The Grand Mayan

It's a much smaller resort than the other Vidantas, and the atmosphere here feels quite different. You can cross the street on foot for shops and restaurants, with plenty nearby to explore by Uber or rental car. The chef was really kind and baked us a birthday cake. Service was amazing, as it usually is at Vidanta, and the women at the spa were especially attentive. We had a great time and will definitely come back.

The room we were given was in rough shape, with a chipped plunge pool and a blocked, unpleasant view. As long-time owners, we found that unacceptable. We came back expecting a better visit because the sales team had assured us things would be different after our last stay, when the food and service were poor. Instead, the promises weren't honored and we were met with pressure and little accountability. Before returning, we were promised a total resort fee of $50 for the week, plus meals, massages, and breakfast, and were told there'd be no sales presentations or pressure. At check-in, staff challenged the written agreement even after we showed and emailed the documentation. We had to argue just to get what had been confirmed. Then we were pushed to attend an “owner ranking” meeting at the new location and told our room assignment depended on it, directly contradicting what we'd been told before the trip. The whole experience felt misleading at best and dishonest at worst. For a brand that presents itself as high-end, this treatment was extremely disappointing.

This place is very expensive. A burger and beers for two came to $150 US. I'd save the money and go to Cuba. We also had a dirty room, no hot water when we needed it, and no tub. I had to clean myself and showed the guest manager photos of how bad it was. He said he wanted to make things right and would call, but never followed up. When he later saw us in the lobby, he avoided us. We were told the room issue was in the computer system and an easy fix, yet nothing was done. We normally spend a good amount for a month away and get a decent room with a view; that wasn't our experience here. An ocean view isn't guaranteed. The sales pitch from Carlos in timeshare sales was aggressive, threatening, and scary. I felt very unsafe and wanted to report him to the timeshare people. We told the guest manager, who said he filed a report, but the customer service representative in the meeting called Carlos “a douce bag.” I wondered why he hadn't spoken up for us. I worry about older guests being threatened or treated this way. We had no hot water and called for help; they said someone was coming, but nobody came. The standard response was to say they were sorry and would make it better, but they didn't. It's a very expensive stay, and I would be wary.

We especially liked how easy it was to leave the property and walk to the supermarket or downtown San Jose. The local climate and culture are part of what makes this place different from Riviera Maya and Nuevo Vallarta. We felt safe walking around, and the Thursday night Art Walk is a must. The Estuary is within walking distance, Santa Maria beach needs a taxi, and the grocery store is only .85 miles away, an easy walk with a backpack. There are plenty of restaurants across the street and downtown; Open Table made reservations easy, and prices were fair. This was our second visit to the Los Cabos location, 13 years after the first. We spent eight days there and enjoyed its small, quaint feel and uncrowded grounds. The weather was wonderful, and the hot tubs and infinity pool were comfortably warm. Staff across the property were attentive and went beyond what we expected. Manny and his Joy Squad colleagues were a highlight, as were Lucino and Angel at the pool. Didier was great at checkout, and the Samba staff, including Christian and Alfredo, were amazing. We always tip extra because the staff work so hard and are paid very little by comparison. The property is quite different from the Riviera Maya and Nuevo Vallarta locations, and that difference is part of its appeal. It's unfortunate when people miss the beauty of it. The Thursday Art Walk is a must, and walking around felt very safe. The grocery store is .85 miles away, easy to reach with a backpack, and there are many restaurants nearby and downtown. Open Table is simple to use for reservations, and prices are fair. Do not go to any presentations. It's not worth it.