The Royal Mayan

49 Kukulcan Boulevard
77500 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
52-988-50144
Awards: RCI - Gold Crown, II- 5 Star
Resort Code: RCI #2694 / II - RMB
Check in/out: Sa 4 pm/11 am

TUG Rating : 9.57 (111)

Latest update: 06/02/04

General Resort Information

Per RCI resort description:
Let the Royal Mayan pamper you with a vacation that provides exciting amenities along with the dazzling Caribbean at your doorstep. Take advantage of the lagoon-side marina, which offers sailboating, waterskiing, and Jet Ski rentals. When appetites beckon, try the delicious specialties at the resort restaurants or whip up your own creation. Relax by the resort pool or venture out on the available tours to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, Chichen-Itza, and Coba.

Per II resort description:
Ideally situated on Cancun's world-famous beach, the resort is opposite the new championship golf course and five minutes' drive from an original Mayan archeological site. The 200 fully-equipped beachfront villas are complemented with full hotel facilities, three pools, boutique, grocery store, laundry, marina, three bars, and two restaurants. Full maid service, sailboats, bicycles, snorkeling equipment, and tennis are available at no cost. Skiing and yacht charters also may be arranged. All the villas have large balconies and marble floors.

Members Help

Members who are willing to answer questions via email. (Before e-mailing your questions, please read the reviews and comments in the 'Our members say' section below.)

Pictures and Links

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Our members say:

06/02/04 - Date of Visit: May 8- May 15
Resort Owner: Yes
I am happy to say I went to the Royal Mayan once again, and after 18 years it is still literally brand new, or better. There are not words that can describe what a pleasure it is to be at the Royal Mayan, but I'll try. From the moment I step into the elevator to enter the lobby, a thrill runs through my body. The air-conditioning is perfect, not too cold, not too hot, not too humid, not too dry...

The employees are smiling and one recognizes me and comes to welcome me back... This is Home, for sure, the happiest place in the world, for me. I can't wait to see the beautiful gardens and pools again, and to sit to eat in the Palapa... The great maintenance is apparent everywhere... gardeners are gardening, painters are painting, waiters are waiting, everything is running like a Swiss watch, and the coconut trees are grown and full of coconuts. It all looks like a beautiful postcard, and I'm in it!

In my Villa, at last. I only occupy the Suite part, so one bedroom is locked out. Everything is as good as new, not a scratch anywhere, everything is clean and there are new appliances. A new CD player... and Murphy Beds in the living room... these were not here when I bought the unit 18 years ago, and they weren't here the last time I came.

The telephone rings. Who is calling? My personal concierge, to welcome me and offer his help, if there is anything I would like for him to help me with. Thanks, I know my way around Can Cun, and I'll manage. In any case, I am invited to have breakfast one day, just for the pleasure of having breakfast together, no business is discussed... but I mention I am always ready to buy a good week at a good price, and I would like a week 12... by the end of the week, I have a week 12 at a good price.

Perhaps it is unfair that I should vote to give the Royal Mayan a perfect 10, but it would really be unfair if I would give it even a fraction of a point less. A 10 means it is the best there is, and nothing can be better than this, for me. I have been there, and I have stayed at the greatest resorts in Orlando... I have compared it with the greatest resorts in Mexico, and there are some great ones but there simply is nothing anywhere else that I have seen that even comes close to the grace of the Royal Mayan.

It is more than beautiful buildings and gardens and lovely restaurants... it is the way the employees make you feel loved and welcome... the way everybody makes you feel at home... it is Mexico, it is Can Cun, it is all very special.

Even the weather is perfect. One Perfect Week at the Royal Mayan.
05/30/04 - Date of Visit: 5/1-5/8-2004
Resort Owner: No
Our stay at the Royal Mayan followed a week (the last week in April) at the Royal Islander. I have also submitted a review for the Royal Islander. We had a one bedroom oceanfront condo at the Islander, and a two bedroom ocean-view unit, J639, at the Royal Mayan.

Unit J639 was located at the back of the "U" formation of buildings, on the third floor. It overlooked the pool, the Palapa Restaurant, and the ocean. The furniture at the Royal Mayan wasn't quite as good quality as the Islander, but it had a more pleasing color scheme and tropical appearance. The kitchen here was also slightly larger which was a benefit since the kitchens are galley style and very narrow, so that any additional space and cabinetry is helpful. Both bedrooms are a good size, living and dining areas are adequate, and the balcony is accessed from both bedrooms and the living room.

Maintenance was good. There is daily maid service which is very extensive, from mopping all the marble floors to scrubbing the sinks. They will not do your dishes, but just about everything else is taken care of.

I have covered resort activities in my review of the Islander, so I will just repeat here that there are a few free activities that you should attend if at all possible. We also did the Express trip to Chitzen-Itza, arriving by around 9:00 when there was almost no crowds, and the heat was still bearable. We left by noon as all the big tour busses pulled in. The temperature had gone from high 70s to at least 90 degrees by then, so I would highly recommend taking the early tour. We also went to Xel-Ha and Tulum. We enjoyed both. I think we needed more time at Xel-Ha to even begin to do it justice, but it was worthwhile, nevertheless. We walked all around the grounds through junle-like walkways and saw the river where you can go tubing, cenotes, etc. We also went snorkeling. The amount and variety of tropical fish made this a memorable experience. I don't think the tour brochures for Xel-Ha really do the place justice.

Do take the local busses and explore the hotel zone and or downtown. There is a small but nice museum near the convention center. Our favorite shopping center was La Isla which is a reasonable walk from the Royal Sands. The style of the buildings, colors, and waterways (with boats) through the plaza was very picturesque. There is an aquarium next to this plaza which we did not go into, but I am sure would have been worthwhile also. We used the entertainment card that
we bought before going to Cancun a few times. One of the featured restaurants is located at La Isla and is set up like a food court, but there are waiters who take your order and bring your food. Selection was varied, prices were fair, and the food was good.

We also spent part of a day exploring some of the other resorts such as The Grand Oasis close by the Tri-Royals. This has a great lobby and atrium with lush gardens. The Mariott Casa Magna and JW Mariott were also very pretty. The Cafe Salsa at the JW Mariott is on the entertainment card. We went there for lunch. They open at noon and we arrived right at noon, so got a great table over-looking the extensive pools, and the ocean. The restaurant is very attractive aside from the view, and we were surprised at the reasonable prices on the lunch menu. Even without the two-for-one price, we would not have complained. We had the Club Wraps, and one half would have filled me up.

We enjoyed our stay at the Royal Mayan. The service was good, grounds and pools were lovely, and the atmosphere was good in general. People were gathered at the Palapa Restaurant and outside at the bar area, and around the pool, always talking, laughing and having a good time. Staff and vactioners alike were happy and sociable. The Royal Resorts deserve their top-notch rating. I would certainly give this resort a 9.5 rating. It is very close to perfection.
04/11/04 - Date of Visit: 3/6/04 - 3/13/04
Resort Owner: No
We just returned from a marvelous vacation and stayed at the Royal Mayan March 6 – 13, 2004. We are all still having a hard time adjusting to the “real” world! We chose the Royal Mayan as a result of the previous reviews found here on TUGS. Our experience at the Royal Mayan demonstrates the consistency in quality customer service that one finds when staying there. What you have previously read continues to be true today!

We made arrangements for the transfers to and from the airport with Thomas Moore prior to our arrival. We found the transition to be easier and less stressful than negotiating with the cab drivers upon arrival.

We found our accommodations for a family of four very clean, spacious and comfortable. We were able to check in upon arrival. We stayed in unit H734 with the lagoon and sunset views nightly. I will confirm that the beds are firm and the air conditioning is noisy. But the beds were comfortable and we found if we put the fan
on low for the air conditioning, we didn’t seem to mind it! The beautiful tile floors can be slippery as reported, so bring slippers.

We soon discovered that if we did not want to leave the property, we really didn’t need to as you can get most everything that you desire here. The environment was welcoming to all age groups. You have the choice of the pool or the beach, whether you want to be at the Royal Mayan or one of the other Royal properties. The swim-up bar pours a great Margarita, but watch out, they pour heavy if you tip well.

We enjoyed meals at LaPalapa which is one of the resort restaurants. Food was consistently good and the service was great. The other restaurant that I would recommend is La Distilleria which is in the hotel zone. If you want a sample of spring break inanity, then try Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, but I don’t recommend it for the food!

Our family chose to do para-sailing, renting a wave runner and going to Chichen Itza. We would highly recommend the express trip to Chichen Itza. It leaves the resort at 6:15 AM but it means that you will experience Chichen Itza with less of the crowds. Plus you return by 3:30 PM and can still enjoy the beach!

