The Grand Mayan at Vidanta Riviera Maya — Hotel in Quintana Roo

Is Vidanta Playa del Carmen Worth the Price? A Look at the Costs of Staying at This Luxury Resort||Vidanta Playa del Carmen is undeniably one of the most luxurious resorts in the Mexican Caribbean. Known for its lush grounds, world-class amenities, and unbeatable location along the Riviera Maya, it’s the type of destination that draws those seeking a premium vacation experience. But with all that luxury comes a hefty price tag. If you're considering a stay at Vidanta, it's important to understand the costs involved and whether the resort’s offerings justify the expense. Here's an honest breakdown of what you can expect to pay and whether Vidanta Playa del Carmen is worth the splurge.||---||Accommodation Costs: How Much Will You Pay for a Night?||The cost of staying at Vidanta Playa del Carmen can vary greatly depending on the type of accommodation you choose and the time of year you visit. Here's a general overview:||1. Room Rates||Vidanta offers a wide range of accommodations, from more modest rooms to extravagant suites. The price varies based on factors like room size, season, and availability.||Grand Mayan Rooms: These are some of the more affordable options, starting at around $300–$500 USD per night for a standard room. These rooms offer ample space, modern amenities, and access to the resort's various pools, restaurants, and activities.||Grand Luxxe Suites: The most luxurious accommodations at Vidanta, the Grand Luxxe suites are truly lavish, featuring private plunge pools, expansive living spaces, and high-end finishes. These suites can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,500 USD per night depending on the season and specific suite type. During peak times, like holidays or high season (December through April), prices can soar even higher.||Exclusive Villas: If you're seeking absolute privacy and top-tier amenities, Vidanta’s villas are the ultimate luxury experience. These can cost upwards of $2,000–$3,000 USD per night, and that's before any additional fees or services.||2. All-Inclusive Packages||Unlike many all-inclusive resorts where the price includes food, drinks, and activities, Vidanta Playa del Carmen doesn’t generally operate on a fully inclusive basis. Instead, most guests will pay for meals, drinks, and activities à la carte. However, some packages might include breakfast or meal credits, so it's worth checking with the resort when booking.||For a standard all-inclusive experience at other resorts, you might expect to pay $100–$200 USD per person per day for food and drinks. While Vidanta doesn’t offer a true all-inclusive model, meal costs can quickly add up, especially when dining at upscale restaurants.||---||Dining: The Cost of Eating at Vidanta||Vidanta Playa del Carmen is home to several high-end restaurants that showcase both local and international cuisines. While the dining experience is top-notch, it does come with a price.||Casual Dining: Meals at more casual spots like La Cantina or the Beach Club can range from $15 to $30 USD per person for lunch or dinner, with drinks adding to the total cost.||Fine Dining: For a more upscale meal at places like Tavola (Italian cuisine) or Trattoria, expect to pay between $50 to $100 USD per person, especially if you’re enjoying a multi-course meal with wine.||In-Room Dining: If you prefer to dine in the comfort of your room, expect higher prices, with entrees typically starting around $20–$40 USD and side dishes or drinks priced similarly.||Beverages: Cocktails and drinks at the resort’s bars and restaurants are also priced on the higher end, often $10–$20 USD per drink, depending on the type of alcohol.||---||Activities and Amenities: Hidden Costs to Consider||While Vidanta Playa del Carmen offers an impressive array of amenities, many activities come with additional costs that might catch you by surprise.||1. Golf||Vidanta is known for its Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, which offers a beautiful yet challenging round. Green fees typically range from $150 to $250 USD per round, with additional charges for golf cart rentals, club rentals, and other amenities. If you're staying at a higher-tier room, you might receive discounts, but golf is undeniably a splurge activity.||2. Spa and Wellness||The resort’s Brio Spa is renowned for its luxurious treatments, but you’ll pay for that indulgence. Massages and facials range from $100 to $300 USD depending on the treatment. Special packages, such as couple’s massages or extended treatments, can cost even more.||3. Excursions and Day Trips||Vidanta offers various excursions, from trips to nearby Mayan ruins like Tulum or Coba, to activities like snorkeling or visiting cenotes. These excursions often come at a premium, with costs ranging from $50 to $200 USD per person. Some excursions may offer a group discount, but private tours are typically on the more expensive end.||---||Peak vs. Off-Peak Seasons: Timing Can Impact Prices||One of the biggest factors affecting the cost of staying at Vidanta Playa del Carmen is the time of year. Like most resorts in the region, prices tend to fluctuate depending on the season.||Peak Season (December to April): During this period, Vidanta Playa del Carmen sees its highest prices. The resort is particularly popular during major holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, and Spring Break. During these months, rates can spike by as much as 30-50%, and availability may be limited, especially in the higher-end suites.||Off-Peak Season (May to November): If you’re looking to save, traveling during the off-peak months can result in significant savings. Rates for rooms may drop by 20-40%, making it a great time for those seeking a more affordable luxury experience. However, keep in mind that the weather can be hotter and more humid, and hurricane season (June to October) brings a higher chance of rain.||---||Overall Value: Is Vidanta Playa del Carmen Worth It?||So, is Vidanta Playa del Carmen worth the price? That depends on what you're looking for in a vacation.||If you're seeking an ultra-luxurious resort with exceptional service, top-notch amenities, and a wide range of activities, Vidanta offers a truly special experience. The resort's serene atmosphere, stunning accommodations, and premium dining and spa offerings make it one of the best in the region.||However, for those on a budget or seeking a more affordable all-inclusive experience, the costs can add up quickly. With meals, activities, and resort fees on top of the nightly rates, Vidanta can be a significant financial investment.||Ultimately, Vidanta Playa del Carmen caters to those willing to spend more for an exclusive and high-end experience. If you're looking for luxury and don't mind the price tag, this resort is a great choice. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, you may want to explore other resorts...

