Mayan Palace Riviera Maya

Negative ratings are not valid for this resort! Come on, golf, fantastic pools, beautiful gardens/grounds, walking areas, incredible service, shuttles,all requests immed. handled by housekeeping and concierge many times with followup inquiries if all was OK. We experienced wonderful staff, always smiling and friendly to us. Where WERE some of these folks staying?

Asking for help and info goes a long way. We called for extra towels, water, anything, it was there in 5 min. Restaurant food was always fantastic, a bit pricey but worth every morsel. You're at a RESORT, it's not going to be priced like home. If you don't want to spend the money don't go, cook in your unit. Happy hour drinks are more than twice normal drinks, in a huge glass!

If you don't want the hassel of timeshare sales, don't go, esp. when asked to book on arrival day.

To one reviewer, Balce is Frieda's at night. Info is in brochures and signage. Havana Moon at beach, down the path from Balche, had wonderful food, huge portions, most guests were taking leftovers back to rooms. We did too. Good entertainment.

First time visitors accompanied us and were very impressed, didn't want to leave for home. Want to return. So do I. I'm an owner, attended an update/presentation 5 days after arrival -and upgraded. The plan we purchased works to our advantage. Can't say enough. Returning next yr with G'kids. Can't wait!

We just got back from a week here, traded with a private owner. Resort was great, only problem is outdated information in the rooms and conceriege.

We booked shuttle to Cancun based on what concerige told us about stops and timing, shuttle took us to the shopping mall in the Hotel zone.

We looked at the in-room info for breakfast locations, Havana Moon had buffet and ala carte menu, WRONG they don't open until 5 pm. Balche opens at 11, nope, they have a breakfast buffet, no ala cart menu. One restaurant is advertised, Fridas, on signs around the resort, but we couldn't find it on a map, so we never got there.

Seemed a little pricey, also they automatically charge 15% on ALL food and drink, so every beer, every sandwich has a tip automatically included. At least when they advertise the buffets, they include tax and tip in their advertised price. $135 pesos + tip for club sandwich and fries. Drink of the day wasn't a 2 x 1 (beer was) but it was a larger glass for the same $75.0 peso.

I downgraded service because I didn't find the staff as attentive as last year in Nuevo Vallarta where tips were NOT included, but a generous tip for great service went a long way all week long. Took an hour + to get a club sandwich at the beach, where the day before it was half hour.

Even with those minor inconveniences, it was a great time. Pool chairs were always available, chairs in the sand were plentiful, and the sun was great. Rooms were clean, but little dated, some of the furniture has seen better days. Maid service available daily, but we only used once/week.

Best tip They are selling an in-room phone card, 7 days unlimited calls to the US for $15usd. There were no surcharges to those rates, using other phone cards would, and our Sprint cell service was going to be $1.69/minute to roam. Best investment, card is good for 7 days from first use.

Seriously, in 50 + different vacation resorts (we vacation at least 3 months a year) this is the most unfriendly and the most uncaring. Yes the worst. The wait staff and entertainment staff have horrible manners. They treat you like it is some kind of privelage to be there and an inconvenience to serve you. The kids club requires you to return every 15 minutes and none of the other staff knows this. They close for lunch too. We had to cancel dinner and golf plans at the last moment. My wife and I couldn't even have 1 private meal or activity together. They chase you down relentlessly to take the presentation then pressure you for 3 hours. They then send you off angry when you don't buy the $149,000 package. These folks need to take lessons in common courtesy. The dinner show (Included at every other resort) cost $80.00 for a cheap buffet. That's $400.00 for my family of 5! No admittance without dinner and they ask you to leave if you hang around without a reservation. $10.00 kids hot dog and fries. Another dinner would have cost us $1000+. The unit for 8 has a dining table for 4. No frypans in the kitchen. Don't even try asking for one either. The beds are hard. They don't use fitted sheets so the bottom layer comes apart by morning, exposing the dirty foam ruber pad underneath. The gym requires $10.00 PP per day to use and they would let my 17 year boy in (18+). We work out together at the fitness club at home. Water sports costs are %40 more than local places. There are charges for even the most basic services. There are more RULES than I have ever seen at any resort. Like being in some sort of communist community. Everywhere you look there are signs and notes. Forbidden to do this and don't do that. Even for the "owners". Those who bought there are really unfortunate because they may never know what a real vacation is. We finally left half way through our stay as we were having no fun with all the restrictions and rude behavior. We retreated to our (Small) home resort in Cancun where we were welcomed with open arms. No reservation needed either. I highly recommend NOT staying At Mayan Resort Company. If you dare try then DO have a car as you are at their mercy. Taxi rides are greatly inflated from the resort. 30 pesos for a quick 2 minute ride to the front gate... but of course, they don't have change so it cost 50 pesos. Insane! The list goes on and on but enough said. Good luck

Sorry for the bad rating but two major things contributed to it. One, we attended the welcome breakfast the day after arrival. I would HIGHLY recommend you do not attend. After a 5 hour beating with a bamboo stick, we wasted a complete day for a measly 1000 pesos, good free breakfast and 10% off certain room charges. NOT WORTH IT.....We were also promised two coffee mugs, a change of room from the dilapidated room we had in building 21 of the Mayan Palace. Worn out furniture, etc. Not what we are used to as WYN Plat members. We never received our room upgrade to the Gran Mayan as promised and none of the other promised items. Much misrepresentation at the sales presentation also. Would not be allowed by salespeople in the US. We were beaten down by 5 separate salespersons but lived.

Next, the nightmare. The day before our departure my wife upon awakening walked into the living room and there was a 6" scorpion on the floor. She screamed and I got an iron out and killed it. Immediately, I called the desk and they said they would send a main person. He said we would have to move and they would fumigate the entire room making it inhabitable. We were given a different room and a small room adjustment. We rate this resort as the pits which is a shame because it has beautiful grounds and amenities. The beach and pools are super along with the many lovely Mexicans employed there. BUT NEVER AGAIN we would visit or recommend this resort on our website. TOO DANGEROUS.

The waters and beaches were spectacular. The rooms were just fine and the swimmig pools were unbelievable. The golf course is one of the best in Mexico and so is the spa area.

Lots of things to do but stay away from the timeshare representatives, they can be very aggresive and time consuming.

Market store nearby and out in a peaceful, relaxing and tranquil area. You don't get "beatup/disturbed" by passer byers...

May want to rent a car because quite a distance from the airport but worth it.

One of Mexico's most requested resorts and you'll see why.