Anonymous
map-marker Leon, Guanajuato

They want your money but not you.

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Everytime I try to get reservation there is some clause in the "contract" that makes me pay more. No time to read the contract when you buy. To much small print in it. Scrupulous people to deal with. Asked to get my Senior discount and found out there is a difference between "registered" week and something else for you second week. Always something to get more money. They want your money and could care less about their members. I'm done. I cancelled my reservation and got them to credit my card. Now the get no money. Good business? Will not use Grand Myan again.
View full review
Loss:
$40000
Cons:
  • Hate it
  • Making reservations
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Anonymous
map-marker Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo

Horrible - Missed among many "investors"

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I was one of the many customers who was taken from our money. We invested trusting the Grupo Mayan but at the end, they did not respond. I wish something can be done legally. I know I am not the only person with this complaint. A class action suit was submitted in California but it did not include all the people affected. What can we do?They took our money to finance a resort, and they never gave us the opportunity to use and have what we paid. After I spent closer to $30,000.00 in down payment, monthly payments and the transfer of my rights of my timeshare from Orlando Florida to this one, now I have nothing. Now I understand why they never responded to my email and letter inquiries.
View full review
Loss:
$30000
Cons:
  • Hate it
Reason of review:
Warranty issue

Preferred solution: My status as a timeshare owner since I may not be able to get refund

Anonymous

COMPLETELY AGREE W/OTHER REVIEW - BUYER BEWARE!!! GET AWAY NOW!

Refer To Previous Review regarding loss of Funds through deceitful business practices. Absolutely believe the other review as we had extremely similar, most stressful, horrific nightmare with these Sales People and Management!!! They tried to rip us off too. They presented a contract and completely miss represented the actual reality of the "deal". They are thieves who'd steal money from unsuspecting victims and make no qualms about keeping it, once you realize you've been taken for a ride. The worst type of criminal prior to entering the Category of Physical Violence. They practice Economic & Emotional Violence. Despicable group of humans, to be sure. Relentless in their unabashed greed. DO NOT TRUST FOR A MINUTE! STEER CLEAR OF THIS PLACE AND ALL OF THEIR PROPERTIES ~ AVOID CONSIDERABLE LOSSES AND GOING THROUGH *** TRYING TO RECOVER LOSS. THEY WILL NOT BUDGE! ALL THEY WANT IS A SIGNATURE ON PAPER, AND EVEN IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE OR STOP IT AS SOON AS YOU HAVE SIGNED, THEY WILL MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE!! A WORD TO THE WISE...............RUN, DON'T WALK AWAY!!!
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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
Anonymous
map-marker Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Don't trust them.....they are there to take your money

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Short version...attend "owners information meeting"..told about great new program Vida Lifestyle, where you will get Vida Dollars for every dollar you spend on your maintenance fee that you can use for future travel! Program was misrepresented, and asked for a refund. Told that we were the only individuals "in the universe" who have not understood this program...Refund?....No way, but maybe we would like a few more Vida dollars. Dangerous Company, and what they say in the presentation is filled with lies. When confronted, they stand behind the contract you signed, and the "verification" recording. Don't do it...
View full review
Loss:
$8000
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Guest

Dear Anonymous user,

Your comment has been brought to our attention.

We have confidence that together we can work-out an amicable resolution.

With that in mind, it is through hard work and dedication that we keep our members happy and we would like you to be a satisfied member as well.

Consequently, we look forward to continuing this dialogue once you contact us at grupomayanblog@***.com or by telephone at 1-80*-***-****.

We are devoted to provide the most spectacular vacations on the best beach locations available in Mexico and we hope you can give us the opportunity to reassure you of the great purchase you made.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to discussing this further with you. Sincerely, Karen Rose Customer Support Representative.

Anonymous
map-marker Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit

Lied to again...why am I surprised?

Recently spent a week in Nuevo Vallarta at another of our timeshares, Villa Del Palmar, Flamingos. Beautiful resort, friendly people, couldn't have been treated better. That's the good, now the bad... Shopping in downtown PV a few nights before we left, a man working in a tequila store told us he also worked for Grupo Mayan and invited us to 'see' the resort. When we told him we already owned there (we purchased into the Bliss in 2009), he said that the resorts are looking to purchase back weeks and asked if we would be interested in selling. Well, since we haven't been able to use a single week since we bought...no Bliss units have been added since the single one in Riviera Maya, a place we've been many times...we wanted to see what they had to offer. The man wrote right on the reservation form, 'resale info only, no presentation' so we (foolishly) thought we were in the clear. As soon as we get to the Grand Mayan, the runaround begins. The first person to meet us rewrites the reservation form on some trumped up excuse and...surprise!...leaves off the first guys notation. So they bring us into a room and start to groom us for the presentation. When we insist that we are only there to speak to someone about resale options, they act like they don't understand us. When we ask to speak with a manager, they say that the only manager (ha, ha, ha) just left. They insist there is no-one at the resort with any authority and rush us out the back door. Now, I may be *** enough to buy a timeshare from crooks, but I'm not the kind of person who takes lying to my face well. We find our way through the maze that is the resorts entry and get to the reception desk where we tell our story to a very nice young lady who works at the resort itself, not the timeshare end. She seems truly puzzled about why we were told that there were no management people on-site and takes us upstairs to the room where the salespeople do their big presentations...the room is full of those little round tables we all know so well. Here we go... After about a five minute wait, we are led to the office of a fellow who hands us a business card that states "owner relations" or something to that effect. Ah, we think, finally someone who cares about us! Wrong. After listening to him tell us the usual...'oh, we never buy units', 'oh, that guy doesn't work for us', 'oh, why would you want to give up your beautiful resort', we finally just walk out in disgust. Not quietly, though...I made sure to remark to each of the 'customers' in that big room that they shouldn't do business with these crooks. ^^^ threatened to have us escorted out by security...we told him to bring it on! Needless to say, this was just another empty 'promise' :-) In any event, once again these creeps managed to steal a few hours of our vacation time with their lies and tricks. I feel sad that we are affiliated in any way with an organization that has no scruples and no honesty. I guess there are alot of people in this world who care more about the amount of money they can accrue than about being a good person. I take satisfaction in knowing that karma will get them all one day. No evil deed goes unpunished. Eventually, the universe will deliver them their due. And if anyone is interested in getting a class action going against these criminals, I'm up for it! And in the meantime, keep sharing your experiences in whatever way you can. The best we can do at this point is try to make sure the world knows to stay away from these guys. And at the risk of sounding a little paranoid, what are the chances that these places are actually connected with the Mexican drug cartels? Just saying.
View full review
Loss:
$23000
3 comments
Guest

They are corrupt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guest

I have read the and totally agree as an owner

Guest

I have memberships at Villa del Palmar Flamingos (VDPF) and Vida Vacations (Grand Luxxe Residential Loft). I am pleased that you were satisfied with your accommodations and facilities at VDPF and concerned regarding your experiences at Vida Vacations.

The Bliss was a short-lived concept at Vidanta.

Shortly after sales began for the Bliss, the decision was made to offer the Grand Mayan and abandon the Bliss. As a result, as you stated only one building was ever constructed for the Bliss. I think it is understandable that Vidanta decided not to pursue the Bliss. However, I believe special offers should be made to Bliss owners, so they can vacation at the Grand Mayan at a significantly reduced rate.

The Bliss owners are NOT responsible for Vidanta's decision to abandon the project. Bliss owners were led to believe that the Bliss would be constructed in most, if not all Vidanta properties.

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Calob Jyd
map-marker Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Very dissatisfied with The Grand Mayan Timeshare

My wife and I exchanged RCI points for a trip to Grand Blizz in Nuevo Vallarta this past July. We get there and find the place is stunning and the service is top notch. The first day there, we commit to the 90 min. sales pitch in return for discounted local attractions. We spent almost 5 hours listening to their sales pitch. We were shown models of a room in the Grand Mayan, Blizz and Luxx. The majority of the presentation was focused on how these units are investments by renting our weeks through Global Golf Connections, to cover the cost of the timeshare. They insisted that you get your rental check quickly in 60-90 days, which is not true. We could use 25 breakaway weeks and 2 Vida weeks (discounted weeks) for our vacation. We were also told we were allowed to use all amenities on the entire resort. We bought into the idea….it sounded great.After 120 days we did not receive rental compensation so I contacted Globle Golf Connections and was given an excuse that my weeks will sale in June. I did some research and found out that there are numerous of complaints about Globle Golf Connections.Prior to my research I booked with HIS using my breakaway weeks, to vacation in Nuevo Vallarta. After booking and doing the research on Goble Golf Connections, I discovered the Grand Palace was not the same as the Grand Mayan, and we could only use the pools at the Mayan Palace and Sea Garden. Mayan Palace was never mentioned during the sales pitch. The contract we signed was labeled as Mayan Palace but because it was never mentioned we did not know there were two different buildings. The Vida Vacation Sales pitch was miss leading! Now I have reservations for my family and the children are not allowed to use the kids area pools. I called the Vida Vacations reservations and because I purchased a studio room in the Palace I can only upgrade to a studio room (I need a 2BR) in the Grand Mayan if I use my weeks that are contracted to be rented. I have booked a 2BR through HIS and because of their contract with the Mayan they can only book you at the resort you purchased.I would like to warn people about this.Bottom line…1. I purchased Mayan Palace, but was only show one Mayan model and did not know there were 2 different buildings. Misleading!!2. We cannot use all the facilities, only those that we will have to spend extra money at. We are not allowed to use the Grand Mayan (Child Friendly Pools) or Luxx Pools. Not what we were told!!3. We wasted ½ of a day of our vacation.4. We have not seen the rental income from Global Golf Connections, that the Vida Vacation Rep. insisted we would get.5. When all is paid, deposit, purchase price, first 5 years maintenance fees, remodel fees, etc… after 25 years for a studio we will have paid appx. $650 per year. And still have to pay a usage fee when using our weeks. In my opinion Not a good deal!6. Don't even go to any presentation as it's not worth your vacation time to listen to it and go through pressure from their sales rep. Everything sounds so good but not all information is given to you.