My wife and I were gifted a timeshare for our mini-moon. We were appreciative of the gift but to be candid, our experience here was miserable.

We booked through RCI during a “no resort fee” promotion. We were very excited after a stressful wedding planning process – sit by a pool, relax, have a few drinks – do nothing!

When we arrived, we were informed we had to pay a resort fee ($900). Since the timeshare was a gift, we ended up having to pay the fee – READ THE FINE PRINT. Additionally, even though a one-bedroom resort fee through RCI is typically $600, since we were at Vidanta Riviera Maya, it was $900 due to the “quality” of the resort. It was an incredibly frustrating surprise at check-in after a long day of travel.

The resort is massive; it basically feels like you’re at Disney World. You must take gas-powered shuttles everywhere (they stink like diesel fuel - feels like you are breathing in fumes). Typically you wait with a group of 6-12 people at what feels like a bus stop to then join a packed shuttle. Ultimately, we decided to walk everywhere to avoid the experience. To walk anywhere from our room, it was a minimum 15-minute walk that was incredibly confusing, we had to rely on the Vidanta app to figure out which direction to go.

Let’s get into our stay - once we got settled, we went to our first dinner. I ordered two tacos, my wife ordered one sushi roll, we each had a margarita, and we split chips and guacamole – it was $105. Most importantly, the food is average at best and its significantly overpriced. It feels like cruise/airplane food, everything is bland, probably from a massive frozen food distribution company. Luckily, we rented a car and were able to take a trip to Walmart to get food and drinks. HIGHLY recommend this!! We overhead multiple guests trying to find a way to a local grocery store.

On our third day, we opted into a Timeshare Presentation – THIS WAS A MASSIVE MISTAKE. During our check-in process at the resort, a staff member explained that if we if we sat through an hour-long presentation, we’d receive 10% off all transactions during our stay. Before committing, we confirmed that there would be zero expectation of commitment if we attended. We went to our presentation - our rep took us to a meal, toured a few areas, and then eventually sat down to discuss investment options. Our sales rep was kind during the first part of our meeting…until we expressed that we were not interested in additional timeshares or their "worldwide" online booking platform. We were persistent and our sales rep became very frustrated and rude, it turned hostile, saying things like “why did you take this meeting, was it just for the 10% discount?!” (Yes, it was it for exactly that reason). HERE IS WHERE IT GOT MISERABLE, after we consistently and politely said, “no thank you," we thought we’d be done, move on and enjoy our day by the pool – NOPE!! Another sales rep came and tried to pitch us, then another, and THEN ANOTHER!! Yes, four people tried to pitch us, four separate times. By the fourth attempt, we were incredibly frustrated and essentially got up and walked out. It ruined our entire day.

