Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riveria Maya REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Mar 1, 2017, 6:12 am
#106
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hyatt Globlist,MarriottPlat,Hilton Gold,Delta Silver,National EE,Avis President Club, Hertz PC
Posts: 200
Can 2 adults and 2 teenagers book a suite?
Looks like only kings in suites. Would hotel accommodate a rollaway in other room?
Will try to call today but wanted to see if anyone was able to stay in suite with 4 people.
Will try to call today but wanted to see if anyone was able to stay in suite with 4 people.
Mar 1, 2017, 10:26 am
#107
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 126
The fact that there is a designated child pool but no designated adults-only pool is a huge turn-off at this property. I fully understand and accept bringing the kids on vacation, but the presence of multiple little ones simultaneously at each of four (!) pools can make relaxation extremely challenging for those of us without kids.
Mar 1, 2017, 2:54 pm
#108
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Atlanta (most of the time)
Posts: 285
The fact that there is a designated child pool but no designated adults-only pool is a huge turn-off at this property. I fully understand and accept bringing the kids on vacation, but the presence of multiple little ones simultaneously at each of four (!) pools can make relaxation extremely challenging for those of us without kids.
But the pools are so spacious, it wasn't really too much of an issue.
Most of the times, the kids had stuff to do at the kids club.
Mar 1, 2017, 3:01 pm
#109
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Atlanta (most of the time)
Posts: 285
Tip about water.
The resort gives out nice bottled water for free everywhere: lobby, pool, and rooms.
HOWEVER, when you go to lunch or dinner at the restaurants, they will ask you if you want still or sparking water. If you ask for still, they will give you a big glass bottle of water and then charge you about $8-$9 USD per bottle.
If you want free water, you have to ASK specifically for non bottled ice water. Then they will just pour you iced filtered water from a pitcher.
During breakfast, everyone gets free water from a pitcher.
It's cheaper to pay for soda than drink bottled water at the restaurants.
The resort gives out nice bottled water for free everywhere: lobby, pool, and rooms.
HOWEVER, when you go to lunch or dinner at the restaurants, they will ask you if you want still or sparking water. If you ask for still, they will give you a big glass bottle of water and then charge you about $8-$9 USD per bottle.
If you want free water, you have to ASK specifically for non bottled ice water. Then they will just pour you iced filtered water from a pitcher.
During breakfast, everyone gets free water from a pitcher.
It's cheaper to pay for soda than drink bottled water at the restaurants.
Mar 1, 2017, 3:03 pm
#110
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Atlanta (most of the time)
Posts: 285
Mar 1, 2017, 7:51 pm
#111
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 574
Thoughts about this property versus Grand Hyatt PdelC for an Explorist with a club certificate? I have originally booked three nights here on points (great value!) for February, but as a single person not too keen on the all the kids, and I wouldn't be able to use my club certificate. Andaz just looks much more plush, though.
Mar 1, 2017, 9:25 pm
#112
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Atlanta (most of the time)
Posts: 285
Thoughts about this property versus Grand Hyatt PdelC for an Explorist with a club certificate? I have originally booked three nights here on points (great value!) for February, but as a single person not too keen on the all the kids, and I wouldn't be able to use my club certificate. Andaz just looks much more plush, though.
We even walked around the grand Hyatt to see if it would be a place we'd want to stay in the future. No way. It's way too crowded. The resort is beautiful but do not like the way the pools are all squeezed into the middle and onto the crowded beach.
You will have lots of more food and entertainment options outside the grand Hyatt.
If you want space, peace, "nature", and luxury then choose andaz.
If you want nightlife, shopping, cheaper food options all in walking distance, the grand Hyatt would be better.
But I think Hyatt ziva in Cancun would be a good compromise.
Mar 2, 2017, 9:24 pm
#113
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: DFW/LAX
Programs: HH Diamond, AA EXP
Posts: 534
Thought I'd share my thoughts having stayed on points with no status for 5 nights in February.
My wife, 6 month old daughter, and I stayed here on points last week and we loved it, but I think you have to "figure out" the resort a little bit to really get everything out of it.