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Loss:
$6000
3 comments
Joe C Fzw

I just want to begin with saying that my loving wife and I exchanged RCI points for a trip to Mayan Palace Riviera this past April. We get there and find the place is stunning and the service is top notch.

First day there we commit to the 1.5 hour sales pitch during what they call “buyers week”. Well, in the end it was 5 hours and a majority of the presentation was focused on how these units are investments and that they give you “flexibility” in an extra week to use as a rental. The rental income was presented at $1700 net income after maintenance fees were taken out. We bought into the idea….it sounded great.

Upon returning home I researched renting these units and found that they rent for far less than they stated repeatedly in the presentation. I have obtained training material that Mayan employees use explaining in detail how they leverage this with vacationers, then skim over the disclaimer sentence that is listed in the mounds of documents. This fraud has to stop. I would not have entered into this agreement if they had been truthful about this.

They describe the rental agencies as partners verbally and that you get your rental check quickly in 60-90 days, which is not true. They used scratch paper to show you the money you would make renting these units and how fast they would pay for themselves, which was untrue. There was no mention of any cancellation period during the presentation, so by the time we arrived home and called to cancel our agreement….we were told it was past the 5 days. I have called and talked with a number of people.

To date they have been unwilling to cancel and refund our credit card. A complaint has been filed with the Mexican Government, Profeco and FTC. If you go to any Mayan Palace timeshare resort, PLEASE do not get caught it the misleading sales pitch!!!

Just enjoy the resort.... This is an article on how most of the mayan palace timeshare scams are being committed:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

Guest

My issue with the Mayan Resort has been resolved.

Guest

Dear Anonymous user,

Your comment has been brought to our attention.

We have confidence that together we can work-out an amicable resolution were you can make the most out of your membership with us and you can use it for the main purpose of our business which is providing vacations.

With that in mind, it is through hard work and dedication that we keep our members happy and we would like you to be a satisfied member as well.

Consequently, we look forward to continuing this dialogue once you contact us at grupomayanblog@***.com or by telephone at 1-80*-***-****. The only way to assure that we get your message and follow-up is by reaching out to us directly.

We are devoted to provide the most spectacular vacations on the best beach locations available in Mexico and we hope you can give us the opportunity to reassure you of the great purchase you made.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to discussing this further with you.

Sincerely,

Alín Ginés

Customer Support Representative.

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BIG G
map-marker Toronto, Ontario

Mayan Palace and Grand Luxx

Your best friend, the sales person, is going to make your future holidays easier. The high pressure pitch to upgrade begins and they are going to do you a big favor. We were told they would arrange a the purchase of our other time shares for a fee of $655.00 plus admin. with the proceeds used to reduce your purchase for a piece of heaven. The final bill was $1.850.00. When I challenged the third party, they claim Mayan knew the real prices. Still waiting for a reply from Mayan. Mayan claims they will purchase your new investment at 65% of purchased price. When you sign the final papers after 4 plus pressure hours, the real truth is they will only apply this to another purchase. They also tape the final meeting with the sales person. I suggest anyone planning on attending any of the presentations that you have a tape recorder. I wonder how they will react.
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Enaj Phz
map-marker Austin, Texas

Grupo Maya and Travel Around the World

This is an on-going problem we have had with Grupo Maya and Travel Around the World since February 2010. When we bought in Mexico in February 2010 we were told that the trade-ins were invaluable to Grupao Maya. We were told that these properties were important because Mexican nationals could buy them and then hold property in United States, thus making it easier to live in the U.S. This was part of our sales talk (7 hours). If these properties are still not transferred to anyone, what good are they to whoever is to own them? Why does Grupo Maya bother with all of this if they don't want the properties? Why is it part of the sales pitch? We just don't understand why Grupo Maya would involve us with this company who has not made much of an effort to do what Grupo Maya said they would do? Grupo Maya is now telling us "you need you to understand that this is an external transaction in which we have no jurisdiction." They just tell us to read our contract. We certainly get hat now. But we don't understand why we were put in this mess by Grupo Maya to begin with. This is an unbelievable scam we allowed Grupo Maya to talk us into. I guess Grupo Maya is happy, they have gotten what they want, our money, but we have not gotten what we were told would happen, the trade-in of our properties. That was the the selling point of our sales transactions. Grupo Maya says "look at our contract." That is easy to say now. I think they might have warned us ahead of time to think seriously before agreeing to dealing with them for once we left Mexico and they had our money, they can come back and say, "you need you to understand that this is an external transaction in which we have no jurisdiction." We have been hoping for two years now that Grupo Maya would help us complete these transactions. Neither property has been transferred. One has begun, but not complete. The other one is sitting in a title company office and waiting for Travel Around the World to send the money to continue with the paper work to transfer the property. The money for the transaction was sent to them in early 2010, the check cashed, so what is the hold up? Travel Around the World does not allow us to talk to any one of authority, not respond to messages left. We also now realize this company's toll free number is in Mexico. We were told this was an American company handling this work and it was going to be very easy to converse with them. Not so - very strange. All we have after two years are a frustrating effort to trade in our properties. This is quite pitiful after 25 months.
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Enaj Phz
map-marker Seattle, Washington

Proposal To Buy From Era Property Movers

We have just received a written proposal from a company called ERA Property Movers that offers us what would appear to be about 2 1/2 times our total investment to sell our Mayan timeshare to them. They want a 10% transfer fee to be paid up front by us to the Mexican Government which will be reimbursed within a month when the transaction is complete. The company would not tell me who was buying this - just that it was a client purchasing 35% of Grupo Maya. They also want 7% for themselves. I certainly hesitate to send money off to the Mexican government. Are these guys for real?
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17 comments
Guest

I might finely be selling our Grand Mayan property. No up front money,they pay the 10 maintenance fees required, and I can use my own title company in my home town.

I'll give the phone # and you can check it out.704-817-****. Talk to Paul Preston or Mark Santos.

Com. Name is Latin America Business Services

Bill from Wisconsin

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-646966

Does anyone know anything about this Latin America Business Services?

Guest

further to my comment 1 feb 2012,check era property movers subtitle frenso+platinum capital group scambook. this is a definte scam add to the list of names blumer chase a victoria kelly.

Guest

After further investigation- the people from ERA and Platinum Capital Group have stolen identities and licence numbers from actual real estate people in California. Shame on them

Guest

These names are the people who are scamming owners by pretending to represent Wyndam Resorts buying timeshares

ERA- Cesar Lozano

Platinum Group- Derek Bollman and Michael Blake

Guest

Richard I can't find the newsletter with the information on their website

Guest

further to my comment dec. 17 2011,check newsletter ref at era real estate.this is a scam..

Guest

We just received an offer today to buy our club Regina timeshare. it sounds to good to be true.

Has anyone else received their money? is this a scam?

What is really going on?

email debleong51@***.com

Guest

Kevin O'Neal. Did you get the second half of your money yet.

I've been contacted by ERA Property Movers and have been able to verify licenses thru Yorba Linda and the CA Dept of Real Estate. Have not been able to verify quality/legitimacy of Platinum Capital Group. It exists but with multiple complaints and not specifically as an escrow company.

Any comments, advice?

Guest

Ok Im reading all of these coments let me tell you something about time shares.. There are no upfront fees unless its stated in your Time share contract, sometimes you have to pay 5 Mant.

Fess upfront or sometimes a 10%, or maybe nothing. But DOnt let this people from ERA tell you, look at your contract and it should be stated on your contract..

View more comments (16)
Enaj Phz
map-marker Burlington, Washington

Grupo Maya and Travel Around the World

I must admit I can hardly believe that I am still writing letters in regards to this problem. Our purchase of the Mayan property in February 2010 was to be quite a joyous event - one to enjoy for years to come. Instead it has been a nightmare of an experience. I am very upset - it is causing me to be very anxious and full of worry. We gave Grupo Mayo $18,000 in good faith that certain things would take place. When we returned home we were first hit with extra fees on our new Bank of America credit cards. That fee was waived after our complaint was answered. We were not notified that an extra fee would be added to our loan. Next, we were told by Travel Around the World that we would need to pay quite a bit more than the amount we were told in Mexico. That amount was also lowered back to the original after considerable effort on our part. Since then - early 2010 we have sent in paper work as was requested, we have resent the same paper work as has been requested. We have sent in further paper work as has been requested. We have resent the same paperwork again. We have been transferred to one representative to another. Finally, in December of 2011 we sent in more notarized paper work which we were told would be the final paper work needed. Grupo Maya said they would stay with this problem until it was settled. Another six weeks have gone by. Travel Around The World won't respond to my emails. We have been given over to yet another sales rep in Grupo Maya. We are still receiving maintenance fee over due notices and tax bills. We have a maintenance fee due from Grupo Mayo. Why should I pay it? It seems that this company cannot expect us to pay until their side of the bargain has been fulfilled. I can't believe I am writing this - I wrote a similar letter one year ago. Instead of gaining a new condo and trading two, we now have a new one plus the two we tried to trade. Our yearly expenses are greater than when we started. We bought in Mexico because it was going to be better for our finances. We are not better off. Be careful if you go to a timeshare presentation from Grupo Maya. We can't believe that we fell for this ridiculous scam.
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2 comments
Guest

I have had this same problem with Grupo Mayan and Travel Around the World since 2008... The issue has yet to be resolved

Guest

Dear "Goosebuns",Your comment has been brought to our attention. We care deeply about our customers’ concerns.

