“Grand Riviera Princess” Survival Guide
Topics
- Introduction
- Reviews on Internet
- Bring a Good Attitude and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
- Preparing to Leave
- Mexican Pesos
- Carry-On Restrictions
- Flight time
- Cancun Airport
- Bus from Airport to Resort
- Check-In
- Transportation within Resort
- Lobby Map
- Sunset side and Riviera Side
- Rooms and Comparison Matrix
- Transat Holiday and “Briefing/Orientation”
- Drinking Water on Resort
- Buffets
- A La Carte Restaurants
- Restaurant Reservations
- Bars
- Beach
- Pools
- Sunblock and SPF
- Daily Activities and Evening Entertainment on Resort
- Merchants
- Tours and Excursions
- Shuttle to Playa del Carmen
- Internet Access on the resort
- Staff, Minimum Wage and Tipping
- Walking on the Resort
- Shower
- Construction
- Spa/Gym/Disco
- Bugs
- Chichen Itza
- Transat Beach Party
- List of Common Complaints on tripadvisor.com
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 1 of 19
Introduction
Grand Riviera Princess/Grand Sunset Princess Resort as been open since December 2007.
The Resort is located in Mexico (State of Quintana Roo) between the towns of “Puerto
Morelos” and “Playa Del Carmen”.
Reviews on the Internet
Reviews on the internet about this resort have been mixed – good and bad
(tripadvisor.com). Some very harsh. Does the resort deserve the bad reputation? It is up
to you to decide. Every person is different. Some people will have a good/great time.
And other people will nit-pick about every single little imperfection – very critical and
demanding and difficult to satisfy.
Bring a Good Attitude and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
We were at the Grand Riviera Princess for 7 days (Mar 28 – Apr 4 2008). At that time, it
had only been open for 4 months. Therefore the management and staff are still learning.
Despite that we had a wonderful vacation. The resort is in its infancy and service is
getting better every day. To have the best vacation, bring with you a good, easy-going,
‘glass is half full’ kind of attitude. It is your decision if you want to spend a significant
amount of time complaining at the front desk, or just enjoy yourself.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 2 of 19
PREPARING TO LEAVE
Mexican Pesos
For convenience, I suggest you go down to Mexico with some Pesos in your pocket. We
phoned our bank 1 week in advance and ordered the Pesos and picked them up at the
bank branch. We flew down there with $2500 Pesos in our pockets (equivalent to $250
CDN) for tipping and incidental.
10 Pesos is roughly equal to $1 CDN. So:
$10 Pesos = Loonie
$20 Pesos = Twoonie
$50 Pesos = 5 dollars
etc
Carry-On Restriction Of Liquids/Gels
If you plan to pack liquids/gels/aerosol in your carry-on luggage and take through airport
security then you should know all liquids/gels/aerosol containers must be in a 100ml
container or smaller. Airport Security will confiscate larger containers. Your
liquids/gels/aerosol containers must be in a plastic transparent re-sealable baggie (like
Ziplock). The bag must be no bigger than 1 litre. One bag per traveler. (This restriction
does not apply for check-in luggage).
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 3 of 19
ABOUT OUR FLIGHT
We flew on WestJet from Halifax to Cancun. When we flew down to Cancun it was a
5hrs 15min flight, we flew over water. On the way back, we flew over land and the flight
was only 4 hours.
CANCUN AIRPORT
When you get off the plane, you will notice two things 1) the temperature and humidity
goes up 2) there is a funny smell, this smell is everywhere indoors, you get used to it.
Not a huge airport. Very easy, remember 5 easy steps
1) Immigration: Follow the Crowd to Immigration
2) Luggage: After Immigration, get your luggage
3) Customs: Go through Customs (see “what is that button below”)
4) Find Rep: Go outside and find your Transat representation waiting outside, they
will tell what bus to get on
5) Bus: Find your bus
What is that button at Customs?
When you go through Customs, the customs guy will direct you to push a button before
proceeding out of there. We were mystified by this and amused. Out of curiosity, when I
got home, I googled for the Mexico Customs website.
http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/index.html
Now, I think I know what that the button is all about. This is their "Automated Selection
System", it randomly determines whether your luggage will be submitted to inspection or
released!! If I am wrong, someone let me know.
Bus From Airport To Resort
It about 30-45min drive to Princess resort. It will pass fast. You will pass a town called
“Puerto Morelos”.
