Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta

We stayed at the Mayan in marina Vallarta. the property is great. Be prepared to go to Walmart & buy one of those egg-carton foam pads for the bed, because they are hard as slate. AND don't participate in their Timeshare presentation, at the Grand Mayan in Nueva Vallarta. We were told that it was going to be approximately 90 minutes, we were offered 500 pesos credit per person to our bill if we attended, there was 5 of us. The man who was our salesperson, Gill, was very pushy, said very inappropriate jokes to my In-laws, and kept telling us that all the time share's included golf, even though we told him we don't play golf. he was pleasant enough to start, but when it was apparent that we weren't go to buy into the timeshare, he got more and more upset, even insulting. He told us by law that he could keep us there for 7 hours. We were there for almost 6. They did NOT want to let us go.

The Resort is nice,Clean, and well cared for. However. I called to make an owners reservation 1 day after my six months in advance was past. I could not get in. So, I traded out and will never give a recomendation for anyone to buy there.

I have since exchanged into the Grupo Mayan resorts, using "junk resorts" which I have purchased for very little money as resales. Get to stay in their "5 star" for less than their maintanence fees.

We are owners of a 2 bedroom suite at the Grand Mayan and have stayed there the past three years in November. The water park is spectacular - took our grandkids one year and they LOVED it.

I have nothing negative to say about the resort itself (hence the five star ranking), but I think the timeshare management is deceptive. In the three years we have gone there, we have yet to get an ocean view - I think these are reserved for non-owners. They want to make a good impression on potential buyers. I have tried everything at checkin (including offering a bribe!), but it hasn't worked. Also, as an owner I can only request a room six months in advance rather than a year as at other timeshares we own. Then, when we call on exactly the day we can first make a reservation, most of the units are already booked. What is going on here? If I look at Redweek rentals, there are rentals listed for a full year in advance. So, someone is obviously making reservations more than six months out. I suspect the resort itself is offering these rooms to non-owners as they want non-owners to visit as potential buyers. And yes, the timeshare presentations are high pressure, even if you already own they have a "great deal" that will cost you money now but in the long run "you will make money"! The sales ploy is to buy additional weeks and rent them out - they give you a price that is unrealistic. Again, if you look at Redweek, there are many rentals at lower cost.

So, the resort itself it fantastic but the timeshare aspect is very frustrating.

I planned a vacation here and was unable to go, so I sent a bunch of my girlfriends for a week of fun. They went in February and STILL keep talking about how great the resort was and how well they were treated there. The staff was friendly and the rooms very clean and impressive. I have stayed at the Grand Mayan next to this resort which is also gorgeous and a great stay. I checked out all their pictures and it does look great!

We just got back from the Grand Mayan next door, but spent alot of time at the Mayan Palace and actually we preferred it.

There isn't a waterpark there, so the kids would probably prefer the Grand, but lots of activities, the shops, spa, disco, game room, better beach, etc. are all at the Mayan Palace.

The end of May the weather was terrific, hot, but it seems like there are more mexicans vacationing at this time of year and the food was geared more towards their taste. We are in Mexico, of course, but maybe the food was a little too authentic for us.

The cleanliness and friendly service, of course can't be beat and that is precisely why we go again and again to the Mayan Palaces in Mexico. By the way, this is our first visit as owners and it's true that the Mayan Palace and Grand Mayan treat the owners like royalty. It's also true that the owners get the nicest rooms and the best service. However I got great service before owning as well. These are beautiful resorts and they are in great locations, you aren't going to find anything nicer in Mexico, so if you want the Ritz-Calton in New York or The Four Seasons in Southern California, go there!! No need to complain about your so-called "Four Star" trade in and not getting the best room.

Outstanding in every way!!!

We apologize for being bit late in our evaluation, but wanted to give our opinion. We own several timeshares and they are all Gold Crown and Five Star resorts. We couldn't get a second week at our home resort (Club Regina) in Puerto Vallarta in Dec. 2005, so we used a banked Gold Crown wk. to secure a reservation at the Mayan Palace Nuevo Puerto Vallarta. We could only get a one bedroom, but that was fine since it was only the two of us. We had toured the property the yr. before and liked what we saw, so we agreed to book the week.

Upon arriving we were treated so royally until the sales girls found out that we were an exchange. Then when we asked if we could have an ocean front view we were told "no problem". Yet, when we checked in and our luggage was brought to the unit, which was a great distance from the check-in, we found that the unit faced the opposite direction from the ocean. The bell service seemed to suggest that this happens all the time.