We would like to be given the chance to assist you in this matter. Thereby, kindly contact us at grupomayanblog@***.com or by telephone at 1-80*-***-****.As part of a special team committed to Customer Satisfaction, retaining our clients and complying with their needs is our main goal and will always be.

We are diligently working to resolve any concerns that our customers might have and we make sure they are addressed by the corresponding responsible areas.We look forward to helping you. Sincerely,Alín GínesCustomer Support Representative.

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Deborah B Vlg
map-marker Saint Louis, Missouri

Cancelling contract with Grupo Mayan

On Dec 14, 2011, we what was suppose to be a 90 minute presentation on The Grand Mayan in Riviera Maya. The resort was nice but the sales pitch was extensive.

It lasted for almost SEVEN hours. We asked to leave many times. After getting ill during the presentation and still not being allowed to leave, we signed the contract. We asked about being able to rescind the contract.

The salesman told us we could not rescind. However, after contacting Profeco, we found that Mexican law allows us to rescind within 5 days. Tonight I emailed Karen Rose, Ruben Garcia, the hotel manager, Brad Fox and Salvador Gomez Letipichia, salesmen, Profeco, Advantage Services and my attorney that I was rescinding the contract within two business days of signing which falls well within Mexico's 5 day rescinding law. Article 56 of ARTICLE 56 OF LEY Federal de Protección al Consumidor.

Also contacted my credit card company. Hope this can be resolved soon and according to the law.

View full review
7 comments
Deborah B Vlg

wpetties...good luck. They were very quick in a response to me to cancel it.

Wendy P Kni

Thank you for this information. We just had the same experience and I have sent an email within three days as well.

Will keep you posted. I am having trouble finding all of the email addresses you were able to find but I sent to customer service at Grupo Mayan.

Shealee Jrf
reply icon Replying to comment of Wendy P Kni

Contracts include information on how and when they may be rescinded. I have not seen your contract, of course, but from looking at others I strongly suspect that email messages will not satisfy the requirements. They probably need a written letter and it would not hurt to have it notarized! In any case, you should follow the contract instructions exactly and check by phone if you wish to clarify any unclear instructions. These days, they might accept a FAX but I would not automatically assume that.

I see that yours is an old post. Would love to know how this all worked for you!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Shealee Jrf

I only sent emails and I got an immediate response. It was all taken care of within one of my posting. I got all my money back.

Shealee Jrf
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-704401

Will wonders never cease! Congratulations!

Deborah B Vlg

Today on Dec. 22, a refund was issued to my credit card. I was happy the ladies in the office were so cooperative.

Deborah B Vlg

This morning, Dec. 19, 2011, I talked to Karen Rose at customer support for Grupo Maya.

She was extremely professional and seemed genuinely trying to help me cancel my contract with them.

This afternoon, I received an email from the company with a settlement letter for my full refund. I appreciate their quick response to this matter.

View more comments (6)
Enaj Phz
map-marker Burlington, Washington

Grupo Maya and Travel Around the World

The story continues. We sill are trying to transfer our properties. Two years later! Travel Around said a week ago that our completed deeds were in the mail. Guess what? No deeds. I checked with one of my home resorts and there has been no change in ownership. We were promised two properties to be transferred. No word on that one. As I have said before, this is beyond believable. Does anyone out there have any good ideas to resolve this problem? There has to be a solution to this mess, but I have not been successful as of yet.
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Vera C Xpa
map-marker Staines, England

DRUGGED AT THE MAYAN PALACE IN 2008 MAY, WENT TO ASK FOR MONEY BACK, GOT PRACTICALLY A BOOT IN THE..

