acker

Was there 3 wks ago. Bfast in lounge will have assorted fresh fruits - papaya, pineapple, melon, berries, etc. Also good yogurt (Greek and another kind), cute little yogurt parfaits made with quality healthy ingredients, homemade granola, eggs, potatoes, cheese, meats- cooked and cold, various pastries and bread, great coffee-Nespresso, and other hot dishes. I don't eat meat, stay away from bread, stick with non-processed foods, don't drink much, and liked the lounge very much. I probably spent 2 hrs there each morn. 6-8 pm they have salad, cold cheese/meats, olives, tips/spreads, hot dishes w/ meat, sometimes grilled veggies, hot soup, breads, desserts. I had to pick and choose at night b/c sometimes there was meat in the salad but overall I was very happy and would jump a the $50 offer. The bfast at the hotel restaurant is a buffet, if I remember it's $20 or so. It's huge, but the lounge access is a better deal esp if you'll drink. And the lounge staff - Luis, Elizabeth, etc are the best. One more tip: good massages to the right of the GH entrance. Sky Blue Spa, cost us $30 hr ($25 plus $5 tip). Small place, but delightful. We went every day.

ILuvParis

+1

acker

I know we didn't have to, but we left a 100 peso note (approx $5.25 US) for the staff when we were at the club each morning and night. Tucked it near our coffee cup or Margarita glass. There were 3 of us, and the staff is so wonderful. We didn't miss the $10/day, and I know they appreciated it.

gumercindo

That is great info. Thanks!

We are torn...Hyatt Ziva Cancun or PDC GH. We'll have a 3 YO in tow. I see it like this -

1) Ziva: 20-25 min drive to airport, all inclusive, nice grounds
2) GH: 45-50 min drive to airport, pay for food, very nice grounds, explore quinta avenida

Like I mentioned earlier, we're being offered club access at GH for $50/day and that might (mostly) offset the all inclusive nature of the Ziva. I was mostly intrigued by the Quinta Avenida strolling - close to hotel, etc. Is this a big plus for GH as an alternative to eating a meal on prem?

txhyattlvr

We stay at both several times per year and I can empathize with your conundrum. Any chance you could do a split stay and experience both?

Your time to airport is accurate. They truly are both unique and different experiences.... If if you have to choose, and can only pick one, then I'd base it on the following:
1. Length of stay. If it's a shorter stay, I'd lean towards Ziva. Longer, probably PDC (or try to do both). For us, Ziva gets a bit old after 2-3 nights. You are reluctant to leave because you lose access to all the fabulous inclusives (why pay for meals when great food is available for "free" at Ziva?) Also, keep in mind Ziva is also within walking distance to a very large shopping area and marketplace that, while not as impressive as PDC, is pretty huge and full of shops to browse (everything from locally made crafts to name brands).
2. How active you are. If you want to mostly relax, again, I'd pick Ziva. It's more than just "nice grounds" - the Ziva is a spectacular, world-class property. It sits on a peninsula with double beaches, one of which (IMHO) rivals those I found in Tahiti (on the north side facing the lighthouse) w/shallow clear gorgeous water, nice views, tropical fish all over, minimal waves, etc. If you plan to be fairly active, then the GH PDC is much better situated for more walking/exploring PDC, and also lots of attractions like the "X" parks (Xplore, Xcaret, etc.) are nearby. Your 3 year old is likely too young to enjoy those places, however.

So bottom line: short trip where you want to relax... Ziva all the way. Longer trip and you want to be pretty active... Grand Hyatt definitely. Keep in mind the beach at the PDC is NOT as good as the ones you'll find at Ziva... but the GH is a truly special place with excellent food, great service, amazing architecture (especially the spa) and more. The Ziva could not be in a better location for a top notch all inclusive experience, and also features a caring and wonderful team... and another truly gorgeous spa area, as well. The pools are also much bigger and nicer at the Ziva.

We love both hotels very very much and would rate the experiences as basically equal, but very different, hence the desire to visit both.

gumercindo

Awesome review, thanks! That is very helpful. We're staying there 3N. Not sure if it's too relevant but more and more I'm thinking Ziva is the way to go.

txhyattlvr

skunker

I just finished a 6-night stay there. Overall the property and staff were good, but there were a few issues that left a bad taste.

