Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riveria Maya REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jan 24, 2018, 4:57 pm
#211
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,540
Beach suites (and Ocean suites) are in the beach area, steps from the sea.
Ocean suites face east towards the ocean.
Beach suites face west, so you would be looking onto the man-made lagoons that snake throughout the Mayakoba resort.
Lagoon suites are in the lagoon area.
This area is a mile east of the beach area, connected via ambling paths for a long walk or on-demand buggy.
Lagoon suites overlook the man-made lagoons.
I have posted frequently in this thread about the comparison between beach vs. lagoon suites.
My evolved thinking is now beach suite is preferable.
Ocean suites face east towards the ocean.
Beach suites face west, so you would be looking onto the man-made lagoons that snake throughout the Mayakoba resort.
Lagoon suites are in the lagoon area.
This area is a mile east of the beach area, connected via ambling paths for a long walk or on-demand buggy.
Lagoon suites overlook the man-made lagoons.
I have posted frequently in this thread about the comparison between beach vs. lagoon suites.
My evolved thinking is now beach suite is preferable.
Jan 24, 2018, 5:03 pm
#212
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North America
Posts: 2,265
It’s on the beach side but with a partial view of the lagoon. It’s up to you whether you prefer to be on the beach side or lagoon side of the property.
Jan 24, 2018, 9:27 pm
#214
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
As noted, you'll be at the beach, but facing inwards toward the lagoon. You'll be quite a ways from the lobby, which has pluses and minuses depending on what's more important to you - easy access to beach or to transport and the main restaurant. My lagoon suite had some traffic noise from the highway, you won't have that. The most important thing IMO is avoid assignment to one of the buildings that's right next to the restaurant (Olla Taco).
Feb 1, 2018, 11:19 pm
#215
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Enjoying a great stay here in a Beach suite. I saw many posts about picking the Beach vs Lagoon side and wasn't sure what the big deal was as many resorts that offer golf carts are actually very walkable but this resort is literally huge and it would seemingly take 30+ mins to walk from one side to the other, so I can see why it is important to choose which side to stay on.
I saw some discussion about this upthread, but I must say my biggest issue with this property is how the 15% service charge is handled. I don't have an issue with the service charge itself, but it should be made clear that if the hotel chooses to add this to everything then they are responsible for delegating tips to their employees expectations should be managed as such. Ultimately, management are the ones short changing their staff by adding this to everything as I would likely be inclined to tip more than 15% if it were not already decided for me. There were numerous instances where employees left us with the impression that we should be leaving more money than the 15% which is already included, and we did when someone went above & beyond but at the end of the day I do feel management is playing games with these charges in an attempt to confuse guests into overpaying.
I saw some discussion about this upthread, but I must say my biggest issue with this property is how the 15% service charge is handled. I don't have an issue with the service charge itself, but it should be made clear that if the hotel chooses to add this to everything then they are responsible for delegating tips to their employees expectations should be managed as such. Ultimately, management are the ones short changing their staff by adding this to everything as I would likely be inclined to tip more than 15% if it were not already decided for me. There were numerous instances where employees left us with the impression that we should be leaving more money than the 15% which is already included, and we did when someone went above & beyond but at the end of the day I do feel management is playing games with these charges in an attempt to confuse guests into overpaying.
Last edited by invalyd; Feb 1, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Feb 12, 2018, 1:17 pm
#216
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Denver
Posts: 509
Just finished a great 7-night stay here, and wanted to pose some counterpoints to a few of the negative comments that are scattered throughout this thread. I'm not trying to devalue anybody else's comments, but our experience appears to have been different so want to share those quickly, as I had been worried about a few things before we arrived, that didn't end up being a real issue for us.
Some general comments first. The hotel is beautiful, new, and modern. Our room (a beach suite) was in excellent condition and very clean. Housekeeping was mostly excellent, with just a few minor issues (i.e., they didn't provide a new bar of soap for the shower until our 7th day, despite the fact that we had used up the original and had switched to the hand soap as a stop-gap).
