- Joined
- Jul 28, 2005
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- 1,121
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We just returned 11/10 from our first non-Marriott trade, a week in a one bedroom at the Royal Islander. The unit was located on the top, eight, floor with a beautiful view of the pools and the marvelous blue ocean.
I agree with many of the positive comments made about the Royals. The staff were very, very friendly and helpful. The units and the grounds are immaculate. There seems to be a great deal of loyalty among both staff and owners.
On the downside we found the unit to be dated. The kitchen appears not to have changed since the 1993 when the Islander opened. The two TVs were tiny, but the bedroom was large and hosted a king size bed. The furniture seems to be verging on shabby although I admit that the light colors used may only give that impression. Smoking is allowed on the grounds, and although most people don't smoke there were enough cigarette and cigar smokers to be bothersome.
The beaches at all three locations are pretty minimal. The hurricanes and the recent tropical storm have done a job on the them. The Sands has the best beach but the water has undercut it creating a drop of over a foot from one part of the beach to the other. The water was rough, and red flags were out all seven days. We were told that the beaches will grow back when the seasons change.
The food was good, although the main restaurant at the Islander was only passable. We ate at the Captain's Cove twice. The food and service were excellent as was the ambiance on the open-air deck. Keep an eye out for the crocodiles that swim right up to the deck. The restaurant's bar is named after them. Those staying at the Royals get a 10% discount, and the charge is added on to their room bill. Try the hogfish. I liked it better than the grouper, which is a ubiquitous menu item in Cancun. If you intend to cook in the room the mini-market in the building will not be sufficient. Plan on a trip to the Walmart. Give yourself up to three hours to get out of Cancun if you are leaving on a Saturday. Lots and lots and lots of people and long lines.
We took the tour of the Royal Haciendas; a very large complex. They are only four floors high because of local zoning requirements. Nicely decorated and finished; very colorful. The ocean front restaurant was great. The beach was much bigger than in Cancun, but there still were rocks and the red flags were out.
The prices are much too expensive ranging from a low of $31,300 for a second or third floor ocean view "Flexivilla" weeks 37-42 to $121,400 for week 52 in a penthouse beach front deluxe. This is for phase four which will not have occupancy until 2010. They wanted 25% down immediately and with the rest paid off within a year or over 60 months at 15% interest.
We indicated that we weren't interested, and the salesperson came back with two options in the current units; one for $24,660 for week 38 and the other for $28,800 for week 44. We had no real interest in those either so he came back with an every other year for $14,220, which we were not interested in either. I must say he was pleasant but persistent.
Finally, I don't really understand the Royal system. It seems that Royals retain ownership and unlike the Marriott there is no real HOA, which retains Marriott as the management company. I also have difficulty understanding the 30-year buy back (50 years!!! at the Haciendas.) Does the owner of record get the price the unit originally sold for when the facility was new, and then you have to buy it back at a higher price? Why would anyone buy a Royal that was nearing the end of its usage?
We did enjoy our trip and would visit again.
I agree with many of the positive comments made about the Royals. The staff were very, very friendly and helpful. The units and the grounds are immaculate. There seems to be a great deal of loyalty among both staff and owners.
On the downside we found the unit to be dated. The kitchen appears not to have changed since the 1993 when the Islander opened. The two TVs were tiny, but the bedroom was large and hosted a king size bed. The furniture seems to be verging on shabby although I admit that the light colors used may only give that impression. Smoking is allowed on the grounds, and although most people don't smoke there were enough cigarette and cigar smokers to be bothersome.
The beaches at all three locations are pretty minimal. The hurricanes and the recent tropical storm have done a job on the them. The Sands has the best beach but the water has undercut it creating a drop of over a foot from one part of the beach to the other. The water was rough, and red flags were out all seven days. We were told that the beaches will grow back when the seasons change.
The food was good, although the main restaurant at the Islander was only passable. We ate at the Captain's Cove twice. The food and service were excellent as was the ambiance on the open-air deck. Keep an eye out for the crocodiles that swim right up to the deck. The restaurant's bar is named after them. Those staying at the Royals get a 10% discount, and the charge is added on to their room bill. Try the hogfish. I liked it better than the grouper, which is a ubiquitous menu item in Cancun. If you intend to cook in the room the mini-market in the building will not be sufficient. Plan on a trip to the Walmart. Give yourself up to three hours to get out of Cancun if you are leaving on a Saturday. Lots and lots and lots of people and long lines.
We took the tour of the Royal Haciendas; a very large complex. They are only four floors high because of local zoning requirements. Nicely decorated and finished; very colorful. The ocean front restaurant was great. The beach was much bigger than in Cancun, but there still were rocks and the red flags were out.
The prices are much too expensive ranging from a low of $31,300 for a second or third floor ocean view "Flexivilla" weeks 37-42 to $121,400 for week 52 in a penthouse beach front deluxe. This is for phase four which will not have occupancy until 2010. They wanted 25% down immediately and with the rest paid off within a year or over 60 months at 15% interest.
We indicated that we weren't interested, and the salesperson came back with two options in the current units; one for $24,660 for week 38 and the other for $28,800 for week 44. We had no real interest in those either so he came back with an every other year for $14,220, which we were not interested in either. I must say he was pleasant but persistent.
Finally, I don't really understand the Royal system. It seems that Royals retain ownership and unlike the Marriott there is no real HOA, which retains Marriott as the management company. I also have difficulty understanding the 30-year buy back (50 years!!! at the Haciendas.) Does the owner of record get the price the unit originally sold for when the facility was new, and then you have to buy it back at a higher price? Why would anyone buy a Royal that was nearing the end of its usage?
We did enjoy our trip and would visit again.
