Review: Marina de Oro

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Following is an overview of the review that was added:

A new experience for sure. A bad RCI exchange. Not a good nor bad review but not a return visit here. Poor management. We got a lot of laughs though. Longest review I have ever written!!!!

Please see the review here!

Please use this thread to discuss the review.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

I've only gotten to Monday and maybe something happens later ( will read more soon) but why in the world did you even put up with any of this? I'd have called RCI, been at the front desk, demanding a new room, anything!! I am not violent, but my cool would have been compromised, of that I am sure. shaggy

PS can't wait to read the rest of the story. Actually this (minus the review part) should be on travel tales. It makes a great read.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

I know it is very long...hope you do not fall asleeep!!!
We met with management....and why did I not call RCI, well frankly I did not even think of it...I think we were both in shock or something...LOL. We were going to just go home.....I cannot answer you....duh...must have been brain drain or semi-senior moment or week cause did not think to call RCI, though I did tell management I was reporting to RCI, again duh...

I am not violent either and well in Mexico, patience is a must, maybe I went overboard with my patience! LOL. Now hubby well I will probably never hear the end of this I am sure. He already asked me about our next vacations and wants me to call the resorts to check on A/C...LOL. Our next vacation is an exchange also but to Grand Mayan in Acapulco...I know they have A/C. Then we go to resort we own at, so I am confident on that one.

Travel Tales.....hmmm....

Shhhhhhhh..do not ever exchange to this place..just a hint!!!

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

Loved your post!

We stayed there in 2001 and it was not so bad - mostly old. We were on the top floor in a 2-bedroom unit that had great vaulted ceiling and huge porch (3 sliders on it too) with a hot tub that you could sit in and watch the ocean and sunsets. I did put some bleach in it when I filled it though. We had one huge bathroom and one with a "rain" shower in the master bedroom. Our A/C worked too - my husband will tell you that I am not a pleasant person when it is hot and I have to have sleep with the windows open! We enjoyed watching the ships come in from the kitchen window. We were not required to do the A/I. We did stay one night at the Crown Paradise another time, so we know about the restaurants.

One of our worst experiences ever was at Club Baccara in Cancun. We arrived at 10PM and they were not expecting us. We had our II exchange form. We had no hot water for the first 3 days, and then when we got hot water - no towels!!! Or TV and it was winter Olympics. The manager did loan us her coffeemaker because I was going ballistic about the freezing water, lack of TV, and no coffeemaker. We had to just look out our living room window at the Hard Rock across the street. We don't generally go out much in the evening, we are day people and come back to the unit after an early dinner and read or watch TV. I might even try the Baccara again now that the Avalon group bought and renovated it. The unit had great potential - it had just been neglected and some of the units had not been repaired after a hurricane.

The absolute worst was in Acapulco LeTorres Gemeles (sp). It was so bad that when we took the MP tour, we bought because they said we could move over that day. We had the taxi driver wait and grabbed our stuff and were back at the MP and checked into a room within an hour!!! Been a happy MP owner since January1999.

Thanks for a fun read!

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Hi Pittle, Old is okay, the other things well not so great. Actually living in Mexico, old and quaint are good...LOL. Gald you enjoyed my review but I don't suggest going there, as well you might end up in that unit C-11. We usually stay at resort at night, have few drinks and then spend time in room talking etc....so we do utilize our room per say....this was not my worst....but I am not returning there...LOL.

That stay you had in Cancun sounds horrible....I ahd one horrible stay in Mexico at Playa del Sol Costa Sur in PV..I think I have a review of that nightmare on here, it was my one and only negative review, hopefully my last LOL.

So funny, Acapulco you bought at Mayan due to that other resort....well guess it was meant to be since you are happy Mayan owners, we are too, just have too many weeks between all our timeshares so seems we do not utilize our Mayan as much as we should.

Thanks for sharing your stories with me....the tales we all can tell huh...so funny now I guess, not so funny at the time!

I had to go over the whole years schedule with hubby as he said I am not going on another vacation this year like the last....LOL. I think we are fine for rest of year!!!

Have a great week, Easter and vacations to come. Oh I meant to go see Castles and Condos when I was in PV and never did, will try in July.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Well, I just wanted to let everyone know how I made out with RCI in regards to this gone off or bad vacation. They called my home in US and left a detailed message of which hubby of course did not write down. Anyway they sent a letter......extreme apologies...for future exchanges speak to management at resort ( I did that) and if no change, call RCI immediately. They also stated they nderstood this could be an issue in Mexico....anyway....they did good by me, so I have to give credit where credit is due: They gave me my week back ( I certainly did not need another week, I can't use all I have now...LOL, not complaining though..I'll give it to a friend or one of sons or something. They also gave me back my exchange fee, it shows on my acount online, no clue ho wthat will work if trying to book online as I usually do, so may have to call to get it, who knows. So needless to say I recouped my financial costs for the unit anyway....they of course ( RCI) said they could not fully compenstae me for my vacation, they probably thought I flew, but anyway......at least they did something and they also said they were going to contact the resort in regards to my complaints so that will be good for other exchangers, I hope!