- The service throughout the hotel and restaurants was some of the friendliest and most sincere we've ever had. While it is certainly more casual than one would receive at places like the Four Seasons, we found it to be perfectly enjoyable. We had one bad server our entire stay there, and he was basically overwhelmed due to the Superbowl party they had at Olle Ceviche.
- The food was good, not great. We ate all of our lunches outside at Olle Taco. Someone had mentioned up-thread that there is no outdoor seating there, which is not true. There are four tables on the steps leading into the restaurant, which is where we ate. It provides a break from the sun without being indoors. Olle Taco was generally good, but a bit expensive for what you get. We also ate at Milagro and Amate. Amate was our least favorite fine-dining experience while we there. We also ate at Saffron (Banyan Tree) and Casa Del Lago (Rosewood), and much preferred both of those. We liked the one at Rosewood so much we at there a second time on our final night.
- Despite Invalyd's experience in the post directly above this, we never once felt any pressure or received any indication that additional tip was expected. The servers all remembered our names after the first day, and couldn't have been any friendlier throughout our stay. We did typically add 50-100 pesos per meal onto the bill. I brought a bunch of $1's along to tip, but only used a few the entire week, mostly to tip the guys that brought us back and forth to the other hotels for dinner. However, I must agree with Invalyd that the hotel really should make it more clear that tip is included and anything added is optional. Both the Rosewood and BT both clearly state such on their receipts in big bold print. Andaz should adopt the same.
- Bikes were ubiquitous during our stay, and they now have over 100 of them on-site. Granted, we were told that the hotel was only about 50% capacity, but for us we always found a bike within about 20 feet of every common area and building. No issues.
- Beach vs Lagoon - We loved being at the beach section of the hotel. Quiet, 30 second walk to the beach, great pool, etc. It's literally a 7 minute bike ride between the two sections of the hotel, so I don't see the big deal about getting back and forth when needed. It's a long walk for sure, but between the golf carts and the bikes, it was a non issue, at least for us.
- Someone above complained about the flashlight. Odd, but I brought along a little LED flashlight just in case. It never came out of my bag. The path between the beach and lagoon side is lit the entire way, and there is plenty of lighting throughout the hotel. Also, it's just a normal-sized flashlight in the room, not some big industrial monstrosity.
- The beach suite plunge pools ARE heated. Maybe they weren't in the past, but ours started at well over 100 degrees. And twice we had to have maintenance come and make it colder for us. If the heated plunge pool is what was making you lean towards Lagoon side, don't let that be a factor.
- The top floor is preferred due to noise from above and better views. You should request to be on the second floor for beach-side rooms, and 3rd floor for lagoon-side rooms.
- This hotel is VERY family-friendly. We were there during a slow time, and the hotel was majority families with small children. There are no adult-only areas are pools, so if this is a consideration for you, plan accordingly.
- The beach was quite nice. I didn't see any of the sandbags mentioned in previous posts, and the seaweed wasn't a major issue while we were there. A tractor and a few guys come by every morning to rake up anything that has washed up.
- The service at the beach/pool was excellent. Always there to greet you and set up chairs/umbrellas, provide water, and take food/drink orders.
- We used Canada Transfers to get us there and back, and they were great. $98 RT. Highly recommended.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Some general comments first. The hotel is beautiful, new, and modern. Our room (a beach suite) was in excellent condition and very clean. Housekeeping was mostly excellent, with just a few minor issues (i.e., they didn't provide a new bar of soap for the shower until our 7th day, despite the fact that we had used up the original and had switched to the hand soap as a stop-gap).
- The service throughout the hotel and restaurants was some of the friendliest and most sincere we've ever had. While it is certainly more casual than one would receive at places like the Four Seasons, we found it to be perfectly enjoyable. We had one bad server our entire stay there, and he was basically overwhelmed due to the Superbowl party they had at Olle Ceviche.
