Paradisus Canun or Paradisus Playa Del Carmen

[mancub]

Has anyone stayed at either of these two resorts using the concierg collection? What are your thoughts on the beaches ,rooms, dinning, entertainment, or other aspects of these resorts? Can anyone compare these resorts?

 

[Dean]

Has anyone stayed at either of these two resorts using the concierg collection? What are your thoughts on the beaches ,rooms, dinning, entertainment, or other aspects of these resorts? Can anyone compare these resorts?

I know a little about the Club Melia (Cancun location) but not a lot, even less about the Playa Del Carmen location. I'd go over to TUG (tug2.net) and ask on the MX board. We tend to stay away from AI options, esp for Cancun or Aruba. For an RCI exchange fees are $125 per person per day for Club Melia at Paradisus Cancun, $159 for a different section. I suspect there are additional charges for the AI through DVC CC as well but am not certain. I'd check to see what the specifics are before you get to involved in planning. You may find it's not worth it since AI's tend to be a value generally for those who take advantage of the activities to the max and/or the drink options.

 

[mancub]

I know a little about the Club Melia (Cancun location) but not a lot, even less about the Playa Del Carmen location. I'd go over to TUG (tug2.net) and ask on the MX board. We tend to stay away from AI options, esp for Cancun or Aruba. For an RCI exchange fees are $125 per person per day for Club Melia at Paradisus Cancun, $159 for a different section. I suspect there are additional charges for the AI through DVC CC as well but am not certain. I'd check to see what the specifics are before you get to involved in planning. You may find it's not worth it since AI's tend to be a value generally for those who take advantage of the activities to the max and/or the drink options.

 

[mancub]

Thank you- every bit of information helps.

 

[Dean]

Thank you- every bit of information helps.

As I noted, I'm not a big fan of AI options. That's for 3 reasons, I like exploring, esp restaurants, and the AI tends to tie you to the resort. In general they are extremely over priced unless one takes advantage of many of the options provided and/or one partakes of a large amount of the alcohol. The third reason is the same reason I tend to avoid buffets and AYCE options, it encourages me to eat too much. Since this is an AI type of resort but offers optional AI in some situations, I'm assuming the AI is both optional and expensive done through the CC. The AI fees are what make exchanges through RCI a very poor deal in general, doubly so for DVC. There may be some nuances through the CC side that offer differences, you just need to know what they are.

Were I personally considering this, here's how I'd approach it. I'd do all of the following:

1. Contact DVC and find out the specifics of the offer including whether it was mandatory AI or optional, what it costs and what's included. I'd also ask about any gotcha's. For example, many AI exchanges require you to pay for the private occupancy such as having to pay for 4 people in a 2 BR even if there were only 2.
2. I'd go to the company website and look for info.
3. I'd go to RCI and look at the info for the resort or any related resorts. Often there are several names/types within one resort.
4. I'd ask on TUG.
5. I'd look at any reviews on TUG, redweeks, etc.
6. I'd look at Trip Advisors. While I find it's a horrible service overall, I think it can be helpful in offering volume if nothign else.
7. I'd do a search. Often travel companies and other such websites have a lot of info on such resorts.
8. I'd try to find any specials for a direct reservation.
9. Lastly, I'd try to find owners at that or similar resorts and rent privately. Often the AI fees are much cheaper with better terms to their guests than other means.

I'm also cautious about doing optional AI's at resorts that are mostly mandatory AI. It can really box one in a corner since they don't make it easiy to not do the AI and frequently don't have kitchens.

 

[mancub]

As I noted, I'm not a big fan of AI options. That's for 3 reasons, I like exploring, esp restaurants, and the AI tends to tie you to the resort. In general they are extremely over priced unless one takes advantage of many of the options provided and/or one partakes of a large amount of the alcohol. The third reason is the same reason I tend to avoid buffets and AYCE options, it encourages me to eat too much. Since this is an AI type of resort but offers optional AI in some situations, I'm assuming the AI is both optional and expensive done through the CC. The AI fees are what make exchanges through RCI a very poor deal in general, doubly so for DVC. There may be some nuances through the CC side that offer differences, you just need to know what they are.

