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I posted this on another thread as a reply but thought I would also post it here as general information
We just got back Friday from spending 2 weeks at the Grand Mayan - Riviera Maya on an SFX exchange. We were there 2 1/2 years ago so it was very interesting to see all the changes. The resort is much larger now and they are planning on adding another 600 Grand Mayan units and a new mega size swimming pool. That will give them 2000 units.
We really enjoyed it and liked our stay better than last time which is something because we loved it before. They originally assigned us to building 11 which is one of the new buildings. However we asked if they could change us to building 7 which is the closest to the Mayan Palace pools and El Lago restaurant. They gladly did that for us and gave us a unit in building 7 on the top floor ( 3rd floor ) for both weeks. The resort was very busy. Building 1 is closest to the Grand Mayan pool but we far prefer the Mayan Palace pools. The Grand Mayan pool is much smaller, has no palapas, and is very dead. We prefer to be where the action is and lay on the bed under the Palapa. We had no problem getting a palapa with the bed every day. In fact we were able to choose which one we wanted. You rent them for $30.00 /day which is credited toward any food or beverages at the pool or Balche restaurant before 6:00 pm. They refunded 100% of the $300 rental we paid. They gave us 3 free days free rental as well. One note: you can order food poolside from the Balche restaurant menu as well as the poolside menu which gives you a much greater selection. Don't pay any attention to the prices on the menu as just about everything is cheaper than the menu price. The food is good and quite reasonable.
Though the resort is very large, we find it much more relaxing than the Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta which is more compact. By staying in one the original Grand Mayan buildings ( 1-7 ) it felt just like it was before the expansion as we pretty well stayed in that area. One thing we noticed is that the units in the original buildings show absolutely NO sign of wear and tear. They are in just as good shape as before and there is no difference between them and the newer units. The maintenance at the resort is outstanding.
They have added a lot more dining options now. We ate at every restaurant as well as room service. You now have your choice of 4 different options for breakfast. There is the elaborate breakfast buffet at the El Lago as before except it is a little more expensive( ~$42.00 for 2 persons including tax and 15% gratuity ) now. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to all food and beverage service throughout the resort except at the Deli. Other breakfast options include an American breakfast buffet at the 19th hole which is very good ( made to order omelets etc. ) and quite reasonable at ~$27.00 for 2 people including everything. The Havana Moon is a new restaurant right on the beach that serves breakfast lunch and dinner. It is very reasonable and offers both full American and Mexican breakfasts from $6.00-9.00 each. And then there is room service which is also good and reasonable. They also have a Parillada on the beach every evening. It is very good and offers grilled meats, chicken, and fish as well as salads, vegetables etc.
We spent all of our time poolside except for both Wednesdays when we went on the tours to Xel-Ha park ( excellent snorkeling ) and Xcaret which was awesome as usual.
The only downside was the weather was pretty cool and windy the first week. We spent the last 2 weeks of April at the Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta in 2006 and the weather was much warmer than Riviera Maya and more consistent with no wind. It is much warmer here at home than it was there. However, the local folks told us that it was cooler than normal.
We have changed our mind and now prefer the Grand Mayan - Riviera Mayan resort to the GM in Nuevo Vallarta. The service was absolutely outstanding. I am already requesting another 2 weeks for next spring.
We just got back Friday from spending 2 weeks at the Grand Mayan - Riviera Maya on an SFX exchange. We were there 2 1/2 years ago so it was very interesting to see all the changes. The resort is much larger now and they are planning on adding another 600 Grand Mayan units and a new mega size swimming pool. That will give them 2000 units.
We really enjoyed it and liked our stay better than last time which is something because we loved it before. They originally assigned us to building 11 which is one of the new buildings. However we asked if they could change us to building 7 which is the closest to the Mayan Palace pools and El Lago restaurant. They gladly did that for us and gave us a unit in building 7 on the top floor ( 3rd floor ) for both weeks. The resort was very busy. Building 1 is closest to the Grand Mayan pool but we far prefer the Mayan Palace pools. The Grand Mayan pool is much smaller, has no palapas, and is very dead. We prefer to be where the action is and lay on the bed under the Palapa. We had no problem getting a palapa with the bed every day. In fact we were able to choose which one we wanted. You rent them for $30.00 /day which is credited toward any food or beverages at the pool or Balche restaurant before 6:00 pm. They refunded 100% of the $300 rental we paid. They gave us 3 free days free rental as well. One note: you can order food poolside from the Balche restaurant menu as well as the poolside menu which gives you a much greater selection. Don't pay any attention to the prices on the menu as just about everything is cheaper than the menu price. The food is good and quite reasonable.
Though the resort is very large, we find it much more relaxing than the Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta which is more compact. By staying in one the original Grand Mayan buildings ( 1-7 ) it felt just like it was before the expansion as we pretty well stayed in that area. One thing we noticed is that the units in the original buildings show absolutely NO sign of wear and tear. They are in just as good shape as before and there is no difference between them and the newer units. The maintenance at the resort is outstanding.
They have added a lot more dining options now. We ate at every restaurant as well as room service. You now have your choice of 4 different options for breakfast. There is the elaborate breakfast buffet at the El Lago as before except it is a little more expensive( ~$42.00 for 2 persons including tax and 15% gratuity ) now. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to all food and beverage service throughout the resort except at the Deli. Other breakfast options include an American breakfast buffet at the 19th hole which is very good ( made to order omelets etc. ) and quite reasonable at ~$27.00 for 2 people including everything. The Havana Moon is a new restaurant right on the beach that serves breakfast lunch and dinner. It is very reasonable and offers both full American and Mexican breakfasts from $6.00-9.00 each. And then there is room service which is also good and reasonable. They also have a Parillada on the beach every evening. It is very good and offers grilled meats, chicken, and fish as well as salads, vegetables etc.
We spent all of our time poolside except for both Wednesdays when we went on the tours to Xel-Ha park ( excellent snorkeling ) and Xcaret which was awesome as usual.
The only downside was the weather was pretty cool and windy the first week. We spent the last 2 weeks of April at the Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta in 2006 and the weather was much warmer than Riviera Maya and more consistent with no wind. It is much warmer here at home than it was there. However, the local folks told us that it was cooler than normal.
We have changed our mind and now prefer the Grand Mayan - Riviera Mayan resort to the GM in Nuevo Vallarta. The service was absolutely outstanding. I am already requesting another 2 weeks for next spring.
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