We went to two of the markets in Cancun – Coral Negra and Market 28. Expect to negotiate for your purchase although we found Market 28 less aggressive and friendlier. There is an Office Depot in downtown Cancun where you can purchase packing supplies to safely take your breakable large purchases home.

In regards to water, we drank both bottled water and water/cubes at the resort. No one became ill.

The family opinion was that this is 9.5 resort in a wonderful environment! Enjoy!
02/18/04 - Date of Visit: 1/24/04-1/31/04
Resort Owner:  No
We exchanged into the Royal Mayan for our first Cancun trip. As most have already said, the units are large, immaculately clean and comfortably furnished, although it is an older property. The grounds are very well kept, the location is okay (we liked the location of the Royal Sands better), there are a lot of steps. Our unit was L343 which was actually one floor below the main level and somewhat of a pain to get to. You had to walk all the way out to the beach front to get to steps or an elevator to go down one floor and then walk halfway back to get to the unit. Using the patio doors to come and go made it much easier but we weren't comfortable leaving it open if we were gone for long periods of time. Our view was pretty much a wall, but we did have a nice yard off the patio. It would be a good unit to have if you were traveling with kids; we weren't.

The staff was friendly and ready to please although we did experience problems with our assigned concierge. A couple of maintenance issues during the week were handled promptly. My husband tried the snorkel lesson in preparation for a trip to Xel-ha and found the instructor (Fernando) excellent. I tried the Spanish
lessons but found it difficult to learn Spanish from someone with little English. We also found the guests friendly which makes for a nice trip. Most were multiple week owners who return year after year.

We had a few meals at the on site restaurants which were good and reasonably priced. We're sure you get better service at El Conquistador when you don't order the early bird special, as evidenced by the tables surrounding us. We also enjoyed Captains Cove and had excellent service there for both breakfast and dinner.

We were disppointed that the closest hot tub was at the Royal Sands, a bus ride away, the same goes for the fitness center. The pools are not heated and were much too cold to enjoy the week we were there. Obviously we weren't the only ones that felt this way-few people were in the pool. We were also disappointed that when we arrived at the "Natural Golf" demonstration, the instructor was there to provide apologies, and explained that the demo was cancelled and the lessons were no longer available.  

We enjoyed Cancuna and plan to return again in the future. Overall, we would rate the Mayan 8.5.
01/03/04 - Date of Visit: 12/13-12/20
Resort Owner: No
After checking out of VCI we went to the Royal Mayan for our second week in Cancun. We had the front desk staff at VCI call the Royal Mayan to confirm our villa assingment and they let us know that the the villa L743 was ready for occupancy. Check in went extremely well except it took about a half hour until the bellman brought up our luggage. As we were getting closer and closer to our unit on the seventh floor we could see that we were getting closer and closer to
the Ocean. What we found once we got to the unit was spectacular. We had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (since our friends couldn't join us at the last minute) kitchen, LR and 3 balconies. Since the L building is one building over from the oceanfront M building we had great views of the beach, ocean and pools. The unit was immaculate and had loooked like it was recently refurbished. They even had two Murphy beds in the living room so this villa could easily and comfortably
accomodate 6 people.

Considering everything including the fantastic view and spacious accomodations the Royal Mayan exceeded all of our high expectations. Although the Royal Sands is more glitzy and the Royal Carribbean had a more central location for the tri Royals we were extremely pleased with everything at the Royal Mayan. The staff lived up to their outstanding reputation and couldn't do enough for us. This included everyone from the front desk, bellman, bartenders, sports staff and bus drivers. We went to Xcaret although we had been there on previous trips and the new show at night was worth the price of admission by itself ( I should add that I thought the original show was better but this one was still outstanding). We went sailing and had to be rescued because I was too impatient to take a lesson having sailed
once before ( over 5 years ago) snorkeled at Xcaret and Isla Mujeres, went to the SPA at the Sands and had a great time.

El Conquistador at the Mayan was oustanding and we used Brant Bostons 2 X 1 card several times. We highly recommend Faro's and Stefans but would skip Carlos and Charlies which was mediocre food as well as bad entertainment. OK Maguey was not bad and we got to meet Brant at his Monday night get together.

One of the highlights of our trip was going to the Royal bandstand on Monday night when we were told they had a free show. We arrived after dinner from OK Maguey and were about to leave after the show but decided to stay to listen to a band and singer who used to work as a back-up for the original Platters. He sang duets with a young women who was very talented so we decided to stay for another half hour. When we were about to leave after over an hour in walked the original Platters. At that time there were only about 20 people left at the grand stand and we got a treat as he asked the Platters to come up on stage to entertain us. They sang for about a half hour and we had a blast.

After staying at the Mayan we checked into a hotel room at the Hyatt Regency for 1 night. Although they had an impressive lobby the room was tiny and certainly not anywhere near the standards of the Royal Resorts. My wife still misses being treated like Royalty and we will go back in a heartbeat and stay at any of the tri Royals or the Sands the next time we go to Cancun. I have never given any resort a rating of 10 so the Royal Mayan get a 9.5 since it's as close to perfection
as I can find. Larry
07/31/2003 - Date of Visit: 07/05/03
Resort Owner: No
I recently spent 10 days in Cancun with 7 of those days residing at the Royal Mayan. I decided to stay here after reading TUG member reviews(my other choice was Casa Maya)on the Royal Resorts and was VERY happy with my selection. It was the best $400 I ever spent (I didnt trade/exchange, I purchased the week as an II Getaway Vacation). Everything I read here was pretty much on the money. I had a very pleasant experience and would stay there again in a heartbeat. I also booked all my tours through Brant at www.entertainment-plus.net . For weeks before my arrival I kept in contact with him with questions and etc and he was always quick to respond. I even went to one of his meet and greet at the Hard Rock Cafe and chatted with him. I would highly recommend his tours!!!!!!

We saved so much money booking with him but the greatest thing about his tours is that you pay nothing until the day of the tour. Every other tour company I contacted wanted a deposit/credit card number and in my line of work I've come to trust no one when it comes to my credit cards : ). Overall, I'd rate Royal Mayan a 9.5 and that's only because it didnt have a washer/dryer in the unit which I'm used to with our Worldmark properties. Hope this helps!!!!
03/08/03 - Date of Visit: 02/22/03
Resort Owner: Yes
I can add little to the existing reviews of the Royal Mayan but to agree totally regarding the overall quality and excellence of the resort and its staff. I can however, contribute the added perspective of the lagoon-side units in building H, as yet uncovered in the previous reviews.

Building H faces west and contains only 12 units. Because of the topography of the resort, all units provide a high vantage point with even the lowest units (i.e. H434 and H435) allowing you to see over the trees and to view the lagoon itself.

Here are some general thoughts about some of the attractions of this side of the resort:

- the best (and perhaps only) view of the sunsets

- observing and hearing the comings and goings of staff and guests throughout the day

- watching the activities going on the lagoon: parasailing, kayaking, power boats cruising in formation, sailboats from the Royal Marina

- watching the action on the tennis courts

- having something to see after dark. For example, folks heading out or coming back from Kukulcan Blvd, the lobster cruise’s comings and goings from the Royal Marina, aircraft taking off/landing at the airport in the far distance, the lights of Cancun

- being quite comfortable on your terrace during those evenings when the strong winds off the ocean makes sitting out, playing bridge etc. uncomfortable or impossible on the ocean side

All in all, the feeling here may be quite different from the ocean side as there are no villas to see across the way and it’s virtually impossible to see or hear your neighbours under normal circumstances. This results in you feeling that you’re in a private villa, rather than in a resort. X-ring
11/03/02 - Date of Visit: 10/26/2002
Resort Owner: No
We just returned from our first trip to Cancun and the Royals. Many of the former comments about the resort are accurate. We are Marriott owners in Hilton Head. These resorts deserve their ratings 100%. We met many owners who come back each year and trade with each other to get two weeks in a row. We also met many New Englanders and Virgina Tech families where our sons attend college. Most of the people we met we later saw at the Royals. I am making general comments about our experience at the Royals as we used the tri Royal facilites and the Sands many times during our stay. I view the Royals as 5 for the price of 1 and much is already written about the immacualte interiors. This is our view as a first time visitor.

