Booking Royal Sands Cancun through RCI

[mark201235]

We will be taking a trip to Cancun the first week of June and I'm looking into some options. One of which is booking two units via RCI Extra Vacations at Royal Sands (#D051). I currently have two units on hold, a one bedroom and a hotel unit. In looking at the floor plans it looks like they will make up the 2 BR unit. It's about $500 for both units and it lists $84/per person per day AI fee. So it would end up being about $3000 for the five of us as we would only be staying six days. I checked some third party websites and I can't find one that beats that price. (Don't need the air part as we are flying Southwest using points and companion pass). I know that using RCI for AI's is a lot of time not a good deal, but this one seems to be. Am I missing anything here? Also, has anyone had experience with booking two separate units like this and having luck with the resort putting them together as a lockout? Appreciate the help and insight.

Mark

 

[buzglyd]

If you rent from an owner you don’t have to do AI.

You have the option to choose it but not required.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

....two units via RCI Extra Vacations at Royal Sands (#D051).
...have two units on hold, a one bedroom and a hotel unit. ....... they will make up the 2 BR unit.
It's about $500 for both units and it lists $84/per person per day AI fee.
Mark

The owner AI cost is (I believe) — $69 pp/ pd .
But the MF is around $ 1150 - 2 bedroom. / your last call is less - likely because it is a developer deposit .

My only question is will you have a combined unit at check in or could you end up on different floors .with this . (June is likely a lower occupancy month since it is after snowbird season and before school summer vacation - so it would seem possible that the front desk could find you 2 units / and you have a two bedroom.
I regularly see TUG Marketplace owner rentals for the studio side - so I would assume a 2 bedroom lock-off is the standard unit format .

Net / Net - it could be a good enough deal to go with .

If you rent from an owner you don’t have to do AI.
You have the option to choose it but not required.

I think you can do a 3 day minimum AI / when renting through an owner .

A friend owns Royal Sands / points program .
We discussed usage & so I am posting from memory .

 

[buzglyd]

The units are lockout units so it’s possible they could combine the two. It probably depends on how busy they are.

You can do a three day minimum AI if you rent from an owner. They must be consecutive. We did the three days when we first arrived. It allowed us to enjoy the resort without running around. We were happy we only did three because the food is just average.

Wonderful resort in a great location. I would go back for sure renting from an owner.

 

[mark201235]

Thank you both for your responses. We definitely want to do the all-inclusive. Wouldn’t be a huge deal if the units were not together, although would be nice. We are traveling with our adult daughters and two-year-old granddaughter. Are there any advantages or perks renting directly from an owner? And are exchangers allowed to use facilities and restaurants at other Royal resorts in the area?

 

[ilene13]

We own at the Royal Sands and we just returned from there. I would never do the AI as there are excellent restaurants within walking distance of the resort. I would call the resort and tell them that you have the two nits and you would like to convert them into a full villa. They will probably accommodate you. The biggest perk of renting from an owner is no AI or if you do the AI it is $69/day. Also owners can do it for a 4 day minimum. Yes, you may use the facilities at the sister resorts.

 

[mark201235]

I was doing some RCI searches last night and found a 2 BR unit for my dates. Fortunately, the hold for the two separate units was to expire last night so I was able to let them go. Now, we will all be together and it saves some $$ on the Extra Vacation fees as well. It states on the RCI website that there is a minimum of 4 nights AI required, which sounds the same as with owners (although I realize that owners don't have to do the AI at all).

 

[AnnaS]

We exchanged to the Royal Sands many years ago before they went AI. I would also agree with previous poster/s - there are so many nice restaurants to choose from and close by. It's great if you want to stay put of course.

If Concierge tries to convince you to go to the presentation - and it's just a few minutes, beware if you are not interested in buying. It was the only timeshare presentation I have ever attended and boy were they high pressure...........I did not want to go and said no a hundred times. It was one of the times that hubby convinced me to go - almost felt bad for our "concierge" guy.......big mistake. Never again will someone convince me to attend any presentation.

The resort is beautiful and we had a great time. I loved how they policed the chairs/lounge chairs/tables by the pool.

Enjoy!!!!!