Vidanta Resorts

[DeeDibble]

I just booked a cruise through RCI and was able to get a half way ok discount. Part of the specials they had included a free RCI week in one of the Vidanta Resorts. I am likely going to try to use it Jan-Feb 2019. I also hope I can get a unit that will accommodate up to 6 persons. I’ve tried to research the resorts and feel as if I may be in for a rude awakening about the whole thing. Sure would like to get feedback from everyone on their experiences with the resorts and tips to save $$$ let alone what to expect

 

[tschwa2]

Don't forget that Vidanta Resorts booked through RCI and Interval have an $11 per person/ per day (anyone over 12) resort fee. So if you have 6 it would be a resort fee of $462.

 

[DeeDibble]

Don't forget that Vidanta Resorts booked through RCI and Interval have an $11 per person/ per day (anyone over 12) resort fee. So if you have 6 it would be a resort fee of $462.

Do they have a “utility tax” or a “departure tax”. I think I will just view the $11 a day per person like I do the gratuities we pay on cruises. What about on site food and average costs on food?

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

I just booked a cruise through RCI and was able to get a half way ok discount. Part of the specials they had included a free RCI week in one of the Vidanta Resorts. I am likely going to try to use it Jan-Feb 2019. I also hope I can get a unit that will accommodate up to 6 persons. I’ve tried to research the resorts and feel as if I may be in for a rude awakening about the whole thing. Sure would like to get feedback from everyone on their experiences with the resorts and tips to save $$$ let alone what to expect

You will like the resorts quality
All brand levels have daily room cleaning and fresh towels. etc .

For 6 people you will need a 2 bedroom . ( all 2 bedrooms are lockoffs )

Nuevo Vallarta & Riviera Maya locations have the most units and onsite restaurants The brand distribution differs .

NV has 5 Grand Mayan buildings and one Grand Bliss and one Mayan Palace (of about 100 units .)

Riviera Maya buildings have a height restriction ( 3 floors ? ) There are 10 + Mayan Palace ( and a Bliss which is the same sq footage units as MP ) as well as Grand Mayans and a Grand Bliss .

There is a resort fee of $ 11 per person / per day on exchanges at NV & RM . It includes transportation
to the resort from the airport , internet , gym usage etc .

There is a pool use hierarchy at NV & RM based on the brand level .

Both these locations have Grand Luxe- but the Vidanta GL brand exchanges through II.

NV , RM , PP & ACA have quality onsite golf courses .

Vidanta has a total of 7 locations .
300 unit Grand Mayan in Cabo area
200 unit Mayan Palace at Puerto Vallarta - Marina
Grand Mayans and Mayan Palaces in Acapulco Diamonte Zone
Puerto Penasco has 200+ units of Mayan Palace ( and a GM affilated with II )
Mazatlan has a Mayan Palace building and Sea Garden

Jan - Feb is peak season with lots of multi week owners staying . Since it is RTU
there is room for exchangers . Try and see if you can get 2019 for either month .
RCI posted units in April for 2019 so you may have to try March or April or wait for 2020
to be posted

The weeks on either side of Easter Sunday are Mexican Holliday weeks and harder to get .

All Vidanta resorts are non AI . Your bracelet / chip room key functions as your charge card at resort facilities .

I would suggest NOT signing up for the 10 % resort credit on resort charges . It requires a Timeshare Sales presentation .

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Do they have a “utility tax” or a “departure tax”. I think I will just view the $11 a day per person like I do the gratuities we pay on cruises. What about on site food and average costs on food?

There is no utility tax and a small $ room tax per day
I would tip the room maid and others - as tips are a significant part of their income .
we do about $ 5 per day for maid .

Restaurant quality is good / and there are many choices at NV & RM .

All one bedroom suites have a partial kitchen ( the lock off is bedroom only )
We always go to Walmart or a grocery store for breakfast & lunch foods & snacks .

You do not need a rental car . Cabs are cheap (and local,buses even less in NV/ PV )

You pay the cab or transportation back to the airport when departing

 

[Eric B]

The partial kitchens are typically a small refrigerator and a two burner cooktop, no oven (until you get into the Grand Luxxe loft units, which you can't get through RCI except occasionally through the RCI Platinum Priority Access in the shoulders). There will be a coffee maker as well, I usually bring filters and coffee myself to avoid paying for the ones in the room and because I have it packed up for other places I go.

The pool hierarchy mentioned by T-Dot allows higher tier (Grand Mayan/Bliss) users into the lower tier (Mayan Palace) pools. There's another recent forum discussing use of the Vidanta pools that's worth a look if that's important to you.

In NV/PV the cab fare to the airport was something like 200 pesos if I remember right. It's a regulated fare so it doesn't vary.

While it's not an AI resort, at NV they give you the option of buying a coupon book for either 6 breakfasts or 6 breakfasts and 6 lunches/dinners. The price seemed ok, but we didn't bother last time we were there. There's another recent forum discussing restaurants in the vicinity of NV and how to get off the resort without using a cab, although if you're staying at NV the restaurants on the resort are quite good.