- The food was good, not great. We ate all of our lunches outside at Olle Taco. Someone had mentioned up-thread that there is no outdoor seating there, which is not true. There are four tables on the steps leading into the restaurant, which is where we ate. It provides a break from the sun without being indoors. Olle Taco was generally good, but a bit expensive for what you get. We also ate at Milagro and Amate. Amate was our least favorite fine-dining experience while we there. We also ate at Saffron (Banyan Tree) and Casa Del Lago (Rosewood), and much preferred both of those. We liked the one at Rosewood so much we at there a second time on our final night.
- Despite Invalyd's experience in the post directly above this, we never once felt any pressure or received any indication that additional tip was expected. The servers all remembered our names after the first day, and couldn't have been any friendlier throughout our stay. We did typically add 50-100 pesos per meal onto the bill. I brought a bunch of $1's along to tip, but only used a few the entire week, mostly to tip the guys that brought us back and forth to the other hotels for dinner. However, I must agree with Invalyd that the hotel really should make it more clear that tip is included and anything added is optional. Both the Rosewood and BT both clearly state such on their receipts in big bold print. Andaz should adopt the same.
- Bikes were ubiquitous during our stay, and they now have over 100 of them on-site. Granted, we were told that the hotel was only about 50% capacity, but for us we always found a bike within about 20 feet of every common area and building. No issues.
- Beach vs Lagoon - We loved being at the beach section of the hotel. Quiet, 30 second walk to the beach, great pool, etc. It's literally a 7 minute bike ride between the two sections of the hotel, so I don't see the big deal about getting back and forth when needed. It's a long walk for sure, but between the golf carts and the bikes, it was a non issue, at least for us.
- Someone above complained about the flashlight. Odd, but I brought along a little LED flashlight just in case. It never came out of my bag. The path between the beach and lagoon side is lit the entire way, and there is plenty of lighting throughout the hotel. Also, it's just a normal-sized flashlight in the room, not some big industrial monstrosity.
- The beach suite plunge pools ARE heated. Maybe they weren't in the past, but ours started at well over 100 degrees. And twice we had to have maintenance come and make it colder for us. If the heated plunge pool is what was making you lean towards Lagoon side, don't let that be a factor.
- The top floor is preferred due to noise from above and better views. You should request to be on the second floor for beach-side rooms, and 3rd floor for lagoon-side rooms.
- This hotel is VERY family-friendly. We were there during a slow time, and the hotel was majority families with small children. There are no adult-only areas are pools, so if this is a consideration for you, plan accordingly.
- The beach was quite nice. I didn't see any of the sandbags mentioned in previous posts, and the seaweed wasn't a major issue while we were there. A tractor and a few guys come by every morning to rake up anything that has washed up.
- The service at the beach/pool was excellent. Always there to greet you and set up chairs/umbrellas, provide water, and take food/drink orders.
- We used Canada Transfers to get us there and back, and they were great. $98 RT. Highly recommended.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Mar 28, 2018, 12:26 pm
#218
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 26
Hi there -
I'm thinking about staying at this resort in October, with a newborn and a 2 year old. Does anyone have any feedback/experience on whether it's going to be a good fit, and if they have any babysitting experience?
Also is this part of Mexico lousy weather in October?
Alexei
I'm thinking about staying at this resort in October, with a newborn and a 2 year old. Does anyone have any feedback/experience on whether it's going to be a good fit, and if they have any babysitting experience?
Also is this part of Mexico lousy weather in October?
Alexei
Mar 30, 2018, 4:01 pm
#219
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Delta GM, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 161
@rabido:
We did not stay here with kids, but to my knowledge yours would be too young for supervised time at Kimbo. I think you would still be able to stop by if you are with them. They also do offer babysitting, but I am not sure if it is contracted out or is part of the same team from Kimbo. If it is part of the Kimbo team then I would enthusiastically recommend them since my wife and I were very impressed with them on our visit and are trying to plan a visit with our newborn as well!
We did not stay here with kids, but to my knowledge yours would be too young for supervised time at Kimbo. I think you would still be able to stop by if you are with them. They also do offer babysitting, but I am not sure if it is contracted out or is part of the same team from Kimbo. If it is part of the Kimbo team then I would enthusiastically recommend them since my wife and I were very impressed with them on our visit and are trying to plan a visit with our newborn as well!
