Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riveria Maya REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Aug 22, 2019, 7:10 pm
#301
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 391
I did two nights there recently. Really enjoyed it. I got the “open kitchen” plan, which is their term for all inclusive. The food, drinks and service were excellent, particularly the bar by the beach and casa amate. The open kitchen plan was only marginally more than the advance purchase rate (approx US$50) and was incredible value. US$50 would barely cover breakfast for one person with a Bloody Mary. At casa amate there were quite a few items that needed a supplement on top, but I had two excellent meals there without going for any of the supplement items. The menus are the same as those who aren’t on all inclusive. At casa amate a three course meal with a drink was working out at US$120.
I was staying in the beach section but preferred the pool in the lagoon area. It was a pleasant ~10 minute bike ride between the two areas.
The only very minor downside was that the sauna / steam room were charged for (something like US$30).
The location is pretty out of the way, so if you’re there for 5 days and want to leave the Mayakoba area (ie the handful of large resorts around the Andaz) then you either need a car or area at then mercy of taxis. A taxi to central playa del Carmen is MXN 300 from the resort, MXN 250 on the way back (unless you’re going to haggle). But in being out of the way it makes it super relaxing and serene. At times it felt like I had the whole resort to myself.
If you’re looking for pristine beaches then you might also be a bit disappointed - it’s got a nice beach area but, like the rest of that’s part of the Caribbean, is suffering from seaweed “blooms”.
I was staying in the beach section but preferred the pool in the lagoon area. It was a pleasant ~10 minute bike ride between the two areas.
The only very minor downside was that the sauna / steam room were charged for (something like US$30).
The location is pretty out of the way, so if you’re there for 5 days and want to leave the Mayakoba area (ie the handful of large resorts around the Andaz) then you either need a car or area at then mercy of taxis. A taxi to central playa del Carmen is MXN 300 from the resort, MXN 250 on the way back (unless you’re going to haggle). But in being out of the way it makes it super relaxing and serene. At times it felt like I had the whole resort to myself.
If you’re looking for pristine beaches then you might also be a bit disappointed - it’s got a nice beach area but, like the rest of that’s part of the Caribbean, is suffering from seaweed “blooms”.
Of course I'm hoping we get further upgraded at check-in to the Ocean Front suite but not holding my breath
Sounds. like you got a great deal on the open kitchen plan, wow. Was that inclusive of the 15% service fee too? I'm assuming liquor wasn't included?
And yes, we're planning on totally chilling and maybe doing the taxi into PDC one eve so am prepared on the taxi situation and will report back on that too.
Aug 22, 2019, 7:56 pm
#302
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum; Hyatt Diamond/GLOB
Posts: 738
Aug 22, 2019, 9:04 pm
#303
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North America
Posts: 2,265
Aug 22, 2019, 9:05 pm
#304
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
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Aug 23, 2019, 6:42 am
#305
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
Sounds. like you got a great deal on the open kitchen plan, wow. Was that inclusive of the 15% service fee too? I'm assuming liquor wasn't included?
And yes, we're planning on totally chilling and maybe doing the taxi into PDC one eve so am prepared on the taxi situation and will report back on that too.
And yes, we're planning on totally chilling and maybe doing the taxi into PDC one eve so am prepared on the taxi situation and will report back on that too.
The service fee was included, but we ended up adding 15-20% tip on everything. With the open kitchen you get a bill for the regular amount but it gets zeroed out on your check out bill.
Aug 23, 2019, 8:15 am
#306
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Those are geckos. You will see them throughout latin america and south Asia. They are generally welcomed in homes, as they eat mosquitos and other insects.
Aug 23, 2019, 10:46 am
#307
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Aug 23, 2019, 1:21 pm
#308
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,314
They scared the bejeesus out of me when they started mating (or some other) calls in my Balinese bungalow at 2am- I jumped out of bed with a start.
but yes, they are welcomed (by me as well) and beneficial.
but yes, they are welcomed (by me as well) and beneficial.
Aug 23, 2019, 1:29 pm
#309
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Aug 30, 2019, 5:50 pm
#311
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Ah, yes. Most of Mexico is still safe to visit, contrary to media hype to the contrary. Too many Americans are just too provincial and too scared of their own shadow (or of brown people).
FWIW, we will be celebrating my 50th bday in Jan 2020 in the Yucatan, both outside Merida and near Tulum. Flying into Merida and out of Cancun. Can't wait!
FWIW, we will be celebrating my 50th bday in Jan 2020 in the Yucatan, both outside Merida and near Tulum. Flying into Merida and out of Cancun. Can't wait!
Aug 31, 2019, 6:33 am
#313
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 391
Updated review
Checked in and received Beach Area Suite (as requested) at Check-In (Globalist using TSU). Absolutely LOVED the suite and Beach Area and we generally didn't leave the beach area at all during the stay except for breakfast.... but we came for the beach and surprise, there was hardly any seaweed which I was thrilled about. There was some here and there but picked up quickly and it was never an issue at all. Went swimming every day and SUP paddle boarding and the water was clear and perfect temp with hardly any seaweed. So that's the good news there!