THESE MUST BE THRE REAL ALCAPONES OF MEXICO! THE MANAGER I SAW LOOKED LIKE A PROPER MAFIOSO FROM SICILIA. THE WHOLE SET UP IS VERY CROOKED BUT "WELL SUGER COATED" WITH PLUSH SURROUNDINGS AND TOILET! THOSE TOILETS ARE THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE MAYAN PALACE WHICH ARE SELF-FLUSHING, VERY IMPRESSIVE. NOT SO THE BEACH THOUGH, VERY ROCKY AND JUST TO LOOK AT! THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A CHEAP PIECE OF LAND THAT THEY BOUGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. ANYWAY, DON'T GO FOR THE "FREE BREAKFAST" AS IT IS A TRAP. THEY SERVE THE SELF SERVICE STYLE BUFFET AND YOU GET THE HOT DRINKS SEPARATELY, THAT IS, WAITRESS SERVICE ON A SILVER TRAY. THE JUGS OF COFFEE LOOK VERY NICE. BUT WAIT WHEN YOU NEED TO GET UP AND GO. THAT IS WHEN IT HIT ME RIGHT IN THE HEAD. I COULD HARDLY WALK! THEY HAD CLEARLY LACED THE COFFEE AND PROBABLY DID NOT EXPECT ME TO DRINK SO MANY CUPS. THREE IS A LOT BUT SOMETIMES I DO THIS TO "KEEP AWAKE". DOESN'T HAPPEN AT THE MAYAN PALACE THOUGH. THE COFFEE THERE SERVES ANOTHER PURPOSE IT SEEMS. WHEN YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM JET LAG A LITTLE YOU EXPECT TO BE A LITTLE TIRED. AFTER A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO HAVE A HEAD SWILLING AROUND AND BEING SO SLEEPY THAT YOU ARE LITERALLY DOSING OFF IN THE GLASS AUDITORIUM WHERE THEY HAVE ALL THOSE "PRESENTATIONS" ETC. IT IS NOT WORTH THOSE PRECIOUS HOURS THAT WE COULD HAVE SPENT IN THE SUN COMING FROM LONDON, THE DRIZZLING RAIN WAS INCESSANT EVEN ON OUR WAY TO THE AIRPORT. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT MEXICO TURNED OUT TO BE WHEN I MET THESE FOLK AT THE AIRPORT OF CANCUN WITH THEIR CHEERY SMILES AND "CHEAP TRIP" OFFERS TO CHICHINITSA AND THE LIKE.. IT WAS MAY, THE RAINY SEASON FOR THE START, AND THE GRUPO MAYAN JUST CONTRIBUTED TO THE "DRIZZLE" AND THE AIR WAS HEAVIER WITH THE RAIN. IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN. THE REPS FROM THE MAYAN CAME TO OUR HOTEL WHERE WE WERE STAYING AS MY COMPANION TOLD THEM ALL THE DETAILS AND THEY WERE TO COME AT EXACTLY NINE A.M. TO TAKE US TO THE MOST "FANTASTIC FIVE STAR HOTEL" IN MEXICO. I NOTICED THAT THEY PARK IN THE SIDE ALLEY AND NOT IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL, NOT A GOOD SIGN. THERE WHERE THE STRAY DOGS ABOUND AND A FEW CABS. THEY SAID THAT THEY DO THIS SO THAT THE STAFF AT THE HOTEL WILL NOT GET "JEALOUS" BECAUSE OF THEIR "SUPERIOR ACCOMMODATION". MY COMPANION TOOK A BIG CHANCE GOING WITH THESE CROOKS AND SHE ENDED UP NOT BUYING ANYTHING AS SHE HAD TO "ASK HER HUSBAND" BUT WAS PUSHING ME INTO A DEAL THAT TO HER "SOUNDED GOOD". WELL THEY CERTAINLY WORK ON APPEARANCES. THE HOTEL THE MAYAN PALACE IS SO HOLLYWOOD BUT WHEN YOU CONSIDER WHERE IT IS YOU REALISE THAT IT IS MEANT FOR THOSE WHO COME TO MEXICO WITHOUT KNOWING THE COUNTRY TOO WELL. ANYWAY THE PLACE IS VERY DISNEY-HOLLYWOOD IN STYLE BUT WITHOUT THE CUTE CHARACTERS OF THE DISNEY WORLD. THE CHARACTERS HERE ARE ALL IN THAT GLASS AUDITORIUM, SHARKS PAR EXCELLENCE READY FOR THE KILL AND YOU MUST START RUNNING AS ONE OF THEIR EX REPS SAY IN THE CONSUMER "@PISSED", I LIKE THAT! THEY ARE THERE TO CHEAT THE VICTIM TOURIST, AND THEY ARE WELL AWARE THAT YOU ARE A ZOMBIE, WITH YOUR EYELIDS FALLING FAST AND HARD DOWN THAT IT IS HARD TO KEEP THEM OPEN TO SEE ANYTHING. THE LADY WHO WAS THE MAYAN REP WAS A MRS GARCIA WHO KEPT ON REPEATING "YOU WON'T REGRET IT!", WHICH SHE KNOWS OF COURSE COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. BUT IF THEY WALK AWAY EACH MONTH WITH TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IT IS NO WONDER THAT THEY ARE SO AGGRESSIVE. I LEARNED LATER ON THAT THEY GO THROUGH VIGOROUS TRAINING, YOU ARE THE BAIT AND THEY THE PREDATORS. IT SHOWS THAT THEY ARE WELL VERSED IN WHAT THEY ARE DOING. FROM ONE TO THE OTHER LIKE IN A TORTURE CHAMBER THEY ARE CONSTANTLY "AT YOU" TALKING YOU DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO YOUR SEAT, INTO A STRANGE DELIRIUM. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. THERE WERE ABOUT FOUR OF THEM AT THE END. THEY WERE KEEN TO MAKE THE KILL AND GET YOU TO SIGN THE PIECE OF PAPER THERE THAT IS GOING TO CAUSE YOU MUCH PAIN AND TORMENT LATER ON BECAUSE IT IS WORTHLESS, TOTALLY WORTHLESS. THE SO CALLED PURCHASE IS A ***. TRY AND SELL IT AND YOU WILL NOT! YOU CANNOT EVEN GET YOUR MONEY BACK AND STAY AWAY FROM THOSE CLAIMING TO BE ADVERTISING ON THE WEB TO HELP YOU SELL. THEY ARE CROOKS TOO. IT IS A MAIZE, HARD TO GET OUT OF IT. THE ONLY WAY OUT IS TO RUN OUT!!! THIS IS MY ADVICE JUST RUN OUT, IF YOU CAN. THREATEN TO CALL THE POLICE AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE HEARD BY OTHER PEOPLE. THE MORE NOISE YOU MAKE THE BETTER FOR YOU. I WISH THAT I DID. WHEN I HANDED OVER MY DEBIT CARD THAT WAS IT. THE EYES OF THE REP BECOME FIXED ON THAT CARD AS IF IT WAS A JEWEL. IT IS WHAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR AND THEY RUSH OFF WITH IT QUICKLY TO TAKE MONEY FROM IT BEFORE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND. IN THE MEANTIME YOU ARE SITTING THERE LIKE A SITTING DUCK AND THEY PACK YOU OFF EVENTUALLY WITH THE CONTRACT IN A BLACK SACK AND BOTTLES OF MEXICAN COFFE LIQUEUR, VERY NICE BUT NOT WORTH THE PRICE PAID! I DID GO BACK TO THE MAYAN PALACE ASKING FOR MY MONEY BACK BUT IT WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. FIRSTLY THEY BRING BACK OLD BONNIE, THAT IS MRS GARCIA WHO WITH HER PLASTIC SMILE TELLS YOU THAT YOU HAVE "BUYER'S REMORSE", AS IF IT WERE A BAD COLD, WE ALL GET ONE SOMETIMES, NOTHING THAT CAN'T BE SHIFTED WITH A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR FROM THE MAYAN. IT IS A STRANGE EXPERIENCE. I SAT IN THE CAFE WITH A CAPUCHINO AND FELT SO HELPLESS BECAUSE I OBVIOUSLY CAME BACK TOO SOON BY THE EXPRESSION IN HER EYES. SHE WAS NOT EXPECTING ME BACK AND BY MEXICAN LAW YOU DO HAVE A WEEK TO CHANGE YOUR MIND. BUT THAT WAS NOT POSSIBLE THAT DAY. I WAS SENT BACK TO "THINK IT OVER". I FELT VERY INFANTILE BECAUSE I HAD SIGNED SOMETHING WHICH I NEVER INTENDED TO USE. I HAD NO TROUP OF FRIENDS WHO WOULD WANT TO GO TO MEXICO OR USE THE RCI HOLIDAYS. YOU CAN GET PLENTY OF GOOD, REASONABLY PRICED HOLIDAYS FOR LITTLE MONEY COMPARING MEXICO IN THE UK ANYWHERE IN EUROPE AND HAVE ALL INCLUSIVE FIVE STAR. THE RESTAURANTS WERE PRICEY THERE. I RECALL LOOKING AT THE MENU. THE WHOLE THING IS A SCAM AND IT IS THERE TO GRAB THE MONEY YOU HAVE AS IF IT GROWS ON TREES AND YOU MAKE PLENTY OF IT TO BURN. THEY MAKE YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO THINK IT OVER, THAT THEY ARE THERE TO "HELP YOU". IT IS A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE. YOU HAVE BEEN CONNED AND IT IS HARD TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THIS DECEIT. THE WHOLE APPROACH THEY HAVE IS DISGUSTINGLY ARROGANT AND DISTASTEFUL. THEY ARE JUST SLIMEY CROOKS WHO DON'T WANT TO WORK IN STORES AND FACTORIES, THEY WOULD RATHER SIT IN THE SUN AND CHEAT A FEW HOURS A DAY FOR A LIVING. I TRIED TO GO BACK AGAIN AND DID. THIS TIME I WAS TAKEN TO THE MANAGER, THE MAFIOSO TYPE WHO HAD THE DOOR OF THE OFFICE AJAR AND WHO WAS MAKING OUT THAT HE WAS NOT ALL THAT INTERESTED IN YOUR PROBLEM AS HE WAS A "BUSY MAN" AND WHY COMPLAIN AS THOUGH YOU WERE HAVING YOUR TEETH EXTRACTED WHEN IT WAS A "VACATION DEAL" THAT IS ALL. SO WHAT IF YOU GOT RIPPED OFF! THAT IS THE ATTITUDE. WHY DID YOU SIGN IS THE QUESTION TO TORMENT YOU ALL THE MORE. AS IF YOU HAD NOT ASKED YOURSELF THAT QUESTION A MILLION TIMES BEFORE. THE OTHER REP WAS ACROSS THE HALLWAY LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION ALL THE TIME AND PRETENDING TO BE DOING SOME PAPERWORK. THEY HAVE A FEW OFFICES DOWN THE HALLWAY. ANYWAY, YOU ARE SPEAKING TO THE WIND AS IT WERE AND YOU ARE GETTING NOWHERE. PLUS IT IS UNNERVING TO SIT IN AN OFFICE WITH THE DOOR SLIGHTLY OPEN. WHETHER THIS IS TO RESTRAIN YOU IF YOU SHOULD BE SHOUTING YOUR HEAD OFF I DON'T KNOW. BUT THEY ACT AS IF THEY ARE DEALING WITH YET ANOTHER DISGRUNTLED TOURIST WHO WANTS HIS OR HER MONEY BACK.. LAW, WHAT IS THAT? THEY SAY. WHEN THEY CLASS THEMSELVES AS SOMETHING ABOVE THE LAW IN MEXICO, AS IF IT WAS AN ITEM THEY HAD ALREADY PURCHASED. THE IVORY TOWER YOU ARE SITTING IN BEING ONE OF THEIR MANY ACQUISITIONS OF STATUS AND POWER!!! YOU HAVE TO BE IMPRESSED WITH THE BUILDING - IT IS VERY SUPERSONIC BUT YOU SEE HOW THEY BUILT IT - ON THOSE GULLIBLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PARTED WITH THIER MONEY IN SUCH GOOD FAITH THAT THEY HAVE AN UNFORGETTABLE "ONCE IN A LIFETIME DEAL". ALL LIES! AND THOSE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS WILL SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID AND YOU WANT TO GET OUT BUT THE HARDER YOU TRY THE HARDER IT BECOMES! I WENT TO THE MEXICAN EMBASSY IN LONDON AND THEY TELL YOU THAT THESE ARE PROBLEMATIC PEOPLE BUT IT SEEMS THAT THAT IS ALL ACCEPTABLE OVER THERE. YOU JUST "FORGET ALL ABOUT IT" LIKE A BAD DREAM. WELL WHEN I DID FINALLY GET THE RIGHT ADVICE TIME HAD ELAPESED AND I HAD BEEN PAYING THE MONTHLY FEES OF SOME 89 DOLLARS OR SO. THIS WAS HARD TO SWALLOW. THE MONTHS WENT BY AND YOU JUST HOPED THAT SOMEHOW YOU WOULD WAKE UP FROM THE NIGHTMARE. BY EXPOSING THEM ON THE INTERNET YOU RUFFLE THEIR CAGE, AS THEY SAY IN THE U.K. THEY DO NOT LIKE TO BE EXPOSED, YOU BOUGHT A STUDIO, THE SMALLEST UNIT, AND ALL YOU HAVE IS THE MEMORY AND THE NEW RCI BOOKS WHICH COME THROUGH THE DOOR WITH LOTS OF PLACES TO BOOK. THE MORE YOU LOOK AT IT THE MORE YOU GET TO HATE IT. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. IT IS NOT MY CUP OF TEA, WHY DID ALL THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN. I DO NOT TRAVEL IN GROUPS BUT ON MY OWN OFTEN OR WITH A FRIEND. I DON'T NEED ANY OF THIS. I AM SINGLE AND NO LONGER IN A FAMILY OF THREE OR FOUR LIKE I WAS YEARS AGO WHEN MY PARENTS WERE ALIVE. THAT IS WHAT YOU RECALL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE LEGAL IS AT PLAY HERE. YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE IN EXACTLY AND THAT WAS A PERSON HERE IN THE U.K. WHO TOLD ME THAT THE TIMESHARE INDUSTRY IS THE BIGGEST *** INDUSTRY IN THE WORLD. IT WAS STARTED BY EX CONS IN SPAIN FROM THE EAST END OF LONDON AND IT WAS ADOPTED BY OTHER *** ARTISTS ALL OVER THE WORLD. EACH, I SUPPOSE, ADDING HIS OR HER OWN SPECIAL "FLAVOUR" OF ***! THE VARIETY IS HUGE. WELL, I DID NOT FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF. I DID NOT NEED THIS. BUT THIS IS A REALITY. IF YOU WANT CROOKED THEY ARE REALLY CROOKED!!! SO FAR A MISS. ERNST FROM GERMANY IS NOW WITH THE COMPANY AND SHE DEALS WITH YOU TO TRY AND PERSUADE YOU THAT THE MOMENT YOU REMOVE ALL YOUR COMMENTS FROM THE INTERNET THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY BACK THE MONEY OWED TO YOU. THEY CANCELLED THE CONTRACT, THEY SAY AND THEY ARE OFFERING THE MONEY BACK.. BUT WAIT FOR IT, THE OLD CATCH IS THAT YOU NEED TO SIGN A PIECE OF PAPER SAYING THAT YOU WILL NEVER EXPOSE THEM AGAIN IN PUBLIC OR ELSE YOU WILL BE SUED BY THEM. YOU NEED TO SEND THIS OFF BY EMAIL AND THEN THEY WILL JUST SEND THE MONEY TO YOU!!! WHERE IS YOUR GUARANTEE!!? IN THE AIR, OF COURSE, LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE WITH THEM! SO YOU NEED A ESCROW AGENT TO HELP IN THE TRANSACTION AND THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS STERLING IS SUDDENLY A HUGE SUM FOR THEM TO COVER, BEING THAT THEY ARE SO BIG AND BOISTEROUS A COMPANY THEY DO NOT PAY ANY ESCROW AGENT WHO IS A LAWYER WHO WILL ENSURE THAT BOTH SIDES GET WHAT THEY HAVE PROMISED EACH OTHER BECAUSE BY THIS TIME YOU DON'T TRUST THEM TO "COME UP WITH THE GOODS" AS THEY SAY IN THE U.K. THEY KEEP YOU ON A STRING FOR AS LONG AS THEY CAN AND THEN YOU GET NO CHRISTMAS CARD FROM THEM AND THE WHOLE THING DROPS INTO THE MEXICAN QUAGMIRE OF CHILE *** CARNE. YOU BEING THE CHILE AND THEY BEING THE CARNE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. ANYWAY, THE MIXTURE IS MEANT TO BE BUT DOES NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO STINGY TO PAY THE LAWYER'S FEES EVEN AFTER DRAGGING YOU DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO THE OBLIVION OF MAYAN LAND WITHOUT INTEREST, RUTHLESSLY HANGING ON TO YOUR MONEY FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND LAUGHING AT YOU LIKE THE BANDIDOS THAT THEY ARE!!! THEY TELL YOU OVER THE PHONE THAT YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO GO THERE BECAUSE THE LEGAL FEES ALONE ARE ASTRONOMIC AND WOULD NOT BE WORTH IT. THEY TORMENT YOU WITH ALL KINDS OF MENTAL TORTURE AND THEN THEY DISAPPEAR INTO THIN AIR! THEY HOPE THAT YOU WILL JUST GIVE UP AND THEY WILL HANG ONTO YOUR MONEY ILLEGALLY TELLING YOU THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO RETURN IT BY LAW. SUDDENLY WHEN THEY THINK THAT THEY ARE IN THE ADVANTAGE SEAT THEY MENTION LAW. UP UNTIL THEN IT IS JUST A DIRTY WORD THAT THEY WON'T USE. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU FEEL SICK WITH YOURSELF BECAUSE THEY HAVE CONNED YOU BADLY AND ARE POKING THEIR TONGUES AT YOU INSOLENTLY!!! THIS IS THE MAYAN PALACE STYLE. WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF THE MAYAN PALACE JUNGLE MEXICAN STYLE. IF YOU SIT ON THOSE BUSES THAT THEY TAKE YOU TO CHICHINITSA WITH YOU END UP WITH A SORE BEHIND. THOSE BUSES ARE OLD, CLUMSY BUSES WHICH THEY MUST BE USING EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT GOOD ROGUES EVEN. THEY ARE *** ARTISTS THAT NEED EXPOSURE MORE AND MORE UNTIL THEY ARE NO LONGER IN CIRCULATION. TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEXICAN WAY BUT STEER CLEAR OF THESE CANCUN AIRPORT CHEAP TRIP SALESMEN WHO GIVE YOU THAT BEGUILING SMILE AND APPEAR THE NEXT MORNING AT YOUR HOTEL OFFERING TO TAKE YOU TO THE HOTEL OF YOUR DREAMS. IT DOESN'T PAY TO BE A MUG. JUST SIT ON THE BEACH AND ENJOY YOUR TEQUILA OR PINA COLADA AND THINK HOW GOOD IT IS TO LIVE IN THE U.S., U.K. OR CANADA WHILST ENJOYING THE WARM SUNSHINE OF MEXICO!!!
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5 comments
Guest

