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RIVIERA MAYA - Playa Del Carmen, Playacar Complex
VIVA WYNDHAM MAYA - For casual All-Inclusive fun with a great pool and swim-up bar, energetic
staff, great dining, entertainment, and a great price, we loved the WYNDAM Viva Maya,
right in the heart of the Playacar complex in the Riviera. I chose the location because it was
about 45 minutes from Cancun airport, 5 minutes from the town of Playa Del Carmen and the ferry
dock to Cozumel, and 30 minutes to Tulum. The superior ocean view rooms were a must though
- The standard rooms were disappointing - they were a little gloomy, small and the decor was not
updated to my taste. However, our superior ocean view room building was right on the beach, across
from the pool and so I was a hop and skip from the pool bar and beach. If I forgot anything, I
could go back to my room. Very important to an individual using a cane and scooter. As it turned
out, the only time we spent in our rooms were for much needed naps and at bedtime. And when we were
alerted for a hurricane headed our way. But that is a whole other story!
Scuba diving with the house resort, Scuba Caribe proved a fun time at easy depths. Although the
scenery and visibility was certainly not up to par with Cozumel, bundles of huge turtles were seen.
Two cavern dives at Dos Dodos finished off the diving as the rest of the time was spent
beachside.
The Viva Wyndham Maya is a casual resort, with a lobby fronting an outdoor courtyard that would later prove
to be the after 10pm hot-spot. Directly to the left was the main buffet restaurant (wheelchair/scooter accessible)
and to the right, the lobby bar with premium liquor.
Two walkways led to room buildings and the Beach. The walkways were full of animal life such as birds, squirrels
and native and protected Cotamudi. The Cotamudi were most popular and people grouped on the walkways, looking and
snapped picture of these cute protected and swift creatures. An easy walk for most people, the concrete was
wheelchair/scooter handicap accessible all the way to the pool and beachfront. While I was there, I saw two
individuals in wheelchairs, one a young girl.
The main buffet restaurant is a large thatched roofed structure, upstairs so that cooling breezes came in from the
ocean. A long ramp-way enabled me to scooter my way up to the top as there was no elevator. Breakfast satisfied us
all for 10 days. Usually, eggs of many variations were served, plus bacon, several kinds of meats, potatoes, waffles,
breads, rolls, an abundance of fresh fruits such as mangos, guavas, bananas, watermelons, juices and croissants. Lox,
onions, plus items unique to the European breakfast palette like rare beef tartare. I started watching the thin
Italian women eat and tried some of the things they did. I started slathering Nutella, a chocolate and hazelnut spread,
on a Croissant and ate it with hot coffee and ate sliced fruit. I even saw European men eating this stuff. Our waiter
remembered each morning, particularly since we tipped in a no-tipping necessary resort and sat by the door with the breeze,
away from the kitchen heat.
For lunch and dinner, there were always plenty of choices. Chicken, beef, shrimp or fresh grilled fish, rice, potatoes,
salads, cheeses, breads, and my favorite? The made-to-order Pasta Station. I kept a watchful eye on the Italian clients
and how they selected their ingredients and mimicked them. Dinner - we had T-bone steaks one night, lobster, and I am
embarrassed to tell you I ate 2-3 deserts each night. Flan, ice-cream, cakes with fruit fillings or glaze, chocolate cakes,
little éclairs topped with chocolate, chocolate, and.....can we go back?
The pool-side snack-bar was handy to grab grilled burgers, empanadas, tacos, chips, and ice cream for a quick bite to eat at
the pool or beach. By Day 5, I was weary of the burgers, and scootered over to the Buffet for lunch to order the Pasta.
I instantly realized I should have been eating there all week. The European guests were enjoying their lunches, carafes of wine,
and not in the huge hurry that Americans tend to be at meal-time. Oh well, as I hurriedly ate my meal and rejoined my pals I
promised to meet for pool-side bingo. At night, the Pool Bar area turned into the reservations only Mexican restaurant. We
tried it on a night we were tired and feeling like a casual dinner since the Pool Bar was about 50 feet from our rooms. Honestly,
we eat so much Mexican food living in San Diego, it did not stick out in my mind as good or bad.
At Portofino, we dressed up a little and ate beef, seafood salads and a more upscale menu. It was our best meal on property. However,
please be reminded that I don't usually recommend beef in Mexico as it tends to be tough and not the standard US prime restaurant
quality. If I recall correctly, when I inquired, the beef in my meal pictured on the left came from the US or Argentina, was tender,
and did not require a knife to cut it.
Our best dinner surprise by far was the Viva Cafe, located in the town of Playa Del Carmen for which we paid $5 extra each and took a
$6.00 cab into the town. We were treated as VIP guests the moment we walked through the door of this trendy looking establishment with
new decor. We had a 3 course meal. Crème Brulee for desert and I was in heaven.