Apr 6, 2018, 9:38 pm
#220
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
Hi there -
I
I don’t recommend it for family with kids under 4yr old.None of the Hyatt properties in Mexico.I stayed in all 3 in cancun/playa del carmen ..
I'm thinking about staying at this resort in October, with a newborn and a 2 year old. Does anyone have any feedback/experience on whether it's going to be a good fit, and if they have any babysitting experience?
Also is this part of Mexico lousy weather in October?
Alexei
I
I don’t recommend it for family with kids under 4yr old.None of the Hyatt properties in Mexico.I stayed in all 3 in cancun/playa del carmen ..
I'm thinking about staying at this resort in October, with a newborn and a 2 year old. Does anyone have any feedback/experience on whether it's going to be a good fit, and if they have any babysitting experience?
Also is this part of Mexico lousy weather in October?
Alexei
May 18, 2018, 6:22 am
#221
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Paris
Posts: 1,301
Strategy on suite stay
Funny enough, I loged in to post the almost exact same thing 
I want to go in October with my newborn and 3 year old! It will be the first vacations as a family of four. I expect to keep my newborn with me at all times, but leave my 3 yo at Kimbo.
My questions however is on upgrades. I feel my stay will be entirely different whether I'm in a regular room or a suite, but I'm an explorist without an easy way to upgrade, and I don't want to spend all my $$$ on the room considering how expensive everything else seems to be there.
Ideal would be P+C then a DSU... that I don't have. Can those ever be bought from another WoH member? Or exchanged?
As an example I have a free night from my hyatt chase card that I won't use this year (up to cat 4, as you all know).
Any other strategy on getting to a suite without paying full price would be welcome!
Lagoon side seems to be the best with kids, from everything I've read (better pools, close to transport and kid's club).
Thanks all for your help, and see you there, @rabido?
Ben.
PS: if someone know the answer to rabido's question on whether in October, cheap in!
I want to go in October with my newborn and 3 year old! It will be the first vacations as a family of four. I expect to keep my newborn with me at all times, but leave my 3 yo at Kimbo.
My questions however is on upgrades. I feel my stay will be entirely different whether I'm in a regular room or a suite, but I'm an explorist without an easy way to upgrade, and I don't want to spend all my $$$ on the room considering how expensive everything else seems to be there.
Ideal would be P+C then a DSU... that I don't have. Can those ever be bought from another WoH member? Or exchanged?
As an example I have a free night from my hyatt chase card that I won't use this year (up to cat 4, as you all know).
Any other strategy on getting to a suite without paying full price would be welcome!
Lagoon side seems to be the best with kids, from everything I've read (better pools, close to transport and kid's club).
Thanks all for your help, and see you there, @rabido?
Ben.
PS: if someone know the answer to rabido's question on whether in October, cheap in!
Hi there -
I'm thinking about staying at this resort in October, with a newborn and a 2 year old. Does anyone have any feedback/experience on whether it's going to be a good fit, and if they have any babysitting experience?
Also is this part of Mexico lousy weather in October?
Alexei
I'm thinking about staying at this resort in October, with a newborn and a 2 year old. Does anyone have any feedback/experience on whether it's going to be a good fit, and if they have any babysitting experience?
Also is this part of Mexico lousy weather in October?
Alexei
May 18, 2018, 10:05 am
#222
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Madison, WI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 973
Funny enough, I loged in to post the almost exact same thing
I want to go in October with my newborn and 3 year old! It will be the first vacations as a family of four. I expect to keep my newborn with me at all times, but leave my 3 yo at Kimbo.
My questions however is on upgrades. I feel my stay will be entirely different whether I'm in a regular room or a suite, but I'm an explorist without an easy way to upgrade, and I don't want to spend all my $$$ on the room considering how expensive everything else seems to be there.
Ideal would be P+C then a DSU... that I don't have. Can those ever be bought from another WoH member? Or exchanged?