You have lost all credibility lady. :p You are kinda of a cronic complainer then. Hotels in the world, beware of this brit tourist!!!

Guest

:grin :grin :grin

I AM REPLYING TO THE MAYAN GROUP, WHO HAVE DRAGGED THE ISSUE ABOUT THE RETURN OF MONEY GIVEN TO THEM IN GOOD FAITH ON THE MAY 8, 2008 AND DESPITE SAYING THAT THEY WANT TO RETURN IT NEVER DID. GRUPO MAYAN HAVE DEMANDED THAT A CONTRACT BE SIGNED WITH THEM TO SAY THAT THEY WILL NEVER HAVE ANY NEGATIVE COMMENT WRITTEN ABOUT THEM B E F O R E RETURNING A SINGLE PENNY OWED BY THEM. THEY GIVE NO ASSURANCE WHATSOEVER THAT THEY WILL PAY THE MONEY OWED TO DATE EXCEPT THE "PROMISE" AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY WILL REPAY THE MONIES AS SOON AS THE NEW "CONTRACT" IS SIGNED. THEY ARE KEEN TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FOR OBVIOUS REASONS YET WILL NOT MEET ANY OBLIGATION TO A CUSTOMER WHATSOEVER UNLESS THEY HAVE HIM/HER "OVER A BARREL" AS THEY SAY HERE IN ENGLAND GETTING THE VICTIM TO SIGN A G A I N A CONTRACT WHICH SILENCES THEM WHEN THE MONEY NEVER COMES THROUGH!!!! WELL, YOU HAVE TRICKED ME ONCE AND TWICE BUT NO MORE. YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SAY THAT I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT A VACATION IN TURKEY AND YET WHEN YOU GO ON THE WEBSITES FOR COMPLAINTS THE GRUPO MAYAN IS ABSOLUTELY FLOODING THEM!!!! PEOPLE ARE CRYING AND SEEKING JUSTICE AGAINST SO MUCH TRICKERY AND SHADY DEALING! YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN STRAIGHT IN YOUR LIVES IT SEEMS!!! YOU JUST TRY TO INTIMIDATE AND DECEIVE THE CLIENT INTO BELIEVING YOU AND THEN YOU STICK THEM BADLY!!!! THIS IS YOUR METHOD. YOU HAVE CONVINCED MY LAWYER THAT YOU ARE BUNCH OF CROOKS IN THE SHORT TIME THAT HE HAS KNOWN YOU. WHERE IS THE GOOD WILL TO PAY UP SO FAR AND TO MEET YOUR OBLIGATIONS WHICH YOU HAVE TOWARD THE CUSTOMER, ONE YOU NEARLY BOOTED OUT OF YOUR OFFICES IN MEXICO DURING THAT WEEK THAT I WENT TO ASK FOR MY MONEY BACK. YOU ARE USED TO NOT RETURNING A CENT DESPITE THE LAW OF MEXICO WHICH DEMANDS RETURN OF MONEY BY THE COMPANY WITHIN THE FIVE DAY PERIOD. WELL, YOU NEVER HONOURED THAT AND NOW YOU ARE MAKING A NOISE!!!

