Grand Mayan - Riviera Maya Changes

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

We were at the GM RM last January, at the GM NV in October, and now going back to GM RM Jan 19-Feb 2. I'm wondering what's changed!

1. Is the construction of the new pool completed? I have read that the newer GM buildings along the golf course are open, but want to stay in one of the original buildings due to the distance from the pool.

2. I read on Tripadvisor a note that they now charge $30/day for the cabanas around the pool. Anyone been there recently that knows?

3. While at the GM NV, they prohibited carrying any food or coolers into the pool area, and security was at the entrances to enforce it. That forced paying the $4.50 + tip price for cool beer. (Pisses me off!) Has that been imposed in GM RM now?

4. I also read somewhere they now have a shuttle into Playa Del Carmen. Anyone able to comment?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

My friend Scott will be there in 2 weeks he should be able to answer, bump the thread up in 2 weeks if you do not get any replies and I will ask him to post.

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

We were at the GM RM last January, at the GM NV in October, and now going back to GM RM Jan 19-Feb 2. I'm wondering what's changed! We just returned december 23rd, 2007.

1. Is the construction of the new pool completed? Yes, but not the waterpark, which we were told would be ready by Spring. I have read that the newer GM buildings along the golf course are open, but want to stay in one of the original buildings due to the distance from the pool. Try very hard to get one of the originals, as the newer ones are a considerable walk. We were unsuccessful.

2. I read on Tripadvisor a note that they now charge $30/day for the cabanas around the pool. Anyone been there recently that knows? Yes. However, the first $30 is deducted from your food bill. Be sure to check that this fee is removed when you check out.

3. While at the GM NV, they prohibited carrying any food or coolers into the pool area, and security was at the entrances to enforce it. That forced paying the $4.50 + tip price for cool beer. (Pisses me off!) Has that been imposed in GM RM now? Not that I noticed and we had four kids with tote bags, back packs, etc.

4. I also read somewhere they now have a shuttle into Playa Del Carmen. Anyone able to comment?

[B]Yes, and to Cancun as well. $4 per person. Very handy especially for the older kids that want some independence.[/B]

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

Grand Mayan

Just got back from Mayan Palace Tuesday, 1/15...see comments after your questions...also see my post for other comments on my trip....
http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...ace-trip.htmlt

We were at the GM RM last January, at the GM NV in October, and now going back to GM RM Jan 19-Feb 2. I'm wondering what's changed!

1. Is the construction of the new pool completed? I have read that the newer GM buildings along the golf course are open, but want to stay in one of the original buildings due to the distance from the pool.

Pool building still under construction. New buildings at GM are open. We stayed at Palace in Blding 13. They offered up an upgrade to GM if we did timeshare presentation but they were going to put us in one of those new buildings that were further from the pool than Palace #13. Needless to say we declined upgrade

2. I read on Tripadvisor a note that they now charge $30/day for the cabanas around the pool. Anyone been there recently that knows?

They do charge $30 but $30 can be applied against food and beverage that day. Also you can reserve for up to 2 days at a time.

3. While at the GM NV, they prohibited carrying any food or coolers into the pool area, and security was at the entrances to enforce it. That forced paying the $4.50 + tip price for cool beer. (Pisses me off!) Has that been imposed in GM RM now?

Did not see any coolers. We only brought bottles of water to pool/beach

4. I also read somewhere they now have a shuttle into Playa Del Carmen. Anyone able to comment?

I believe I heard they do have shuttle. I did not use as I had my own rental.

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

Thanks for the feedback.
Regarding the $30 for the cabana, is $30 applied to food/drink each day, or only one $30 credit for the duration of the stay?

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

Cabanas

Sorry, as we spent most of our days away from the resort, we never rented a cabana. I am sure someone else can better answer this question
(I do believe it is $30 per day for each rental). Enjoy your trip!!!! We had wonderful weather...sunny and in the 80's every day. I hope you have the same....
Best wishes,
Paul

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

We were at the GM RM last January, at the GM NV in October, and now going back to GM RM Jan 19-Feb 2. I'm wondering what's changed!