Were I personally considering this, here's how I'd approach it. I'd do all of the following:

1. Contact DVC and find out the specifics of the offer including whether it was mandatory AI or optional, what it costs and what's included. I'd also ask about any gotcha's. For example, many AI exchanges require you to pay for the private occupancy such as having to pay for 4 people in a 2 BR even if there were only 2.
2. I'd go to the company website and look for info.
3. I'd go to RCI and look at the info for the resort or any related resorts. Often there are several names/types within one resort.
4. I'd ask on TUG.
5. I'd look at any reviews on TUG, redweeks, etc.
6. I'd look at Trip Advisors. While I find it's a horrible service overall, I think it can be helpful in offering volume if nothign else.
7. I'd do a search. Often travel companies and other such websites have a lot of info on such resorts.
8. I'd try to find any specials for a direct reservation.
9. Lastly, I'd try to find owners at that or similar resorts and rent privately. Often the AI fees are much cheaper with better terms to their guests than other means.

I'm also cautious about doing optional AI's at resorts that are mostly mandatory AI. It can really box one in a corner since they don't make it easiy to not do the AI and frequently don't have kitchens.

Thank you so much for the information- it is very helpful. I will use the steps you have provided.

 

[Dean]

Thank you so much for the information- it is very helpful. I will use the steps you have provided.

Let us know what you find out, I'm especially interested in the specifics of the CC deal and how the AI fits in.

 

[mancub]

I know a little about the Club Melia (Cancun location) but not a lot, even less about the Playa Del Carmen location. I'd go over to TUG (tug2.net) and ask on the MX board. We tend to stay away from AI options, esp for Cancun or Aruba. For an RCI exchange fees are $125 per person per day for Club Melia at Paradisus Cancun, $159 for a different section. I suspect there are additional charges for the AI through DVC CC as well but am not certain. I'd check to see what the specifics are before you get to involved in planning. You may find it's not worth it since AI's tend to be a value generally for those who take advantage of the activities to the max and/or the drink options.

Will do- I called and member services said that 2016 information is not yet available for that resort. They said to try back in December. I will post again when I find out something.

 

[Dean]

Will do- I called and member services said that 2016 information is not yet available for that resort. They said to try back in December. I will post again when I find out something.

I saw it wasn't on the 2016 list and assumed it was simply not yet renewed contractually. Did they give you the current information?

 

[mancub]

I know a little about the Club Melia (Cancun location) but not a lot, even less about the Playa Del Carmen location. I'd go over to TUG (tug2.net) and ask on the MX board. We tend to stay away from AI options, esp for Cancun or Aruba. For an RCI exchange fees are $125 per person per day for Club Melia at Paradisus Cancun, $159 for a different section. I suspect there are additional charges for the AI through DVC CC as well but am not certain. I'd check to see what the specifics are before you get to involved in planning. You may find it's not worth it since AI's tend to be a value generally for those who take advantage of the activities to the max and/or the drink options.

The only information given was that each adult (Includes children 12 or 14 and over- i cant remember which) must pay 92$ per day A.I. fee. I think last years point chart started at 13 points per day.

 

[Dean]

The only information given was that each adult (Includes children 12 or 14 and over- i cant remember which) must pay 92$ per day A.I. fee. I think last years point chart started at 13 points per day.

So the AI fee is mandatory and not optional?. $700 per person is really not that bad for an AI, I've seen them triple that. The other issue to look at wit an AI is that they vary greatly in quality, what's included and extra charges. Some don't fulfill promises and some are mostly bad buffet's to name 2 areas where issues can occur. Let us know if you find out other information.

 

[mancub]

So the AI fee is mandatory and not optional?. $700 per person is really not that bad for an AI, I've seen them triple that. The other issue to look at wit an AI is that they vary greatly in quality, what's included and extra charges. Some don't fulfill promises and some are mostly bad buffet's to name 2 areas where issues can occur. Let us know if you find out other information.

I will definitely check on the specifics of what is included in the A.I. fees and any extra charges. I will let you know what I find out.