Our unit was K642. We faced the Palapa restaurant and had a nice patio oceanview. Our unit had no issues. All resorts had large pools with swim up bars. I wish there was a teflon scrubby in the kitchen and individual unit laundry facilities but that is minor. I personally did not like the mattress and slept poorly as it was hard
as a rock but my husband loved it and slept like a log as he has a bad back. I kept the patio door open to hear the ocean. The daily temps were mid to high 80's and only one rainy day on Halloween. It was great to be there during this time of year to see all the decorated altars for El Dia de los Muertos which is also my
favorite time of year. I bought many themed items from the Museo de Arte at El Embarcadero. There was a nice variety and no haggling and I wished I had toured the Museo. It is 10.00pp and near Isla Mujeres island departures nearer to VCI.

We attended the Royal Mayan Sunday orientation which was very informative about where to go, dine and how to get there. The buses are dirt cheap and we did use the Royal buses as well. We never used a taxi. The charge it card for the week was a nice extra and you get the 10% discount card at the orientation and a nice map that we used a lot.

Thomas More travel has desks in all lobbies and so does Aqua World at the poolside areas. Everything is thought of for the guest's convienence.For non Royal resorts,it seems the closer you get to the island's elbow where the nightclubs are, the resorts diminish in quality. Blue Bay resort looks dreadful. I got to see many of the exteriors of resorts and hotels with the 699-799pp deals and there is simply no comparison to the Royals/Marriott/Hilton area unless you are a dirt poor college student.

We did not do the nightclub scene since we are not big drinkers but there are many 2 for 1's. Coco Mango,Senor Frogs, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock, Margaritaville are some of the places to enjoy. I was told that the Dominos Pizza in Captain's Cove outsells any other area worldwide due to the spring break crowds from mid February to mid April.

Not a speck of dirt was found anywhere in all 5 resorts. We walked the beaches to checkout other beachfront resorts which had stains or chipped paint on the outside of the buildings, knicked lounge chairs and seaweed or cups on the beach but not so with the Royals. We did not check out Marriott or Hilton which looked immaculate. Marriott has a 45.00pp lobster buffetand a five star sushi restaurant.

We did use Brant's airport service which turned out to be more expensive than Thomas More travel. It cost us 50.00 for two rt plus tip and Thomas More was 9pp each way.

We used the Entertainment card at Mama Rosa's in the Forum Plaza which has a Hard Rock cafe and few shops. It was less than 30.00 with tip with three drinks for two for dinner meals. La Isla mall we liked best of all and is outdoors. It has La Madonnas, Marguerites and Hippos restaurants,shops and the Interactive Aquarium. Go later in the day as the temp drops. There are Haggan Daas ice cream stores throughout the malls.Plaza Carocol has many of the restaurants on
Tonyg 's list,La Fisheria, Savios, Iguana Wana and has a few nice shops.Plaza Kukulkhan is the closet to the resort and has Splash and El Magueys's ,(both 2 for 1)and Ruth Chris and Cenocolo, an Italian restaurant where the pasta is freshly made. Most malls have lots of stores with silver,perfume and tshirts and a few shops and are not typical malls except for Plaza Americana which is further out with Sears and it is also where the locals shop.

Brant's tours were less expensive than Thomas More. We paid 65.00 pp to see Xcaret while Thomas More was 76-85pp. The jungle tour through Brant was less expensive by a few dollars and he was a pleasure to deal with via phone or email. Do swim through the underwater caves in Xcaret and stay for the show. It was a long but enjoyable day. We bought most of our food at the mini mart at the Royals and found Chedraus Grocers when we got VERY,VERY lost walking in downtown Cancun from Market 28 ,this is why we did not rent a car. The mini mart prices at the Royals were not bad at all and it was so convienant BUT there is no fresh chicken or beef so we ate a couple of awful frozen dinners. We tossed the Corden Bleu chicken and the frozen lasagna was drippy. The other items spagehtti and dry items ,juices were fine and I am glad it was onsite. It is probably best to do a run at Chedraus at the beginning of the week but we didn't want to make the extra effort as it was our first trip. In the future I would do this first for the main or bakery items then take a taxi back to the resort as we now have an idea where things are.

The restaurants at the Royals are so reasonable and the food was great that you really don't need to eat anywhere else. We ate the early bird special at the elegant El Conquistador as Tonyg recommended and it was just terrific. 12.99pp for an elegant dinner and atmosphere and wonderful service with a guitarist. La Palapa had lunch specials for 7.99 pp and there are delicious breakfast buffets for the same price from 7-11 am at all resorts.

We bought Brant's 2 for 1 card and checked out many of the restaurants that other Tug members recommended. We ate fajitas for 6.00pp at El Cejas at Market 28 where I was sereneded by a strolling guitarist on my birthday,Halloween. Market 28 had wonderful prices even though I dreaded haggling. I love hand embroidered blouses and linens.I got to use my limited rusty Spanish all week and wish I had remembered more.

We visited all 5 Royals during our stay and did the Sands tour with Rudy Torres. Rudy is a wonderful person to deal with. Our personal concierge, Linda contacted us 5 times to see if we needed anything and I agreed to view the Sands on friday for lunch. I knew we would not be buying right now and didn't want to waste anyone's time and was upfront about it. It lasted two hours over a pleasant 1 hour lunch at La Veranda and was very low pressure, even less than Marriott and very informative. The actual presentation was an hour or less and the price sheets/weeks were presented to us without even asking.I can't believe Cancun is only a 1 hour and 15 minute flight from Miami which was our return layover to Boston. If I lived that close I would not hesitate to visit often and purchase a Royal. I doubt I would ever trade it.

I liked the Sands layout as all rooms have a clearer view of the ocean where other Royals have some rooms with blocked views. The Sands has Murphy beds rather than the pullout couches and sleep 8. Other Royals are installing murphy beds in stages.The Sands has a Spa that costs 38.00 pp for the week or 7.00pp per day for general use of the facilites and equipment. Normal spa services are available for a fee. The beach is wider at this resort and the pool has a platform
for lounge chairs so one can tan and dip their toes at the same time, a nice touch.We ate lunch at La Veranda and saw the 45 minute 7 pm,Flamenco show at the Thursday night buffet/ 19.99pp.

The Sands has a much larger feel to it but we liked the intimacy of the tri Royals and the Royal Mayan better even though they are older resorts. The Mayan was refurbished two years ago and the tri-resorts look brand new. Members and guests may use facilties at any Royal. VCI was immaculate and also felt homey. The water is calmer in this area ,closer to downtown Cancun,which is better for small children it did not have the appeal of the tri Royals for me and it is further
away from things. The Royal buses run every two hours from Sands to VCI. Other resorts at this time of year run every hour with the exception of transport to Captains Cove which is every 10-15 minutes and only a five minute walk anyway.

The Royal resorts to me, are what make Cancun a big plus. Nowhere to date have I found such outstanding service from every single person who works for a resort. There is no attitude from anyone. You are never a bother and you are thanked in so many ways. Members are valued and proudly wear Royals "member" tshirts. Guests have the same use of amenties as owners, sailboats, snorkel gear, pool towels are at no additional cost and everyone is treated,"royal" family. There are many activites even for adults : spanish lessons,l atin dance and cooking classes etc posted on a weekly board. You get a daily activity sheet slipped under your door just like a cruiseship.

You can find aqua water, sandy beaches and snorkeling/scuba in other places in the world but the friendliness and pride displayed in the Royals by the entire staff and members are the definite advantage over anything we have experienced in our 7 years of timeshare. We had a very pleasant and peaceful week and we now understand why people brag about the Royals. It is the best of going on a cruise combined with the best of Disney and Marriott service and attitude all rolled
into one. Great customer service and friendliness are two of the things I highly value and the Royals have it downpat. I would be remiss if I rated this any lower than a 10 and I wish they would build in the states. JoAnn Pelletier

09/01/02 - Date of Visit: August 2002
Resort Owner: No
We stayed at the Royal Mayan from August 17th through the 31st. Our first week was in unit F225, and our second week in C708, both two bedroom units. There were two adults and two children (ages 3 and 10) for the first week, and an additional adult for the second week. The weeks were RCI exchanges.

Overall, I found the Royal Mayan to be excellent. I would definitely go back there. The rooms were spacious, well-furnished overall, and well-equipped. There were many activities for the children, the pools were very nice, the staff was very responsive and helpful, and the beach was of course fantastic. Both of our rooms had a wonderful view of the ocean. There was a table and chairs on the balcony, and we would often have a relaxed dinner out there in the late evening. I recommend the welcome meeting on Sunday morning if you are not familiar with Cancun. No mention was made of timeshare sales. There is also a childrens' get-together on Sunday afternoon that I recommend for those with kids. It's good for the kids to meet other kids to play with through the week, and for the parents to meet other parents to trade kid-watching with.