We even ventured to eat at the Viva Wyndham Azteca, the sister property down the beach. We made reservations for Bambu, the Asian/Japanese
Restaurant and took a cab. I also wanted to check out the resort. Our new Belgium friends agreed to join us for dinner. The lobby was very
nice with Mayan statues in a marble foyer. We stepped into a very trendy looking Asian restaurant with Shoji (rice paper) screens, and an
interesting touch of river pebbles running around the floor. Having worked and managed my parent's Japanese restaurant for over 10 years,
I can tell you it was better than I was expecting. But Japanese food is difficult to get exactly right. Our tempura shrimp and vegetables
were crispy although not made with the traditional batter flour which in their defense is expensive. The Thai Beef salad was quit good with
a lightly spiced sauce. We ordered some vegetarian sushi rolls, California rolls, with avocado, cream cheese, and sprouts wrapped in seaweed.
However, we quickly discovered our new Belgium friends had never eaten Japanese food and this food was exotic to them. So their favorite
dishes were the Thai Beef Salad and the Tempura and white rice. If I went back to the Viva WYNDAM Maya, I would skip this restaurant entirely
unless I was there for an extended stay. On our exit, we previewed the buffet restaurant, and it appeared to be quite small compared to the
huge buffet restaurant we had and the abundance of food we were used to seeing at the Maya. While the courtyard was nice and the property was
more modern, we were still happy with our casual choice.
I have read reviews that indicate people report getting "bored" with the food at Viva Wyndham Maya. We were there 10 days and definitely were
not bored. You absolutely must make reservations at least a day in advance. Hint: I e-mailed before I left and made reservations for the
first couple nights, so as not to have to deal with it upon arrival. As it turns out, one day or the morning of was sufficient. I did not
overhear anyone grumbling about the food while I was there and I observed clientele and most liberally piled their plates high (with the
exception of lithe Italian women!). If you are not accustomed to Mexican food preparation, this may be different for you. This Resort targets
an International clientele and attempts to please a wide variety of palettes. My group of 5 was extremely happy with all the resort and the food,
including my one traveler with gourmet taste buds.
After dinners, we usually stopped in the lobby bar to chat, say hello to new acquaintances, or listen to the variety of live music there. A
wide assortment of premium and domestic liquor was available there. The European crowd started livening up that lobby bar area around 10pm because
the disco opened at 11pm, much later than I could usually stay awake. I never even made it inside to see what it looked like.
So back to my room, which if you recall, I said was a hop and skip from the pool (view from my hallway exit looking out at the pool area). Looking
to my right, the beach and ocean was about 80 feet away. So after the first day, I ignored the insufficient bed lamps (mine tilted asked from
struggling with it), and the too colorful bed covers and the adequate, but small rooms.
We met people there from Belgium, Germany, France, Texas, Palm Spring, literally from all over the world. We had a fun time. My kudos to the front
desk and the entire staff which treated us with courtesy and respect every day.
Superior Room View. Ocean, RIU right next door. The beach 40 feet to the left of my slider window. The white, powdery beach.
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, also known as the Mexican Riviera. 45 minutes outside Cancun.
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RIU PALACE - If glamorous lobbies and chandeliers, manicured grounds with fountains, and rooms with updated furniture are a necessity
for you, the RIU Palace property next door is a stunning choice. However, you will have to walk about 5 minutes to get from your
building to the beach. Environmental regulations prohibit newer hotels from building right up onto the beach. During the week we
were staying at the Viva Wyndam Maya in September 2004, I met a RIU guest who asked me to go back to the hotel with her. We& walked
from my room through the beach. Had I realized how far I had to walk, I would have not gone. Passing the Palace swimming, pool, I saw
a lot of couples in sweet embrace. I also saw several and preparations for weddings.
Starting from the Beach, I am looking from the Beach towards the RIU. Then, I am at up where the sidewalk begins. Then, looking back
over my shoulder, back towards the beach - you can't see the Beach! Looking forward at the same point, the white gazebo areas house the
swimming pools with cute bridges. Past that, the first buildings with rooms.
Struggling along with my cane, I am ready to give up and back but I figure the main lobby has to be right in front.
Wrong. Wishing I had driven my scooter, I am embarrassed. I had to stop and rest several times. Past the long
fountain area on either side, to the main lobby. Finally! So if a short walk from your room to the beach is a priority,
this property may not be for you. However, for sheer luxury, it doesn't seem to miss a beat. I noticed a staff
member combing the cigarettes butts out of ashtrays and the grounds were impeccably manicured.
While my new friend, the RIU Guest was conducting business at the front-desk, I stood next to her. The Front Desk Clerk
inquired why I had a "Viva Wyndam Maya" wristband on. I nicely told him I was with her. Nevertheless, he threatened to have
Security throw me out because we had not come through the front door and "signed in". I was completely aghast. I asked him
could I sign him now? "No". A little heavy-handed policy with a lady with a cane. So don't visit the RIU without signing
in the front door.
As a disabled individual using a cane (and/or a scooter), the RIU Palace would have restricted me from walking back and forth
from my room to the pool and beach like I like to do. Furthermore, the closest a person in a motorized scooter/wheelchair
could have gotten to the beach was at that sidewalk point, looking out towards the palm trees. But if you are not a mobility
challenged person and love the finer touches inside your resort, then this property may be for you.
MORE TO COME!!!!!
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