After the resort fee fiasco, the overpriced, average food, the difficult onsite commutes, and the timeshare presentation, we ended up leaving after our third day, drove further south to Tulum for a few nights and had an absolute blast. If you do decide to go here, set your expectations on the experience and how much money you'll be spending, be incredibly patient, and expect bad customer service.

Some final thoughts: AC in room was very loud. Shuttles are loud as they buzz by your room during all hours of the day. We waited over an hour for staff to pick up our luggage from our room as we exited the resort. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE VACATION FELT LIKE A COMPETITION - us versus the staff and the pricing. It's a place that tries to take as much money from you as possible and when you have a compliant or push back on charges, the staff doesn't take a customer-first mentality.

BEWARE – THIS...

Pros: The resort is beautiful! Shuttles and taxis were reliable. We also really enjoyed Diego and others’ pool-side fitness classes! Finally, the supervisor named Teresa in Mayan Palace was fantastic and receptive when we needed assistance, or when we had difficulties. However, she was only called to help on our last day of a two week holiday.

Cons: Unfortunately, these outweigh the pros.

We were a group of four women, and very often felt patronised and not respected by the male staff. For example (one of many), on our last night we are at Havana Moon, and were waited on by Omar. He was rude and impatient with us, hurrying us along and treating us condescendingly. He also conned/tried to con us out of money. He added 1000 pesos extra onto our bill (which was 2000 pesos total, so he added around 50% onto our bill!). Also, I ordered a domestic beer for 110 pesos, and sought his reassurance that the one he suggested cost that much. He told me it did but when the bill came, it was listed as 195 pesos. On our first day, we accidentally sat in a cabana you are supposed to book. We were told we could use it if we paid a cover of 350 pesos, which we could make up in food and drink orders. However, once we had done so by ordering at the bar, we were told it was table services only and they asked for 450 pesos. This is of course an okay policy, but we found the communication and changes in price challenging. We found that often, staff would not communicate their rules or procedures, but then be annoyed or angry with us if we hadn’t followed their rules. For example, we booked a 9am shuttle and were told to be at the Central Lobby at 8.45am. They did not explain we would need a receipt the next day. We got to the Mayan Palace lobby at 8.30am. However, it took the staff a very long time to settle our bill, plus ask for a receipt after the fact as we had not been told to do this prior. We also weren’t sure of the procedures with luggage, or where to find the shuttle. For all of this, the staff were incredibly frustrated at us, making us feel like naughty children. We are polite, never are rude to staff, and try to remain kind to all. However they did not return this to us! There are flat taxi rates to go to Cancun- 800 pesos. However, our driver insisted on us paying 900 pesos when we arrived at the other end, saying that was his rate. He became quite hostile about this. There is a sign saying turtles are released at sunset, but when asked we were told many conflicting stories about how to find out which days, etc. They continued to say it was happening, but couldn’t tell us when or where. However, eventually we were told that the turtles aren’t released when the public are there. This is of course fine! However, the lying/fobbing off was really frustrating. The resort is very expensive, and many things are added on that are not mentioned prior, such as daily tax and a charity fee (and they were not specific about where this fee went). When things went wrong, we attempted to let people know without being harsh or rude. We expected to have staff communicate with us. For example, the salon had not done one of our group’s nails correctly (they were badly chipped) and they expected it to be fixed. However, staff members lied about the issues, and made out this person to be irrational and having no right to complain- in this case, they said that she had simply not liked the colour. In many cases, it felt as if staff did not take any issues seriously and attempted to avoid them by lying or ignoring us. Another example along these lines was when we were not given a room that we had requested when booking; we accepted this for the time being and were told they would call us on Monday with information on moving. However, they did not. When we brought this up the staff told a different story to what happened, missing out this conversation.

Overall, we all came away feeling quite stressed and as if we were constantly being scammed or lied to- not great customer service and certainly...