A Relaxing Vacation

SLP Nov 16, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

A total of 12 people went on this vacation from Nov 7-14, 2009. We were all couples from work. One couple had visited the ... Viva Wyndham Maya a few times before and suggested we take our vacation there. Glad we did! We are from New England and needed a break from the chilly weather. The weather was about 70-75 degrees in Mexico. We anticipated Tropical Storm Ida to visit us some point throughout the week but she missed us thankfully. We mainly just relaxed in the sun by the pool and would swim in the ocean. The men did go to 5th Avenue to watch American Football and the ladies went shopping. This was a good experience because you can actually barter with the sales people. If you DO go to 5th Avenue, go in the night as well. The shops are all lit up. We went to Sur Steak House and had initially expected to pay alot for the check, but it was so reasonable and yummy!At the hotel, the "staff" were all doing games in the day and shows in the night. My faves were [...]There were also great bar tenders. Our group likes to party. At the pool bar, [...] was very attentive to our needs (it helps to tip; they will be greatful for any extra money). At the main bar,[...] were our go-to guys. [...] was a great waiter at the buffet and very sweet. We ate at the all-inclusive restaurnats and the food and service was great. The food was rather bland at the buffet - definitelly go to the Azteca and eat their buffet. The one thing I'd like to see next time is a TV for guests at the bars for sports/news. That'd help guests from leaving the hotel; though they might like that to bring some money to the local merchants. This has been my favorite trip so far with this group of people and I'm hoping to go back in the future. I LOVED Mexico!

good place for the money

Mary Nov 13, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Overall we enjoyed our vacation very much. The number one thing this resort has I noticed over MANY others I have been to is ... their staff. They truly want to give good service and make sure the guests have a good time. They are not just looking for a tip. The grounds, pools and common areas are all in good shape, however the rooms are in bad need of renovation...which they are in the process of doing. When that gets done it will be a great place to stay...until then...you're not in your room that much, the foods great, the staff is helpful, the nightly shows are good, you can walk, ride a bike or take the taxi to Playa del Carmen. I would recommend it to friends!!

Great, but...

Honeymoon Nov 8, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Wonderful staff, great food, but the construction going on at the time of our stay was a little disconcerting. ...

What a Nightmare

On the road again Oct 30, 2009

I have made dozens of trips to the Maya Riviera and stayed at many resorts over the past few years, and this experience was ... without question the worst hotel experience I have ever had. I must preface my comments with the fact that I'm not a complainer, I realize that the staff at the hotels are human and we all have bad days; But this completely unreasonable.First, a few good points about the Wyndham Maya. The beach and pool areas were great. Lots of room and lots of people enjoying the many activities that were offered. The beach is beautiful and clean. The staff at the bars and the restaurants were great; very friendly and service oriented. The grounds are well kept and manicured in the tropical setting. [...]

Super all-inclusive-worth every Peso!

SM&KM Oct 29, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

The location of this resort is key. It is among numerous resorts within a gated community. You are within walking distance ... of a good size shopping area. You also have the option of taking a 5 minute cab to a much bigger shopping area(downtown). This was my second time at the resort and my wife and I had a blast. Get out to the pool early and get a good spot. There are plenty of spots with good shade which is needed after being in the hot Mexican sun. The swim-up bar in the pool make it too easy to keep your drink filled. The staff at the bars were very nice and attempted to remember you and your specific drinks that you order. We also visited the Azteca resort(friends at Azteca)and utilized their facility. You are able to make dining reservations from both hotels. The food overall was very good. They had a wide selection everyday in the dining areas. They have done quite a bit of remodeling over the last few years since my last visit(2004). They still have projects pending which didn't interfere with our stay. My wife and I would come back in a second.

Great Trip

Kim Oct 27, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

We had a great Trip, and the resort was amazing, very clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Awesome Time.. ...

Loved It All

zamvela Oct 22, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Well we were booked for the Viva Wyndum Maya but when we arrived they didn't have any rooms for us. I'm thinking this is not ... good! Long story short, they moved us to the Viva Wyndum Azteca....LOVED IT!!! I would stay there again in a heart beat and would recommned it to all my friends and already have. The beach was beautiful and within walking distance of our room and we could see part of it from our balcony. I'm already planning on going again next year to the same hotel. Try it, enjoy it, live it...you'll thank me for it.