1) I booked the Prive rate through @bcosinteno. It was for a partial ocean view with Club access that was confirmed to full ocean view a couple days later. Prive rate included full breakfast as well. I had made a request to be put as far from the day club as possible. A 1-night deposit was billed at the time of booking. This will become important later.
2) At check-in the agent said we had "a lovely partial ocen view room." I asked if that was upgraded to full-ocean view she informed me that they did not have any full ocean view rooms available. Note: The hotel was dead the entire time we were there as it is low season; however, it appeared a government conference had just wrapped up. She read some notes on her computer then went to speak with her supervisor who informed us that we had been upgraded to a Grand Suite King due to the lack of full ocean view rooms. The suite was on the second floor, directly above the day club. bcosinteno had emailed me asking how it was going and after I informed him of the room problems he contacted the hotel and Hyatt. I received an email from the rooms manager later that night and they offered to move us, which we did the next day to the 5th floor on the opposite side of the hotel.
3) The Grand Club was closed for remodel, but we weren't informed until check-in. They set up a temp space on the side of La Cocina and gave all people with Club access full breakfast buffet (which we had with our rate anyway) and allowed all non-alcoholic beverages from the room minibar. At night they did food and drinks in the same space. It worked out ok....until they charged us for the Cokes at checkout.
4) Prior to checkout I requested a copy of the folio to review and noticed the minibar charges and a lack of room charges for the first night. The Prive rate is a 4th night free rate. We stayed 6 nights, the folio only included 4 nights, but said 5 qualifying nights. When asked, the front desk was able to provide another seperate folio for the first night, which actually showed a credit due to exchange rate flucuations. The agent insisted I had already paid for that night, not paid a deposit. I finally got them to give me one folio with all nights combined with the debit/credit from the deposit, but it still only showed 5 qualifying nights. This is probably a glitch due to the free night from the Prive rate.
5) The stay has posted to my account; however, it only shows an eligible spend of roughly $50 less than the room rate alone. No food and beverage charges are credited. The $50 difference is probably due to being converted twice (USD > MXN at the hotel then MXN > USD for WOH points.) The folio online is just a blank bill--no line items, no costs, nothing--just this: Qualifying Nights: 5 Eligible Spend: 23992.50 Redemption Eligible: 5980.20. Luckily I have the full folio so I can chase down my points and 6th night.

Those issues, coupled with the day club next door, I probably wouldn't go back unless there was a really good deal.

Two last thoughts. @bcosinteno was great and would recommend anyone reach out for your bookings. The seaweed was not a problem when we were there as the town has installed booms offshore to keep it from approaching the beach. The one day that a small amount got through the booms a crew was on top of it.

WantOnlinePoker

@skunker I'm not sure you'll have much luck hunting for the 6th qualifying night. Book X nights get 1 free promos are pretty common at Hyatts and it's standard that the "free" night is not qualifying. It's by design and not a glitch.

skunker

Well, that's just dumb.

jameswes

Agreed with @WantOnlinePoker - if Hyatt gives you a free night, it doesn't count towards status.
Previously with Prestige 4th night free they would count (since Citi actually paid Hyatt for the night), but Hyatt's "Nth night free" (whether directly from Hyatt or through Prive) have as a rule not counted.

PortlySpartacus

Hmmm, that is interesting and is confusing because you do get a night stay credit when you stay for 'free' using points or a Hyatt free night certificate.

jameswes

Prior to World of Hyatt, you didn't get a night credit when using points or free night certificate.
That changed about two years ago since you are "paying" with points or a certificate.

Like it or not, 3rd/4th night free promos where Hyatt is giving a night with no room rate or requiring points/certificate has not given a night credit. Certainly there have been exceptions, but they're few and far between.

PortlySpartacus

I love getting stay credit for points/certificates.

cmjaffe

Hi all.
What company do you all use for transfers?
Any recommendations for dinner?
Activities? Last time we went to Xceret but feel we'd like to do more. Maybe go to cozumel or do a tour.
Also is the lounge reopened.
TiA
Carolyn