We quite enjoy staying at the Puerto Vallarta Mayan Palace, which is located by itself in the Marina area and easy to hop on a bus to get around and see the local area. Haven't tried the Riviera Maya resort yet, but will be going there in January. If you like a big plush resort with all the frills, Nuevo Vallarta or Riviera Maya are the way to go; I would try to get in the Grand Mayan or Grand Bliss to maximize the access to pools, etc., and the size of the unit. If you're more interested in seeing the local sites, the Mayan Palace in Puerto Vallarta or the Sea Garden are good choices. If you like both, you could always stay 2 weeks and split them up between NV and PV; I've read quite a few posts making that recommendation and will be trying that in the not too distant future.

I would second T-Dot's recommendation on avoiding the sales presentation. Vidanta has a well-earned reputation for having an effective sales staff and you should only attend one there if you're interested in buying or upgrading one you already have.

 

[pittle]

I have owned at all levels of Vidanta since February 1999 and when I lived in Kansas, it was really important for me to get weeks in late January or early to mid-February. We bought extra weeks so that we had enough "clout" to get February weeks as a Profile A owner. I would be totally surprised if you could reserve a week in February. January could be possible as I was always able to get the last week of January for my Vacation Fair (extra week that is probably similar to your free week). February - mid-April are sometime even difficult for owners to get. I often chose the last week of January for my VF week and then used my Registered week(s) for February so that I could go when it was so cold and snowy in Kansas. Valentines Week and US Presidents Day are the most popular weeks and every owner wants those (PD 2019 is the 18th). It will be very difficult to get a "free" week after February 2, 2019.

Just my comments and experience of spending hours on speed dial to get the weeks I wanted.

All of the resorts are nice and the units are the same at each.

I also agree about avoiding the sales presentation - even if they promise a nicer unit. All units are nice and the beach and restaurants are the same.

 

[whitewater]

vidanti as others have said the resort and all units are very nice. will not go wrong. we are going again 2nd year in a row and going to vidanta NV & RM next year.

• 11 per person resort fee
• avoid sales
• excellent food, pool beach, and staff
• area around has tons of fun stuff (zip lines, eco-tours, ruins, shopping, and culture. do it all and you will want to go again!
• avoid sales
• avoid sales
• avoid sales
• again, yes you guessed it... Avoid sales.
  • no amount of sales junk is worth the 90 minutes (ie. 5 hours) of your vacation.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

vidanti as others have said the resort and all units are very nice. will not go wrong. we are going again 2nd year in a row and going to vidanta NV & RM next year.

• again, yes you guessed it... Avoid sales.
  • no amount of sales junk is worth the 90 minutes (ie. 5 hours) of your vacation.

FYI - the sales presentations are booked by the room key / wrist band staff .
You are directed to them after check in by the front desk .

I suggest you listen politely and then say " NO THANK YOU " - it is not in your plans this vacation .
Their job is to soft sell you into committing to go - and will offer some extra perks - massages for $25 ,golf for half price , free cab fare back to the airport
over and above 10% off resort & meal charges .

The free breakfast is really good , the tour of the resort is fun & the sales person is amiable .
THEN :
The 90 minutes START - when you get to the sales floor . Lets say you are good at listening and saying NO Thank You for 90 minute,
As a non owner you will likely end up seeing at least 2 exit package "specialists" before you get back to the pool
(ie 5 hours)

 

[richontug]

Grand Mayan is highest level resort you can get through RCI.
Avoid sales presentation!

 

[rpennisi]

Five years ago, I went to NV staying at a two bedroom Grand Bliss through RCI with my brother. We went to the breakfast, then I told my brother he could leave. I went through the models and then to the presenter's desk. After 90+ minutes from the end of breakfast, I said thank you and that I was leaving. The presenter told me to wait and that they wanted me to fill out a very long questionnaire. That was a new tactic to me. I politely declined, and her supervisor came over and was very angry with me. I told him I did not sign up for any gifts and was leaving, and did. He swore I would never be invited to another update...haha. You always get invited to another update.

 

[MuranoJo]

The $11pp/pd fee mentioned is for exchangers. I'm not positive your 'free' week is considered an exchange. It may well be, but I'd certainly ask if there are associated daily fees.

 

[PigsDad]

Grand Mayan is highest level resort you can get through RCI.

I thought I've seen the Bliss and Grand Bliss on RCI in the recent past -- has that changed?

Kurt

 

[Eric B]

You can get those on RCI. Bliss is below Grand Mayan and I believe Grand Bliss is above it in the hierarchy.

 

[whitewater]

I thought I've seen the Bliss and Grand Bliss on RCI in the recent past -- has that changed?

Kurt

From my understanding
Grand Luxxe is highest grand bliss and grand mayan are equal by built at diff. Times.