Great time at Viva Wyndham Maya

Jose Oct 21, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Great location, shopping plaza right across the street. $5 cab ride into Play del Carmen. Absolutely gorgeous beach. Service ... was wonderful, whole resort was immaculate. Food was very good.

Under Reno Lost Reservation

Da Oct 19, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

They lost our reservation and because of the renovation underway they said they would have to put us at their other hotel the ... Azteca. After checking out the Azteca, we returned and said no way! Find us a room. After this slight delay, things were much better. Friendly staff, nice pool and beach. Not much going on however. Not a lot of people.

I love this place!!!!!!

debbie Oct 19, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

This is the seventeenth time we have gone to this hotel we love it so much we tell family and friends. Their was eight of us ... this year and we could not ask for a better vacation and we are already talking about booking next year....The hotel staff have all become my best friends...we love it here and now they are even renovating some rooms!!! Can't wait for next year...

Not a bad place ...

New Traveler Oct 12, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

The service was great. The food was decent and the dinner theme was different every night. There is something for everyone. ... The drinks were weak, but we werent there to get drunk ... Our room was about 500 feet from the pool, which is right next to the ocean. The swim up bar was great, and the all day snack bar was great. Between our excursions, the optional activities at the hotel, and the evening shows, all meals provided, we had something for every day be it on or off the resort; relaxing or doing something. The staff is multi-lingual - and very friendly!

MY BEST VACATIONS EVER

TITILLO Oct 11, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

THE PEOPLE TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY AND THE SERVICE IS AMAZING ...

Great Hotel and Staff

arabella Oct 7, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

We were orignally put in Building 3. I asked to be changed to something closer to the main pool and we were given room ... 2220. It was a great location. We left a note for housekeeping and they kept our refrigerator stocked with these items. The room and grounds are immaculate. The Staff all smiles, friendly and working all the time. Never a bad experience. We would definitely return to this charming resort.

Playa del Carmen is a Paradise!!

mv71 Sep 29, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

La 5ta (shopping and restaurants) are within walking distance. However I do recommend you rent a car and go visit the many ... ruins there are in the area - I would highly recommend Coba - GORGEOUS and they allow you to climb the pyramid!! Tulum is also breathtaking! Ixcaret is another trip to do very close to the hotel maybe a 10 minute drive from the hotel if that.

couple on a getaway from kids

dskc Sep 28, 2009

The beds were very hard and the food was terrible! We read the reviews and thought people were being picky. The staff is ... great but the excursions are what made our trip. We were there for 5 nights and only ate at the hotel 2 of them then learned even with reservations at the restaraunts it wasn't worth eating there! Our camera was stolen on the second day there and we were only about a foot from it and the only other person around was a staff member. Book your excursions when you get there on the beach you will get better prices.

Great time would stay again

RC Sep 26, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Had a great time, did not like that our room was so far from the beach and the hotel did not have Wifi. Other than that the ... service was great, the food was great, and all in all a wonderful experience.

playa

playa Sep 24, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

i loved it ...

viva wyndham maya in Sept.

Ranger Sep 20, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Went for the food, relaxiation, beach. We were not disappointed. Food, shows, ocean,were what we expected. Hotel service was ... good. Hotel did advertize 4 resturants but one was closed and one was open only 2 days a wk. Bartender said Sept is slow so they close some of the resturants. Had we known that we probably would have selected another hotel. Playacar is the only place we will go from now on, it is the best.