What's great about the beach is that it's very large and private - you get plenty of space between you and others....it was in the high 80's/low 90's all week so very warm everywhere except on the beach where there was a lovely breeze that just made it so pleasant to hang out there all day. We've traveled all over the world visiting beaches and I found this one to be special. Just my two cents of course and YMMV depending on seaweed situation and time of year with crowds. Low season here is a dream though! It only rained for a couple hours for a few days then we just left the beach to have lunch so it was no biggie.
By the way, Ola Taco is now Tinta da Pulpo but still a great menu. We ordered lunch from there and it was delivered to the beach chair. 3-6 every day is Wine O'Clock promotion where wines are half price for glasses and bottles. Happy Hour at Bar Ceviche (other bar next to pool in beach area) is 6-7 every day with half price classic cocktails. And Happy Hour at Casa Amate is 5-6 with half price cocktails and wines. There's a Tostada 'pop up' at Bar Ceviche so from 6-7 you can get half price drinks and if you're hungry order Tostadas (delicious!) for 280 Pesos for 2 small ones.
That brings me to F&B - food and drinks are pricey as stated multiple times in this thread so we were prepared. We ended up spending about $100-$150/day for the two of us on Lunch/Dinner/Drinks. (Breakfast free for Globalists and we tended to eat on the later side closer to 10:30/11 so a few days that sustained us to early dinner). We are two women so again, YMMV depending on appetite
Some days/nights we shared dishes which were never a problem and the portions are generally big. Usually 2 drinks each, sometimes happy hour when we could make it.There were comments up thread that the food was disappointing and I have to disagree - personally I thought the food was one of the strong points as literally every meal we had was delicious. Had dinner at the new beach restaurant Sotavento one night and the whole fish (Red Snapper) on the grill was a standout. Appetizers and cocktails at Casa Amate was also a standout.
Another update to mention - there were bikes everywhere and readily available so that's no longer an issue. We rode them a few times up to the Lagoon area once the sun wasn't directly above and too hot. Golf carts also everywhere and readily available, we never had to wait.
What else? No breakfast at the Beach cafe in low season so we went up to Casa Milagro each day for that. Though walking by one morning I did see a sign that said 'coffee and pastries' so not sure if that's free for Globalists or not.
To answer someone else's question above - yes, those little baby lizards hang out near the doors but they never made it inside our room
Met the GM Pascal who made a special trip to breakfast yesterday to come and talk to us and thank us for extending our stay and our loyalty. A nice touch and he was lovely.
Still on property another day so any questions I can answer, let me know. We hired a transfer through the hotel to take us to Merida where we'll be doing 4 nights at the Hyatt Regency there so looking forward to that but will be sad to leave here as it's been an incredible stay and can't wait to come back again! Though I wonder how things would change in high season...LOL.
Last edited by madderlake; Aug 31, 2019 at 7:04 am
Sep 1, 2019, 6:44 am
#314
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Houston,Texas,USA
Programs: Starwood Gold, HH Diamond,Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 962
OK just wrapping up a 7 night stay here - our 4 night stay turned into 7 pretty easily as this place has seriously exceeded our expectations.
Checked in and received Beach Area Suite (as requested) at Check-In (Globalist using TSU). Absolutely LOVED the suite and Beach Area and we generally didn't leave the beach area at all during the stay except for breakfast.... but we came for the beach and surprise, there was hardly any seaweed which I was thrilled about. There was some here and there but picked up quickly and it was never an issue at all. Went swimming every day and SUP paddle boarding and the water was clear and perfect temp with hardly any seaweed. So that's the good news there!
What's great about the beach is that it's very large and private - you get plenty of space between you and others....it was in the high 80's/low 90's all week so very warm everywhere except on the beach where there was a lovely breeze that just made it so pleasant to hang out there all day. We've traveled all over the world visiting beaches and I found this one to be special. Just my two cents of course and YMMV depending on seaweed situation and time of year with crowds. Low season here is a dream though! It only rained for a couple hours for a few days then we just left the beach to have lunch so it was no biggie.
By the way, Ola Taco is now Tinta da Pulpo but still a great menu. We ordered lunch from there and it was delivered to the beach chair. 3-6 every day is Wine O'Clock promotion where wines are half price for glasses and bottles. Happy Hour at Bar Ceviche (other bar next to pool in beach area) is 6-7 every day with half price classic cocktails. And Happy Hour at Casa Amate is 5-6 with half price cocktails and wines. There's a Tostada 'pop up' at Bar Ceviche so from 6-7 you can get half price drinks and if you're hungry order Tostadas (delicious!) for 280 Pesos for 2 small ones.
That brings me to F&B - food and drinks are pricey as stated multiple times in this thread so we were prepared. We ended up spending about $100-$150/day for the two of us on Lunch/Dinner/Drinks. (Breakfast free for Globalists and we tended to eat on the later side closer to 10:30/11 so a few days that sustained us to early dinner). We are two women so again, YMMV depending on appetite Some days/nights we shared dishes which were never a problem and the portions are generally big. Usually 2 drinks each, sometimes happy hour when we could make it.