Check-In
Depending on if you arrive with a big group of people, you may need to stand in line for
a little while to check-in. During check-in you will get 1) A Wrist Bracelet 2) Two Room
Keys 3) A map of resort.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 4 of 19
Check-In time is 3:00pm. If you arrive at the resort before 3pm then your room will
probably not be ready. You have to wait. This is normal. (Because check-out is at
noontime and housekeeping needs time to clean all the rooms). So here is a big hint if
you know your arrival time is early: Pack some essential things in your carry-on luggage
like bathing suits and sunblock so you can enjoy yourself at the pool while waiting, trust
me you don’t want to be stuck in your jeans!
Transportation within the Resort
There are big golf carts and a train to zoom people around.
Golf Carts
Train
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 5 of 19
RIVIERA LOBBY:
VIEW FROM THE RIVIERA LOBBY BAR:
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 6 of 19
SUNSET SIDE AND RIVIERA SIDE:
From the highway there is one entrance to the resort and it is just labeled "Princess" from
the highway. However once you are on the property this resort site is treated/marketed as
two separate resorts. On one side is the "GRAND RIVIERA PRINCESS" and on the
other side is the "GRAND SUNSET PRINCESS". Each is a mirror reflection of the other,
in terms of layout. In the shared main/principal building there are two lobbies. The disco
is shared between them, also the gym, the spa, the 24 hour sports bar, etc. But really,
from the guest's point of view, I don't understand why they have done this, as far as I am
concerned it is just one super big resort. As a guest, you have access to it all (with
exception to Platinum Lounge, this is exclusive to the Platinum/Villa folks).
Rooms
The rooms look just like the photos on the internet. According to the official website
(http://www.princess-hotels.com) there are five classes of rooms:
1) Junior Suite
2) Deluxe Junior Suite
3) Deluxe Junior Suite with Direct Access to Pool
4) Platinum Suite
5) Laguna Villa Suite
Our "Hotel Voucher" says we were entitled to a "REGENCY RIVIERA PRINCES
DLXJST" or in other words a "Deluxe Junior Suite" however our room was not the kind
with direct access to the pool. Just because you paid for a "Deluxe Junior Suite" does not
mean you will have a swim up room.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 7 of 19
Room Comparison: source official princess-hotel.com website
Feature
Junior
Suite
Deluxe
Junior
Suite
50 m^2
X
Junior Suite
Deluxe Pool
Platinum
Villa
Suite
Size
1 King bed or
2 double beds
Livingroom – sofa small table and 2 chairs
Full Bathroom
toilet
Vanity
2 sinks
Standup Shower
Jacuzzi in bathroom
Hair Dryer
Iron and Board
Safety Deposit box (in-room safe)
Air Conditioning
Ceiling Fan
Coffee Maker
Plasma TV
Satellite TV
DVD
CD Stereo
Mini Bar
Balcony/Terrace
Telephone in bathroom
Telephone in room
Direct Pool Access
Wireless internet in room
42.5 m^2
X
50 m^2
X
?
X
?
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
26”
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
26”
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
26”
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
32”
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
32”
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
-
Available
(additional
charge)
Available
(additional
charge)
Free
Free
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Nightly Turn Down Service
Pillow Menu Service
Jacuzzi in Balcony/Terrace
Access to Platinum Lounge:
DVD Movie Library
Special Platinum Wrist Bracelet
Use of internet in business center
International newspapers
Platinum concierge service
Exclusive area with continental breakfast
Exclusive area with hors d’oeurves
Breakfast and lunch at a la carte service
Easy a la carte restaurant reservations
X
X
X
X
X
X
?
X
Private Pool with Butler service
Reserved area at the beach with butler service
30 min massage per person per week
1 Special Dinner at beach
Spa Discounts
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Private Platinum check-in with cold towel and
welcome cocktail
Welcome gift in room upon arrival
1 Beach Bag with Princess Logo
24 hours Room Service
Use of bath robes and 2 pairs of slippers per room
2 beach towels in room
Get your
own at
towel
building on
way to
beach
Get your
own at
towel
building
on way to
beach
Get your
own at
towel
building on
way to
beach
Note: you may be entitled to more services, check your hotel voucher. For example, as a Transat Holiday guest, we were entitled to free 24 hr room service from our Deluxe
Junior Suite.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 8 of 19
Transat Holiday and “Briefing/Orientation”
Our vacation was a “Transat Holiday” package. During our stay, the “Transat Holiday”
hosts working at the resort were Josee and Blaise. Josee is a French Canadian from
Quebec. She speaks English, French and Spanish. She is very friendly and helpful. You
will meet her at the “Briefing/Orientation” usually held on your first or second day at the
resort.
