Complaint Review: Vida Vacations - Nuevo Vallarta

Vidanta Resorts (Vida Vacations) operates the following resort brands (in descending order): Grand Luxxe, Grand Bliss, the Bliss, Grand Mayan, Mayan Palace, and Sea Garden.  The company operates resorts in Acapulco, Los Cabos, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Penesco.  The company has been operating for more than 40 years.

In 2007 I purchased a foreclosed timeshare at the Mayan Palace.  I don't know why, but I assumed it was a 3 star resort and not in the best of repair.  Thus, I never vacationed at the Mayan Palace, but used my membership for exchanges.  I owned several other timeshares.  In February 2010 I traveled to Nuevo Vallarta and stayed at Rancho Banderas.  During that week I attended a timeshare presentation at Vida Vacations (which is the timeshare sales subsidiary of Vidanta).  Carlos, my salesman was a delightful man, and his Son also works in the same office.  I never told Carlos during that visit that I was already an owner at Mayan Palace, and apparently their computer system did not match my sales interest with my ownership.  After several hours, I agreed to purchase a Grand Mayan foreclosed studio, increasing my timeshare portfolio. Six weeks later I vacationed at the Grand Mayan in Puerto Penasco, and was encouraged to attend a member update.  I wondered what could be new in 6 weeks?  Eventually, to depart from the presentation, I agreed to consolidate my Mayan Palace and the Grand Mayan membership to a Grand Bliss membership (Vidanta does not have a Grand Bliss in Puerto Penasco, but I remembered seeing the model in Nuevo Vallarta.  I immediately had buyer's remorse.  I departed the resort about 6:30 AM on the 5th day, so I could return to the United States to mail my letter to cancel the purchased Grand Bliss membership.  I arrived in Needles California about 3:15 PM, and mailed the letter to Vidanta in Puerto Vallarta.  

About 2 years later, I again attended an upgrade presentation and this time did consolidate the Grand Mayan and Mayan Palace into a Grand Bliss membership.  During that visit I saw Carlos and told him about my consolidation and upgrade.  He said maybe someday I could further consolidate my memberships.  

About 3 years later, I returned to Vidanta in Nuevo Vallarta and attended another timeshare upgrade presentation, this time to the Grand Luxxe.  This purchase involved trading-in 3 timeshares: Condominio Solamar Inn (Mazatlan), Westgate Towers (Kissimmee), and Bel Air Collection (Mexico).  Later, I bought-back the Solamar Inn, as it would have been too costly to transfer ownership.  

Finally, just 10 months after the Grand Luxxe upgrade I was in Playa del Carmen and attended another upgrade presentation. Max sold me another Grand Luxxe membership, and I had remorse even during the sale.  As soon as I returned home I prepared the letter to cancel the transaction.  This occurred only 10 months after the first Grand Luxxe purchase.  Then, believe it or not, I was back at Vidanta in Nuevo Vallarta 3 weeks after the Playa del Carmen encounter, and the Concierge again wanted me to attend an upgrade presentation -- I declined.  The Front Desk clerk first told me my unit was not yet cleaned.  Then about 3 hours later he said they had over-booked, so I was upgraded to the Grand Luxxe from the Grand Bliss.

Vidanta has beautiful resorts, and I spend months planning each visit.  The maintenance fees are too high in my opinion.  I believe the maintenance fees should be slashed by about 1/3 AND Vidanta should impose a Resort Fee of about $175 per week per person over 14 and $75 per week per person under 14.  I think this would be a more equitable solution.  I also believe Vidanta Resorts should establish a Members Advisory Council and all resort policies should be reviewed by this group.

You get what you pay for.  So don't expect Motel 6 prices at a 5 star resort.  The food is delicious and reasonably priced.  The drinks are the best I have ever had in Mexico.  I just believe Blackberry Mojitos and other drinks should be available at all Vidanta Resorts.  The entertainment is unmatched anywhere in Mexico.  Each visit is truly a delight.

Owners should not always be asked to attend an upgrade presentation.  Invitations should not occur more than once every 18 months.  I also do not believe the Grand Bliss was not available during my January 2017 visit to Nuevo Vallarta. How can reservations confirm a reservation if no units are available?  I think the non-availability was a lie, as the Desk Clerk and the Concierge wanted me to attend another upgrade presentation (which I declined).