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Gran Melia Cancun Thxgiving 2006

swsc16

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Hi everybody,
I've been reading TUG since early this year, and I've learned a lot here. I'm about to do my very first exchange, and I need some help or feedback. We want to go to Cancun this coming Thxgiving (11/18-11/25). I've been doing an online search I think since July, although I haven't put in an ongoing search. All resorts that are coming are Mandatory AI, and I'm not yet a fan of Mandatory AIs (maybe in the future). This will be our very FIRST trip to Cancun and we are very excited to go.

Today I was surprised to see an exchange Gran Melia for those exact dates 11/18 - 11/25, Hotel Unit (it didn't say Mandatory AI), and I immediately placed it on hold (I'm so anxious though, cause I have to make a decision by tom.)
1) Can you give me a feedback on this resort? I've done a lot of surfing, and it seems to be really good. I read all the Tripadvisor reviews for 2006, and I also read the TUG Resort Reviews (though the most recent one on TUG was 2004 I think).
2) We all know Cancun is always on Last Call. And considering expensive airfare (I now see $566 from LAX 1 stop), and it's for THXGIVING, is it wise to count on Last Call? Are we going to get the same quality resorts (Gran Melia) on Last Call?
3) Or should I wait some more, and count on getting better exchanges? I'm worried that I don't have a strong Trading Power to pull top-notch Cancun resorts but without Mandatory AIs, or just Optional is fine.
4) We are a couple on our 30s, and have a 3yo toddler (and I'll be possibly pregnant by then LOL ). We actually prefer a studio, but we can do with a hotel unit if the resort is top-notch. Is the hotel kid-friendly? Is the beach swimmable, esp for kids? Is there a kids activity program or babysitting? What are the bests and worsts on this resort? I'm planning to call the 800# for Melia to ask these questions, but I hope that I can also here some expert advise from some of you here?

THANK YOU very much in advance!!!
 

tonyg

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Acadia Village Resort
During high demand times about all you will see in Cancun is AI. The demand for AI is not high as you can probably book the same thing cheaper through a large travel outlet. As far as the Melia goes, the only negative I ever heard was that the owners there were a bit snootty. It even has a mini-golf course between the buildings and the main road. It would be one of first choices I would take if I couldn't get a Royal. A hotel unit may be a bit cramped and inconvenient for me though.
 

Barbara

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Hi, and welcome to timesharing!
I do not know anything about this resort but I do know about traveling with children. A hotel unit is very inconvenient with a child.
I prefer a 1 bedroom or a studio if the child is a good sleeper.
I would suggest putting in an ongoing search for a non AI 1 bedroom before accepting this hotel unit. You may catch a late deposit or a cancellation.

We will be in Cancun Thanksgiving week also for our first time in Cancun. We got better flight prices by not flying on the Thanksgiving weekends. We will be flying back on a Monday and staying in a hotel for 2 days.

I don't know if this would help you but I checked the II getaways and at this point they have the following for that week:
Imperial Fiesta Club at Casa Maya • CCM
Cancun , QR , XICO

Resort Details & Photos

Gold
Member Interval
Member Average Nightly
Rate From
Nov 18 2006 - Nov 25 2006 0 2 2 $474.00
$444.00 $499.00
$469.00 $67.71
$63.43
Nov 18 2006 - Nov 25 2006 1 4 4 $644.00
$614.00 $669.00
$639.00 $92.00
$87.71
Nov 18 2006 - Nov 25 2006 2 6 6 $874.00
$844.00 $899.00
$869.00 $124.86
$120.57


Hope this helps you. Best Wishes and Happy Vacationing!
 

swsc16

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Thanks for your replies!
I had some hesitation in getting a hotel unit, although it was a reluctant hesitation :confused: (if that's how you call it). So I released Gran Melia HU, and immediately found another week at Imperial Fiesta Club at Casa Maya for a 1BR! So I put this one on hold right away (after seeing that Sol Melia was not there anymore).
I've done a lot of reading on Casa Maya, and it seems to be a lesser quality resort than Sol Melia.
So now I'm really confused, should I get a Hotel Unit at Gran Melia (assuming I can still pull it again) or a 1BR at Casa Maya?? :confused: :confused:

Thanks again....... By the way, I confirmed and paid for my airfare today. Cheaptickets.com gave me $451/pp from LAX (1 stop) :clap:
 

nana7

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Casa Maya is an older place but I think it has been kept up. The beach will be very good with a child, no big waves to worry about. It is right next to VCI and a good location. I would stay there if I couldnt get a Royal.
 

pittle

TUG Review Crew
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Casa Maya has big rooms. It is older, but very nice and the beach is better for small children there. We stayed there once and really liked it.
 

Monica

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gran melia

I would pick the Gran Melia. I've never seen it before come up. I finally bought Gran Melia so I could stay there sometimes (not from there, though, as it has a 10% fee for resales based on original price of the contract). I would call and find out if it is a true hotel unit, or a unit w/ the small (SMALL) kitchen facilities (toaster, coffee maker, mini-frig). They've remodeled the entire facility; it even has flat-screen tv's. I'm headed there in less than 3 weeks and can't wait! I'll give a review when I return.

It is huge, BYW. Much larger than Casa Maya, but so beautiful, esp the beach.
 
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