We had a standard "Andaz King" room in the lagoon area. Our view was pretty much nothing, as we were on the bottom floor, just some plants outside our little patio. We were in building 12 and could easily walk to the gym, lagoon pool, Cucina Milagro and Casa Amate (the two restaurants up in the lagoon area). Our room was great for us. Comfortable bed, nice shower and plenty large. I especially appreciated that everything in the mini bar other than alcohol was free. They had chips, nuts, sodas, sparkling waters and juice, as well as two chocolate bars. They'll replenish everything once a day for you, so if you want you can stock up and then get new stuff the next day. My wife also really enjoyed the Nespresso pods for coffee in the morning.
We really liked being up in the lagoon area instead of down by the beach. The lagoon pool area is much more kid friendly, and we like to wake up and workout in the morning, which would have been a pain taking a cart up from the beach. Kids club is also located in lagoon area, so if you are dropping your kids off there, its easy.
Food: The breakfast buffet is nice but expensive ($37pp). We ate their twice and then twice we ate breakfast down at OllaTaco (French toast, coffee, OJ for $12... my wife had chilaquiles for like $13 including coffee and juice). If you're the type of person who wants to eat a lot of food for breakfast then skip lunch or have a really light lunch, then paying for the very extensive buffet might be good, but for us the value just wasn't there. We had dinner at Casa Amate one night and thought it was pretty good and a very pretty setting but it was quite expensive for what it was. Food was fine, not great. We ate lunch by the pools or in Olla Taco most days. Thought it was good and reasonably priced. Guacamole is excellent. We were a little frustrated though that the exact same guacamole (and fajitas) were twice as expensive at the beach pool as at the lagoon pool. (Guac 90 pesos vs 205 pesos, chicken fajitas 105 pesos vs 215 pesos). So, if you want to save some money time it out so you're up at the lagoon pool for lunch (or early dinner). FWIW the fajitas and guacamole were excellent.
We also ate at the Saffron (Thai food) at Banyan Tree. Thought it was very good, though not really any better than the Thai food we get from a few places in Dallas. Was expensive, but not crazy... and we really liked the view, location out on the lagoon, etc. Recommend heading over there one night.
Pools and Beach: We really enjoyed the pool area and beach area. Service was excellent at both, with someone always around to help you set up or move an umbrella, bring you drinks/food and make sure you had a couple cold waters. One of the lagoon pools has a hot tub in the corner that mixes with the rest of the pool. End result, pool is nearly 90 degrees and the hot tub is maybe 98. This pool was great for our 6 month old as the other pools (maybe 82 degrees) were a little chilly for her liking. The beach is beautiful and the sand is soft and they kept it very clean. Nobody trying to sell stuff. On windy days they do get a moderate amount of seaweed washed up on the shore (happened to us 2 of 5 days). I didn't really mind the seaweed, but they do send out crews of people to rake it up and put it in trash bags and haul it away, but they're pretty much out there all day doing it, which is a little bit of a buzzkill. Still, its not a huge deal, and its not a problem specific to this resort, the entire area has to deal with the seaweed when the wind blows from the East.
Transportation: Free anywhere in Mayakoba either by car or golf cart. Never took more than 2 minutes to get a car ready to take us to another resort or the golf course. It does take a little longer to get around than you might think though. Door to door from our room to Saffron at Banyan Tree probably took 25 minutes (golf cart from room to lobby, car to BT, golf cart from BT lobby to Saffron). Speaking of golf carts, the system works pretty well around Andaz. The walk from our room to the beach was at least 30 minutes, so we were glad they had the carts. Never had to wait long for one, we usually just started walking and they'd pick you up when they saw you, but you can call for one too if you're particularly immobile and/or lazy.
Generally speaking the service at the resort was wonderful. Every single person we interacted with was friendly and professional and seemed proud of their job. Everybody spoke English proficiently and were happy to go slowly in Spanish if you wanted (my wife and I both know just a little bit). While you should definitely tip for service there (but not for rides in the carts imo) I never got the impression that they were expecting a tip... no awkward lingering or anything of that sort.
One thing that did annoy me- they have a 15% service charge on EVERYTHING. Now, I'm fine with having it at restaurants (though the end result for them is less than if they just let me tip 20% as a minimum on my own) but when I buy sunscreen at their little shop, it seems kind of ridiculous to me that they add a 15% service charge to that purchase as well. Though I will also say that the 15% is on the pre-tax price or things. Since all the prices there INCLUDE the 16% tax, the 15% service charge actually ends up being less than 15%. So my 260 peso sunscreen had something like a 30 peso service charge instead of 39 pesos.