1. Is the construction of the new pool completed? I have read that the newer GM buildings along the golf course are open, but want to stay in one of the original buildings due to the distance from the pool.
New pool building is not completed yet, at least not when we were there in November. They said it would be done by summer this year.We stayed in one of the new GM units by the golf course and it wasn't too bad but we were able to catch the shuttles and trams to most anywhere as it wasn't real crowded in November
2. I read on Tripadvisor a note that they now charge $30/day for the cabanas around the pool. Anyone been there recently that knows?
As others have said there is a $30 charge but you can credit that for food and drinks that day.
3. While at the GM NV, they prohibited carrying any food or coolers into the pool area, and security was at the entrances to enforce it. That forced paying the $4.50 + tip price for cool beer. (Pisses me off!) Has that been imposed in GM RM now?
Don't know, we didn't spend a lot of time in pools while we were there as. they were freezing
4. I also read somewhere they now have a shuttle into Playa Del Carmen. Anyone able to comment?

Didn't hear anything about a shuttle run by Mayan Palace while we were there, but the colectivos vans are $4.00 outside the gate and there were the mini bus vans also that were only $1.50 to Playa del Carman.

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

Thanks for the feedback.
Regarding the $30 for the cabana, is $30 applied to food/drink each day, or only one $30 credit for the duration of the stay?

$30 each day.


Jana

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

We were at the GM RM last January, at the GM NV in October, and now going back to GM RM Jan 19-Feb 2. I'm wondering what's changed!

I'm back, and have some answers
1. Is the construction of the new pool completed? I have read that the newer GM buildings along the golf course are open, but want to stay in one of the original buildings due to the distance from the pool.
We did manage to get a 2BR in building 5 around the lagoon. I found that a small tip does help.

2. I read on Tripadvisor a note that they now charge $30/day for the cabanas around the pool. Anyone been there recently that knows?
The $30 charge is for the beds, but there are still the small single post palapas on a first come basis. One morning I was out at 6:10 and got the last of those. I would guess by next year they will rent those too. They do refund up to $30 each day for pool side and Balche restaurant purchases made prior to 6:00 PM

3. While at the GM NV, they prohibited carrying any food or coolers into the pool area, and security was at the entrances to enforce it. That forced paying the $4.50 + tip price for cool beer. (Pisses me off!) Has that been imposed in GM RM now?Rules state " we appreciate you not bringing coolers...", but I was told to remove my cooler on the 3rd day. Based on my NV experience, I had an extra beach bag I carried with the cooler hidden after that.

4. I also read somewhere they now have a shuttle into Playa Del Carmen. Anyone able to comment?They have a shuttle to both Play Del Carmen and Cancun. I don't recall exact prices, but were reasonable.

Pool side service was much worse this year. Mixed up orders, got 2 for 1 when I ordered 4 for 2 at happy hour, often no buckets of ice available, etc. Worst case was when I ordered 2 for 1 beer at 12:15, waiter came by around 12:45 for last call on happy hour, and I gave up and went to get my cooler at 1:15, Returned at 1:40, and he had brought the two beers, but no ice.

They have also implemented an automatic 15% gratuity to the bill. I asked when I ordered room service, and was told the Waiter gets 10% and the resort retains 5%.

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

Fire

How extensive is the damage from the fire last week???

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

It destroyed the new GM lobby, and several adjacent palapa roofs, plus the one over the elevator between GM 6 & 7 accross the lagoon. No one had to move out of their rooms overnight. It cracked some of the glass on the shops area and cyber café. The GM pool and cyber café were down for a couple of days, but everything else was running by the evening of the fire.

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

We are e leaving Sunday for the GM. Anyone have any recent updates? Thanks!

[Kampachi Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kampachi]

I'm thinking of going to the same resort and would like to have updates on the status on this resort...

Thanks,
Kam

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

4. I also read somewhere they now have a shuttle into Playa Del Carmen. Anyone able to comment?

We are at MP MR Nov/Dec 2007. Prior to Christmas/New Year's Week, Mayan provided a shuttle to the front gate where you could meet other arranged transportation or take collectives/buses South to Playa del Carmen or North to Cancun.

They also provided vans that took you from the front desk entrance to a specific stop in Playa del Carmen or a mall in Cancun with a return at a specific time. You had to pay for round trip regardless if you went one way.

A few days before Christmas....they refused to take guests to the front gate. You had to take a taxi, rent a car or walk miles. The excuse is they said it was dangerous for guests to cross the highway to take the collectivo vans. However, their alternative was to take large Groupo Mayan Buses to the same stops the small vans offered prior to the holidays.

I have a feeling this is common practice to change during peak Holiday weeks.

We enjoyed our time at all the Mayans so far. But it can be confusing to tell people that a service is available then realize it differs depending on when they go.

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

Thanks for the feedback.
Regarding the $30 for the cabana, is $30 applied to food/drink each day, or only one $30 credit for the duration of the stay?

applied to food and drink each day but make sure you ask for the credit at check-out or they conveniently forget to do it.