By the way, don't take the red flags on the beach too seriously. Use your own judgement.

The activities are spread over the three Royals (Mayan, Caribbean, and Islander), and you can use any of the pools, grocery stores, etc. among them freely. I was surprised to find a good selection and reasonable prices in the three grocery stores in the Royals. I made two trips to the Walmart downtown for our major grocery shopping, and I used the little on-site stores to fill-in during the weeks to restock water, milk, eggs, ice cream, and other incidentals. The sports desk provides lots of equipment free to borrow, such as snorkel gear, bicycles, balls, and backgammon sets. I was also surprised to find that the front desk gives a very good exchange rate from dollars to pesos. It was within 1% of the bank rate, which was good enough for me, and so I got all of my pesos there.

There is a laundromat on site, with an attendant. It is open only during normal work hours, and costs to wash and dry a small load (around $3). Plus you have to buy detergent. They have baskets there, but do not allow you to take them out of the laundromat for transporting your laundry! You have to use plastic bags. Overall I found the whole laundry thing more inconvenient than it needed to be.

The kitchen had what we needed, except perhaps an ice cream scoop. Even the largest, thickest spoon provided would bend on the ice cream. There is a dishwasher, but you have to get the food off of the dishes first if you expect them to come out clean, especially the frying pans whose non-stick surfaces seem to have lost their non-stick some time ago.

We did see tiny ants in the kitchen on occasion, but we were careful to keep the counters and sinks clean, and had no problems.

There was daily maid service (except on Sundays), which is nice.

While our guest was there, we used the studio/one-bedroom split for privacy, which worked quite well. She had her own outside door and her own access to the shared balcony.

Our first unit, F225, was perfect. Our second unit, C708 had some maintenance issues, in particular the stove needed replacing due to age and some rust, the door between rooms was hard to close and open, and the fold-out couch didn't fold down all the way making it an uncomfortable couch. I noticed that they were in the process of putting in Murphy beds in the Royal Mayan, and so perhaps the pull-out couches will be replaced by next year. Still, these were minor complaints, and the units were both great.

Overall, I gave the Royal Mayan a 9.5 rating. My highest by far, and I've been to some pretty highly rated resorts. The Royal Mayan's units were big, comfortable, had everything we needed and more, had great views, and a good kitchen. They have a lot of activities and free equipment, are kid-friendly, and have reasonably priced on-site groceries. If they had had a little washer and dryer in the units, I would have given them a 10!

Generic Cancun comments:

The buses run very frequently, are fast, and are dirt cheap. Use them! We had no car and didn't need one. The Walmart downtown is huge and has a great selection of groceries and anything else you might be looking for or forgot at home. Including clothes. Bring plenty of pesos. (In general, avoid using U.S. dollars directly, since the merchants will give you a lousy exchange rate.)

If you plan to do any trips to places like Chichen-Itza, Xcaret, or Xel-Ha, you should arrange them through Brant Boston ( bboston@prodigy.net.mx ) before you get there for excellent prices. You'll also get a card with a substantial discount for some restaurants, which we used. We did a day-trip to Chichen-Itza, but it was very rushed. If I had it to do again, I would have stayed there overnight to provide enough time to really explore the place. Xcaret is mainly for families--it's a little expensive, but the kids love it. I recommend the underground river. We went to Isla Mujeres, and I can't come up with a reason to recommend it. It exists mainly to provide a large shopping area for tourists, and I found the snorkeling off the Southern end of the hotel zone (Punta Nizuc, near Club Med) to be as good or better than Isla Mujeres.

Brant also pre-arranges airport transportation with Luis, whom I found to be very prompt and courteous, with a nice, air-conditioned van just for your party. And the reasonable price is definitely worth it for the convenience.

If you are a scuba diver, then spend a few days on Cozumel. You should get a room there so you can go out early each morning. The best dive shop in Cozumel, and in fact the best dive shop in the world according to Scuba Diving Magazine readers, is Aldora Divers. I can see how they got their reputation. Dive with them. It's a bad idea to try to stay in Cancun and take long boat rides from there to the Cozumel reefs or other reefs. So stay in Cozumel for the nights before your morning dives. I recommend the Costa Club hotel, which you can book through Aldora. The Aldora dive boats pick you up right at the Costa Club pier. By the way, transportation between Cozumel and Cancun is convenient and cheap. $3 for a first-class bus from downtown to Playa del Carmen, and $8 for a really fast boat to Cozumel. The buses run frequently, and the boats run about every hour. Mark Adler
07/23/02 - Date of Visit: 6/29/02
Resort Owner: No
The resort was great, had a party of 6 adults. (two had their own unit also at the Mayan) Actually had our best meals at the resteraunt right there at the Mayan. We own two Marriots, one in Florida and one in Hilton Head and this was the first transfer out of the Marriots in 8 years. My wife and our guests loved the maid service and found the requested "tip" of $2.00 per day for the service a bargain.

With the exception of the lack of a onsite health club and a daily lunch buffet, we found the Royal Mayan to be the equal of the Royal Sands. It was smaller but we really liked that aspect of the place. If we would be happy with either but if we had to choose we would prefer to go back to the Royal Mayan. The lack of a washer and dryer in the units was somthing we had to get used to , but laundry facilities are available on the grounds.

Did not use the free shuttle service between the resorts as most time we simply used the local bus service outside the hotel which ran 24 hours for 6 pesos a ride, we also found out that depending on where you were going you could negotiate with the taxis to pay the same price as you would pay on the bus for them to transport you from location to location.

We found Brant Boston (bboston@prodigy.net.mx) to be of great help with the 2-1 entertainment cards, arranging pickupfrom the airport at a price much lower than what thomas travel wanted and arranging tours. He seems to have a good handle on the area.

Was not impressed by the Pok ta Pok golf course program that the resort offers, the golf course was not in great shape and so it was kinda expensive for the quality of the course. Played the Hilton Course, which also has a discount program and found it to be in much better shape.

Found the staff to be extremely accomdating (they love their tips) and after a deep sea fishing trip, they happily prepared our catch and brought it to the room with all the side dishes for the whole group.

No time share sales pressure, however in order to get their 10% discount card they do want you to tour the Sands. We chose to forgo the cards and got no pressure.

We are considering taking our 11 and 13 year old boys with us next year as there are plenty of activities on the grounds to keep them occupied. A great trip.

Submitted by Dywane Hall


05/29/02 - Date of Visit: 05/18/02
Resort Owner: Yes
Like Jim and Diane, below, we were in F-123, but one week later. We like the unit location which is quiet, with very nice views and near the beach without the strong ocean wind. The Mayan is great and little more can be said. How can you go wrong?

Odds and ends: Alamo Car Rental at airport was not at all good and I do not recommend - but Avis was very good and had good cars. The e-card from Brant works well at the places that you can use it.

The Lodge at Uxmal (Mayaland) is a little tired but still a great place to stay, while there. The Mayaland at Chichen Itza is very nice and a pleasant experience with excellent food.

At the Royal Mayan, we ordered a fruit basket and flower arrangement in advance, by internet, and both were delivered on time and both were good value for the money. A really nice service for special celebrations. A great resort. Gil Lusk.
05/25/02 - Date of Visit : 05/11/2002
Resort Owner: Yes
We are new owners. Our villa is F123,not on the beech but close to it. What we liked best about the resort was the staff-always smiling, and so frindly. The food in the resort was great-prices not bad. The water tastes better then ours back home in Detroit. We had dinner one nite at the El Conquistador,had the special ($13.95),pecan glazed grouper,one of best meals/service we have ever had anyware. Kaluwa-large in the mini-market was $10,best price I found anyware. Had dinner outside the resort twice (El Arca-in La Isla mall,and a place across from J.W.Marriott, liked the food/service better back at the Royals.

