Sitting in the living room at Grand Luxxe, my teeth chattering from the jackhammers..

[ada903]

I have to keep a sense of humor about this, of course. We checked into the Grand Luxxe yesterday, in a two bedroom, we are in tower 2 third floor overlooking the construction site. We were told that they would not be working on Sunday, but here they are - the sound of the jackhammers is unbelievably loud.

Tower 3 is literally unfinished - but they are putting people in there - the middle floors are empty, you can see through to the other side as the shell is empty. Tower 2 is finished but the side facing the construction is extremely loud.

The property will be beautiful when finished, but right now it is not, and there is no way they should have people placed in these units overlooking the construction. It's not right. When I booked this week, my II confirmation said (and it still says) that construction will be completed November 2011.

I will post photos and more updates later, we'll head to the pool soon.

 

[Rene McDaniel]

Oh my, jackhammers!

That does not make for a relaxing vacation experience. Have you asked to be moved to a quieter location? Even if it's a smaller or non-ocean view unit, it might be preferable to hearing jackhammers & non-stop construction equipment. Do whatever it takes to make sure you have an enjoyable and relaxing vacation, even if they have to move you to a different Mayan property.

They are just doing the grading & leveling for a new high school about a half-mile from our house, and the non-stop "beep, beep, beep" of the trucks in reverse is about to drive me crazy. I have to keep music on (and fairly loud, too) whenever I am in the house during the day. And this is just the grading phase. I can't imagine how bad it's going to be when the REAL construction noises start. The sounds seems to really travel over a wide radius & distance! Yuck!

Hope it quickly gets straightened out to your liking.

--- Rene

 

[curtbrown]

LOL - We just checked out of the GL II yesterday - Room on the 3rd floor (7354) overlooking the demolition, construction and digging of a huge trench in which they are burying pipes. It is LOUD if you are outside, with up to 4 tractor-mounted jackhammers (3 backhoes and one HUGE one) rattling our teeth all day, starting at 9:00AM and going until dusk.

We just ended up doing a lot of exploring, playing golf or hanging out at the pool during the day, so it wasn't too bad. The other problem that we had was that they are building a new spa and fitness center on the first floor of GL II and they sometimes work until 10:00P. It's not too bothersome until they begin banging on the pipes and the sound travels up through the building.

Luckily, we had family staying in a 2-BR over at the GM and we ended up hanging out there on their deck most of the time. Management is totally unresponsive to do anything to compensate for the problem. No place to move you and no comps to make up for the problems... We finally just resigned ourselves to deal with it and we look forward to returning next year when things with be less bothersome (hopefully). On the bright side, the rooms are unbelievable and everyone on the staff was amazing.

Curt

P.S. - I left half a bottle of tequila in the pantry for you... LOL

 

[ada903]

This is completely hilarious, we are staying exactly in the same room you stayed in! Yes, it looks like a war site down there.

We tried to get on the wait list, stopped by the front desk multiple times, etc. They smile nicely but indeed they will not move us or offer any kind of compensation. We will need to be out of the room most of the time. I won't let it get it to us, but it's hard to pretend it's not there.

LOL - We just checked out of the GL II yesterday - Room on the 3rd floor (7354) overlooking the demolition, construction and digging of a huge trench in which they are burying pipes. It is LOUD if you are outside, with up to 4 tractor-mounted jackhammers (3 backhoes and one HUGE one) rattling our teeth all day, starting at 9:00AM and going until dusk.

We just ended up doing a lot of exploring, playing golf or hanging out at the pool during the day, so it wasn't too bad. The other problem that we had was that they are building a new spa and fitness center on the first floor of GL II and they sometimes work until 10:00P. It's not too bothersome until they begin banging on the pipes and the sound travels up through the building.

Luckily, we had family staying in a 2-BR over at the GM and we ended up hanging out there on their deck most of the time. Management is totally unresponsive to do anything to compensate for the problem. No place to move you and no comps to make up for the problems... We finally just resigned ourselves to deal with it and we look forward to returning next year when things with be less bothersome (hopefully). On the bright side, the rooms are unbelievable and everyone on the staff was amazing.

Curt

P.S. - I left half a bottle of tequila in the pantry for you... LOL

 

[vacationhopeful]

I would set up my CAMP in the lobby from first noise to quiet time. I bring my food and drinks, my newspapers and radio, several board games, my laptop to Skype (loudly) to my friends, and my almost empty & smelly take out food boxes. And don't forget the liquor bottle (filled with icy tea) and the "plastic bag in the trash can" filled with ice.

You know, hill-billy style and ugly-American; mentioning loudly for all arrivals WHY you are there and NOT in your very nice unit. I would use a luggage cart with Xmas decorations and lots of bells too. Bring several bed pillows and leave some smelly socks on the floor.

Call it "Occupy Grand Luxxe Lobby"!

 

[ilene13]

Is this the Grand Luxxe in the Mayan Riviera or in Nuevo Vallarta?

