TS Newbie - Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta - First Trip - Questions

[MediocreFred]

I am a timeshare newbie. Purchased a Worldmark account last August and have had a couple of II exchanges since then. Just signed up for a TUG account as well.

We have a reservation at the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta in a week (RCI exchange). I've read everything I can find here and elsewhere (TripAdvisor, etc.) about the Grand Mayan, but have a question. This is our second visit to PVR (first one was in 2005) and first at any Mayan property.

The wife and I love a nice cup of coffee in the morning. I know that there is a coffee maker in the room, but, would prefer espressos. Is there a cafe (espressos, cappucinos, etc.) on the Grand Mayan property and if yes, is it open before 7 am?

My daughter is almost 6 and really excited about the pools and the lazy river. We've gathered a list of restaurants (authentic Mexican cusine) from various reviews here and on Trip Advisor and are looking forward to a fantastic vacation. Would appreciate any additional tips, pointers, suggestions, etc to see/do/eat/drink while we're there!

Thanks,
MediocreFred.

 

[DonnaD]

Grand Mayan

We spent a week at that resort a few years ago. DO NOT accept their invite to breakfast unless you want to ruin your day...it took hours of saying No, no, NO.... IT CAN RUIN YOUR WEEK...AND DO NOT BUY.
I don't know about expresso, sorry.
DonnaD

 

[easyrider]

There is a Starbucks at Paradise Village which is a 8 - 10 minute walk from the Grand Mayan. Free internet on the smart phone or lap top is available here as well as about any coffee drink you might want.

Bill

 

[MediocreFred]

Thank you! This morning, I called the concierge to reserve our airport shuttle. I asked her about this and she said that there is a coffee shop names BALANCE on the Grand Mayan which sells espresso drinks. Is this any good?

Thanks,
MediocreFred.

PS: We will certainly walk over to Starbucks for our afternoon caffeine fixes, but, in the morning, a 10 minute walk from the GM (which could be probably 20 minutes to half an hour from the room) before getting any caffeine is too hard to even contemplate .

 

[rpennisi]

I think 8-10 minutes to walk from the Grand Mayan to the Starbucks in Paradise Village is a bit optimistic. Maybe if you jog/run it. They do run a free open air trolley, at times, that you can get at the corner by the Sea Garden/ OXXO that is fun to take.
Ron
PS Don't stand in line at Starbucks near any Canadian motor cycle gang members.

 

[leianalimo]

Grand Mayan first two weeks of JUN

We will be going to the Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta for the first two weeks of June with two children. I'm wondering if we could get any tips on which tower/floor to request, whether there is a difference amongst their 2 bedrooms and if anyone know whether there are any benefits for having reserved the 2 bedroom through the registry collection? Any tips on places to eat that are reasonable on a budget and activities that are safe for a family, would appreciate it! My husband and I visitited Puerto Vallarta about 5 years ago but that was a couples only trip so the activities we enjoyed then, don't seem applicable this round. Also, are the resorts typically packed during this timeframe?

 

[Tropical lady]

lots of options.....

Kid's club there is great with activites all through the day with some including lunch or dinner. Just check the weekly activities calendar.
For floors, anything higher up will have a great view of Banderas Bay and /or Puerto Vallarta. All 2 bdrms are the same. Cruise ships come in early in the AM (great balcony view with a cup of coffee) and some leave in the evening...all lit up.
Walking about 2 blocks out of the resort is the marina area with several good restaurants. Also, take a taxi and go to Fajita Republic just a short distance...yummmm!
Days in Puerto Vallarta on the Malecon are lots of fun as you stroll and catch drinks/lunches along the bay.
We go for a month Nov-Dec....can't wait! Enjoy......
A last thought......the water taxi from the marina to Puerto Vallarta would be a fun way to go and then take a taxi back......