Will be back next year,already counting the days. Jim&Diane

05/13/02 - Date of Visit: 04/02
Resort Owner: No
We have just returned from a fantastic stay at the Royal Mayan in Cancun. We brought along with us another couple and the suite was plenty of room with lots of privacy for both couples. This resort is one of our best swaps yet and we've been trading for several years now. The staff was so friendly, the swim up bar was excellent and always attracted the nicest crowd. Our villa was beach front and it was hard to leave the villa and leave the view! Our guest hooked up with some other owners to go deep sea fishing and the Palapa restaurant cooked the fish they caught and together 16 of us enjoyed an excellent seafood dinner. We stayed one night (before checking into the Royal Mayan) at the Royal Sands and we would choose the Mayan anytime, it is so more quaint and personable than the huge
Sands. We try not to repeat an island in our travels but are already saying that we'd go back to the Royal Mayan in a hearbeat! Dianne DiCola
04/20/02 - Date of Visit: 04/06/02
Resort Owner: No
What can I say about this resort that hasn't already been said? With the exception of a stay at the Marriott Casa Magna 10 years ago, this was our first t/s stay in Cancun. The beach and ocean was as beautiful as I remember it. The resort itself, is top notch along with all the other Royals. Some have said that the accomodations aren't quite an posh as a Marriott t/s. We own two Marriott resorts and IMO, the Royal Mayan compares quite favarably. The first time I sat down on the bed I thought the mattress was quite firm and I had visions of the 3" slabs at some of the Marriotts, but I had no problems sleeping on it. We didn't do much but sit around either at the pool or on the beach...there are worse things to do. We ate most of our meals at one or another of the restaurants on the properties or at the Captain's Cove. All the meals were excellent. We had a breakfast at the Captain's Cove where we met some other tuggers and had a blast. I went diving one morning and enjoyed the clear waters and the boat ride out to the dive site. If you don't like crowds, the morning dives are the better choice. We had four divers and the dive master which made for a pleasant half day on the water.

Cancun and the Royal resorts are a good alternative to Hawaii given that it's half the distance and time, at least from the midwest. I can't wait to return and when I do, I will definately opt for returning to the Royals. Mark Svobodny
12/19/2001 - Date of Visit: 12/01/01
Resort Owner: No
We just returned from a wonderful stay at the Royal Mayan. We are not owners there but really loved it! The villas have marble floors throughout, marble vanities and extra amenities like beautiful Mikasa dinnerware (Sao Pablo pattern) and T-Fal cookware in the kitchen. There were 3 seperate thermostats to individually control each bedroom and the living room. Even though we were on the 7th floor we had instant hot water. The water there is softened and safe. It had a free chlorine residual that tested perfectly. The view from the balcony was of an enormous, beautiful meandering pool with a swim-up bar and a big palapa restaturant and the Carribean. The pool area is meticulously landscaped and has lots of little areas with chairs, as the pool curves around here and there, where you can sunbathe (instead on tons of chairs lined up on 4 sides of a pool). It's a nice touch.

We can only repeat what the last couple of reviews said. There are Tons! of things to do right there at the resort and the sister resorts. And there are many great side trips. Take advantage of the orientation briefing on your first morning there. It was not a sales meeting. They had pastries and coffee and discussed all the different projects the resorts offered (Mexican cooking, stain glass, ceramic pottery, free bikes, free snorkle gear, free 1 hour sailing, and on and on) so you would not miss out on anything. They also had representatives from Aqua World and Thomas More tell about the trips they offered (Tulum, Xel-Ha, etc.) It was very informative and helped us plan our week.

We really loved it there and will gladly return. Between the three resorts and all their activities and their restaurants and shops, you really don't have to leave there! It was loads of fun, the people were very friendly and it is a beautiful spot. We definitely rate it a 10. Abe

08/17/01 - Date of Visit: 07/28/01
Resort Owner: No
We are Marriott owners and have come to have some pretty high standards when it comes to exchanging to other properties, and I will say that the Royal Mayan met and exceeded our expectations.

Our unit was a spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa overlooking the pool and ocean. Our children, ages 9 and 11, got a big kick out of "locking" their parents out of their "apartment" as they called it. The unit had everything you would expect including a full kitchen with toaster, microwave, coffee maker, televisions in both bedrooms and the living room, etc. The living area had a CD player but no VCR. The furnishings though not luxurious were nice. The units do not have a washer/dryer though there is a facility on the property.

The resort itself is absolutely the most well-maintained property that we have ever stayed at. The staff could be seen on a constant basis scrubbing the railings of the balconies, waxing the deck around the pool area, mopping the patios, maintaining the grounds, and on and on. The resort is very lovely and the grounds are beautiful. The pool area is very nice and has a swim-up bar. Surprisingly enough, the pool and beach area were not crowded.

There are many planned activities including ceramic painting, bingo, black jack, beach and water volleyball, dance lessons, water aerobics, quiz shows, cooking lessons, and on and on for adults. There were an equal amount of daily, hourly planned activities for children as well such as: t-shirt painting, beaded braclets, origami, boogie board races, beach games, symbols hunt, twister, coin diving, beach sand castle, and pool olympics to name a few. There is literally something for everyone and every age.

We had lunch a couple of times at the pool-side restaurant in which the meals were quite tasty. We also went to a barbeque one night at the Royal Islander which was good. We went to the breakfast buffet at the Royal Cove once (across the street) and found it to be good as well.

The resort itself and its neighboring, sister resorts (Royal Islander and Royal Carribean) have many amenities: market, boutiques, spa, beauty salon, on-site doctor, etc. There are also agencies on site to plan all of your tours and the rental car availability. Aqua World (across the street) is there for scuba dive trips, use of sail boats (no charge), snorkel trips, wave runners, parasailing, etc. You can also check out snorkel and beach equipment (volleyball, etc.) free of charge from the sports desk. The Royal Mayan staff is extremely friendly and very helpful.

We have certainly stayed at more luxurious hotels such as the Four Seasons and JW Marriott properties and of course timeshare exchanges into Marriott properties; however, I must say that we were every bit as satisfied with the Royal Mayan. The Royal Mayan is a jewel and is worthy of it's high 9.6 rating. I am not sure what would've made our stay there any more enjoyable and can't wait to go back.(La Shauna Johnson)

07/15/01 - Date of Visit: 6/30/01 to 7/7/01
Resort Owner: No
We were not disappointed when we arrived at the Royal Mayan for a 1 week exchange through Interval. We are Marriot owners, Monarch and Harbour Point, Hilton Head, SC. Although this was the oldest of the 3 connecting resorts, it was just as nice as the Royal Carribean and Islander.

Our 2 bedroom, 2 bath Villa was in the C Section, 5th floor. We had a wonderful view of the Gulf and the pool. Breakfast every morning on the large balcony was great. The unit was very clean and nicely appointed even though the wood was a very dark grain and the colors somewhat outdated. There was no washer and dryer in the units, which we missed as Marriot owners. Boxes of tissues were not included in each bathroom. An iron and ironing board were added in the master bedroom.

We only had 1 problem with the microwave and maintenance came and fixed it within minutes of our call. All of the staff were friendly, including maids, maintenance and grounds people who went out of their way to say Hola! The grocery stores located within each resort were a bit pricey, so we kept our purchases at a minimum. There were no local grocery stores nearby, except in the downtown area of Cancun which was a 30-40 minute bus ride. We did visit it once during our stay.

Speaking about the buses, they were a real experience! Only about 50 cents to ride, but I can only say they put the New York City cab drivers to shame! They race along the main road, stopping every other corner to pick up more fares. The buses do not have air conditioning, so be ready to have your hair blown around as every window is opened. They only seem to know one speed--fast.

Upon arrival at the Mayan, two concierges were assigned to us for the week, Charly and Grace. They were outstanding and very personable. They helped us with any questions we had. Grace called our Villa several times to see if we were doing fine, and to inform us of some activities. We were invited to a wonderful welcome party with more than a hundred guests/owners from all 3 resorts. They had a D.J. who involved everyone in dancing and games. It was a great ice breaker, and lots of cocktails were flowing. All the children were invited to a Pinata Party later that day.

The Resort also sponsered a taco lunch party, a wine and cheese party, and a 1 hour boat cruise on the lagoon (bay). I must say the the Royal Resorts really treated us like Royals! Everyday at the pool swim-up bar from 3 to 5 p.m. was "Happy Hour" and all drinks, including tropical frozen, were half price. Guests could go from resort to resort and use the pools and facilities all week long. You never needed to carry money, all you needed was your room key. At the end of the week, you closed your tab.

The Thomas Moore Travel Agency was located in the lobby of all three resorts. They had many tours to offer. Some might be considered on the pricey side for 1 day outings. We choose to do the Nautibus boat trip, and the Snorkeling Trip to a State Park Reef near the Club Med Resort. We enjoyed the beautiful teal blue waters of the Carribbean Sea, and saw some very pretty fish, including sting rays, barracudas and angel fish. It was a nice experience.

