (except for the breakfasts) was just "okay"...would love to see all the meals as good as breakfast. The Palapa (at the Mayan) food was the best, in my opinion. We did not go to El Conquistador because we were told you had to be dressed up.

3. Our personal concierge was nice enough, but as soon as we told her the next morning that we were not interested in meeting with her boss for a sales tour, we never saw her again. We didn't really need her...but we did have a couple of questions/need for restaurant reservations later in the week and left her two messages; she never called us back. (We were able to get the questions answered easily and the reservations done at the main desk..it probably would have looked better if we hadn't had a concierge at all though because it looked bad when we never saw her again.)

4. The "pool chair grabbing" situation mentioned above. There were 14 umbrellas by the pool at the Islander, and all were taken by 7:00 a.m.

5. The lack of shade...which I understand is a new thing since the trees are no longer there by the pools and the palapas by the ocean. (They should try to provide more umbrellas to make up for it.)

All in all though...this is a resort group to which we would definitely return.

Sharon

 

[tonyg]

Ellis, did you forget the time a few years ago when you were very annoyed with the Royals ?
On the whole, I'm a happy owner, but the chair situation already mentioned at the Sands and the general lack of enforcement of resort rules there is unacceptable. Sharon's commentary about the concierge is one I also share- they are now seemingly only salespeople and if you show disinterest you are abandoned and ignored. The alternative is to schedule a free lunch or breakfast meeting on the Friday prior to departure and show apparent interest until then.

I've yet to hear a complaint about the lack of BBQ grills, but I do remember one about not having a vacuum cleaner.

 

[quezsmith]

Sharon, So glad you had a good time. I was wondering how your trip went. Any problems with the wheelchair? Did you rent one? What other restaurants did you go to?

Thanks!

Jan

 

[quezsmith]

I agree with Mike and Ellis about everything. My additions include:

1. I love that you buy a set week and villa. We have made a lot of friends who own the same weeks we do, and we look forward to seeing them every year!

2. I LOVE the staff of the RR. They are the best in the world! I love that most stay RR employees for years, so when you return you see the same bartenders, same maids, etc. It truly is like coming home!

3. I LOVE the huge patios (verandas) that all of the villas have. Nothing better than my morning cup of coffee sitting out on the balcony overlooking the beautiful ocean!

4. The members - I have not met a member at the Royals that was not courteous to the people around him/her. Truly, the members are the best!

Things that need improvement:
1. The mixed drinks - while the taste is ok, I think they are very weak with alcohol.
2. The veranda covering thing on the 4th floor of phase I sitting area (by the ocean) I HATE that thing! It blocks part of our view of the ocean. (Note, it was NOT there when we purchased our unit, or the first couple of years.)
3. I wish they had more frequent bus times to/from VCI. Once an hour would be much more convenient.
4. Thomas Moore - sorry, but I am not a fan. I think the prices are too high and they are misleading. We booked the Coba tour with them and they told us we would be back by 5. (The length of the tour was very important to us because we didn't want to be gone all day). I speak Spanish, so there was no misunderstanding. We ended up getting back at 8:30 PM! We were not happy.

That's all for now!

Michelle

Michelle, I totally agree! I always ask the bartenders to put another shot of tequila in my margaritas because they taste like pure mixer! They are very tasty but need a little more alcohol. As for Thomas Moore, we have used them for years but this year when we asked them for van and driver to take us to playa for the day ( we were actually going to Cozumel for a day of scuba diving) they were $80 dollars MORE than Brant's price. I could not believe it. $80 is a lot of money! And then when we went back to check on the price again they gave us an even higher quote. Their prices are not consistent and very expensive. Needless to say, we used Brant for the rest of the week.

Jan

 

[3kids4me]

Hi Jan,

Thanks. I didn't post a trip report because I didn't want to bore anyone!

The Royals kindly lent us a wheelchair for the week. It was the first time we had ever travelled without ours, but it worked out great. (The Cancun Valet driver who took us back to the airport went in to find a wheelchair for us when we got to the airport...great service...that would have been the hardest thing I think.)

We only ate out twice...once at Perrico's where we had a fabulous time, and once at an Italian restaurant at La Isla which was nothing special but fine (we were going to the aquarium and just needed a bit so we weren't looking for anything special). We had milkshakes at a 50's diner-type place at La Isla which was very nice too.

