Anybody been there?

ashleyd80 wrote:

candacec12 wrote:

Yes! It's open - My husband and I stayed at the Grand Mayan Oct. 10 - Oct. 17, 2007. Not everything is done yet. They were still hauling in massive palm trees for planting, though the grounds are already lovely. The spa and exercise areas are not finished, so our couples massage took place in one of the two rooms currently converted into massage suites.

We took a lot of photos. Should we post them?

Both the first entrance and the lobby are enormous and impressive. There is a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired walkway between them (that architectural method where the person goes from a small space into a gigantic space). The first entry foyer is very tall and dark, with enormous statues, with drumming in the background. Then you walk through this short (12 feet tall by 20 feet long?) hallway. Then at the end of that little hall, large glass doors swoosh "a la Star Trek" into a hidden pocket on the side (not front or back like at the bank or grocery store). and you enter into an enormous, light, bright, billowing, stately lobby.

The restaurants are open. We ate at two of them, one upstairs and one by the poolside. Food presentation is lovely (I'm a former long-time-ago restaurant reviewer). Lunch was about $45 - no alcohol. They were offering a Meal Plan for $210 that covered 7 meals, including some dinners. It was probably a good deal, but we ate in the room sometimes and also out offsite (we rented a car for the week, so took day trips to explore Totos Santos, etc.).

The service was superior - everyone was very pleasant and professional. There is twice daily maid service, and they are very thorough. Our room had a soaking pool on the balcony off the living room. I watched the sun rise one morning and could see and hear the ocean waves.

The facility was not crowded, but there were people in the pool & in the public areas. The poolside activity schedule was full: bingo, aqua aerobics, etc. Lots of people at the swim-up bar during happy hour (4pm - 5pm).

There is a 9-hole golf course next door. Looked lovely. I think greens fees were $110, but guests get a 50% price break.

We definitely plan to return - on our own or with other couples. I'm also planning a "girls-only trip."

My only gripe, not at all the Grand Mayan's fault, was about the Swim with the Dolpins by Cabos Adventures. Incredibly, my money belt was stolen out of a locked locker! We had the key with us the whole time. The Dolphin staff was blase about it while I blubbered. But the staff at the Grand Mayan sure cared - everyone was very concerned and the concierge made the phone call for me to the U.S. to cancel my credit card.

Note: at the car rental return, the staff said they have heard several times that customers had money/wallets stolen out of locked lockers at Swim with the Dolphins.

Any questions about the Grand Mayan I'm happy to answer if possible. cmc

thanks for the review - could you post some photo's ???

Hi Ashley, Yes, after they are developed. They aren't digital. I think Marty is going to post them on the RedWeek site for everyone. Candace

Looks like this resort did a huge space bank with RCI for May-Sept '08. I reserved two "Hotel" size rooms for the labor day holiday week today. Plenty of other dates available for '08!

- Gary

Can you rent out a vacation fair week or do you have to use it yourself?

Gary just be careful -we were there in December - the pool was so freezing - we traveled to Pueblo Bonito Rose to swim !! - In my opinion - it does not measure up the GM Nuevo Vallarta

Ashley

Hi Ashley,

We were at the Grand in the week of Feb16th with 2 other couples. We are owners there and our friends are not and they absolutely loved it. I do want to explain about the pool because we spoke to quite a number of people at the resort about it being so cold including all the people in the sales office. I was told about the problem immediately by everyone in all departments.

There seems to have been a problem initially when the pool was designed. There were not anywhere enough heaters put in to allow for adequate heating of the pool. A big mistake which they completely admitted to us truthfully and said that it was a huge error. That because of this problem, they basically just turned off the heaters because at this point they wouldn't have gotten the job done anyway.

Sometime during the month of April, they are supposed to be closing the pool and new heaters which were ordered in the fall and were being built in Mazatlan, were being delivered. At this time they are planning to be installed and should take care of the problem and the pool will be completely heated.

One more thing. There was a women who complained quite a bit about the rooms being cold and the resort not being heated. Well, we also own at a number of other resorts in Los Cabos: The Westin Club Regina, Playa Del Sol Los Cabos, Melia Cabo Real, and the Hacienda Encanta Resort and Spa, and NONE of these resorts have their rooms heated either.

In fact, we looked into this after we read about her complaints, and none of the resorts in Los Cabos are heated. NONE! So, I just wanted to comment on this!

The Grand Mayan is just a beautiful and luxurious resort. Enjoy!

Beth

ira10 wrote:

Hi Ashley,

We were at the Grand in the week of Feb16th with 2 other couples. We are owners there and our friends are not and they absolutely loved it. I do want to explain about the pool because we spoke to quite a number of people at the resort about it being so cold including all the people in the sales office. I was told about the problem immediately by everyone in all departments.

There seems to have been a problem initially when the pool was designed. There were not anywhere enough heaters put in to allow for adequate heating of the pool. A big mistake which they completely admitted to us truthfully and said that it was a huge error. That because of this problem, they basically just turned off the heaters because at this point they wouldn't have gotten the job done anyway.

Sometime during the month of April, they are supposed to be closing the pool and new heaters which were ordered in the fall and were being built in Mazatlan, were being delivered. At this time they are planning to be installed and should take care of the problem and the pool will be completely heated.