Be sure to avail yourself of the V.I.P. discount card which you should receive from your personal concierge. The card offers discounts ranging from 10% to 20% at some of Cancun's nicest local restaurants in the Hotel Zone. We ate at La Fisheria, Captain's Cove, Carlos'n Charlies, and Senor Frogs. Our children especially enjoyed the entertainment at Carlos'n Charlies and Senor Frogs. We also dined in the restaurants at the resort, which were excellent. La Palapa located in the Mayan had a wonderful Monday evening Mexican buffet, complete with entertainment, and flowing Margaritas. The Trade Winds at the Carribean had a great breakfast buffet. If you are planning on purchasing a timeshare week in Cancun, visit the newest Royals Resort, The Royal Sands, only a short shuttle trip down the road. It has a spectacular swimming pool and very spacious units. The Royal Resorts in Cancun definitely earned their high ratings on TUG. We had an outstanding vacation, and recommend everyone to visit this wonderful resort. We can honestly rate the Resort a 10. Sincerely, Debbie & Len Gleason 

05/16/01 - Date of Visit: 5/5/01
Resort Owner: No
My husband and I exchanged into the Royal Mayan from 5/5 - 5/12/01.  It was every bit as nice as Tug members have previously said.   We stayed in unit J639.    It was a 2 bedroom/2 bath unit with a beautiful ocean and pool view.  The unit itself was in very good condition with a full kitchen and 3 TV's.  Maid service was excellent.

The staff was very pleasant and helpful.  There are many activities going on all of the time.  I especially enjoyed the water aerobics and the happy hour at the pool bar.  We only ate meals at the Captain's Cove and the pool bar because have our own favorite restaurants in Cancun.   They include Rosa Mexicana, Rosa Bonita and Los Alemendros.  A good deal is - Entertainment Plus (www.entertainment-plus).   You get 2 for 1 at many good restaurants. The bus to downtown is so convenient and inepensive.

We would definitely stay there again.   It's probably the nicest resort we have stayed at in 22 years of timesharing.  We will give it a 10. 

04/26/01 - Date of Visit: April 1-14
Resort Owner: Yes
I am happy to say the Royal Mayan still stands, and it is still the best and most beautiful of the Royal Resorts, in my opinion.  The gardens and pool are more beautiful than ever, or I have just grown old with them and I love them.  Service is still as great as it has always been.  I looked for but I didn't find any bugs in my villa, or even on the grounds.  (I saw a few ants in the gardens.)  My villa did not smell musty, on the contrary the air conditioning was quiet and efficient, or I would turn off the air conditioning and let the delicious Can Cun breeze through.  A guest that stayed with me commented on how beautiful the villa is, and how well kept it is.  We slept very well, no problem with the mattresses.

I ate at El Conquistador, curious to see if it had gone down in quality... I had lamb chops imported from New Zealand, and my guest ordered filet of Black Angus imported from the United States served with three delicious sauces.  El Conquistador is tied for second place, in my mind, for the best restaurants I have ever eaten at
anywhere in my life, the best being in Biarritz, France, (which was not a restaurant but a miracle).  It is as good or better than other excellent restaurants I have eaten at in New York, New Orleans, Vail, San Francisco, etc.  (A very good guitarrist played Bossa Nova, and other favorite melodies for us, and received applause after each
song... he must have been very good, or we were being very polite.)

My other favorite Royal restaurants are La Palapa and Captain's Cove, and now the restaurant at The Sands... they are all still there, still a pleasure to have breakfast or lunch or supper, and prices are still about half as high as other restaurants in CanCun (try comparing prices with the Marriott, Melia, or Oasis.)  I went sailing several times on the lagoon and at Vacation Clubs, and it was a pleasure, as usual, and free, as always, and for everybody, including people that have exchanged into the resort, who are as welcome as owners.  There is a new free bus service between the five resorts, and there are new service elevators and ramps for handicapped persons to be able to get anywhere without problem...

I would say to all Royal Mayan owners (I am an owner) don't pay any attention to that bad report.  The Royal Mayan is still a 10, ie, The Best Resort I have Ever Seen, anywhere.  In fact, it has improved like good wine since it was built.  (I have been to others in the Top Ten, in Orlando, and they are great... this is still Number One, The
Best, in my opinion.) 

02/11/01 - Date of Visit: 1/20-27/01
Resort Owner: No
We recently exchanged a week, January 20-27, 2001 into the Royal Mayan.  After hearing all of the hype on the Royals we were expecting a vacation experience next to none.  We were so disappointed!  Our first encounter was a very long, hot, hour and a half waiting in line to go through customs in Cancun, not a good beginning.  Secondly, when we go away during the winter to a warm climate we expect it to be warm.  The whole week we were there it was on the cool side, and several days it was too cool to even sit at the beach.

Our two bedroom unit, facing the ocean, smelled musty the entire stay.  It was very unpleasant!  The furnishings were plain but adequate, but the mattresses on the beds were so thin and hard, and the pillows were so flat and hard that we didn't enjoy a good night's sleep the entire time we were there.   The kitchen had a lot of cupboards but most of them were empty.  The blender did not work, nor did the can opener.  There was no ice-maker in the refrigerator.  We were not given any paper towels or liquid dish soap so we had no soap to wipe down the cupboard tops unless we used the bathroom soap.  We ended up buying some.  All week there were little bugs crawling all over the cupboard tops both in the kitchen and one of the bathrooms.  We'd kill them and wash down the cupboard tops and the next day another batch would appear.  The units do not contain hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, or even boxes of facial tissue.  Kleenex is standard equipment in the cheapest of motel or hotel rooms!  We had a double sink in one of the bathrooms but were provided only one bar of soap so had to share it between sinks.  Fortunately I had another bar in my travel case.

The lockout portion of the unit is a farce.  There is no wet bar, microwave, or any kind of utensils.  There is a tiny
refrigerator shoved into the closet on top of the safe.  Unfortunately the refrigerator takes up so much space in the closet there is only about twelve inches of available closet width for hanging clothes.

The grounds are pretty but the place is so poorly laid out you can't go anywhere without climbing flights of stairs.  The husband of the couple who accompanied us has difficulty climbing stairs and it was awful for him.  We were in the second floor of unit E but you can't go to, or from, the second or third floors of unit E without going through unit F.  The second or third floors of unit E have no direct exit - don't know how the fire marshals approved that one.Unit E is prized because of the ocean view, but if you are handicapped, forget it.  Even going to the lobby or beach means climbing several flights of stairs.

We ate at the El Conquistador two nights.  I have read that this is supposidly the best restaurant in Cancun.  It was good at best, certainly not superb or outstanding.  The first night we were so disappointed we went back the second time thinking surely we had just hit a bad night.  More of the same.

Frankly, I can not understand how the Royal Mayan gets such high ratings and continually stays in the top ten.  There must be some really awful timeshares out there!  Or perhaps a lot of prejudice "Royal" owners doing the voting.  If I were in a very generous mood I would give it an 8 at best. 

8/6/00 - Date of Visit: 7/10/00
Resort Owner: Yes
I am one of the original owners of The Royal Mayan and have used it about every year since then.  We have traveled to most of the island in the Carribbean and Hawaii and find The Royal Resorts to be the nicest of anything we have stayed  at.  We are in the low rise Caribbean front building(E) on the 2nd floor.  We have a 180 degree view of the beach and complete privacy.

The staff is great and it feels secure.  We sit on the balcony most nights and see security constantly walking the grounds.  Last year, we didn't even leave the resorts.  There is everything you would want at your finger tips.  We have been going there for years and have seen the ruins and other tourist spots and it is a nice relaxing vacation for us to enjoy the beach and pool.  We occassionally go to the other sister resorts next door, but we prefer the Mayan.  It has more local flavor (to us anyway).  The staff is anxious to practice their English and love to teach us some Spanish words and learn English slang.

We rate Royal Mayan a 10+. 

5/16/00 - Date of Visit: 4-29-2000
Resort Owner: Yes
Royal Mayan is a 5 star resort.  We liked the friendly atmosphere of the staff.  The resort was clean,  there was daily maid service. The beachfront unit in building M third floor was the best location. We had a 2 BR 2BA unit.  It was very private and the veranda was large and looked out over the beach below.  It was quiet and the sunrise in the morning was spectacular. The kitchen was large and well equipped, the dining area would accommodate a group of six easily.  There were wonderful safes in each bedroom so we could lock up everything, take our royal resorts card with us and we did not have to carry money.  We could go to any of the 5 royal resorts in cancun and use our royal resort card to purchase groceries, eat at the many different restaurants, drink at the many different bars, buy gifts at the 5 different boutiques and never have to worry about money until we checked out and paid the whole bill with a visa.  What a wonderful carefree vacation. 
1/10/00 - Date of Visit: 12/25/99
New Year's Eve in Cancun was spectacular as fireworks and parties ushered in the year 2000.  The Royal mayan Resort was at its best as well. Y2K fears kept many home and the resort was only 60% full.  Many hotels were less than 50% full.  Where this was bad for business it was great for a tourist as it meant no lines and bargain prices. We flew out on January 1 without any problems.