We were very courteous with the desk and they suggested that we come back to the desk within the next hour to get a unit that was ocean front. The next unit we received was ocean front, but the worst unit we have seen in the 18 yrs. we have been time share owners. There were ants crawling on the sink countertop, soiled marks on the dining rm. chairs and threads hanging from the chairs. The housekeeping staff sprayed and never returned to clean up the residue or dead ants. Also, there were cracked and dangerous tiles on the floor, which prompted us to wear sandals or shoes at all times. My husband taped the tiles to keep our feet from being cut. The maid service was terrible and we were told by owners at the pool that all the "nice furniture and TV's" had been transferred to the "Grand Mayan" next door. Our TV was tiny compared to the opening in the cabinet which made sense that it had been switched. Also we all had to wear wristbands which designated where you were staying and we were not allowed to go to the new nice pools and other amenities. Yet, we were "Gold Crown" owners. Our last night there we met a couple that had also traded or purchased a wk. and complained and were upgraded to the Grand Mayan. By the time we realized what was happening to us it wasn't worth demanding a change. All we know is that we are so glad that we didn't purchase at any Mayan Palace properties when we toured, for things can change in just a matter of months.

This resort is definitely worth every penny. Everything is there for you. You do not have to leave the resort for anything. The accomodations were beautiful. The staff was very friendly. The fiestas on the beach were well worth the money. It is a place for couples or families. There is always something going on at night or even during the day. They have a clubhouse just for kids during the day and childcare at night. We stayed in a 2 bedroom suite and could comfortably accomodate 10 people.

We just stayed at this resort over Thanksgiving. BEAUTIFUL resort!! The staff, landscaping, pool, views it was all excellent.

Meticulously maintained, spectacularly beautiful. Everything is here: one of the longest pools in Latin America; golf course; restaurants; spa; kayaks; gym; store; easy access to buses and cabs. Beautiful, long beach. In at least 10 visits to this resort, myy husband & I have always had respectful, prompt attention from resort employees. The lush landscaping adds to the beauty of this resort, but the sparkling pool encircled by palms and dotted with foundtains and "islands" will bring you back time & again. Resort rooms are comfortable, fully equipped, very clean. the only thing missing from this resort is a balcony; really, though, why would you sit inside when that pool and beach beckon?

Just got back from a fantastic vacation with my kids. Ended up staying two weeks. The resort staff was incredible, when we left I felt like I was leaving old friends. The food in the restaurants was superb. The spa was worl-class and the gym very well appointed. Lots and lots to do. Turtles were nesting on the beach. The pool is fantastic. I hope to go back very soon by myself for my own spa vacation.

BEAUTIFUL, AWAY FROM TOWN. PLEANTY OF OPEN SPACE. GREAT SECURITY. LARGEST POOL IN THE WORLD. SHUTTLE EVERY 15 MINUTES. GOLF COURSE ON PROPERTY.

My wife and I have stayed here twice in the last four years. It is the nicest of the three resorts we have stayed at in Puerto Vallarta and one of the best when compared to timeshares in the US and the Virgin Islands.

It is close to Golf, a US type mall with stores and resturants, even McDonalds.

There are people trying to sell timeshares, from the time you step off the plane, but that is common every where we have gone, including the US. Just say NO.

Try it, you'll like it.

Dave from Oregon.

This is just what some people want in a resort, lot's of GLITZ, actually lot's of EVERYTHING. Lot's of bellboys, security, condo sales persons, grass, marble...... There are two main complexes the hotel and the owners unit. The hotel is a long, long way away from the beach and the pool. You will get in shape quickly walking back and forth. Coolers are restricted on the property and delivered drinks and food shell shock some people at checkout The owners units are on the beach by the pool and would be the way to go if looking at this property. It is worth visiting but I wouldn't want to live here.

We went to Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta in the 1st two weeks in May 03. The weather was very nice. The sunsets are awsome. The resort is very large and requires alot of walking to go anywhere. The rooms and service was nice. The resteraunts were high in price and quality. Pools side service was awsome and a little high priced. The resort is about 10 miles or so to main PV. Take the bus for $1 a piece (they are like greyhound buses). I think next time we will stay in PV at the Mayan, it seems very nice and closer to town. We had a great time.