The hardest thing, for us, was using the cabs...because most of them are so small and our family of five could not fit too well without a lot of squeezing! We were fortunate to find a larger sized cab one day coming back from Market 28, and the wheelchair fit in the back without having to fold it.

We had a lovely time. If you didn't see my other post already, you can see a picture of my youngest daughter on the Royals website in the picture gallery...number 2 under the VCI photos.

Thanks for asking!

Sharon

 

[X-ring]

concierge - they are now seemingly only salespeople and if you show disinterest you are abandoned and ignored. The alternative is to schedule a free lunch or breakfast meeting on the Friday prior to departure and show apparent interest until then.

Our experience this year with Julian was quite the opposite - he was most attentive, cheerfully pleasant and helpful.

We had breakfast and had the Haciendas presentation mid-way through the first week - we thought it looked very nice but expressed no interest in buying, or even going for a tour. The Haciendas, or anything related to sales, was never mentioned again though he must have called on at at least 4-5 instances afterwards to remind us of events, to see if he could be of assistance with reservations etc. He got our vote as the employee who had done the best to make our stay enjoyable.

 

[quezsmith]

Thanks Sharon! You would never bore us with a trip report! We would love it! Glad everything worked out. The service is always amazing. I saw the picture of your daughter - very sweet! Did you see what I meant about some of the curbs in mexico? Pretty funny, huh?

Take Care,

Jan

 

[maja651]

Jan - That is a great idea to ask them to put in another shot! Not sure why I never thought of that! Do they charge you extra? We are using Vic (Cancun Valet) this year for a "van for the day tour" down to Tulum, PDC, Akumal, some cenotes in the area, etc. We have the van and driver, with a cooler stocked with soda and beer, for 10 hours, and the cost is only $225! I think this is a real bargain. Maybe we are spoiled, but I really dislike the organized tours that have a lot of people on the big bus. I much prefer the private tour where we can go where we want to go, when we want to go! Plus, I really like the Cancun Valet airport transfer service, so I am sure this will be a great day!

Sharon - Welcome back! I too am very happy you enjoyed your stay at the Royal Islander. We own at the Islander in the late August timeframe and just love it there! I saw the picture of your daughter, very cute! I am sorry about your concierge though, that is odd. We have always been very luckly with ours, but then again, we don't normally need him for a lot. They kind of misled you about El Conquistador. Yes, it is a nicer restaurant, but you don't HAVE TO dress up. Most people do dress up vacation style, but it is not required. Too bad you missed that restaurant, it is one of my favorites.

Michelle

 

[Ellis2ca]

Re: When I was very annoyed with the Royals...

Ellis, did you forget the time a few years ago when you were very annoyed with the Royals ?

Yes, I remember I was annoyed... but I also remember that it was resolved fairly... I'll go over what happened, so you see I was treated fairly... I paid my maintainance fee for week 52, two years in a row together, so I was late and on the black list... But I paid before week 52 of the second year.

They "informed" me that because I had paid maintainance very late, they had deposited the week into the rental pool, and what is more, that I would not receive the rental.

Well... I hit the roof... I wrote a letter saying that it was absolutely unfair, since I had already paid my maintainance fees, if it was in the rental pool I could live with that but the rental income had to be for me... even if I had paid maintainance very late, they had charged me late fees...

In any case... Somebody higher up listened, and they gave me an Easter week at Royal Islander, which I rented without any problem for the same as a week 52. So I would say it was resolved fairly and I have NO complaints...

The problem started because I was late paying my maintainance fee... if I had not been a year late, there would have been no problem... and it was resolved fairly: a week 52, for an Easter Week, so no problem by me.

So I still think I have never had any complaint in 29 years (that hasn't been resolved to my satisfaction.)

As for the seating at the Royal Sands around the pools... The problem is that a lot of people come over from the other resorts to the Sands, because it is in the center, because it has the big pools and the Spa, and because it has heated swimming pools, etc... And an equal number of people don't go from the Sands to the other resorts...

So I suppose they have an excess of success... But I think it isn't such a big problem. I always find a place, either on the beach or somewhere... but everybody wants to be near the big pool, and there are just so many places, and too many people, I suppose.