All are on same property which is very nice.

Others may/will have other perspectives.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

From my understanding
Grand Luxxe is highest grand bliss and grand mayan are equal by built at different times

I believe Grand Mayan (intro 2003) and Grand Bliss (intro about 2010 ) are the same square footage . Grand Bliss was always sold as an upgrade from Grand Mayan with " more premium" interior furnishings,kitchen and bathroom .

Grand Bliss is in : NV & RM and a sales model is being shown in PV-Marina
Grand Mayan is in:NV &RM Acapulco ,San Jose del Cabo (Hakkasan amenities to be completed in 2018 ) and Puerto Penasco (GM-PP trades in II / not RCI)

Bliss was sold as an upgrade to Mayan Palace -thereis one in RM (same sq.ft. asMP/different interior)

I recall hearing of Luxxe in a 2010 Mazatlan presentation - but (IMO ) few were sold, none were built , any buyers were upgraded to Grand Luxxe and Vidanta removed the brand designation .

 

[tschwa2]

The $11pp/pd fee mentioned is for exchangers. I'm not positive your 'free' week is considered an exchange. It may well be, but I'd certainly ask if there are associated daily fees.

The fee also applies to getaways/extra vacations through II and RCI. Basically anything obtained through RCI or II that fee will apply. There is no resort fee when renting or as a guest of owner. I believe the resort fee is still $75 per week for weeks obtained through SFX- although SFX does have an additional surcharge into Luxxe.

 

[Eric B]

I stayed at GL NV on an RCI Platinum exchange in September and didn’t get charged the fee. Not sure why. It was an odd one that came in under the Platinum priority access area and looked like it was somehow related to the Registry Collection because it had their icon displayed next to the resort name.

I’ll be heading down to GL RM in April on an SFX exchange; SFX said there would be a flat $75 fee.

I did notice that there was a different fee for MP PV of $7 pp pd listed on RCI the other day, too.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

I stayed at GL NV on an RCI Platinum exchange in September and didn’t get charged the fee. Not sure why. It was an odd one that came in under the Platinum priority access area and looked like it was somehow related to the Registry Collection because it had their icon displayed next to the resort name.

I’ll be heading down to GL RM in April on an SFX exchange; SFX said there would be a flat $75 fee.

I did notice that there was a different fee for MP PV of $7 pp pd listed on RCI the other day, too.

Only RM & NV are the $11
Other Vidanta locations are less . Last I looked Mazatlan was - pay extra for parking & Gym on exchanges / but no daily fee

 

[PigsDad]

From my understanding
Grand Luxxe is highest grand bliss and grand mayan are equal by built at diff. Times.

All are on same property which is very nice.

Others may/will have other perspectives.

The reason why I consider the Grand Bliss above the Grand Mayan is the access level they get you at a resort with both. In NV for example, a person staying at the Grand Bliss can use the GB pools and the GM pools, whereas a person staying at the GM can only use the GM pools, not the GB pools. So the units may be similar, but the amenities are certainly better with the Grand Bliss.

Cheers,
Kurt

 

[pittle]

The reason why I consider the Grand Bliss above the Grand Mayan is the access level they get you at a resort with both. In NV for example, a person staying at the Grand Bliss can use the GB pools and the GM pools, whereas a person staying at the GM can only use the GM pools, not the GB pools. So the units may be similar, but the amenities are certainly better with the Grand Bliss.

Cheers,
Kurt

The NV Grand Bliss pool is nice. In my opinion, it is really the 2nd half of what used to be the longest pool ever. Now, it is GB and MP pools with trees between. (Of course, as a Mayan World old-timer, I saw the extremely long one!) The best thing is that these are basically ocean-front. The MP pool is the least used and we often go to it for the view and privacy - even though we are GL owners. The one time we chose to stay at GB, we used the GM pool. In RM, it makes a HUGE difference if you are GB or GL owners/guests, but the MP pool there is totally awesome!

 

[rpennisi]

The RM Grand Bliss pools are ultra hoi polloi. They use concierges to assign you spots and attendants bring you to your lounges.
Quite the set up. Makes the GL pool at RM seem ordinary in comparison. And the GL pool is extremely nice.

 

[pianoetudes]

The RM Grand Bliss pools are ultra hoi polloi. They use concierges to assign you spots and attendants bring you to your lounges.
Quite the set up. Makes the GL pool at RM seem ordinary in comparison. And the GL pool is extremely nice.

Are you talking about The Beach Club? It is really nice. Fortunately GL guests can use it too. They are building an extension next to it. Certain are will be exclusive to GL platinum members.

 

[rpennisi]

Yes, i was referring to the Beach Club which has already been redone from the original pools being built when Sr Chavez decided to change the setup.
The building going on south of the Beach Club was said to be a "village" of some sort (?). They have run out of room going south as they are right up against an existing neighborhood of homes.