Don't stay at this resort if you don't want to walk ALOT and I mean alot. It was at least a 3/4 mile round trip from our room to the front of the Hotel. Maid service was slow, and even though they offer turn down service we never used it, the maids didn't come around until after 9pm and as late at 10:30 pm one night, really useless to us as we were in for the night by 9pm every night. I would not recommend the Fiesta, it was very expensive and though the food was good, it was not worth $45 per person. We did enjoy the pool, and the room was nice, but you can get that anywhere with out the hassel of walking forever to get anywhere. Room service was good. I believe they should run the train more often, and have more carts available to shuttle people back and forth to the front of the hotel. My husband is 76 with bad knees, We have stayed and many other places that are much better than this.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC 5 STAR RESORT TO RELAX ON BEACH WITH OCEAN BREEZE OR BE VERY ACTIVE AS DISCOUNT FOR GOLF IS INCLUDED.

Great service, very friendly. Lots of beach so not cramped at all. Huge pool but a bit cold, 2 large childrens areas in pool.

Several restaurants but on the expensive side, excellent food though. Shopping mall with grocery store and reasonable restaurants nearby, 30 peso taxi ride. Bus service into Puerto Vallarta, 10 pesos, runs till 11pm.

Electric boats run on canals in resort and little train runs every 30 minutes, great for kids.

This resort has exceptional grounds and numerous amenities on the site, including golfing. The beach was very clean. The pool is one of the largest I have ever seen. Amazing! Our stay was a delight, and we are going back again in June 03. The staff were excellent. Using the cyber cafe for checking our email was great. Love the place!

One of the most beautiful reseorts we have ever visited. The service was impeccable and the people of Puerto Vallarta (7 miles to the south) were the nicest we've met in Mexico.

We were there for two weeks and rode out Hurricane Kene. I want to say that the staff was very, very efficient in getting everyone evacuated, onto the several tour busses and to a safe auditorium. While the restaurants were knocked out, the catered meals that night and the next couple days were gratis until the restaurants were reopened..

We had owned at the Villa Del Pal Mar since 1991 and the staff and t/s "tiburones" there were the main reasons for our selling out and buying into Mayan Palace.

I disagree with another view that the t/s sales people were agressive at MP. They were not, once we explained upon registering our need to be left alone. And we were. But it was all done in a polite and civil manner, unlike at VPM where staff, except for the housekeepers, were inconsiderate and registration was hell because you had to pass the t/s gauntlet first and then finally the rude registering staff.

But I digress! MP is great and pure luxury.

DB

This is a spectacular resort. The grounds are immaculate and the accomodations are first rate using the finest of materials - lots of marble and native wood. We found the staff very friendly and helpful - especially the pool staff.

We arrived about two weeks after the hurricane of October '02 and there was absolutely no evidence of any damage to the resort. The same could not be said for Puerto Vallarta. The Malecon (boardwalk) downtown was pretty much destroyed and a couple of downtown ocean front hotels were seriously damaged - The Holiday Inn was being torn down while we were there.

Puerto Vallarta is about a 30 minute cab ride from the resort and the ambience is very different. Puerto Vallarta is Mexico - The Mayan Palace could be anywhere - very quiet.

There's a lot to do and see around Banderas Bay but mostly we enjoyed kicking back by the pool in the late afternoon and watched the sunset whilte sipping on a Corona.

One caveat: the timeshare salespeople everywhere around PV are EXTREMELY aggressive - we found that the best tactic to survive was to ignore them - if you engage them in any way, you'll use up a good ten minutes (or more!) explaining that you're not interested.

We had a great vacation at the Mayan Palace. The condo’s are in excellent condition and the staff is extremely courteous. There are many activities, restaurants and a new full service SPA just opened. The prices of food and services are a bit steep and avoid the time- share presentation. We were warned and did not attend however, everyone we talked to that did attend said it was very high pressure and unprofessional. I would stay at the Mayan again. If you like peace and rest, the Mayan is your place, about 1/2 hour from the city. If you’re a city person and want action, stay in Puerto Vallarta.

Very expensive compared to the rest of Vallarta. Watch out for the timeshare sales, they are ruthless

This one of my favorate resorts. The staff is wonderful and the grounds are beautiful. It is a first class resort to visit.

The pool was great. But it is a very very busy resort. I found if you didn't save a beach chair first thing in the morning you wouldn't get a spot by the pool. It also smelled musty in our room which was not oceanview because they only give them to resort owners and not guaranteed oceanviews even if you are. The pool service was great.