 

[ada903]

You guys are too cute, thanks for the good laughs.

This is the Nuevo Vallarta location.

I feel bad for the employees that work here, that they have to put up with so many unhappy people (there are many unhappy campers here). This is obviously a bad upper management decision to make units available for occupancy prematurely. The people that work here are wonderful and try hard to please, and they are the ones enduring the angriness from all the tourists.

We thought about camping out yesterday in the lobby, seriously, to protest, but decided to give up and enjoy what we can.

 

[Holly]

Any indication of how things are around the Grand Bliss? I'd sure love to know if the Bliss has the same problems.

Thanks, and I'm so sorry that you are having to put up with that.

 

[rpennisi]

Everyone thought that the demolition of the south wing of the Mayan Palace was done when they got down to 2 floors. But as per usual, the plans changed and now they are going all the way to ground! Unreal!
Regardless, I hope you enjoy yourselves.

 

[rpennisi]

Any indication of how things are around the Grand Bliss? I'd sure love to know if the Bliss has the same problems.

...

The Grand Bliss only has the train station under construction across the road and my guess is the noisy stuff is over...but the way things change, they may rip it down and move it around (just kidding, I hope).

 

[heathpack]

I would just like to say- That Stinks!

My sympathies.

H

 

[ada903]

I did not go inside the Grad Bliss, from the outside it seems nice and quiet.

Today we spent time at both the Grand Luxxe pools as well as the Grand Mayan pools. The Grand Mayan lazy river is awesome, and there is a warm pool there, which was nice at this time of the year. Pretty crowded. The Grand Luxxe pools were too cold to get into. They have nice padded chairs and white couches, and the service is very good at the Grand Luxxe pools.

The happy hour drinks at the Grand Mayan were expensive and watered down. The pina colada was $170 pesos (about 15 dollars), in a small plastic glass, with no trace of alcohol - even at happy hour (two for one) it was not worth it. But I would have bought it anyway because of the poor guy who worked so hard to service us! I wish I could do my job every day with half the enthusiasm and motivation of these resort workers.

We ate at the Mexican restaurant at Grand Luxxe tonight and I would not go back. The table side guacamole and the service were awesome, but the food entrees were so bad, that my daughter and husband could not eat the tortilla soup, and my husband returned his main dish. We are not difficult people, but the food was really not good. Last night we went out to Fajita Republic, and that was good.

I find little things weird. There is no dvd player in the units, we called and got one, which is a blue ray player, after putting down a deposit of $2,800 pesos, but it does not play our US dvd's. To use the laundry one must put down a deposit to rent the laundry cart - odd - who will run away with the laundry cart? There is only one kitchen knife in the kitchen, and we have been unable to obtain another - it's a huge one and it needs to be used for everything - whether to slice bread or cut a fruit. The pools out on the decks are very cold, no one is using them. It would have helped if they were heated. Wifi is very slow. Small kinks they need to work out, nothing bothersome once they finish the construction, but until then, I don't recommend non-owners, especially II traders, to come stay here, since they will be put into the "war" zone.

I will download and post photos soon!

 

[pjrose]

So sorry to hear of all the problems. What a disappointment.

We bought one of our TS's pre-construction, and when we showed up for our fixed unit / fixed week the next year it wasn't quite finished yet....but they just put us in an upgraded beachfront location instead, and I don't recall hearing any noise other than the surf

Too bad the GL didn't do that for you and others

 

[LisaH]

So sorry to hear...I hope you'll still be able to make the best out of this situation.
BTW, where is this resort? in Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta?

 

[curtbrown]

I did not go inside the Grad Bliss, from the outside it seems nice and quiet.

Today we spent time at both the Grand Luxxe pools as well as the Grand Mayan pools. The Grand Mayan lazy river is awesome, and there is a warm pool there, which was nice at this time of the year. Pretty crowded. The Grand Luxxe pools were too cold to get into. They have nice padded chairs and white couches, and the service is very good at the Grand Luxxe pools.

Last night we went out to Fajita Republic, and that was good.

I find little things weird. There is no dvd player in the units, we called and got one, which is a blue ray player, after putting down a deposit of $2,800 pesos, but it does not play our US dvd's. To use the laundry one must put down a deposit to rent the laundry cart - odd - who will run away with the laundry cart? !

When we were there last week the Grand Bliss was very quiet. The only construction going with the train station across the street was that they were thatching the large palapa roofs of the buildings (amazing to watch them work).

We found that one of the Grand Luxxe pools was heated - I think it was the one near the pool bar that is closest to GL II. Try them all, I'm sure you'll find it... The new Punta Pool is absolutely amazing (although it wasn't warm either). It had just opened during the previous week so maybe it hadn't had time to heat up(?).

Fajita Republic is great (ate there twice) as is Tino's La Laguna on the road right outside the main gate (toward the highway). Also, for casual dining (B,L,D) try Eddie's Place down by the NV Marina (within walking distance if you take a tram to the GM and walk out the side gate and go past the Sea Garden and turn left.