The Royal Mayan consists of 200 - 2 bedroom/2 bath villa of about 1400 square feet each.  Each unit has a full kitchen (stove, full size refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, dishes and cookware), dining area, private deck and great view of the pool, beach and ocean.

It is physically connected to two sister resorts and between the three there are 4 restaurants (maybe more), one of which is gourmet, as good as anything in Cancun and reasonably priced.  Also, there is on site shopping for clothing, gifts and groceries as well as on site travel and car rental agencies.

The Resort is across the road from Captain's Cove restaurant and the Royal Marina.  Guests of the resort get 1 hour per day free sailing at the marina.  Free bikes and snorkeling gear are available at the resort.

What makes the Mayan special is its staff.  They can not do enough for you.  Also they keep the units and grounds in unbelievably good condition.  No mold or mildew as in some Cancun resorts.  Daily maid service is a plus. Also the activities staff is first rate with lots of activities for kids and adults.

Located in the hotel zone (16.5 km) the resort is close to everything.  Buses pass by every couple of minutes and for 50 cents (4.5 pesos) your on your way to shopping, eating, etc.  It could not be any better than it was this year.

Before I left I was warned that the beach was not in great condition. Where not as wide as in some years (beaches grow and shrink with storms), it was clean and there was very little rock. Because crowds were off, there was all sorts of room.  The water was warm and the sun hot.  What more could one want?

All in all on a scale of 10 I rate Cancun a 10 and The Royal Mayan a 10+.

11/14/99 - Date of Visit: 9/25/99
We spent an absolutely delightful week - our first in Cancun - at the Royal Mayan 25 Sep - 2 Oct 99.  We are Marriott timeshare owners (Fords Colony and the Monarch at Sea Pines Hilton Head) and this was our first trade into a non-Marriott facility.  The Royal Mayan was highly recommended by good friends who own two weeks there.  We were not disappointed.

The Royal Mayan, and its sister properties - the Islander and Caribbean - deserve their 5-Star rating and more.  Everything is absolutely the best, from the facilities, to the locale, to the activities, staff, and service.  The Mayan is the oldest of the three adjacent facilities, but remains very up-to-date and somehow a bit friendlier and cozier than its two more modern neighbors.

Arrival:  For first time visitors, ignore all the offers of cabs and van service as you make your way from customs and immigration.  Got out to the curb-side desk and use the government-run van service which will take you directly to the Mayan (or other Royals) for $9.00 a person.  Don't worry about changing dollars for pesos at the airport.  You'll get as good (if not better) a rate at the hotel.

Check-in was a breeze.  You get a "charge card" which is also your room key.,  It is good for everything within the resort, from charging out towels, snorkeling gear, etc. to buying stuff in the gift shops and mini-market, to paying for your meals in the hotel restaurants and the Captain's Cove across the street.

Orientation: Definitely go to the orientation on Sunday morning. Gives you an excellent overview of the activities available in the Mayans and through Thomas Moore Travel.  We'd recommend Thomas Moore over any other touring company options.  You can charge it to your hotel card, and the tours are exclusively for Royals guests.

Facility:  In a word: Superb.  It was up to (and in some ways surpassed) the best we have experienced in Marriott properties in Hilton Head, Williamsburg, and Breckenridge.  The two-bedroom apartment was wonderful.  Clean, beautifully furnished, up-to-date appliances and furniture, full cable TV, beautiful balcony, very large bedrooms.  Air conditioning was a must, as it was very humid outside.  Because of the humidity and air conditioning system, it smelled a bit musty at first.  Maid service comes every day to change towels and clean.  Our maid was delightful, friendly, and very efficient.  The place was kept spotless.

That goes for the rest of the facility as well.  Staff everywhere cleaning, picking up and working on improvements.  New tile (beautiful) being laid throughout the grounds and around the pool.

We spend at lot of time at the pools, both at the Mayan as well as the Caribbean next door.  It was quite windy the week we were there, so surf was very rough, and the beach not the best place to be.  That said, the beach area is very nice, with great sand, wonderful beach chairs, umbrellas, etc.

There is no exercise facility at either of the three Royals, but Royals guests may use the well appointed, but small, gym at the Omni next door, for a reduced fee.  Very reasonable.  Has everything you need except stairmasters.

Transportation:  You don't need a rental car, unless you really want to explore on your own.  The local bus service is terrific and cheap.  The drivers are very friendly and will go out of their way to help touristas.  We went everywhere by bus with no trouble.

Side Trips:  Much to do - more than can be done in a week.  We chose two trips and recommend both highly (both thru Thomas Moore):

- Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins:  If you do nothing else, take this day-long trip.  It is well worth the 2-hour +  bus ride.  You will stop mid-way at a small Mayan village for shopping (prices no better than the malls in Cancun - but
at least the locals are getting the money).  Then on to the ruins which are nothing short of spectacular.  Our guide was excellent and we had plenty of time to prowl on our own.  Be prepared for very intense heat and little
shade.  Take plenty of water and light, loose clothing.  After the ruins, you'll have lunch (mexican buffet - not bad) at a nearby hotel.  Warning - lunch doesn't happen until about 2:00 or 2:30.  The ancient city is spectacular, the history fascinating.  You will be in awe of this ancient (yet very modern) society.

- Tulum and Xel-Ha:  another day trip, this time south down the coast to the smaller coastal Mayan city of Tulum.  Very much smaller scale than Chichen Itza, but just as spectacular because of its spot right on the water.  Just
magnificent.  After a quick lunch, around noon, you're off to the national marine park of Xel-Ha.  You can take snorkeling gear (be sure to take a life vest - makes it so much easier) from the hotel (we recommend it, although it
means a big bundle) or you can rent it at the park.  The snorkeling is very good for beginners.  It's a protected lagoon (many acres large) with beautiful fish, although the water can be cloudy in spots.  But, because its protected, you need not worry about surf conditions. Great for kids and any first-timer..  Many other activities there, including a (extra fee) swim with the dolphins program.

We heard the snorkeling was best off Cozumel and Isla Majueres, but surf was pretty rough while we were there, and we didn't have time.

Restaurants:  we chose to eat breakfasts and lunches in our apartment, but to go out to dinner each night.  The in-house mini-marts have frozen foods for dinners, but are best for breakfast and lunch stuff.  The Mayan's mini-mart is  smaller than the others.  Go to the Caribbean or Islander for more variety and better stock, especially for fresh fruits and veggies.  The mini-mart prices are high (as much or more than in the States - except for the rum which is cheaper than wine!) but they are so convenient.  We were just not up to bussing it all the way into town to grocery stores.

We were not disappointed with any of the restaurants we tried.  All were recommended by our friends who have been here many times.  Prices were about what we are used to in the Washington DC area - a bit lower, perhaps.  Dinner for two with wine and desert ran around $75 -100 with tip.  But we didn't go for the low end of the menus.  Heck, it was a vacation!  You could do very well for less.

- Captain's Cove:  the Royals shuttle takes you right there - down the hill and across the street.  Great for seafood.   Lobster was great!
- La Dolche Vita:  Superb food in a beautiful setting.  Great jazz trumpeter playing each night we were there (went twice).  Continental and northern Italian cuisine, with excellent seafood.  Come to think of it, we ate nothing but seafood and fish all week.
- La Fisheria:  Owned by the same guy who owns La Dolche Vita.  A more informal, up tempo place in one of the shopping centers.  Food was just as good.  More modern pop music by an excellent female singer.  Again, we had seafood dishes.  Wines at all these places are good and reasonable.- Maria Bonita:  Recommended by the staff at Caribbean.  In Punta Cancun, by the Camino Real Hotel.  This is a rather "touristy" Mexican place, with very enthusiastic waiters, mariachi bands, etc.  If you can put up with the touristy part of it, it is well worth it.,  The food was excellent for those who want to try out Mexican cuisine.
- La Habichuela:  we didn't get there, but it came highly recommended by several friends.  A more authentic Mexican restaurant in the town of Cancun (just a block off the bus route).  We stopped by the day we wandered around the town and it looked very nice.  Menu was fabulous.  And we heard from many that its reputation was well deserved.  A bit pricier than the others.