One other thing, the golf course.... it's a good course, it hosts a PGA event, and they're very proud of that. But there are no ocean views (two par 3s play toward the beach with the green above the sand, but its nothing like some of the courses in Cabo, no holes running along the coast, etc). I used one of my 3 free Citi Prestige rounds and thought it was a decent use of that, but I wouldn't pay $300 to play their course (this coming from a former scratch golfer, now 3 handicap who is happy to pay $500 at Pebble, $300 at Sawgrass, etc). There's just nothing special about the course, its fine, reasonably challenging, and the pace of play was good.
Anyway, that's a long post, but hopefully gives those without status out there a feel for what they'll get staying here. We really liked it. I would not pay $400+/night to stay there, but we were looking to burn some Chase points and this was a decent way to do it.
My wife, 6 month old daughter, and I stayed here on points last week and we loved it, but I think you have to "figure out" the resort a little bit to really get everything out of it.
We had a standard "Andaz King" room in the lagoon area. Our view was pretty much nothing, as we were on the bottom floor, just some plants outside our little patio. We were in building 12 and could easily walk to the gym, lagoon pool, Cucina Milagro and Casa Amate (the two restaurants up in the lagoon area). Our room was great for us. Comfortable bed, nice shower and plenty large. I especially appreciated that everything in the mini bar other than alcohol was free. They had chips, nuts, sodas, sparkling waters and juice, as well as two chocolate bars. They'll replenish everything once a day for you, so if you want you can stock up and then get new stuff the next day. My wife also really enjoyed the Nespresso pods for coffee in the morning.
We really liked being up in the lagoon area instead of down by the beach. The lagoon pool area is much more kid friendly, and we like to wake up and workout in the morning, which would have been a pain taking a cart up from the beach. Kids club is also located in lagoon area, so if you are dropping your kids off there, its easy.
Food: The breakfast buffet is nice but expensive ($37pp). We ate their twice and then twice we ate breakfast down at OllaTaco (French toast, coffee, OJ for $12... my wife had chilaquiles for like $13 including coffee and juice). If you're the type of person who wants to eat a lot of food for breakfast then skip lunch or have a really light lunch, then paying for the very extensive buffet might be good, but for us the value just wasn't there. We had dinner at Casa Amate one night and thought it was pretty good and a very pretty setting but it was quite expensive for what it was. Food was fine, not great. We ate lunch by the pools or in Olla Taco most days. Thought it was good and reasonably priced. Guacamole is excellent. We were a little frustrated though that the exact same guacamole (and fajitas) were twice as expensive at the beach pool as at the lagoon pool. (Guac 90 pesos vs 205 pesos, chicken fajitas 105 pesos vs 215 pesos). So, if you want to save some money time it out so you're up at the lagoon pool for lunch (or early dinner). FWIW the fajitas and guacamole were excellent.
We also ate at the Saffron (Thai food) at Banyan Tree. Thought it was very good, though not really any better than the Thai food we get from a few places in Dallas. Was expensive, but not crazy... and we really liked the view, location out on the lagoon, etc. Recommend heading over there one night.
Pools and Beach: We really enjoyed the pool area and beach area. Service was excellent at both, with someone always around to help you set up or move an umbrella, bring you drinks/food and make sure you had a couple cold waters. One of the lagoon pools has a hot tub in the corner that mixes with the rest of the pool. End result, pool is nearly 90 degrees and the hot tub is maybe 98. This pool was great for our 6 month old as the other pools (maybe 82 degrees) were a little chilly for her liking. The beach is beautiful and the sand is soft and they kept it very clean. Nobody trying to sell stuff. On windy days they do get a moderate amount of seaweed washed up on the shore (happened to us 2 of 5 days). I didn't really mind the seaweed, but they do send out crews of people to rake it up and put it in trash bags and haul it away, but they're pretty much out there all day doing it, which is a little bit of a buzzkill. Still, its not a huge deal, and its not a problem specific to this resort, the entire area has to deal with the seaweed when the wind blows from the East.
Transportation: Free anywhere in Mayakoba either by car or golf cart. Never took more than 2 minutes to get a car ready to take us to another resort or the golf course. It does take a little longer to get around than you might think though. Door to door from our room to Saffron at Banyan Tree probably took 25 minutes (golf cart from room to lobby, car to BT, golf cart from BT lobby to Saffron). Speaking of golf carts, the system works pretty well around Andaz. The walk from our room to the beach was at least 30 minutes, so we were glad they had the carts. Never had to wait long for one, we usually just started walking and they'd pick you up when they saw you, but you can call for one too if you're particularly immobile and/or lazy.