 

[leianalimo]

Kid's club there is great with activites all through the day with some including lunch or dinner. Just check the weekly activities calendar.
For floors, anything higher up will have a great view of Banderas Bay and /or Puerto Vallarta. All 2 bdrms are the same. Cruise ships come in early in the AM (great balcony view with a cup of coffee) and some leave in the evening...all lit up.
Walking about 2 blocks out of the resort is the marina area with several good restaurants. Also, take a taxi and go to Fajita Republic just a short distance...yummmm!
Days in Puerto Vallarta on the Malecon are lots of fun as you stroll and catch drinks/lunches along the bay.
We go for a month Nov-Dec....can't wait! Enjoy......
A last thought......the water taxi from the marina to Puerto Vallarta would be a fun way to go and then take a taxi back......

Thank you for the advise!! Is June timeframe typically very busy? Hear that we should buy floaties for the lazy river versus renting them... should we just bring them from the states or pick them up in country? Is there one particular bldg that is better than the others in reference to getting around? I see that it is a large resort.... do we get access to the Luxe and Bliss amenities while we are there?
Considering whether we want to do the presentation or not and honestly little nervous based on negative reviews. Any recomendations on that? Wondering what prices are looking like for ownership at this resort. Never heard of not paying maintenance fees either... is that for real?

 

[ronandjoan]

For floors, anything higher up will have a great view of Banderas Bay and /or Puerto Vallarta. All 2 bdrms are the same. Cruise ships come in early in the AM (great balcony view with a cup of coffee) and some leave in the evening...all lit up.

If you are on an exchange, you will probably not get a Bay view - be sure to ask for an upper floor tho for better views from the other side

 

[ronandjoan]

Walking about 2 blocks out of the resort is the marina area with several good restaurants. ......

We really enjoyed the restaurants out on the marina there ...and our favorite is the Estudio cafe!

Also there is a good 7-11 type shop to buy milk, eggs, etc right at the end of the street

 

[mikenk]

Thank you for the advise!! Is June timeframe typically very busy? Hear that we should buy floaties for the lazy river versus renting them... should we just bring them from the states or pick them up in country? Is there one particular bldg that is better than the others in reference to getting around? I see that it is a large resort.... do we get access to the Luxe and Bliss amenities while we are there?
Considering whether we want to do the presentation or not and honestly little nervous based on negative reviews. Any recomendations on that? Wondering what prices are looking like for ownership at this resort. Never heard of not paying maintenance fees either... is that for real?

As for floaties, the Lazy river is stocked with free inner-tubes - don't remember how small they go. I would suggest a taxi to Walmart early to get snacks and such. I'm sure they would carry floaties as you need or just bring them.

You will not get access to the GL and GB pools, but you will not care as all the action for families is in the Grand Mayan pools that will be convenient to all the GM buildings.

I would only do the presentation if all of the below apply to you:
- You don't mind giving up 4 hours of your vacation
- You don't mind high pressure sales talk and can say no.
- You are willing to research enough to realize what the cost for a GM ownership really is on the resale market and what the rental value of your property really would be.
- you understand that every promise made by the sales person is a lie unless it is precisely written into the contract.

Not paying MF unless you use is for real; however it is really available only on some older GM contracts and those of us that started there and have upgraded along the way. I don't believe (could be wrong) that a new buyer can negotiate that on an initial contract.

Have a great time.
Mike

 

[Tropical lady]

leianalimo,
Unless things have changed since the first of the year, the floaties for the lazy river are for use, they are not rented and you do not need to buy.

You will be able to go to Grand Mayan and Mayan Palace pools, buildings and beach area. You won't be allowed to use Grand Bliss and Luxxe areas. Your wrist bands are checked for all these areas.

June should not be that busy, but if school is out it could be.

Do not go to the presentation if you can't say no. For non owners there is pressure to buy.

 

[leianalimo]

As for floaties, the Lazy river is stocked with free inner-tubes - don't remember how small they go. I would suggest a taxi to Walmart early to get snacks and such. I'm sure they would carry floaties as you need or just bring them.

You will not get access to the GL and GB pools, but you will not care as all the action for families is in the Grand Mayan pools that will be convenient to all the GM buildings.