Drinking Water on the Resort
You might be thirsty when you arrive. Do not drink the tap water.
Any water served from the restaurants on the resort or the bars on the resort is safe to
drink because it is purified. Or drink bottled water, most bars have bottled water too. The
brand is “Cristal”.
Buffets
Downstairs! There are two main buffets. The Sunset Buffet and the Riviera Buffet.
There are also two smaller buffets near the beach.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 9 of 19
A LA CARTE RESTAURANTS
Most of the a la carte restaurants are on the same floor as the lobby. There are two more
a la carte restaurants near the beach.
The restaurants are:
* LA HACIENDA (Mexican) - located in main building on lobby floor
* LE FLEUR (Gourmet International) - located in main building on lobby floor
* MISO (Japanese) - located in main building on lobby floor
* LA VAQUERIA (Grill) - located in main building on lobby floor
* MAMMA MIA (Mediterranian-Italian) - located in main building on lobby floor
* LA FONDUE (Swiss) - located at the restaurant near beach
* LAS OLAS (Seafood) - located at the restaurant near beach
I suggest that you reserve your restaurants as soon as you arrive, the sooner the better,
because they fill up fast. Ask the front desk about where to go to make reservations,
because sometimes the restaurant takes reservations (between 9am and 1pm I think) and
sometimes the concierge does – depending on if you paid extra for Platinum/Villa or not.
Double check with front desk.
Restaurant Hint: Men must wear pants, no shorts at a la carte restaurants.
Restaurant Reservations
They fill up fast, you should reserve your restaurants ASAP.
If you paid premium prices for a Platinum Suite or Villa Suite, then I BELIEVE you just
have to speak to the concierge at the special/exclusive Platinum Lounge and they help
you. It is a no-brainer. Reserving restaurants is easier for these lucky folks (or so I hear).
If your room is one of these: Junior Suite, or Deluxe Junior Suite, or Junior Suite Deluxe
Pool THEN you have to appear in person to any of the a la cartes to make your
reservation...... I believe the restaurants are open between 9am and 1pm for taking
reservations only (confirm that with front desk when you arrive).
The restaurants have a computer system for reservations. When you make the
reservation they ask for your NAME and ROOM NUMBER. When you have made a
reservation you are given a slip of paper (receipt/ticket), I suggest you bring this slip of
paper with you to the restaurant when you go to dine there – makes things easier.
We stood in line at the Japanese Restaurant (Miso) and we made all our reservations
there for three different restaurants. (You don't have to go to each individual restaurant to
make your reservations!) Their computer system can do it all.
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Here is a time saving hint:
We figured this out after the fact. It isn't rocket science but for some reason at the time
we were kinda stunned and out of our element. There are five a la carte restaurants in the
main lobby building, so I suggest you scan the restaurants first and try to find a restaurant
that does not have a big line up in front of it. We just went to the restaurant that everyone
else went to - don't do that!! I found Miso had a big lineup, but the restaurant next door
had no line up at all, the reservation-taker guy was standing there, bored! So pick your
lineup carefully. However, if you do wind up having to stand in line, then strike up a
conversation with the people in front or behind you, time goes by faster! (We stood in
line for about an hour, my husband supplied me with Pina Coladas while we waited and
we chatted with people, so it isn't like waiting at the Department of Motor Vehicles or
anything like that LOL - it is not the chaotic nightmare that people are portraying on the
internet).
Bars
They are everywhere! Around every corner. There are Cocktail Menus at the bar and on
the tables if you need inspiration. My fav were the Mojitos. They serve coffee too,
espresso, cappuccinos, moka, latte, etc.
BEACH:
Nice fine sand. Nice shore for romantic walks. Lots of chairs. Many thatch umbrellas
for shade. Now I'll talk about the water itself and the ocean floor. It is not spectacular
clear turquoise blue calm waters here. This is not opinion, it is fact. Water temperature:
some times during the day the water felt cooler, and other times during the day it felt
warm and inviting. The ocean floor is not 100% silky soft sand. Other reviewers have
been calling it "rocky" so I was imagining pebbly rocks, but no that is not it, the ocean
floor is 40% nice fine sand, but the other 60% is like uneven bedrock, be careful you can
easily twist your ankle. Black-ish vegetation grows on 50% of the bedrock. Some days
the water was black-ish and nearly opaque near the shore (first 25 feet of water) from
stirred up sand, sediment and bits and pieces of the black vegetation.