YOU CLAIM TO WANT TO RETURN THE MONEY TAKEN FROM ME AND HAVE WRITTEN THIS DOWN IN SO MANY EMAILS TO ME YET YOU DO NOT COME UP "WITH THE GOODS". EACH TIME WHEN YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO PAY UP YOU START COMING UP WITH NEW IDEAS TO STALL THE WHOLE ISSUE. IN THE END I WAS FORCED TO TAKE A LAWYER TO ACT AS ESCROW AGENT FOR MY OWN PROTECTION AND YOU DID NOT WANT TO HONOUR HIS MEASLY FEE OF FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY DOLLARS OR SO WHICH WOULD SEAL THE WHOLE MATTER PROPERLY WITH YOU GETTING YOUR "ASSURANCE" OF NO PUBLICITY AND ME GETTING MY MONEY BACK AS AGREED IN WRITING SO MANY TIMES BY EMAIL ALREADY. YOU HAD ME TO ERASE ALL THE COMMENTS MADE ABOUT THE GRUPO MAYAN AND WHEN I DID THE MONEY DID NOT COME, INSTEAD THE "NEW CONTRACT" CAME BY INTERNET, WHICH YOU CHANGED TWICE ALREADY TO SUIT YOUR NEED TO BE INCOGNITO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN THESE SHADY DEALS. YOU ARE HANGING ONTO MONEY WHICH YOU SHOULD HAVE RETUNED IN MAY OF 2008. YOU RIGHTLY SAID THAT A COURT CASE FOR ME WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND THAT I WOULD NOT BE LIKELY TO GO TO MEXICO TO SUE YOU BUT THAT DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE LICENSE TO ABUSE THE QUESTION OF DISTANCE BETWEEN US AND THE FACT THAT I AM NOT A MULTI MILLION COMPANY BUT JUST AN HONEST CITIZEN WHO IS A SINGLE LADY AND HAS BEEN DEPRIVED OF HER OWN MONEY BY YOUR MISREPRESENTATIONS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. YOU ARE SELLING TIMESHARE YET YOU NEVER USED THE WORD ONCE DURING THE PRESENTATIONS! HOW DID YOU MANAGE THAT!!!! SO WHAT YOU ARE SELLING IS REALLY HOT AIR AND NOTHING MORE. BECAUSE EVERYONE WHO RESEARCHES THE ISSUE WILL FIND OUT THAT THEY CANNOT SELL THE PURCHASE THAT THEY MAKE AT THE ROYAL MAYAN TO ANYONE!!! IT IS WORTHLESS, COMPLETELY WORTHLESS. WHAT IS MORE THAN LIKELY IS THAT SOME OTHER CROOKS SIMILAR TO YOURSELVES WILL CLAIM THAT THEY ADVERTISE VERY SUCCESSFULLY OVER THE INTERNET AND THEY TAKE YOUR MONEY OVER THE PHONE AND YOU NEVER HEAR FROM THEM AGAIN. SO YOU LOSE SOME MORE. THAT IS WHY I PERSONALLY WOULD PUT TIMESHARE, OR BETTER KNOWN IN THE UK AS "CRIMESHARE" UNDER STRICT LEGISLATION SO THAT THESE LEGAL ABUSES OF INNOCENT, ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FULLY ACQUAINTED WITH CONTRACT LAW IN MEXICO ARE NOT CAUGHT BY SHARKS LIKE YOU AGAIN!!!

YOU CLAIM TO BE A MULTI MILLION COMPANY BUILDING NEW APARTMENTS IN MEXICO AND ELSEWHERE LIKE SPROUNTING MUSHROOMS YET YOU WILL NOT PAY A PENNY TOWARD AN ESCROW AGENT FOR THE HANDLING OF A LONG OVERDUE LEGAL ISSUE WHICH YOU FAILED TO HANDLE YOURSELVES TWICE IN MEXICO WHEN I WENT TO SEE YOU IN PERSON.

HAD I KNOWN THAT BY SHOUTING MY HEAD OFF THEN AND MAKING A FUSS YOU WOULD HAVE HANDED THE MONEY BACK, AS YOU ARE SO AFRAID OF PUBLICITY, BECAUSE YOU HAVE "TOO MUCH BUTTER ON YOUR HEADS", AS THE GERMANS SAY, WITH ALL THE DIRTY DEALS I WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER OFF. BUT THAT IS NOT MY STYLE. I HATE SCANDALS AND ALL THAT. SO NOW WE ARE DISCUSSING THE ISSUE OVER THE INTERNET AGAIN AND THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH CLEARLY "GETS UP YOUR NOSES", AS IT BRINGS OUT ALL THE "DIRTY LINEN" OF THE GRUPO MAYAN IN SMALL DOSAGES FOR PEOPLE TO SEE HOW YOU OPERATE IN SUNNY MEXICO WHEN YOU GET YOUR TEETH INTO UNSUSPECTING TOURISTS AT CANCUN AIRPORT.

AND AT THE AIRPORT THERE ARE TWO BANDIDOS WHO ARE SELLING "CHEAP TRIPS" AROUND MEXICO AND THEN THEY QUIETLY WHISPER IN YOUR EAR THAT THEY HAVE TO VISIT YOU AT THE HOTEL WHERE YOU ARE STAYING THE NEXT DAY TO SHOW YOU A "FANTASTIC HOTEL" WHERE YOU CANS STAY THE NEXT TIME!!! THIS IS ALL LIES! AND YOU KNOW IT!!!! YOU ARE SELLING TIMESHARE YET YOU NEVER SAY SO OPENLY. WHY!!?!!

WE ALL KNOW THE REASON, DON'T WE?!

I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE FEW COMPANIES WITH WHICH A PERSON DARE DEAL IN THIS INDUSTRY, ON OF THEM IS DISNEY AND THE OTHER IS THE SHERATON, I BELIEVE. THE REST ARE ALL CROOKED AND DANGEROUS TO DEAL WITH....THIS WAS SAID TO ME BY AN EXPERT IN TIMESHARE!!

AND SO FAR YOU HAVE LIVED UP TO YOUR NEGATIVE REPUTATION. WHAT A CHANGE IF YOU WERE TO SUDDENLY HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART AND DO SOMETHING WITH INTEGRITY!!! LIKE RETURN A LADY'S MONEY WHICH YOU OBTAINED THROUGH MISREPRESENTATION FROM DAY ONE!!!!!

IF YOU WISH TO PAY THE MONEY BACK TO ME IN FULL AS PROMISED REPEAT THIS NOW OVER THE INTERNET AND SAY THAT YOU WANTED ME TO SIGN A CONTRACT FORBIDDING ME TO EVER REVEAL IN PUBLIC WHAT YOU ARE DEMANDING FROM ME ETC.WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING THE MONEY. WHEN AN ESCROW AGENT (OF HIGH REPUTE) WAS INVOLVED YOU DID NOT PAY BACK EVEN THOUGH HE WAS GOING TO GET A SIGNATURE FROM ME TO SAY THAT I WOULD NOT GO ON THE INTERNET AGAIN AND REVEAL THE WHOLE STORY. YOU ARE STILL STALLING!!!

WHAT PROOF DO I HAVE THAT I WILL RECEIVED THAT MONEY AND THAT YOU ARE GENUINE. CERTAINLY THE COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR COMPANY ON THE COMPLAINTS WEBSITES, WHICH ARE FULL, ARE NOT REASSURING AT ALL!!! HAD I READ ALL THAT BEFORE GETTING INTO THE CAB TO THE ROYAL MAYAN IN MEXICO I WOULD NEVER HAVE GONE!!! BUT YOUR REPS ARRIVED AT NINE A.M. TO TAKE US TO BREAKFAST AT THE FIVE STAR "HOTEL". NO MENTION WAS MADE ABOUT TIMESHARE AND ANYONE READING THIS I HOPE WILL BE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF DOING WHAT WAS DONE BY ME AND MY COMPANION. DO NOT BE SO GULLIBLE!!!! SETTLE DOWN AND HAVE YOURSELF A REAL NICE REST. DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE PROMISING "FREE BREAKFASTS". YOU WILL LIVE TO REGRET IT!!!

Guest

BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT IS HAPPENED TO ME. THAT IS WHY I DO NOT DOUBT THE VALIDITY OF ANY OF THE COMMENTS POSTED UP ABOUT THEIR SHADY PRACTICES.

SORRY TO BE SO GRAPHIC BUT THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED.

IT IS A REAL MEXICAN NIGHTMARE!!!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Guest

I cannot believe this... this is the most creative story I have ever heard... are you for real?

Guest

fREE Drugs??? I didn't see this in the advertisment

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Enaj Phz
map-marker Seattle, Washington

Grupo Maya & Travel Around the World

It is that time of year again.  We are going to be asked for another maintenance payment, but the transfer of our properties after our purchase in February 2010 are not yet complete. Travel Around the World has yet again given us the run around, will not answer our questions and has left us holding the bag with maintenance fees  and tax bills coming from the properties to be covered by us. They will not answer any of the questions that I ask in my emails; they just stall. They now want us to contact a closing agent to, yet again, supply them with the same information we have supplied them already more than two times. We were never told that we would have to work with anyone else but them, We don't feel that we should pay any more fees to anyone until this whole thing is finalized. We paid Grupo Mayo and we still have the two properties we were assured would be transferred within 3 months.  (20 months ago) We are now getting calls from a Real Estate agent in Fresno who has offered us $44,000 for our properties if we pay $4,400 to the Mexican government for something.  This agent says that Wyndham is purchasing %35 or Mayan properties. I not only have lost my $, but still own the properties I thought we were trading. Angry at myself for being pulled into this mess.
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1 comment
Guest

Dear "Goosebuns",

Your comment has been brought to our attention. We care deeply about our customers’ concerns. We would like to be given the chance to assist you in this matter.

Thereby, kindly contact us at grupomayanblog@***.com or by telephone at 1-80*-***-****.