Generally speaking the service at the resort was wonderful. Every single person we interacted with was friendly and professional and seemed proud of their job. Everybody spoke English proficiently and were happy to go slowly in Spanish if you wanted (my wife and I both know just a little bit). While you should definitely tip for service there (but not for rides in the carts imo) I never got the impression that they were expecting a tip... no awkward lingering or anything of that sort.
One thing that did annoy me- they have a 15% service charge on EVERYTHING. Now, I'm fine with having it at restaurants (though the end result for them is less than if they just let me tip 20% as a minimum on my own) but when I buy sunscreen at their little shop, it seems kind of ridiculous to me that they add a 15% service charge to that purchase as well. Though I will also say that the 15% is on the pre-tax price or things. Since all the prices there INCLUDE the 16% tax, the 15% service charge actually ends up being less than 15%. So my 260 peso sunscreen had something like a 30 peso service charge instead of 39 pesos.
One other thing, the golf course.... it's a good course, it hosts a PGA event, and they're very proud of that. But there are no ocean views (two par 3s play toward the beach with the green above the sand, but its nothing like some of the courses in Cabo, no holes running along the coast, etc). I used one of my 3 free Citi Prestige rounds and thought it was a decent use of that, but I wouldn't pay $300 to play their course (this coming from a former scratch golfer, now 3 handicap who is happy to pay $500 at Pebble, $300 at Sawgrass, etc). There's just nothing special about the course, its fine, reasonably challenging, and the pace of play was good.
Anyway, that's a long post, but hopefully gives those without status out there a feel for what they'll get staying here. We really liked it. I would not pay $400+/night to stay there, but we were looking to burn some Chase points and this was a decent way to do it.
Mar 2, 2017, 10:45 pm
#114
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North America
Posts: 2,265
Thanks for sharing your experience. ^
About the 15% service charge issue ... it left a sour taste for me because I felt the restaurant staff took advantage of me for being a 'dumb American' as most of them said the service charge is not their propina / tip. So here I was expected to pay a 15-20% propina on top of the insane variable resort fee, service charge, etc. But that's my fault for falling for the trap as "service charge" at restaurants equals tips and should be left at that without asking further. I did receive wonderful service at all restaurants so I guess that makes it 'Ok', right... I did confirm with the GM and FOM later who acknowledged the 15% service charge is the tip "unless we want to recognize an an individual employee" but that there might be some confusion as the employees have not been paid yet with their 'bonuses' (this was within their first few weeks after opening) - but there should be SOP for all employees to follow and not make up stuff, instead this behavior seems to be encouraged as the checks have a line to leave a "propina / tip" instead of "additional propina / tip" ... just to make things confusing.
About the 15% service charge issue ... it left a sour taste for me because I felt the restaurant staff took advantage of me for being a 'dumb American' as most of them said the service charge is not their propina / tip. So here I was expected to pay a 15-20% propina on top of the insane variable resort fee, service charge, etc. But that's my fault for falling for the trap as "service charge" at restaurants equals tips and should be left at that without asking further. I did receive wonderful service at all restaurants so I guess that makes it 'Ok', right... I did confirm with the GM and FOM later who acknowledged the 15% service charge is the tip "unless we want to recognize an an individual employee" but that there might be some confusion as the employees have not been paid yet with their 'bonuses' (this was within their first few weeks after opening) - but there should be SOP for all employees to follow and not make up stuff, instead this behavior seems to be encouraged as the checks have a line to leave a "propina / tip" instead of "additional propina / tip" ... just to make things confusing.
Thought I'd share my thoughts having stayed on points with no status for 5 nights in February.
My wife, 6 month old daughter, and I stayed here on points last week and we loved it, but I think you have to "figure out" the resort a little bit to really get everything out of it.
