Grand Mayan

Karaoke hosted by Erick, Carlos, Nelly, and Rafa kept the flow going and everyone pumped! It was a blast and I wish it could’ve lasted all night. The best beach kareoke I have EVER gotten to take part in, definitely recommend getting out there to dance and sing along with everyone in the crowd.

The property provided everything and was very efficient. The food the rooms the staff the pools the entertainment and the location was excellent.

After we booked this resort (via external exchange using our Hilton Grand Vacations ownership), many of the recent reviews left me so nervous about this trip that I had already picked a backup resort to go to just in case. Thankfully, that wasn't needed. We arrived with a rental car. Parking is 100 pesos a night, valet only, and it will take 15-20 minutes to retrieve your vehicle each time. For us, the timing was pretty perfect if we just called before we left our room and took the tram to "Lobby central" where we would get our car. (We rented from "easyway rent a car", which I highly recommend. See separate review). At our car, someone took our checked sized baggage, ran it through an Xray machine, and put it on a cart that was then sealed in front of us. They then take this and deliver to your room for you. This saves you from having to lug it around on the trams. We were given a ticket to take a photograph of for our car, and a paper ticket for our luggage. We then walked through metal detectors and placed our carryon bags on another xray machine and entered the Lobby Central - which was a beautiful welcome to the resort. We were then taken by golf cart to the Grand Mayan lobby for check-in. We arrived around 3:15PM, official checkin time is 5PM. Our room was ready. We did the typical paperwork (handing over passports and the like) and paid the $150 resort fee we had been quoted. We also paid $1,500USD as a deposit for charges to the room. We were then taken to a desk to speak with Jessy, who told us a bit about the resort and then began the sales presentation hook that you have undoubtedly seen in other reviews. Ours was presented as a way to "unlock benefits". We had two "problems" here (in addition to the fact that we simply didn't want to go to the presentation). I hadn't been to an ATM yet and we had no cash to pay the $20 refundable deposit for the breakfast to unlock our benefits. I was also genuinely not feeling well (and had a dental appointment to address that scheduled for the next morning during breakfast time anyway). Jessy tried to work with us on the $20 and finally my husband explained that I really wasn't feeling well and needed to get to the room. To her credit, she then immediately stopped the pressure to attend this meeting for the "benefits" (of a discount on food/beverage, golf, activities, etc.) and helped us get to our room. She also called the bellman to arrange for our luggage which got to the room around the same time we did. We unpacked, showered, explored the room a little (which was fabulous) and I don't know if it was a function of when we visited or that the resort has incorporated feedback received but many of the things we worried about didn't come to pass at all and others I believe are a matter of personal preferences. We then returned to the lobby in search of dinner and Jessy personally walked is to Havana Moon for a wonderful meal with a spectacular view. We had great f

Airport shuttle took forever. Horrid way to start. I’d take a taxi next time or rent a car. At least I had a $20 margarita at the airport. Could’ve been $50 if I did not have my better half watch out fo crazy prices! Definitely don’t take the airport shuttle whatever you do it will tick you off from the get go.

This resort is gorgeous. The food is great but I would like more choices from a Latin America standpoint. The gym equipment is in need of upgrades and maintenance but Manuel is the saving grace for the workout area. He is a great yoga instructor and is there to always greet you and offer advice. His personality and commitment to fitness is a big benefit to anyone wanting to work out on vacation. The older part of the resort (Mayan Palace area) is in need of mainly cosmetic upgrades such as furniture, paint TV’s and please fix all the boardwalk lights that are hanging by wires in front of the Mayan Palace. This type of lack of detail gives the rest of a beautiful resort a black eye. Oh, please more non-alcohol beer and drink choices too. We loved all the friendly staff with the exception of the timeshare sales people. Just say no to their breakfasts and discount talks. Be firm. The check in process took forever too. It shouldn’t take hours to get to your room once you arrrive but they managed to do so.

Not the best not the worst. Be aware this property has 4 check in desks. The Grand Mayan the Mayan Palace the Grand Bliss and Grand Luxe . The Grand Mayan is probably the cheapest . It's where they put you when you win a charity auction trip through vacation clix. The place is huge There are five train routes .they do not tell you at check in to download the app with a Map and routes and they should ! When checking in do not speak with a host or stick around for your "free gift ". It's a discount card that you can only benefit from if you attend the "free breakfast " presentationto buy in . While here unplug your phone to the room They call all the time . Bring ear plugs the walls are paper thin. The biggest part of a low review. I could hear the man snoring in the room next to me . Its rediculous . Also being the furthest building away from the beach . Which is rocky . If you desire a nice beach do not come here . You can't swim here . That's why they have luxurious pools . They charge for room water and coffee . If you use them do not replace it . I had to call every day for coffee amd water Do NOT use tap water to make coffee it makes the coffee so bitterly awful . Also No microwave . Food here is pretty spendy. A Corona can beer is 109 pesos . They have two for one hotel drinks at happy hour 12-2 . Your daqueries and mojitos or blended items 350 pesos . The staff is super nice. The hotel is very clean . Pools are great . Keep all of your yellow copies of room charge . No cash property . All on the room and $1000 hold on your credit card at check in . Ask them to remove the donation charge at check out . There is a resort fee of $150 plus environmental fee of 5 USD a day and some other fee . I read another review to check out in Pesos . Great advice! . Their goal is to sell Vida timeshares to vidante . The Grand bliss looks nice with its private pool but I hear the rooms have no view. The food is really good except the lobster rolls and Japanese crab rolls. I would go the all inclusive route at a hotel with a better beach like Sandos properties . The spa Brio is average . Don't upgrade the pedicure or the massage . They also try to upsell you in the service as well. There is another spa called Spatima but I didn't get to check that out. Also it took over an hour from arriving to get to my room . Another 35 for my luggage . Download the app- Vidante It shows everything since the resort is paperless from menus to maps . Take the shuttle for 110 pesos or 7 USD to Playa Del Carmen , it stops at the Mega store . Beer juice soda and water are worth the trip .