One more thing. There was a women who complained quite a bit about the rooms being cold and the resort not being heated. Well, we also own at a number of other resorts in Los Cabos: The Westin Club Regina, Playa Del Sol Los Cabos, Melia Cabo Real, and the Hacienda Encanta Resort and Spa, and NONE of these resorts have their rooms heated either.

In fact, we looked into this after we read about her complaints, and none of the resorts in Los Cabos are heated. NONE! So, I just wanted to comment on this!

The Grand Mayan is just a beautiful and luxurious resort. Enjoy!

Beth

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Hmm. How cold does it get in the winter in Cabo? Guess some research is in order before we try to go there in 2009! Wonder if they would mind if we bought a space heater! MD

Hi Beth, We are owners at two of the resorts you own: Playa Del Sol Los Cabos, and Grand Mayan Los Cabos. Do you mind to say what's the best thing to do if we can't use our weeks this year? A gal at work sells her week back to the resort every other year (different resort). Do these work that way too? thanks - sorry to be such a newbie. Candace

Hi Candace,

You can rent them both out on Redweek if you want to. The Grand Mayan does have a company that they work with that will rent out weeks for you if you. You can call them and ask them about how to do that and they'll let you know. As far as I know, Playa doesn't have any program to do that for you. But I could be wrong. You should call and ask.

You can always deposit your weeks into RCI and II, but I find them very difficult to work with and almost never do that unless I really have to. You almost never get back what you want. So, I would recommend trying renting them on your own first if you can.

You can always donate them to a charity too and them take it off your taxes. Or, just see if a family member of friend could use them and just charge them your maintenance payment so you don't lose any money.

Good Luck!

Beth

We are to arrive at the Melia Cabo Real. Can anyone give us a heads up about anything at the resort? good or not so good ?

Thanks Darrell

Darrell,

You are on the wrong forum. You are on the one for the Grand Mayan is Los Cabos, not the Melia Cabo Real. I thought I would let you know.

Beth

We are to arrive at the Melia Cabo Real. Can anyone give us a heads up about anything at the resort? good or not so good ?

Thanks Darrell

It is my understanding that Mayan does not rent out your weeks for you unless you have four or more. Then they have some sort of marketing arrangements with Wyndham (not their timeshare division) which rents them in order to bring more potential buyers to Mexico. When we did not WANT to buy four weeks, we were given a list of up-front fee outfits who would try to rent out one.

Something was said, which I did not quite catch, about one needing to use your owned week before you could use a bonus week of some kind. Vacation Fair? Sun Pak? If anyone knows, please add your input. MD

adahiscout wrote:

It is my understanding that Mayan does not rent out your weeks for you unless you have four or more. Then they have some sort of marketing arrangements with Wyndham (not their timeshare division) which rents them in order to bring more potential buyers to Mexico. When we did not WANT to by four weeks, we were given a list of up-front fee outfits who would try to rent out one.

Something was said, which I did not quite catch, about one needing to use your owned week before you could use a bonus week of some kind. Vacation Fair? Sun Pak? If anyone knows, please add your input. MD

Hi,

We own alot of weeks with them and have never heard about any rule for how many weeks you need to own for them to rent them out.

If you are part of Elite reservations, they will take any of your weeks to rent whether they be Regular weeks or Vaction Fare weeks. It doesn't matter to them. You can also give them only one week if you want to.

The Grand Mayan does give you a list of companies that will rent your week for you, but I have never used them. I rent them out myself on this website.

A "Sunpak" is an additional gift they give you when you purchase from them to "lure" you into buying.

Depending when you bought your week, it will tell you that you have an extra unit to use for certain dates for a maintenance fee without actually having to purchase that unit. They are always I believe a Mayan Palace Studio or 1 BR unit to use during non-prime time.

Also, if you call the member service toll-free number, the agents will explain most of your questions for you or refer you to the right place to get them answered.

You can also always email the Grand through their website and they will get back to you.

I hope I helped you. I know it's very confusing when you buy your first timeshare.

Good Luck!

B

We are Grand Mayan owners and stayed in Cabo fro 2 weeks this past Nov, It was GREAT. it's the smallest Grand Mayan, and hence much more intimate in flavor, with truly spacious pool areas and a marvelous spa. Reataurants are very good, too, and the "Specials" nights are a great deal. One must shuttle to the golf course (only 5 min.) but it's a nice course. The tennis courts and pool there are for Mayan guests also. San Jose del Cabo is one cool little town and an easy walk from the Grand Mayan. Much more fun than Cabo san Locas which is now far too crowded. Dennis & Susan

Pleased to hear the good words. We hope to go to the Grand Mayan in Cabo for 2 weeks this fall. Hope they have the pools heated by then! MD

Pools were quite warm during put Nov. visit. Enjoy your visit to Grand Mayan in Cabo san Jose! Dennis & Susan

Well, we still haven't made it to Cabo, but it is nice that the reports seem to get better and better! MD

I have! Grand Mayan Los Cabos is spectacular. It's 5 star and my family and I love to go there. It's a smaller resort so not like a circus. Whale watching season is amazing. We saw the best Whale SHOW in our lives there in February/March. Craig Staresinich