Shopping:  If you must!  Plenty of very fashionable malls with lots to sell.  Don't be fooled by the mall-like appearances.  Everyone is ready to bargain.  We shopped around for silver rosaries for nieces and prices varied
considerably.  Ended up back at the first place we looked, but we got their price down 50%.  Be prepared for sticker shock!  There are no bargains in Cancun.  Nor elsewhere in the region.  They have figured out that Americans have lots of money to spend.

In sum, we will go back.  Cancun is wonderful, and the Royals deserve a 15 on a scale of 1-10. 

7/19/99-Date of Visit: 7/99
The Royal Mayan is an outstanding resort.  It combines the amenities and comforts of large, expensive hotels with the space, convenience and comfort of your own condo.  It has some of the most friendly staff anywhere in the world. This year a young waiter who served us on several occasions even went to the trouble (and personal expense) of buying my nephew a soccer shirt!  We had joked all week with him because he shares the name of a famous Brazilian star - Roberto Carlos.

We have made many exchanges to beautiful places but none outdo our home resorts. Each year we find improvements both in the public areas and in the villas themselves as well as the services and activities.  The beach is drop-dead gorgeous!

Love the fact that the resort does not "nickel and dime us".  Beach towels, tennis courts and equipment, bicycles, snorkeling gear and social activities are all free of charge.  Maid service is fantastic and is included also.  Reception runs 24 hrs a day. Have just has my sister-in-law to stay with her family and as she says, it is hard to imagine any place better to stay.

If you want a perfect vacation head for the Royal Mayan or indeed any of the Royal Resort properties.

6/26/99-Date of Visit: 5/8/99
My husband and I traded our week at the Bay Club, The big island of Hawaii with another tug member for his week at the Royal Mayan, Cancun.

The place is definitely a "10" -- it has everything.  The villas are all well maintained and absolutely very clean.   Our unit on the
second floor of K building had a view of the pool and a partial view of the ocean that was perfect.   The master bedroom is very large with an in-closet safe.  The other bedroom is also very large.  All accommodations were excellent.

The staff is very friendly and very helpful.  They aim to please. This was our first time share trade and it was an excellent trade.   There is a lot going on at all the Royals -- parties, etc.   There is always something to do.

If you can trade to any of the Royals do it without hesitation. The restaurant La Palapa on the grounds is great for breakfast (very nice buffet) and great for lunch.  We only ate dinner one night because we arrived back very late from a tour.  Very reasonably priced.

The tour desk is wonderful.  Everyone is helpful.   Tour to Xcaret was fantastic.   Don't miss it.

We rode the bus every night to go out for dinner.

Restaurant we enjoyed:  The Plantation House (very attractive, but expensive).  Cenacola (in the mall) with a lovely outside patio was excellent.   Also, La Dolce Vita excellent.  Ruth Chris' Steak House was okay.  My husband said the steak was excellent.  I thought the place was a bit overpriced.   $5 for a baked tomato and $5 for baked potato is ridiculous in Cancun.  Everything is a la carte.  I would pass it up next time.

We were so impressed with the Royals we purchased a unit at the new Royal Sands which will open in December 1999 or February 2000. Can't wait to go back to enjoy the Royal atmosphere.   Don't miss staying at the Royals. 

6/6/99-Date of Visit: 5/8/99
The Royal Mayan is the best.  All amenities are perfect.  Staff are wonderful and responsiveness to needs of guests is almost immediate no matter what the request.  Thomas Moore Agency is great and access to them in lobby is perfect.  Condition of all buildings is perfect-  they are always cleaning, pruning, etc.

planned parties are constant- unfortunately for me, I booked so many tours could not attend them all.  I did attend their poolside barbecue and it was very enjoyable. This resort is suitable for couples, families or anyone who just wants sun and water and relaxation.

6/18/98-Date of Visit: 5/30/98
Another great trip to the Royal Mayan! This was my fourth time staying at the Royal Mayan and I wouldn't hesitate to come back again.

The unit was impeccably clean - the housekeeper even moved the oven out to clean behind it! The marble floors always shine and there is never a trace of sand left in the unit which is rare for being on the beach. We did not use the kitchen much and the big joke at the resort is that members complained for years about getting microwaves and now that they have them, nobody uses them anyway! The food is so good at the Royal Resorts that you won't want to use the kitchen either!

The thing I like best about the Mayan and the other Royal Resorts is that they have so many activities to do, you really never have to leave the resort. They have a great Welcome Party with open bar on Sunday with music and games. There are plenty of activities for children with piñata parties, Spanish lessons, bingo, ceramic painting, and beach games. We used the free bikes to take a ride to the El Rey Mayan ruins up the road - tons of iguanas there that love Ritz crackers - a scene right out of Jurassic Park! I also enjoy the water aerobics and the free scuba and snorkel lessons they do in the pool. We took a free ride on their pirate ship, The Columbus, around the lagoon across the street. We enjoyed being spectators at the Karaoke nights they do twice a week at the Lobby Bar in the Royal Caribbean. On Monday nights, the Mexican Fiesta at the Mayan's Palapa restaurant is great. For $17 each, you get an all-u-can-eat Mexican buffet with all-u-can-drink margaritas - plus free entertainment by Mexican folkloric dancers. The activities at these resorts are endless!

I think what keeps us coming back to the Mayan is the authentic Mexican flavor of the resort. The lush, tropical landscaping with the beautiful waterfalls in the pool make it a little homier than the other Royal Resorts. The staff at all 3 (soon to be 4 - watch for the Royal Sands) are dedicated to make your vacation stress-free. We are not used to waiters bending over backwards to make sure that our dining experience is pleasurable. You really come away feeling that the staff at these resorts honestly love what they do - everyone from the waiters to the housekeepers to the front desk take pride in the work that they do.

As far as area attractions, the resort has its own travel agency which makes it easy to book your excursions. They pick you up at the front lobby for the trips and have nice air-conditioned buses and informative tour guides. I have done the tours to Tulum, Xel-Ha, XCaret, Coba, Achtun-Chen, and Isla Mujeres. I really love XCaret because I swam with the dolphins there and it was on of the greatest thrills of my life! This year we tried the trip to Coba with Achtun-Chen. Coba is a Mayan Ruin trip which has uncovered Mayan ruins - you get the feeling of being like Indiana Jones. You can climb to the top of their big temple and get a great view of the jungle. Achtun-Chen is a new attraction where you explore through caves and can take ATV tours of the jungle. I got to hold a baby spider monkey there. I would say if you are not much into archaeological sites but want to see some ruins, the Tulum/Xel-Ha trip is the best because you see the ruins but then get to go snorkel the other half of the day at Xel-Ha.

We have been to several islands in the Caribbean and we always miss Cancun because of the quality of the Royal Resorts and the fact that Mexico is a lot cheaper in general. We always feel like we're getting ripped off in other places! On our last trip, we purchased a week at the Royal Islander and we look forward to coming back to Cancun for many years to come! If you stay at the Royal Mayan or the other Royal Resorts, you will come home loving it, too!

4/24/98-Date of Visit: 4/4/98
I just got back from another beautiful vacation at the Royal Mayan.  I have been an owner here since 1987, and the maintenance is so perfect that our resort is actually BETTER now than it was when it was new.  There are small improvements in the bathroom and the kitchen, and new walkways make it more "Handicap-friendly".  The furniture is all brand new.  The service, as always, is extraordinary.  Luis, at the sailboats was very helpful in rescueing my sons, and my beautiful Yugoslavian host for the week, Mila, helped me to avoid mistakes.  Our happiest day was... everyday was happy... our saddest day was the day we had to come back... but we can't wait until it's time to go again next year.  I gave it a perfect 10 when I first gave it my rating... I still have to give it a perfect 10, for the most perfect resort possible, for the greatest vacations we have always had, every year, always... You can see, I love the Royal Mayan!

3/21/98-Date of Visit: 3/14/98
Just returned today from a week at the Royal Mayan. Just two of us old folks at spring break time! Still, the hotel does not encourage spring breakers and have rules that result in quiet dignity within reason.

Rooms are very large, very clean, beautifully decorated and extremely nice. Most have views of ocean--ours had about a 30 degree view very close to beach. Check in and out is very quick and easy. Less than 30' to airport for 120 pesos. Right on the bus line, you can travel anywhere for 3 pesos (37 cents).

Weather was unusually cool, windy and cloudy, but still nice. Rode bikes (free) to ruins, ate hotel brunch ($6.50) and rode bus to very nice restaurants at night.

Staff is friendly and helpful, not too pushy. Restaurant service is among the best I've experienced. They say all three Royal properties there are ranked in top six in world in management and I tend to believe it!

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