There were comments up thread that the food was disappointing and I have to disagree - personally I thought the food was one of the strong points as literally every meal we had was delicious. Had dinner at the new beach restaurant Sotavento one night and the whole fish (Red Snapper) on the grill was a standout. Appetizers and cocktails at Casa Amate was also a standout.
Another update to mention - there were bikes everywhere and readily available so that's no longer an issue. We rode them a few times up to the Lagoon area once the sun wasn't directly above and too hot. Golf carts also everywhere and readily available, we never had to wait.
What else? No breakfast at the Beach cafe in low season so we went up to Casa Milagro each day for that. Though walking by one morning I did see a sign that said 'coffee and pastries' so not sure if that's free for Globalists or not.
To answer someone else's question above - yes, those little baby lizards hang out near the doors but they never made it inside our room
Met the GM Pascal who made a special trip to breakfast yesterday to come and talk to us and thank us for extending our stay and our loyalty. A nice touch and he was lovely.
Still on property another day so any questions I can answer, let me know. We hired a transfer through the hotel to take us to Merida where we'll be doing 4 nights at the Hyatt Regency there so looking forward to that but will be sad to leave here as it's been an incredible stay and can't wait to come back again! Though I wonder how things would change in high season...LOL.
Checked in and received Beach Area Suite (as requested) at Check-In (Globalist using TSU). Absolutely LOVED the suite and Beach Area and we generally didn't leave the beach area at all during the stay except for breakfast.... but we came for the beach and surprise, there was hardly any seaweed which I was thrilled about. There was some here and there but picked up quickly and it was never an issue at all. Went swimming every day and SUP paddle boarding and the water was clear and perfect temp with hardly any seaweed. So that's the good news there!
What's great about the beach is that it's very large and private - you get plenty of space between you and others....it was in the high 80's/low 90's all week so very warm everywhere except on the beach where there was a lovely breeze that just made it so pleasant to hang out there all day. We've traveled all over the world visiting beaches and I found this one to be special. Just my two cents of course and YMMV depending on seaweed situation and time of year with crowds. Low season here is a dream though! It only rained for a couple hours for a few days then we just left the beach to have lunch so it was no biggie.
By the way, Ola Taco is now Tinta da Pulpo but still a great menu. We ordered lunch from there and it was delivered to the beach chair. 3-6 every day is Wine O'Clock promotion where wines are half price for glasses and bottles. Happy Hour at Bar Ceviche (other bar next to pool in beach area) is 6-7 every day with half price classic cocktails. And Happy Hour at Casa Amate is 5-6 with half price cocktails and wines. There's a Tostada 'pop up' at Bar Ceviche so from 6-7 you can get half price drinks and if you're hungry order Tostadas (delicious!) for 280 Pesos for 2 small ones.
That brings me to F&B - food and drinks are pricey as stated multiple times in this thread so we were prepared. We ended up spending about $100-$150/day for the two of us on Lunch/Dinner/Drinks. (Breakfast free for Globalists and we tended to eat on the later side closer to 10:30/11 so a few days that sustained us to early dinner). We are two women so again, YMMV depending on appetite
Some days/nights we shared dishes which were never a problem and the portions are generally big. Usually 2 drinks each, sometimes happy hour when we could make it.There were comments up thread that the food was disappointing and I have to disagree - personally I thought the food was one of the strong points as literally every meal we had was delicious. Had dinner at the new beach restaurant Sotavento one night and the whole fish (Red Snapper) on the grill was a standout. Appetizers and cocktails at Casa Amate was also a standout.
Another update to mention - there were bikes everywhere and readily available so that's no longer an issue. We rode them a few times up to the Lagoon area once the sun wasn't directly above and too hot. Golf carts also everywhere and readily available, we never had to wait.
What else? No breakfast at the Beach cafe in low season so we went up to Casa Milagro each day for that. Though walking by one morning I did see a sign that said 'coffee and pastries' so not sure if that's free for Globalists or not.
To answer someone else's question above - yes, those little baby lizards hang out near the doors but they never made it inside our room
Met the GM Pascal who made a special trip to breakfast yesterday to come and talk to us and thank us for extending our stay and our loyalty. A nice touch and he was lovely.
Still on property another day so any questions I can answer, let me know. We hired a transfer through the hotel to take us to Merida where we'll be doing 4 nights at the Hyatt Regency there so looking forward to that but will be sad to leave here as it's been an incredible stay and can't wait to come back again! Though I wonder how things would change in high season...LOL.
Curious also what they charged ?
Sep 1, 2019, 6:51 am
#315
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 391
Yes they did - and believe it or not, their quote was cheaper than the outside service I found Yucatan Connection. Hyatt rate is $300 (including taxes) for a Van and YC was $320. I realize this is an expensive way to get to Merida by the way. We also looked into taking the ADO bus from PDC which would have been about a third of the price once you include taxis to and from the stations and of course we could have rented a car too, but on this trip we just wanted to press the easy button so decided to splurge.