As part of a special team committed to Customer Satisfaction, retaining our clients and complying with their needs is our main goal and will always be. We are diligently working to resolve any concerns that our customers might have and we make sure they are addressed by the corresponding responsible areas.

We look forward to helping you.

Sincerely,

Alín Gínes

Customer Support Representative.

Anonymous
map-marker Holtsville, New York

Duped,Scammed by Grupo Mayan

My husband and I were ALSO duped by Grupo Mayan when we attended a presentation at the Grand Mayan Riviera Maya in 2009. We were hosted by lovely young woman by the name of Briar Lowewen. The Grand Mayan is indeed a lovely resort and we were taken by the view and by the sale representation. What started out as a complimentary breakfast and presentation of 90 minutes turned into 4-6 hours. We declined the offer to buy because we already had 2 weeks with RCI in florida (paid off) and we didn't have the finances or want to purchase another. Catching us by the tale regarding maintenance for our FL timeshares, they said well, what we can do is give you credit for your properties in Florida and instead of paying 40K for the Mayan, you'll only pay 20,000, through our Equity Exchange Program, and they would recommend a Resale company to assist with our sale of the Florida timeshare which was (Alliance Integrating Marketing Systems). And we were also told that owning with Mayan would allow for a higher exchange system through RCI, with added benefits to booked through Fours Seasons, Ritz. etc etc. We were sucked into it thinking that we had a better program, than our current one with Wyndham, because we were offered no maintance fee unless we exchanged or booked. We were also told that if we didn't come back we could forgo our week and get paid at least $1300 dollars for our week through bookings from other individuals through HSI. None of these things panned out. Alliance Integrated Marketing Systems has not sold our weeks in Florida. They emailed the first 3 mths with updates but I haven't heard from them since. I've called them and was told that there was a potential buyer but it was too low for them to sell. So now, my husband and I still have our Florida Weeks, which we still pay maintenance fees on, we do NOT use the Mayan week because we don't want to pay $700 dollars and we also paid Alliance Integrated Marketing Systems $349 dollars upfront "lifetime fee". We were *** and naive but Grupo Mayan representative were not honest or upfront about any of the sales pitches. I'm writing this so that no one else gets duped or scammed. Note: We are still paying off the $20,000 and now stuck with a timeshare company that's dishonest.
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3 comments
sumerfun

This matter has been satisfactory resolved between us and Grupo Mayan. Thank you too their customer service department.

Guest

Dear Anonymous Blogger and Summerfun, Your comments have been brought to our attention. By having direct contact with us, we will be able to clarify your specific concerns.It is significant to note that as stated in our membership agreement, the company makes no representations regarding the market for vacation ownership rentals or resale, nor recommends buying this product for rentals or investment.

Those transactions are completely independent from us, and this is always specified in our contracts.So forth, allow us to continue this dialogue by emailing us at grupomayanblog@***.com or calling us at 1-80*-***-****. We would very much like to know who you are to provide you personalized assistance. Our goal is to provide you the most spectacular vacations at the best resorts in Latin America. We encourage you to give us the opportunity to help youmake the most out of the benefits acquired with your memberships.

Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Alín GinesCustomer Support Representative.

Guest

We went through the same thing and We feel it is our obligation to make people aware of the lies and scams!

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George B Qyh
map-marker Saint Louis, Missouri

Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta Timeshare Sales Fraud

This post is to warn others of the dishonest and illegitimate practices that the Grand Mayan sales representatives use to sucker you in to contracts. They will lie to your face to get your money.

We stayed at the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta. We had a very nice time. The resort was wonderful. On our second morning we attended the sales presentation. What was promised as a 90 minute presentation quickly ballooned to 5 hours. Little did I know that the 90 minute presentation was only the first lie we would be told.

After sitting through the initial sales attempt and declining a 200,000+ offer to become members of the new Grand Bliss, our salesman Ian called over another gentleman that he refered to as an inventory manager. Ian thought he just might have a good deal for us. Let's call him Duncan (I can't remember his name now). Duncan explained that some rooms had just come available because someone sold their contract. He offered us 1 Grand Mayan studio room for 10 years and 2 Grand Mayan studio rooms for 100 years. Along with 25 flex weeks to be use over the next 25 years (which I later found out was just an additional contract with Holiday Systems International, which has their own list of customer complaints). Duncan drew 3 boxes to represent the Grand Mayan studios and wrote 1000 in each. Then he said that "they" [referring to Duncan, Ian, and whomever they represent] would pay us $1000 per year for each room if we didn't use them. Duncan said we could give them to a reseller and they would pay they required maintenance fees and give us $1000 per room. I asked specifically if this was a guaranteed payment and Duncan and Ian both agreed it was. They specified that we could give these rooms to the reseller in November and we would receive our payment by February. This was repeatedly stated several times as we kept asking because we couldn't believe it. My wife and I even discussed that this was too good to be true. How right we were. I've since found that there is no such guarantee and Ian and Duncan deliberately lied to me to induce my purchase. Their lie was exactly what made the package "too good to be true."

After discussing with my wife and agreeing that this deal was too good to pass up since we would recoup the money paid for the contract through $1000 per room in just 5 years, we went through with the contract. Ian was visible disturbed when I was reviewing the contract. He was constantly turning pages and pointing to clauses to "help me understand the contract." Now I understand he was just trying to redirect my attention from certain clauses. We actually had two contract documents, one for the 10 year room and one for the 100 year rooms. He kept suggesting to just read the 100 year contract since they were basically the same. Reviewing both documents now I see that the 100 year contract doesn't contain all the same clauses, specifically missing the clause specifying the 5 day "cooling off" period. On our way out I asked Ian if we could get a copy of his notes (which he had quickly shuffled off the desk and into his briefcase once we agreed to sign). I said I specifically wanted the page with the boxes with 1000 in them where he guaranteed that income. Ian said he couldn't give use his notes because, and I quote, "if you [my wife and I] don't get paid for they rooms exactly like his notes state, you know in case you get more money since they price of these rooms keep going up, then you could sue us." HE ACTUALLY SAID THAT. Feeling thoroughly exhausted and still a little uneasy we left to enjoy the rest of our vacation.

Upon returning home from the Grand Mayan my wife and I did some research and discussed the purchase. I found numerous posts about deceitful sales practices and about others not getting paid the money for their rooms that they were "guaranteed." We decided that we were still uneasy about getting paid for the rooms and decided to rescind our contract under the 5 business day rescission period provided by Mexican Law. Of course Grand Mayan made no mention of this law during our time there, and as I mentioned even actively attempted to keep us from reading it. We submitted our request on the fifth business day. We received an email the next day stating someone would call us the next day to ensure we take the necessary steps required in order to cancel our contract. We got a call from a Grand Mayan representative 5 days later stating that since Grand Mayan considers Saturday a business day we were outside the 5 days and could not cancel the contract without forfeiting our down payment!

This whole process has been a scam! The Grand Mayan sales people are dishonest and their business practices are illegitimate. If you must go on the Grand Mayan sales presentation, do not agree to any Grand Mayan contracts! If you already signed a contract then rescind as soon as you can before Grand Mayan makes Sunday a business day!

I've filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. They currently have 12 filed complaints and the BBB rates them an F. Here is the link to the Grupo Mayan page http://www.bbb.org/dallas/business-reviews/timeshare-companies/grupo-mayan-desarrollo-marina-vallarta-sade-cv-in-dallas-tx-9004****. If you have also had issues with illegitimate business practices by Grand Mayan then I suggest you file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and post your experience here to warn others.

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Loss:
$5000
23 comments
Guest

Need email address.

Fell for this scam. Does any one have the email address for cancelling the contract.

I don't have it and need to act fast. It's in the contract if someone can find it for me.My email is dtcoletti@***.ca

Thanks a bunch

Guest

We agree do not buy anything from groupo Mayan what they say and what they do are different

They have very nice resorts but they can change their policies at will so your investment is worthless in my view their corporate leaders should be in jail,

Kelly

Guest

We have been going to PV for several years and everyone gets ripped off at the GM. Many owners have so much money they could care less as it is a nice resort or don't want to admit that they got dupped. Others like me hate the deceitfulness. We have also gone to other presentations and they offered to buy our GM for quite a bit of money. 70,000. I told the one we were offered 80 and he upped it immediately and offered 90,000. 20,000 more Too Good to be true. We had to buy into theirs and then they would sell GM for us. Read On...

The last two years I literally got up and walked out after almost 3 hrs of the GM BS. One year I put my phone stop watch out.

This year the GM guaranteed to sell our GM for 65,00 within 6-12 months. Hmm heard this at other presentations. I told the guy I would take 55,000 and he could have two years to sell it and to put it in writing. An instant profit for them of 10,000, But he declined. As they all do they guarantee to sell your but you have to buy the other first. Now you are the proud owner of Two timeshares permanently. They never sell yours.

They are rip off artists plain and simple.

They feed you breakfast.

They are very interested in your personal life.

They become your friend and state they will personally assist you for all your needs and complaints.

They make their sales pitch.

Then make you feel *** and guilty when you don't want to immediately spend 10s of thousands of dollars.

Believe me they are good at this.

Guest

Our experiences were the same as all the above. No luck in renting it out and Imperial Property Management has proven to be a scam as well.

Now we are trying to sell and see extremely high transfer fees and also a no transfer allowed except to heirs or family on the 100 year.