Anyway Just thought since I whined and told the whole long thing should let you know the outcome.....I did also email resort as well as speak to them while there but have not heard a word from them.......not that I really expected to...LOL

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

OMG, what a hysterical report!

You certainly have a MUCH better sense of humor then I have - The ants and no A/C would hve sent me to a hotel the first night.
Thank you for the warning - I will NEVER stay at this 'resort'
And I am glad RCI made good for you.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

OMG, what a hysterical report!

You certainly have a MUCH better sense of humor then I have - The ants and no A/C would hve sent me to a hotel the first night.
Thank you for the warning - I will NEVER stay at this 'resort'
And I am glad RCI made good for you.

I try to make the best of things.....and I truly thought once I spoke with management they would make changes...naive, naive!!!

I am never going back there...and well hubby might kill me if I ever book it again LOL.

Yes, RCI did good, more than I expected, the resort did nada ( nothing).

I am glad you got a laugh at my review, I tried to make it kind of humorous.....if you can believe this it was worse than I ever wrote....my pics are not bad, but then again I did not take pics of the ants and could not take a pic of the non-existant A/C, but there are pics of us sweating in room and also many with us just looking downtrodden or in deep contemplation.

If we did not have a friend or a few friends in PV we wanted to hook up with and we did, I think we definately would have just packed car up and headed home and just spent the time, doing work on house....

Oh well....an experience, hope not to be repeated LOL. I just started packing for my next vacation......I have now included bug spray , like for ants in my suitcase, just in case LOL..

Hope your Easter is good!!

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I try to make the best of things.....and I truly thought once I spoke with management they would make changes...naive, naive!!!

I am never going back there...and well hubby might kill me if I ever book it again LOL.

Yes, RCI did good, more than I expected, the resort did nada ( nothing).

I am glad you got a laugh at my review, I tried to make it kind of humorous.....if you can believe this it was worse than I ever wrote....my pics are not bad, but then again I did not take pics of the ants and could not take a pic of the non-existant A/C, but there are pics of us sweating in room and also many with us just looking downtrodden or in deep contemplation.

If we did not have a friend or a few friends in PV we wanted to hook up with and we did, I think we definately would have just packed car up and headed home and just spent the time, doing work on house....

Oh well....an experience, hope not to be repeated LOL. I just started packing for my next vacation......I have now included bug spray , like for ants in my suitcase, just in case LOL..

Hope your Easter is good!!

In the hindsight is ALWAYS so much better - be sure to take your RCI or II confirmation with you and call the number on it that specifically deals with check-in problems - they would have moved you the next day to a different resort (if available)

That said, I might have done the same as you.... just toughed it out especially as the drinks were included

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

In the hindsight is ALWAYS so much better - be sure to take your RCI or II confirmation with you and call the number on it that specifically deals with check-in problems - they would have moved you the next day to a different resort (if available)

That said, I might have done the same as you.... just toughed it out especially as the drinks were included

Happy Easter....if you can believe this I did have the confirmation with me, just never even thought to call them till I got home ( RCI that is)

Wonder what would have happened to what we paid for the AI, if we had called and been moved?

Oh well, I gave the resort a chance to make things right, they chose not to....I had an experience and we have had many laughs actually over this, so just adding it to our memories....

I know the resorts I am going to for rest of year ( been to them before) except Grand Mayan in Acapulco, so hope the rest of the year's vacations are better....

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Grand Mayan ACA is a FABULOUS resort - do NOT worry - U will have a wonderful time.....I was there in October 2007.

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

I'm glad to hear that RCI came thorough. I complained to II about the place we stayed in Cancun, and they did give us our week back but did not refund our exchange fee. I didn't complain about the place in Acapulco, but should have as it was much worse. We had two great things happen on that one - we volunteered to be bumped on our way and AA put us up in a hotel in Chicago for one night, let us fly first class to Acapulco, and gave us $1000 each in travel vouchers. The resort was horrible, but we found the Mayan Palace. We ended up with a great vacation and free air travel for 2 years!