If that is the biggest complaint we can find for the Royal Resorts, I think we really are very lucky. I was especially lucky, because I bought in 1977, when they had no track record... I feel like I won first prize in the Lottery. - Ellis

 

[talkamotta]

I was planning to make my grandaughter a quilt and I asked her what her favorite color was. She said "blue like the ocean". WOW Not much help with the quilt, but now when Im back to work and I have pictures of my trips on the wall it makes me smile when I think about "blue like the ocean". I guess I need to take her to Cancun and have her tell me which blue she means and is it really blue.

 

[quezsmith]

LOVE:
1. the swim-up bars
2. the bartenders
3. the free welcome party & games
4. El Conquistador
5. the Margaritas - Is it me or do the Margaritas taste so much better in Mexico???

DISLIKE:
1. Happy-Hour is too short.
2. No Margaritas at the welcome party!
3. Thomas Moore rates.
4. can never find 2 lounge chairs together (even in October!)
5. Not enough bar stools at the Palapa bar. (Mayan)

jan

 

[maja651]

Chair game at the pools

I guess we go at the right times of year. (weeks 16, 17 and 34). We have very rarely had any problems finding chairs together at the pool, and we go down around 9:45 am. We usually are a group of 4, so you would think that would be more difficult, but it rarely is. Sometimes we have to move chairs around a bit to fit 4 (bring a 4th from somewhere else) but we honestly have had very few problems. Exceptions to this have been on Sundays (seems everyone hangs at the resorts on Sundays, probably because of the Welcome party, and first full day in Cancun), and usually Fridays (which I think is the oppostie of Sundays...last full day in Cancun for most people at the Royals). Also, every few years week 16 is Easter week...that is a crowded week. Week 34 at the Islander is VERY QUIET...you can find many chairs around the pool all day long, never a problem to find a private place for your group. We traded one of our week 17s this year for week 33, so I will be curious to see how that week is. I also found that week 34 had a lot more people from trades with II, than actual members. (At least the ones we talked too). All cool people! We did see Gary Payton there last year (pro-basketball player) which was really cool!

Michelle

 

[M&M]

Chair, Chair, Who's got the Chair? & Concierge

I have to agree with Michelle. We haven't really had any problems getting chairs. Maybe it's the time of year we go (Summer) or the time of day we spend at the pool (usually afternoon, after spending time on the beach).

We haven't had a lot of problem finding chairs and a palapa on the beach either. (Yes, i know there aren't any palapas right now, but hopefully they'll be back before we go)

As far as our concierge goes, after the initial meeting we rarely see our concierge, but we have always been able to get in touch with her if we needed to. I personally am the kind of person who doesn't like to have someone hovering around me asking if I need any help etc. As long as I can get the help if I need it, I'm good.

Mike

 

[3kids4me]

I just wanted to clarify that it was not hard to find a chair or even several chairs together...just not under an umbrella. A few times we just came down at 10:00 or so and found one or two chairs and set up...then later were able to move over when an early bird was done with their umbrella.

Sharon

 

[lennya]

What do we like (or why did we buy) at the Royal Resorts?
In 1999 we requested an exchange through RCI for a "Gold Crown" resort in Cancun. Nothing was available at the time. We requested that RCI keep looking. Normally, we would receive a phone call when a resort became available but all of a sudden we received a confirmation in the mail for the Royal Mayan. (only VCI & the Mayan are affiliated w/ RCI). Having no knowledge of the Royals, I called RCI & requested an explanation. I was told that "if at any time you have the opportunity to get a Royal Resort exchange, to take it because they don't come up that often". Best advise in timeshare I have ever received - we loved it. When we were there, the Sands was under construction. We were trying to decide whether to take the "tour". The final decision was made by our housekeeper, Roberto. One day, upon returning from a day at the beach, we found him in our villa with the entertainment center moved out from the wall. He was cleaning out the little vents in the back of the TV & VCR with a toothbrush!!! We thought that if this was the how the Royal Resorts operated (the Mayan was about 15 years old at the time but looked like you could eat off the floor anywhere in the resort), we were definitely interested in looking at the new resort.
Anyway, to make a long story short, we ended up buying weeks 5&6 at the Sands. WE HAVE NEVER REGRETTED IT OR HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED (except, as other posters have mentioned, the lack of rule enforcement re: lounges & chairs at the pool and beach).