DOes anyone have a clear picture on this? Does this really mean that we can't sell what we have purchased?

Guest

We visited the Grand Mayan on June 26th to see the property on a timeshare presentation. The whole experience was very uncomfortable from the beginning....The salesperson whom told us time and time again, "I am not a salesperson" was rude, pushy and extremely demanding of our time, we were there for 5 hours and finally were released from what seemed like some kind of holding tank!

Once we said NO to two different men. They have you exit downstairs and have beautiful ladies trying to sell you the same concept only at a fraction of the price, odd but true. We met 3 ladies that hoped we would purchase the wonderful offer they proposed. Again, NO means NO in every language, right?

We were told they are registered with the Mexican Government several times we don't know what that means? There are so many other beautiful hotels and timeshares available in Cabo, NEVER visit GRAND MAYAN.

Guest

We just got back from Puerta Vallarta also, and had a similar experience. When the "Inventory" manager arrived to suddenly drop the price from $60k to $10k - I knew that was a plant... and that the real price never was $60k... however.. as the wrote down their $880 per week (not $1000 in our case... I guess prices are dropping) that they could give us were guaranteed... although again - very squirmish when it came to written guarantees on this. Also - When we asked if that's all there was for fees - our sales rep - repetitively said that's it. "We're not like RCI where we have a maintenance fee annually. There are no more fees." It wasnt until we got to the next guy (we were passed off to 9 total!) that we realized - oh - there was another fee. $799 per week every time we use the place. Shocking. My friend had already almost signed up already!... without knowing it cost another $800 to use it. Here's the catch: We only paid $450 for the week to stay there on our own!!! Really - what exactly is the $10,000 for? The right to use a hotel for more than you can otherwise stay there for? A little confusing - but yes - that actually was the bottom line.

Then - finally they said we could go. And they were nice enough to put us back in a vehicle to take us back to our hotel....but that's not where they took us. They took us to yet another place... where they said they'd get our gifts ready - but refused to do that until 3 more sales people took a crack at us. Each one who got the "no" - and then a "ok -"Let me get my boss to just sign off and you can go " - and a new guy would sit down - with a totally new scam. And then again.... each with the lie of being able to let us go - each with a new guy and new program. There were 4 in total -- but 9 different sales people. Are you kidding me? I heard so many out and out lies in a 4 hour sitting - that I felt sad for the people who do sign.... Because not until you say -"No" do you really start to see what you're dealing with.... And many of these sales people were Americans.... hmmmm....

When in Mexico.....

Good luck to those who attend - probably not worth the free "gift" in the end (although we did get 2 free massages & a few excursions) - but stand your ground and prepare to lose an entire vacation day!

Guest

They told my husband and I the same thing. They would buy ours and rent it out for us bc they couldn't rent the units out bc of some Mexican law.

We didn't buy bc we like ours in fl and can go there anytime and use the amenities bc we are owners.

We enjoy our timeshare and it's really sad how certain sales people tell you anything. We go to all the updates bc we learn new things everytime and catch them in their own lies!!!

Guest

This is to warn everyone about the disceptive practises going on at Mayan Resorts. Our experience was strikingly similar to George Gi who posted above.

We went to Puerta Vallarta last summer. When we got off the plane we were approached by a gentlemen who said he would give us a ride to our resort. There were people everywhere shouting and trying to get everyone to talk to them. We made the mistake of listening.

They promised us free travel to our resort and discounted & free tickets to various activities if we would listen to their presentation. So we accepted. When we went to the presentation we were introduced to our salesman Sean Bork. He was a very pleasant guy to work with.

However he lied through his teeth to us. He told us that if we purchased the timeshare, we would have 4 weeks to use. We could sell any weeks we didn't use back to the company for $1000 per week. We could use that money to pay for the rest of our vacation and flight.

So we agreed to purchase. We were there all day for the process. Recently I called to see what I needed to do to sell the unused weeks back and that was when I was told that's not how it really works. You have to find another company(they give you a list of them that charge about $500) to TRY to sell your weeks.

You have to pay the $500 up front and there is no guarantees they will rent it. I'm sure these companies are about as trustworthy as Grupo Mayan. So I am not about to waste another $500 to gamble on it. Our salesman completely lied to us.

We would never have bought the time share if he had been honest with us. I don't know how these people sleep at night. I called and talked to Grupo Mayan and of course they said there is nothing they can do.

So I'm going to make it my mission to make sure I can tell as many people as possible to stay far far away from this place. They will say ANYTHING to get you to buy from them.

Guest

:( We have just returned from Nuevo Vallarta and the HIGH pressure sales pitch. I have I purchased one week ago and tried to contact thee sales representative yesterday regarding rescinding this agreement.

I beleived this to be within the 5 business day period. I have not heard from the sales representative YET. We were EVER agreed to this program. I believe that everyone including the sales manager Ian totally MISREPRESENTED the able to resale our existing timeshare and the value that it carries.

DO NOT GO to see this program.

They claim a 68% closing percentage. I beleive based on the bald face lies and willingness to say anything to get you to sign will lead to this HIGH closing average.

Guest

There are tons of beautiful resorts with nice staff elsewhere, and you can stay anywhere, right? You should stay anywhere else. We will never stay at the Grand Lyin' again and will post our negative comments on the internet wherever possible. It's a shame this gorgeous, contemporary, lushly landscaped resort fails so miserably.

Reservation/concierge methods are unprofessional and deceptive. It is completely dishonest to let prospective patrons feel that there is any chance whatsoever of attaining an Ocean Front Unit at the resort when the units are completely filled with Timeshare Owners. As Ocean Front Timeshare Owners in Maui, HI, we should have a comparable unit at the resort with our trade. We also deserve to have this confirmation made to us BEFORE we make a reservation at the resort so that we might book elsewhere when our requests can't be met.

The Mayan Resorts make it seem as if such units may be available, "depending on the inventory," when there never was the remotest possibility that there would indeed be any Ocean Front Units available at all. Even some owners there could not get an Ocean View. This is the second time this has happened to us when reserving with the Grand Mayan and we won't be giving them a third chance to ruin our week of vacation.

We were frustrated and humiliated at check -in while we were bounced as if in a pinball machine between the reservation staff and the timeshare staff, as we were trying to find a supervisor who could help us. Each claimed the other had all the power. All we were offered was a plastic bottle of water and an invitation to the timeshare presentation breakfast.

Have you ever seen the Coen Bros. film "Fargo?" Remember the scene when used car salesman Jerry Lundegaard pretends to go back to his manager when frustrated car buyers are given a Trucoat rust preventer they never ordered? Our check-in staff member went into some sort of similar act, pretending to go backstage somewhere to check on cancellations when he knew there was not a chance we could get the unit we wanted -- at any time during our week. We even offered to take a smaller unit for a chance of an Ocean Front unit. We did everything we could do to confirm an Ocean Front unit before, during, and after our arrival, short of the monetary bribe that some guests felt forced to offer. Before departure, we emailed the resort's concierges and were never told that all the Ocean Front Units were booked by owners so that we might be able to exchange elsewhere.

This is deceptive and dishonest and is why we would seriously recommend others simply spend their money at any other beautiful resort which can actually confirm an Ocean Front unit when reservations are made.

Moreover, daily noise from loud lawn equipment and pounding jackhammers, plus the terrible views of a parking structure and street did not allow us to enjoy our balcony unit or our plunge pool, so these features are not really applicable if you cannot use them. There was never any sun and needless to say, sunset, available from our unit. The "Marina View" in the "New Building" eventually offered to us at check -in offered no view of a Marina whatsoever. Only the bobbing tops of sailboats appeared in the distance. It all would have been funny if it weren't so humiliating, frustrating, annoying and deceptive.

This is a very noisy resort. The Lazy River and the wave pools need big machines to run them, and they make a lot of noise all day, including a siren that sounds remarkably like our tornado warnings here in the midwest. The activity pool has a DJ with a loudspeaker that you can hear all over the resort. I love some great music and fun activities, don't get me wrong, but only when I want them. Not all day long. The only quiet is on the beach.

Fellow Americans will reserve pool chaises with their towels the night before. That was a new one for us. Also, the resort provides a shuttle to the Grand Mayan from all the other Mayan properties. This means the pool decks will be crowded and you will find yourself wandering the pools trying to find an empty chaise or chair.

Pack plenty of prozac. We were frustrated and upset the entire week of our stay. I spent every night in sleepless frustration with no help or apology from any manager or supervisor. Even when we complained when insincere timeshare calls asking if we were enjoying our vacation were ignored, no remedy or apology was offered. We remain extremely angry, frustrated and humiliated from our experience.

This is a plastic, soulless, cliche of a mega-resort. Really too bad, because it is gorgeous. The following week we stayed 750 yards down the beach at a smaller, Mexican-run resort, The Villa Varadero, which we enjoyed so much more. It felt real, with real hospitality, Mexican guests, the serenity of lying on the beach with just the waves crashing and low music wafting over from the bar area. It wasn't perfect, by any means. BUT: our unit had floor to ceiling windows right on the bay which you could slide open to see frolicking dolphins, breaching whales, glorious sunsets. While it had none of the luxury of the Grand Mayan, our best memories will be of this resort and its lovely staff, NOT of the Grand Lyin'. My advice is to ask yourself what you really want from a trip to Mexico.

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