We had a standard "Andaz King" room in the lagoon area. Our view was pretty much nothing, as we were on the bottom floor, just some plants outside our little patio. We were in building 12 and could easily walk to the gym, lagoon pool, Cucina Milagro and Casa Amate (the two restaurants up in the lagoon area). Our room was great for us. Comfortable bed, nice shower and plenty large. I especially appreciated that everything in the mini bar other than alcohol was free. They had chips, nuts, sodas, sparkling waters and juice, as well as two chocolate bars. They'll replenish everything once a day for you, so if you want you can stock up and then get new stuff the next day. My wife also really enjoyed the Nespresso pods for coffee in the morning.
We really liked being up in the lagoon area instead of down by the beach. The lagoon pool area is much more kid friendly, and we like to wake up and workout in the morning, which would have been a pain taking a cart up from the beach. Kids club is also located in lagoon area, so if you are dropping your kids off there, its easy.
Food: The breakfast buffet is nice but expensive ($37pp). We ate their twice and then twice we ate breakfast down at OllaTaco (French toast, coffee, OJ for $12... my wife had chilaquiles for like $13 including coffee and juice). If you're the type of person who wants to eat a lot of food for breakfast then skip lunch or have a really light lunch, then paying for the very extensive buffet might be good, but for us the value just wasn't there. We had dinner at Casa Amate one night and thought it was pretty good and a very pretty setting but it was quite expensive for what it was. Food was fine, not great. We ate lunch by the pools or in Olla Taco most days. Thought it was good and reasonably priced. Guacamole is excellent. We were a little frustrated though that the exact same guacamole (and fajitas) were twice as expensive at the beach pool as at the lagoon pool. (Guac 90 pesos vs 205 pesos, chicken fajitas 105 pesos vs 215 pesos). So, if you want to save some money time it out so you're up at the lagoon pool for lunch (or early dinner). FWIW the fajitas and guacamole were excellent.
We also ate at the Saffron (Thai food) at Banyan Tree. Thought it was very good, though not really any better than the Thai food we get from a few places in Dallas. Was expensive, but not crazy... and we really liked the view, location out on the lagoon, etc. Recommend heading over there one night.
Pools and Beach: We really enjoyed the pool area and beach area. Service was excellent at both, with someone always around to help you set up or move an umbrella, bring you drinks/food and make sure you had a couple cold waters. One of the lagoon pools has a hot tub in the corner that mixes with the rest of the pool. End result, pool is nearly 90 degrees and the hot tub is maybe 98. This pool was great for our 6 month old as the other pools (maybe 82 degrees) were a little chilly for her liking. The beach is beautiful and the sand is soft and they kept it very clean. Nobody trying to sell stuff. On windy days they do get a moderate amount of seaweed washed up on the shore (happened to us 2 of 5 days). I didn't really mind the seaweed, but they do send out crews of people to rake it up and put it in trash bags and haul it away, but they're pretty much out there all day doing it, which is a little bit of a buzzkill. Still, its not a huge deal, and its not a problem specific to this resort, the entire area has to deal with the seaweed when the wind blows from the East.
Transportation: Free anywhere in Mayakoba either by car or golf cart. Never took more than 2 minutes to get a car ready to take us to another resort or the golf course. It does take a little longer to get around than you might think though. Door to door from our room to Saffron at Banyan Tree probably took 25 minutes (golf cart from room to lobby, car to BT, golf cart from BT lobby to Saffron). Speaking of golf carts, the system works pretty well around Andaz. The walk from our room to the beach was at least 30 minutes, so we were glad they had the carts. Never had to wait long for one, we usually just started walking and they'd pick you up when they saw you, but you can call for one too if you're particularly immobile and/or lazy.
Generally speaking the service at the resort was wonderful. Every single person we interacted with was friendly and professional and seemed proud of their job. Everybody spoke English proficiently and were happy to go slowly in Spanish if you wanted (my wife and I both know just a little bit). While you should definitely tip for service there (but not for rides in the carts imo) I never got the impression that they were expecting a tip... no awkward lingering or anything of that sort.
One thing that did annoy me- they have a 15% service charge on EVERYTHING. Now, I'm fine with having it at restaurants (though the end result for them is less than if they just let me tip 20% as a minimum on my own) but when I buy sunscreen at their little shop, it seems kind of ridiculous to me that they add a 15% service charge to that purchase as well. Though I will also say that the 15% is on the pre-tax price or things. Since all the prices there INCLUDE the 16% tax, the 15% service charge actually ends up being less than 15%. So my 260 peso sunscreen had something like a 30 peso service charge instead of 39 pesos.