I have a credit on my RCI account too, I have read somewhere that you do have to call in to use it. I generally use online booking also and had not noticed my credit when I did call to book a week for a friend to use. The RCI vacation counselor did not offer the information that I had a credit. Just be aware of that. I too, have too many deposits and timeshares to use right now.

We are still traveling, but not quite as much this year - too many other things going on. I'm not complaining, but current priorities are different - we recently purchased a lovely new home , but hubby has had some health issues , my 83 year-old mom has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and lives 1700 miles away , and my IRA has tanked . Hopefully, we will be back to 12-13 weeks a year in 2010.

The Grand Mayan in Acapulco is a great place for relaxing and will be clean.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Grand Mayan ACA is a FABULOUS resort - do NOT worry - U will have a wonderful time.....I was there in October 2007.

Well that is good news.......and I trust your opinion, thank you!

I'm glad to hear that RCI came thorough. I complained to II about the place we stayed in Cancun, and they did give us our week back but did not refund our exchange fee. I didn't complain about the place in Acapulco, but should have as it was much worse. We had two great things happen on that one - we volunteered to be bumped on our way and AA put us up in a hotel in Chicago for one night, let us fly first class to Acapulco, and gave us $1000 each in travel vouchers. The resort was horrible, but we found the Mayan Palace. We ended up with a great vacation and free air travel for 2 years!

I have a credit on my RCI account too, I have read somewhere that you do have to call in to use it. I generally use online booking also and had not noticed my credit when I did call to book a week for a friend to use. The RCI vacation counselor did not offer the information that I had a credit. Just be aware of that. I too, have too many deposits and timeshares to use right now.

We are still traveling, but not quite as much this year - too many other things going on. I'm not complaining, but current priorities are different - we recently purchased a lovely new home , but hubby has had some health issues , my 83 year-old mom has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and lives 1700 miles away , and my IRA has tanked . Hopefully, we will be back to 12-13 weeks a year in 2010.

The Grand Mayan in Acapulco is a great place for relaxing and will be clean.

Hey Pittle you made out on the bad vacation, free flights and all...yippee!!!

Thanks for the heads up on the credit with RCI. Oh I hate calling....I have skype so not the cost...I just dislike the telephone and talking with them, prefer online LOL.

I just rented out one of my units in PV......to a work associate of my husband....rather than accelerate I cancelled our July vacation and booked that person, now I have to find another week for us...but it is okay as I have 2 weeks in RCI that I was having a hard time trying to find space for.....

My Mexico travels may decrease a tad in the near future as well......I have a new grandchild on the way, so I'll probably go to states more until the child becomes a bit older to travel and all....due in Sept. and just found out today , it is a boy! <y son, the dad is so excited, already asking how hard to get a passport so he can bring baby to Mexico LOL. Plus have to put my youngest son thru flight school ugh...mucho dinero!!!

Sorry to hear of your troubles, not the new house though! Hopefully all will work out and you'll be back to your usual traveling style soon. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

Okay, another good recommendation for Grand Mayan and another opinion I trust....thanks.

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

Congrats again on the grandson. We have one and and "honorary" one - our older son's best friends child. His mom got his passport last summer when he was about 6 months old. He came with his parents to the GM in NV this past Thanksgiving with our "kids". He was 10-1/2 months old. We had a blast with him. The 2 bedroom GM unit was plenty large for his parents and us (plus the 10 year old). We loved having him stay in our unit so that we could babysit when the younger set went out at night. The GM has nice portable cribs.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Congrats again on the grandson. We have one and and "honorary" one - our older son's best friends child. His mom got his passport last summer when he was about 6 months old. He came with his parents to the GM in NV this past Thanksgiving with our "kids". He was 10-1/2 months old. We had a blast with him. The 2 bedroom GM unit was plenty large for his parents and us (plus the 10 year old). We loved having him stay in our unit so that we could babysit when the younger set went out at night. The GM has nice portable cribs.

Thanks pittle very good to know...cribs had not thought that far yet, but now it will be on my list of checks hahah...

Oh I wanted to let you know, I rescheduled the vacation I rented, same dates, different but sister resort on an exchange thru RCI with my credits from the bad resort vacation. Well I id it last night, late, figuring it would not do it and tell me to call, and if so I was going to put on hold and then call so I got the cheaper online exchange fee......well much to my surprise......it all went thru right online......they deducted the exchange fee of $164 from my credits I had $199 exchange fee return credit and also $100 bonus credit.....so I did not have to pay anything, and still left a balance of $135. which it says will be applied to my next exchange.....

So maybe sometimes you can use the credits online, or maybe it was just in my case due to the issue and story behind it.....I have no clue but thought I would let you and others know!