Vidanta- Shuttle from airport in RM

[CCR]

Hi Vidanta experts,

I did an exchange through Interval for 1 week at the Grand Luxxe Residence Club Riveria Maya for April. Does this unit include transportation to and from the airport with the fees? We went to NV a few years back and that was included.

Also I noticed a possibility for E-plus exchange to a 2 bedroom Bliss Jungle Riviera Maya IV.

It is just 3 travelers (husband and 16 year old daughter). Should I stick with the Grand Luxxe and please let me know if transportation is included. I keep hearing our access to certain pools/burger place will be limited due to being an Interval exchange.

 

[pittle]

The Grand Luxxe is nicer and you can use all the pools. The Bliss is three units in the middle of the resort between the two MP complexes. The 2-bedroom Bliss is fine, but no plunge pool or nice balcony that the GL has. MP/Bliss balconies are just a place you can step out on. The 1-bedroom GL, will have 1-1/2 bathrooms, but the Bliss will have 2 bathrooms. The GL 1-bedroom unit will be nicer. It just depends on if you want a separate bedroom for your daughter - that would be the deciding factor for us. If you have a 2-bedroom GL, it is a no-brainer - keep it.

I know that they will provide transportation to the resort. We have not stayed in GL there, so I do not know if it includes your return. Check your paperwork from your exchange information.

 

[Eric B]

It should include transportation to the resort from the airport, but not back. That's pretty much the standard for all the Vidanta resorts.

In Vidanta, the hierarchy from the bottom up is Sea Garden, Mayan Palace, Bliss, Grand Mayan, Grand Bliss, Grand Luxxe in its various forms, and the Estates. The Bliss wouldn't be as nice and you wouldn't have access to as much of the resort, though they tend to limit the Beach Club and Grand Luxxe pool to Vidanta owners in RM unless you bargain to get access in exchange for attending a sales pitch. If you have a 2 BR GL, I would stick with it; I didn't see anything about the room size of the one you booked. The Bliss would be more convenient to the Jungala water park, which has an entrance fee, but since you'd be paying the same resort fee regardless, I wouldn't downgrade.

 

[Eric B]

I keep hearing our access to certain pools/burger place will be limited due to being an Interval exchange.

That is generally correct, as I mentioned in the other post. If you do a (grueling) sales presentation, they may bargain access to those though. At the Bliss level, you wouldn't have access to the Grand Mayan pools. At the Grand Luxxe level, you would have access to the Grand Mayan pools and could bargain for the Beach Club and Grand Luxxe pool.

 

[CCR]

Got it thanks. My Grand Luxxe exchange is a 1 bedroom. I don't have any desire to go to a sales pitch even for access to pools. Hopefully the accessible pools and dining options will be plenty without those amenities. Thanks for the replies. Do you guys typically go grocery shopping after getting to the resort by taking a cab? In NV we went to the store on the way to the resort I think. I can't remember.

 

[Eric B]

What I have done in RM is take a collectivo to Playa del Carmen in order to do my grocery shopping. There's a Sam's Club and a Walmart very close to where that stops. That does put you in the position of sharing a van with several folks you don't know, of course, so the taxi option might be better. The little shop on the resort isn't too bad, too, so might be a good option for a short stay there.

 

[pittle]

There is a shuttle to Play del Carmen - it is good for a fun day in PDC, but while RT fare for 1 person is significantly less for just 1 person, with 3, you probably will want to take a taxi. One of the stops is Mega. I think you can pay one-way and then take a taxi back with your supplies. You can only bring back what you can hold on your lap in the shuttle. Our first afternoon, we took a taxi to Puerto Morales, Chenadrai. Being used to super nice groceries in the US and not speaking or reading Spanish fluently, we like Mega or Walmart better. With a taxi you can buy enough for the week and then pay tips for the bellman to bring things to your room.

We did find that the grocery in the Jade shopping area on the resort was reasonably priced. They had amazing croissants with chocolate in them! The panini's at the deli were nice too!