One other thing, the golf course.... it's a good course, it hosts a PGA event, and they're very proud of that. But there are no ocean views (two par 3s play toward the beach with the green above the sand, but its nothing like some of the courses in Cabo, no holes running along the coast, etc). I used one of my 3 free Citi Prestige rounds and thought it was a decent use of that, but I wouldn't pay $300 to play their course (this coming from a former scratch golfer, now 3 handicap who is happy to pay $500 at Pebble, $300 at Sawgrass, etc). There's just nothing special about the course, its fine, reasonably challenging, and the pace of play was good.
Anyway, that's a long post, but hopefully gives those without status out there a feel for what they'll get staying here. We really liked it. I would not pay $400+/night to stay there, but we were looking to burn some Chase points and this was a decent way to do it.
My wife, 6 month old daughter, and I stayed here on points last week and we loved it, but I think you have to "figure out" the resort a little bit to really get everything out of it.
We had a standard "Andaz King" room in the lagoon area. Our view was pretty much nothing, as we were on the bottom floor, just some plants outside our little patio. We were in building 12 and could easily walk to the gym, lagoon pool, Cucina Milagro and Casa Amate (the two restaurants up in the lagoon area). Our room was great for us. Comfortable bed, nice shower and plenty large. I especially appreciated that everything in the mini bar other than alcohol was free. They had chips, nuts, sodas, sparkling waters and juice, as well as two chocolate bars. They'll replenish everything once a day for you, so if you want you can stock up and then get new stuff the next day. My wife also really enjoyed the Nespresso pods for coffee in the morning.
We really liked being up in the lagoon area instead of down by the beach. The lagoon pool area is much more kid friendly, and we like to wake up and workout in the morning, which would have been a pain taking a cart up from the beach. Kids club is also located in lagoon area, so if you are dropping your kids off there, its easy.
Food: The breakfast buffet is nice but expensive ($37pp). We ate their twice and then twice we ate breakfast down at OllaTaco (French toast, coffee, OJ for $12... my wife had chilaquiles for like $13 including coffee and juice). If you're the type of person who wants to eat a lot of food for breakfast then skip lunch or have a really light lunch, then paying for the very extensive buffet might be good, but for us the value just wasn't there. We had dinner at Casa Amate one night and thought it was pretty good and a very pretty setting but it was quite expensive for what it was. Food was fine, not great. We ate lunch by the pools or in Olla Taco most days. Thought it was good and reasonably priced. Guacamole is excellent. We were a little frustrated though that the exact same guacamole (and fajitas) were twice as expensive at the beach pool as at the lagoon pool. (Guac 90 pesos vs 205 pesos, chicken fajitas 105 pesos vs 215 pesos). So, if you want to save some money time it out so you're up at the lagoon pool for lunch (or early dinner). FWIW the fajitas and guacamole were excellent.
We also ate at the Saffron (Thai food) at Banyan Tree. Thought it was very good, though not really any better than the Thai food we get from a few places in Dallas. Was expensive, but not crazy... and we really liked the view, location out on the lagoon, etc. Recommend heading over there one night.
Pools and Beach: We really enjoyed the pool area and beach area. Service was excellent at both, with someone always around to help you set up or move an umbrella, bring you drinks/food and make sure you had a couple cold waters. One of the lagoon pools has a hot tub in the corner that mixes with the rest of the pool. End result, pool is nearly 90 degrees and the hot tub is maybe 98. This pool was great for our 6 month old as the other pools (maybe 82 degrees) were a little chilly for her liking. The beach is beautiful and the sand is soft and they kept it very clean. Nobody trying to sell stuff. On windy days they do get a moderate amount of seaweed washed up on the shore (happened to us 2 of 5 days). I didn't really mind the seaweed, but they do send out crews of people to rake it up and put it in trash bags and haul it away, but they're pretty much out there all day doing it, which is a little bit of a buzzkill. Still, its not a huge deal, and its not a problem specific to this resort, the entire area has to deal with the seaweed when the wind blows from the East.
Transportation: Free anywhere in Mayakoba either by car or golf cart. Never took more than 2 minutes to get a car ready to take us to another resort or the golf course. It does take a little longer to get around than you might think though. Door to door from our room to Saffron at Banyan Tree probably took 25 minutes (golf cart from room to lobby, car to BT, golf cart from BT lobby to Saffron). Speaking of golf carts, the system works pretty well around Andaz. The walk from our room to the beach was at least 30 minutes, so we were glad they had the carts. Never had to wait long for one, we usually just started walking and they'd pick you up when they saw you, but you can call for one too if you're particularly immobile and/or lazy.