The Working Honeymoon

NewlyWeds Sep 14, 2009

Well, we got our Mercedes ride from the airport as private transportation. That was great. Upon our arrival we were greeted ... and the staff initialy seemed friendly. At check in, they just rushed us through the process and gave us a double bed room. We advised them we were on our honeymoon and qualified for the Honeymoon package. They told us we could switch rooms until the following day at 1pm because they didnt have any roms available...Yet there was only 150 people in the whole resort!! It was empty! Our room was dirty, the lights flickered and it took two calls to maintenance to get them fixed. There was pink bubblegum smerd on the bathroom walls and the room was filled with mosquitos. What a miserable night. The following day we met with the management staff, who were reluctant to move us. We lost a day and a half trying to gt settled into the hotel. When we finally were moved to a new room, it took them 3 addditional days to provide us a welcom fruit plate and champange that they advertise. The service was not very personalized...I mean they could have explained more about where to find the locations in the hotel, the way the restraunts work and if you needed something where you could find it. It wasnt like it was during their peak season and didnt hae time for us! If it wasnt for the awesome bartenders at the pool bar, we would have checked out of the hotel and made a reservation elsewhere. Overall we were very dissapointed. This was our first all-inclusive experience and our honeymoon. We are middle class people ad dont expect the world, just honesty and friendlyness. We didnt get either. Im former military and have vistited htel in Afria and the middle eaast that we cleaner, friendlier and much better. We will not be staying at any Viva ever again. If you have a family with kids and want a cheap vacation for a good price, then this is the place. Buyer beware.

Amazing for the price

Sam Sep 14, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

You cannot beat the value here. My wife and I paid less for two people at this all-inclusive beachfront resort than we'd pay ... at a standard hotel in a large city in the US. This included room, full access to the two pools, beach, various water activities (snorkeling, windsurfing, paddle boats, kayaks, etc), unlimited food and drink (alcoholic included) at both the main buffet and the poolside snack bar and swim-up bar, and evening entertainment. It was not very busy when we went, so we never felt overcrowded. There was a good mix of people around, including families, couples, and singles from all corners of the earth. For the most part everything was great. Everywhere we went, the staff was incredibly wonderful and helpful. And for the most part, they are multi-lingual...some up to five or more languages. The bar staff is quick to serve up whatever you want, the guest services staff very helpful in finding and booking outside trips, and the general staff always keeps the place looking good. The resort is a bit older, so if you're looking for top-class perfection in the room buildings, you're not going to find it. However, we were in one of the oldest buildings, and they are currently in the process of remodeling the others, so the one we were in is sure to follow. Even with older, possibly outdated furnishings and equipment, the rooms were still very clean and nice. Note that the beds are incredibly hard...I felt like I was sleeping on a piece of plywood. I was so tired at the end of each day that it didn't matter, and I slept great here. The food at the buffet and the poolside snack bar was good, but not great. One thing they do have down is variety. There is a huge selection at the buffet, and a pretty decent selection at the snack bar. The snack bar is big enough that you could eat your meals here if you desired. I found most of the food to be good, but lacking a lot of flavor. This is somewhat understandable when you realize they are making this food for people from all over the globe, and tastes vary a lot. I also understand that I'm staying at a resort of this caliber for a very low price, so something's gotta give! They also have some reservation restaurants. We were only able to get a reservation on one night at the restaurant above the pool. One restaurant was closed while we were there, and the other only open once or twice. The food was better at this restaurant, but it was unbearably hot. The other two are air-conditioned to my knowledge. The pool and the beach were both very nice. There is an abundance of seating at both, much of it covered with thatch umbrellas...but these go quickly! Neither ever felt overcrowded or uncomfortable...not even close. The pool is large and has several levels to choose from, and includes a swim-up bar where they'll make you whatever you want. There is also an "adult pool" that is more off the beaten path. Most people don;'t even know about this pool, so it is generally uncrowded. It has a bar, but it's not swim-up. We only went here once. While it was nice, we liked the scene at the main pool a little more. The pool was a bit warm for my tastes when you want a cool dip on a hot day, but nice nonetheless. The beach is beautiful with fine white sand and crystal-clear water with that wonderful blue-green glow. Some have complained about the large sandbags (some call them whales) which are used to control beach erosion. We had no issue with them, and even found them a good place to wade out to and stand on. The evening entertainment is pretty fun. It's as cheesy as can be, and obviously not with professional actors or anything, but they have a great time putting on shows for the guests. If you don't at least have fun at the shows, you've got some other issues. Every night was a different 45-minute show with full scenery, lighting, costumes, etc. One night was a Disney revue, one was Moulin Rouge, and there was even a faux Madonna concert. As lo...