As an example I have a free night from my hyatt chase card that I won't use this year (up to cat 4, as you all know).
Any other strategy on getting to a suite without paying full price would be welcome!
Lagoon side seems to be the best with kids, from everything I've read (better pools, close to transport and kid's club).
Thanks all for your help, and see you there, @rabido?
Ben.
PS: if someone know the answer to rabido's question on whether in October, cheap in!
I want to go in October with my newborn and 3 year old! It will be the first vacations as a family of four. I expect to keep my newborn with me at all times, but leave my 3 yo at Kimbo.
My questions however is on upgrades. I feel my stay will be entirely different whether I'm in a regular room or a suite, but I'm an explorist without an easy way to upgrade, and I don't want to spend all my $$$ on the room considering how expensive everything else seems to be there.
Ideal would be P+C then a DSU... that I don't have. Can those ever be bought from another WoH member? Or exchanged?
As an example I have a free night from my hyatt chase card that I won't use this year (up to cat 4, as you all know).
Any other strategy on getting to a suite without paying full price would be welcome!
Lagoon side seems to be the best with kids, from everything I've read (better pools, close to transport and kid's club).
Thanks all for your help, and see you there, @rabido?
Ben.
PS: if someone know the answer to rabido's question on whether in October, cheap in!
I haven't been there in October, but I was there in November. There were some cooler days (high 70s), but was overall very nice. Weather Link. If you're coming from a northern US area, any time is a good time!
Q2: Suites.
If a suite is incredibly important to you, you can get a suite for 6K/night *IF* you pay the standard rate on a room. See "Room upgrades on paid nights" from Hyatts T&C.
TSUs can't be bought or exchanged. And I wouldn't be able to apply a TSU to your reservation. Really the only way to do that would be to make a reservation in my name, apply the TSU, then add your name to the reservation. But Hyatt's cracking down on that (anecdotally) so I doubt you'd get anyone to go along with it.
Q3: Where to stay.
I was there with kids (11,9,7,2). We were in the Lagoon side and then moved to Ocean. We used the carts to go to and from kids club and breakfast, but we spent most of our time at the ocean on the beach. So it was much more convenient to be close to the beach for napping children and a much shorter transportation (since Bikes aren't helpful when there are small children). And for lunch/dinner we really liked Olla Taco. Great tip: Olla Taco has half price for all kids even when ordering off the adult menu!
May 18, 2018, 10:28 am
#223
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Paris
Posts: 1,301
Thank you so much for this complete reply!
I've read very little about the standard room, so I don't really know how we'll fit in there and how enjoyable it is. Suites sound awesome which is why I'm doing my best to get one.
If anyone has experience with standard rooms, I'd be happy to read your remarks!
Also, chances to get upgraded with my explorist status?
Thanks again!
I've read very little about the standard room, so I don't really know how we'll fit in there and how enjoyable it is. Suites sound awesome which is why I'm doing my best to get one.
If anyone has experience with standard rooms, I'd be happy to read your remarks!
Also, chances to get upgraded with my explorist status?
Thanks again!
May 18, 2018, 12:14 pm
#224
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: DTW
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titainum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Delta Diamond
Posts: 142
Thank you so much for this complete reply!
I've read very little about the standard room, so I don't really know how we'll fit in there and how enjoyable it is. Suites sound awesome which is why I'm doing my best to get one.
If anyone has experience with standard rooms, I'd be happy to read your remarks!
Also, chances to get upgraded with my explorist status?
Thanks again!
I've read very little about the standard room, so I don't really know how we'll fit in there and how enjoyable it is. Suites sound awesome which is why I'm doing my best to get one.
If anyone has experience with standard rooms, I'd be happy to read your remarks!
Also, chances to get upgraded with my explorist status?
Thanks again!
May 18, 2018, 1:14 pm
#225
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Madison, WI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 973
Definitely call Hyatt reservations, ask what rooms/rates are eligible for paying points to upgrade since that's going to be your best deal. It is NOT available with Points or P+C, so hopefully you can get a decent cash rate and upgrade from there