Generally speaking the service at the resort was wonderful. Every single person we interacted with was friendly and professional and seemed proud of their job. Everybody spoke English proficiently and were happy to go slowly in Spanish if you wanted (my wife and I both know just a little bit). While you should definitely tip for service there (but not for rides in the carts imo) I never got the impression that they were expecting a tip... no awkward lingering or anything of that sort.
One thing that did annoy me- they have a 15% service charge on EVERYTHING. Now, I'm fine with having it at restaurants (though the end result for them is less than if they just let me tip 20% as a minimum on my own) but when I buy sunscreen at their little shop, it seems kind of ridiculous to me that they add a 15% service charge to that purchase as well. Though I will also say that the 15% is on the pre-tax price or things. Since all the prices there INCLUDE the 16% tax, the 15% service charge actually ends up being less than 15%. So my 260 peso sunscreen had something like a 30 peso service charge instead of 39 pesos.
One other thing, the golf course.... it's a good course, it hosts a PGA event, and they're very proud of that. But there are no ocean views (two par 3s play toward the beach with the green above the sand, but its nothing like some of the courses in Cabo, no holes running along the coast, etc). I used one of my 3 free Citi Prestige rounds and thought it was a decent use of that, but I wouldn't pay $300 to play their course (this coming from a former scratch golfer, now 3 handicap who is happy to pay $500 at Pebble, $300 at Sawgrass, etc). There's just nothing special about the course, its fine, reasonably challenging, and the pace of play was good.
Anyway, that's a long post, but hopefully gives those without status out there a feel for what they'll get staying here. We really liked it. I would not pay $400+/night to stay there, but we were looking to burn some Chase points and this was a decent way to do it.
Last edited by CodeAdam10; Mar 2, 2017 at 10:51 pm
Mar 3, 2017, 9:23 am
#115
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RDU
Posts: 735
I thought that Saffron at Banyan Tree was very expensive for what it was. Good - but as you say, not anything mind-blowing. Also key to note that the prices there are before tax (16%) and the service charge (15%). We had the set menu (~$65 USD each if I recall), a couple of cocktails and a couple sparkling waters and our bill was ~$280.
Mar 4, 2017, 8:14 pm
#116
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: DFW/LAX
Programs: HH Diamond, AA EXP
Posts: 534
I thought that Saffron at Banyan Tree was very expensive for what it was. Good - but as you say, not anything mind-blowing. Also key to note that the prices there are before tax (16%) and the service charge (15%). We had the set menu (~$65 USD each if I recall), a couple of cocktails and a couple sparkling waters and our bill was ~$280.
Mar 12, 2017, 5:47 pm
#117
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
I know the preference of Cancun vs. Playa Del Carmen vs. Cozumel vs. Mayakoba can come into play here. But as I evaluate the choices of beach hotels in the area from Hyatt, this has to be the standout property, right?
Have people been able to form an opinion on the Zilara vs. Andaz Mayakoba? And is there anyone who really just likes the Hyatt in Playa Del Carmen?
Have people been able to form an opinion on the Zilara vs. Andaz Mayakoba? And is there anyone who really just likes the Hyatt in Playa Del Carmen?
Mar 13, 2017, 10:58 am
#118
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 147
I know the preference of Cancun vs. Playa Del Carmen vs. Cozumel vs. Mayakoba can come into play here. But as I evaluate the choices of beach hotels in the area from Hyatt, this has to be the standout property, right?
Have people been able to form an opinion on the Zilara vs. Andaz Mayakoba? And is there anyone who really just likes the Hyatt in Playa Del Carmen?
Have people been able to form an opinion on the Zilara vs. Andaz Mayakoba? And is there anyone who really just likes the Hyatt in Playa Del Carmen?
I was worried about the noise from the day club, but wasn't really bothered by it. I like EDM, and it stops pretty early (6 or 7pm?), so it's not an issue at night.
While we didn't spend a ton of time off-resort, there's also something to be said for accessibility to shopping, nightlife, and restaurants.
We're looking forward to our visit to Andaz Mayakoba next month, but would definitely return to GH PDC in the future.