I’ve heard people talk about beach erosion and the effects of hurricanes are to blame for
the condition of the shoreline.
POOLS:
Lots of them. Great. Different pools for different people. Party pool. Kid pool. Etc. Lots
of chairs and many 4-post thatch huts with mattresses.
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Sunblock and SPF
For the love of God!! Bring sunblock and wear it!! Every second person walking around
the resort is red and burnt. The UV rays are extreme and you are burnt before you know
it! One day at the beach I wore SPF 30 and I reapplied several times through out the
day… despite my efforts my shoulders still burnt. They are peeling now as I write this.
ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES on the Resort
The “Daily Entertainment Program” is posted on the wall at the main building in multiple
locations:
There are shows in the theater every night at 9:30pm. The theater is on the top floor of
the main building (above the spa/gym and across from the a la carte restaurants). Lots of
dancing and costume changes. Usually 45 mins long. We went to two shows. Both
shows started on time. There is a bar in the theater. The nightly show is advertised on the
wall at the main building:
MERCHANTS
Every Saturday night merchants come to the resort and setup in the main courtyard. Like
a big market.
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TOURS AND EXCURSIONS
After your “briefing/orientation”, you can book your tours or excursions through your
transat rep. There are many to pick from. A popular tour is Chichen Itza, it is $9900
pesos per person to go to Chichen Itza (the famous Mayan ruins).
SHUTTLE TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN
The town of Playa Del Carmen is close by. Only 15 minute drive. There is a free shuttle
bus that brings you from the resort to Playa Del Carmen everyday at 10am,11am,12pm
and 1pm. There is a bus that returns at 6pm. Or if you want to return sooner, then take a
taxi, cost is around $1300 PESOS, or $13 dollars CDN. The shuttle is free, but you have
to get a “Boarding Pass” from the hotel. Don’t miss Playa Del Carmen – 5th Avenue, it
is something to see, and it is safe. No cars on 5th avenue.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 13 of 19
Internet Access on the resort:
If you bring your laptop, the resort has wireless internet.
If you paid extra for Platinum or Villa, then you have access to the Platinum Lounge
which has internet stations in the business center.
If you are a "Transat Holiday" guest then you have access to two internet computers in
the Transat room. Josee asks you to respect the 15 minute limit out of the respect for the
other waiting guests. In our case, there was always a line up for the internet - so go to the
bar and get a drink, and get ready to sit & wait. I suggest you try to start up a
conversation with the other people waiting - it makes the time go by. The Transat room
has odd hours, they are open morning and evening but not afternoon. There is a schedule
posted on the door and a "Be Back At: _____" sign.
THE STAFF, MINIMUM WAGE, AND TIPPING:
We were so impressed by how hard these people worked. They are everywhere on the
resort. They smile and say "Hola”. Sit and watch them, they are like ants. Go, go, go.
They seem tireless. We heard through the grapevine that mayan workers are paid by the
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 14 of 19
day, not by the hour. The minimum daily wage for 2008 in the mexican state of
"Quintana Roo" is $49.50 PESOS. That is about $5 bucks per day. Poor.
We were told by the Transat staff during orientation that we were not expected to tip, but
it was not discouraged either. We were told the tips are pooled together and shared
among the staff. We were told we can tip daily or leave one big tip at the
end of the visit. Every second day, we left $50 PESO on the pillow for housekeeping
($20's are very hard to come by) and another $50 PESOS for the minibar restocker
person. We chose to tip the buffet restaurant once per day, rather than every meal. We
tipped every bus driver, every taxi driver. You drop the equivalent of a twoonie or 5
bucks here and there - it brightens their day and it makes you feel good.
WALKING ON THE RESORT:
If I had to guess, I'd guess that from the main building to the beach it is 3/4 of a
kilometer. Depending on your stride, it could be walked in 5 - 10 minutes. Not a big
deal, but at the end of the day, it all adds up. Yes, absolutely you do walk a lot. You
wake up, walk to the buffet, walk back to your room, walk to the internet room, walk to
the pool, walk to the bar, walk back to the pool, then it is lunch, so walk to the buffet,
then walk to your room, then maybe walk to the beach and walk the shoreline, then walk
back to the pool etc, etc, etc. Lots of walking. Fact. Thank goodness I wore CROCS,
otherwise my feet would be in sorry shape.