There was a Blu-Ray player in the room when we were in it, but we never tried it. I understand that Mexico uses a different TV format than the US & Canada, so our DVD's won't play. Check with the Consierge as I think I head that there are DVD's available somewhere on the property to rent or borrow.

We too used the washer & dryer. The deposit isn't for the 'cart', but for the re-loadable smart 'card' that they give you with money loaded on it - probably a language issue with cart/card. Once you turn the card back in they credit your account for the deposit amount. Apparently those cards are expensive and they don't want them getting away...

I hope you don't feel that you are being discriminated against and put in that room because you're an II trader. We're owners at the GL and we ended up right where you are. The problem is that they have overbooked the available rooms because when they took the reservations earlier in the year, they had every expectation that half of GL III would be fully up and running, Unfortunately, when they had the soft opening of the building a few weeks ago, they found that there were a number of problems with the building and they couldn't place guests in those units.

Curt

 

[Holly]

You never know! Thanks for the intel.

The Grand Bliss only has the train station under construction across the road and my guess is the noisy stuff is over...but the way things change, they may rip it down and move it around (just kidding, I hope).

 

[JoeWilly]

Hi Ada,

I'm sorry to hear the construction noise is still going on. I think we were in the same room you have and the noise is awful. We were there two weeks. We were in that room the first week, but when the construction started running 24/7, we insisted (nicely but no wasn't an option) on being moved. We had asked nicely several times prior, but enough is enough. I can handle being out of the room during the day, but 24/7 was too much for us.

RE: the mexican restaurant - wow, I'm surprised. We had a great meal there and would have gone back. Our friend had the tortilla soup and loved it. Maybe they had a different cook the night you were there.

What I don't understand about the jackhammering is, if they're completed tearing down the building why don't they just use a ball and wrecker or dynamite (remember it's Mexico--from my observation they're not big on safety. Construction workers with no hard hats, safety gear etc.) and get it done quickly.

 

[Holly]

I just turned down the Grand Luxxe for next November...I picked the Grand Mayan over it. I'm not confident that they will be even finished by then.

 

[ada903]

I hope the link works to the video, it took an hour to upload it because of the slow connection here.

http://youtu.be/y1FYr2hoCuk

I don't know why they are jackhammering the remains of this building piece by piece, and why not just implode it, it's probably cheaper to have the workers drill it down piece by piece!

It's just as noisy inside too, because they are doing something in tower 2 on the high floors with jackhammers as well, I believe they said something about working on installing something on the 9th floor that had to do with the AC system.

 

[rpennisi]

Wow, impressive view of what is going on!! Sounds like 50 cal machine gun fire. Good luck. Did you ever hear why they are removing the final floors of the MP that were supposed to be utilized for a spa and restaurant?

 

[ada903]

I am told they are building a gym and a restaurant indeed.

Wow, impressive view of what is going on!! Sounds like 50 cal machine gun fire. Good luck. Did you ever hear why they are removing the final floors of the MP that were supposed to be utilized for a spa and restaurant?

 

[drguy]

Demolition is about the same as when we were there Labor Day week. And we were told that it was to be completed the following week. Sound is about the same, but we spent most of our time out of the room.

 

[ada903]

I got the chance to chat with some owners at the pool today who said that the reason they are taking down the last floors of the mayan palace building is because they sold too many contracts with ocean views and they need more of those, and that building blocks the views for the lower floors. They will still build something there (restaurant?) but it will be low elevation.

The same owners said the pools are supposed to be heated but right now the heater is not working yet. The pools are freezing cold.

They also said the reason for all the jackhammers inside building 2 is that some huge transformer in the ground that was supposed to last a long time went out and they need to dig it all out.

There are many angry people in building 2, I understand they are not even putting people in here anymore for now, at least in some of the villas, they are even offering relocating to other resorts.

Not for us - the "managers" never returned our calls requesting relocation, no compensation or alternatives were offered, etc. We only come in the room to eat and shower, and we leave - no way to stay in here. Another video shot today. The trucks and jackhammers are multiplying.

http://youtu.be/FSLXCLGW6LY

 

[akp]

Awful!

I couldn't even watch the whole video. That is horrible.

 

[curtbrown]

Looking at the video shows some progress from when we were there last week - the ditch is getting filled in and it looks like quite a bit more of the MP is down (although there is a lot more to go). Have they started digging in earnest directly below the room? Last week we woke up to the giant jackhammer pounding away at what appeared to be buried concrete right right outside our window at the base of GL II in the area between the A/C units and the bottom of the hillside. It looked like they were breaking it up to do more digging (maybe for an in-ground jacuzzi just outside the GL II spa?).

I can't believe that the jackhammers have now started inside the first floor of the GL II. The banging was bad enough when they were using hand tools...

Curt