I would only do the presentation if all of the below apply to you:
- You don't mind giving up 4 hours of your vacation
- You don't mind high pressure sales talk and can say no.
- You are willing to research enough to realize what the cost for a GM ownership really is on the resale market and what the rental value of your property really would be.
- you understand that every promise made by the sales person is a lie unless it is precisely written into the contract.

Not paying MF unless you use is for real; however it is really available only on some older GM contracts and those of us that started there and have upgraded along the way. I don't believe (could be wrong) that a new buyer can negotiate that on an initial contract.

Have a great time.
Mike

I've read on postings from folks staying at the Bliss or Lux that they use the Grand Mayan pools.... do they get access, but those that stay at the Grand Mayan are not allowed to use their pools. Doesn't seem right... that just means the pools at the Grand Mayan will be full of visitors from other resorts.

 

[PigsDad]

I've read on postings from folks staying at the Bliss or Lux that they use the Grand Mayan pools.... do they get access, but those that stay at the Grand Mayan are not allowed to use their pools. Doesn't seem right... that just means the pools at the Grand Mayan will be full of visitors from other resorts.

We've been at the GM NV for a Thanksgiving week, and a prime spring break week. Thanksgiving was not busy at all (although much busier than the previous week, talking to other people). Spring Break was quite busy, and it could be a bit challenging finding some loungers at the main pool in the prime locations, but we never had an issue finding something. The pool area is HUGE, and even when the place was full, it never seemed very crowded. Sometimes there was a little wait to get a tube for the lazy river, but never more than a 5 minute wait -- and only during the prime times. Earlier or later in the day, no problems whatsoever. Bottom line: I really wouldn't worry about the crowds.

To the OP: If your daughter is a "fish" like our daughter, she will absolutely love it. Our daughter would spend all day at the GM pools and never get bored. Wave pool, water slide, lazy river (w/ waves!), the fantastic pools w/ fountains, tunnels to swim through, two swim-up bars for afternoon fruit smoothies (lime smoothies were her favorite!) -- she has had an absolute blast both times we were there.

Oh, and Balance is a nice little cafe / snack place where you can get ice cream, sandwiches, salads, etc. We are not coffee drinkers so I can't vouch for the quality, but I know they are open quite early in the morning. They are located right next to the spa in one of the GM buildings.

Kurt

 

[mikenk]

I've read on postings from folks staying at the Bliss or Lux that they use the Grand Mayan pools.... do they get access, but those that stay at the Grand Mayan are not allowed to use their pools. Doesn't seem right... that just means the pools at the Grand Mayan will be full of visitors from other resorts.

That is correct. if it makes you feel any better, Grand Mayan folks can use the pool at the Mayan Palace. Realistically, there is a lot of pool capacity at the GM, so it has not been a problem. There is also a new pool system being built over by Luxxe 4 that will have it's own lazy river. For pool lounging, Luxxe, folks will generally stay in the Luxxe areas.

The GM pool is really the fun place for kids of all ages which needs to be open to all. As the Mayan Palace has been reduced to one wing, I think they should open the GM pools to them also.

Mike

 

[tillamookrn]

I've read on postings from folks staying at the Bliss or Lux that they use the Grand Mayan pools.... do they get access, but those that stay at the Grand Mayan are not allowed to use their pools. Doesn't seem right... that just means the pools at the Grand Mayan will be full of visitors from other resorts.

The Grand Bliss and Grand Luxxe are newer, more expensive resorts with "upscale" pools. The GM guests are not allowed to use their pools, but the Bliss/Luxxe guests get all access. Just like flying on a plane, First Class passengers can use coach bathrooms, but coach passengers aren't allowed to use first class... it's all about how much you paid.

 

[rpennisi]

..... As the Mayan Palace has been reduced to one wing, I think they should open the GM pools to them also.

Mike

Mike, You are a gentleman and a scholar!!
Ron

 

[MuranoJo]

Mike, You are a gentleman and a scholar!!
Ron

+1 Mike, you're appreciated!

 

[mikenk]

Mike, You are a gentleman and a scholar!!
Ron

Well, one 1 out of 2 ain't bad.

Thanks,
Mike