SHOWER:
When you take your first shower you may notice the shower stall leaks onto your
bathroom floor and this is dangerous because all the floors are marble. Slippery! This is
because the shower floor is not properly sloped. The solution is easy, wrap a couple hand
towels around the base of your shower.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 15 of 19
CONSTRUCTION:
On the Riviera side, on the outer edge, there is construction going on. According to
Transat staff, they are building another 1000 rooms!!! Currently in the entire resort there
are 20 buildings, housing 1348 rooms. Add to that another 1000 rooms. That will bring
the total to nearly 2500 rooms. The buildings are no higher then 3 floors. This is a MegaResort. The construction did not disrupt any part of our vacation, despite the fact that our
room was next to the construction.
SPA/GYM/DISCO
Can’t comment, did not go to these.
BUGS:
I packed bug spray because I heard there might be bugs. I am happy to report I never
used it once!! The bugs are minimal. At any one time there were maybe three mosquitos
in our room. Maybe some rooms are worse then ours. During the entire trip I got two
mosquito bites and the funny thing is they don't itch!!!! Weird. I did find two centipedes
in our room during the week and one beetle. Nothing big, scary, or fast moving. Never
found any bugs of any kind in the bed.
Hint: put a towel under your door, it seems to be the only way they can get in your room,
otherwise the rooms are pretty tight.
It is obvious they do use pesticides and fumigate, because you find dead bugs on the
marble walkways. Including beautiful butterflies, which is sad. Keep in mind this is a
resort in the middle of the JUNGLE, there will be some bugs. Now, I spoke to a woman
and she said she was being eaten alive... who knows, maybe other people are tastier.
CHICHEN ITZA
Make sure you bring SPF 50 for Chichen Itza because it is HOT HOT HOT. The
Chichen Itza tour is a full 12 hour. 3 hours drive there and another 3 hours back. But it
goes fast because there is so much to see and they make multiple stops at different places.
TRANSAT THURSDAY NIGHT BEACH PARTY:
Buffet on the beach. Good socializing. Nice time.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 16 of 19
Common Complaints on Tripadvisor.com
Common Complaints Other
people have made on tripadvisor
My comments
Food at buffet gets repetitious
To their credit, there is lots of variety. But after
eating there over and over again for 7 or 14
days, yes you may get bored. That should
almost be expected, eating breakfast, lunch
and supper at the same buffet for 7 days, or
worse 14 days will get repetitive. However,
there is indeed variety at the buffet.
I would tend to agree, the food is not kept hot
in chafing dishes.
Never happened to us and never heard anyone
talking about it. Our in-room safe was never
stolen from, or opened to our knowledge.
The resort is grand. It is so big you are bound
to see some boo-boos. Overall the place looks
great, but here and there you will see evidence
of poor workmanship, or stuff falling apart. For
example, the ceiling at the Riviera Lobby above
the front desk looks not right, there is a large
crack. Another example, a huge piece of
marble on one of the swim up bars is missing.
But don’t let this affect your vacation.
True. Like exposed bedrock. Blame hurricane
and beach erosion.
I didn’t personally experience room service.
But I heard there are only 6 staff in Room
Service, servicing over 1200 rooms. We
deliberately did not call room service during our
vacation so we could avoid a potentially
frustrating experience.
When we first arrived in our room it was only
half done up. Besides that one exception,
everyday after that, housekeeping and the
minibar restocker came to our room everyday
around midday. My only complaint is that they
don’t seem to mop the floors, only sweep.
I brought bug spray, but never used it. I found
the bugs are minimal. Our room was 8015,
ground floor, facing the back of the Riviera
side. Yes there are mosquitos, and I got two
bites. Not a big deal, not worth mentioning.
Maybe it depends on where on the resort you
are situated.
Unless you paid extra for Platinum or Villa then
you have to stand in line to reserve your a la
carte restaurants. When we went, the way it
worked is like this: you have to go to the a la
Food at buffet is not hot enough
Theft
Quality of Workmanship is Poor
Ocean floor is rocky where you swim
Room Service is slow or you don’t
exactly get what you asked for. Person
who answers phone at room service
doesn’t understand or speak English
well enough.
Inconsistent Housekeeping and Minibar
refill
Mosquitoes
Making restaurant reservations is time
consuming, waiting in line.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 17 of 19
carte restaurant in person and they will take all
your reservations for any restaurant on the
resort using their in their computer system. I
suggest you try to find a restaurant that does
not have a big line up. I found Miso had a big
line, but the restaurant next door had no line up
at all!! If you do have to stand in line, then
strike up a conversation with the people in front
or behind you. When you have made a
reservation you are given a slip of paper
(receipt/ticket), I suggest you bring this slip of
paper with you to the restaurant when you go
to dine there – makes things easier.
Nightly entertainment is mediocre;
people get up in the middle of the
performance and leave.
Resort is too big and too much walking
Between 3pm and 6pm all buffets are
closed and you can only get food from
Sports Bar, like hotdogs.
bell service understaffed
Having to wait to check-in
People playing the “lay the towel on the
chair” game to reserve chairs early in
morning. Chairs around the pool and
on the beach are tough to come by.
Nearly impossible to get small currency
bills for tipping.
house wine was not very good
Shower stall leaks water onto bathroom
floor.
No, it is not a fabulous Las Vegas show. But I
didn’t find it corny either. Yes I saw people get
up and leave in the middle of the show. The
two shows we saw were “Copacabana Musical”
and “Variety Show”. The shows we saw were
mostly dancing and costume changes. So if
you are not a fan of dancing, then maybe don’t
go. One show did have a little audience
participation, a dance off.
I overheard one person say the entertainment
was better than what he saw in Cuba.
Big, true! It is true, it is big and lots of walking.
10-ish minute walk inland from beach to lobby.
About ¾ km.
True, but this didn’t ruin my vacation.
True, when there is a huge bus load of people
arriving all at the same time, yes the bell
service is challenged by this.
Room Check-in is at 3pm. Known fact. No
sympathy from me there.
If you can’t beat ‘em, then join ‘em. I
overheard someone say that people were
leaving their towel and book on a chair
OVERNIGHT. Clever. Personally, I never got
up at 6am to reserve a chair. I found an empty
chair once at 2pm, just not in the shade.
Virtually impossible to get a chair near an
umbrella during midday.
True. At the resort, we tried to break our $500
bill into 20’s for tipping at the Riviera Front
Desk. No way. The best we could get were
100’s and 50’s. So we just tipped every other
day, instead of daily.
This kind of thing depends on your taste buds.
Having said that, I agree, not very good.
True, just put a towel on the floor.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 18 of 19
There is construction going on
Service at Fondue restaurant is
painfully slow.
Yes, on the Riviera side, on the other side of
the fence. Didn’t ruin my vacation!
From start to finish it was a 2 hr 15 min
experience. We arrived at 7pm. Beverages
and menus came immediately. We waited 40
minutes for our order to be taken. Yes, we felt
like we were forgotten about. Too long. But
we could see they were so busy. Eventually
our waiter took our order. Then things began
to roll! Soup. Salad. Fondue. Then finally
Chocolate and Fruit fondue for dessert. I found
the food yummy and filling.
The fondue equipment is “Trudeau” brand. The
real deal.
The Japanese restaurant is not fully a
Teppanyaki style!
Note: It is a cheese fondue and the meat
comes cooked in advance. You get a variety of
different meat. So be aware, it isn’t a broth or
oil that you cook your meat in.
There seems to be a Teppan Grill at the rear of
the restaurant where some lucky people get to
see their food prepared in front of them. But
the majority of diners sit at a regular table away
from the show. Not everyone gets the show. I
don’t know how you get seated at that table,
luck maybe. However, I’m not complaining, we
enjoyed the food, nevertheless.
Misc Hints
HINT #1:
I suggest you wear summer clothes on the plane OR bring a change of summer clothes in
your carry-on luggage. Especially if you arrive early in the day because check-in is at
3pm. You can identify the unprepared new arrivals easily – they are the ones sulking in
the lobby wearing jeans! I’m serious.
HINT #2:
The sun is very strong, if you do not want to burn I recommend Sunblock SPF 50. You
don’t want to burn! I burned a little bit with SPF 30.
Survival Guide: Grand Riviera Princess: Mayan Riv: Mexico: April 2008: Page 19 of 19