TS Today - Creating a Vision for the Future of Vacation Ownership Issue #96 Nov/Dec, 2007 | Page 22

TimeSharing Today

Page 22

Nov/Dec, 2007

Getting Bumped: Grand
Mayan to Mayan Palace
Nine days prior to his scheduled arrival at Grand Mayan Resort on an exchange, RCI called Gary Cook to let him
know that the resort had cancelled his
reservation because it had oversold their
rooms. Mr. Cook was offered and accepted a unit at the Mayan Palace, but
expressed concern that the resort and unit
may not be of the same quality as that of
the Grand Mayan. Needless to say, he
was not happy.
His report follows:
“The vacation was great, the accommodations were just O.K. I took my parents this time and they like to enjoy the
room as well as the destination. We were
all disappointed especially since the alternative was visible just across the way. The
resort (The Grand Mayan) had the audacity to ask us to a sales presentation for the
side of the resort we were supposed to
stay at. The rooms at the Mayan Palace
are quite a bit older and in much need of
an update compared to the brand new
rooms at the Grand Mayan. There was
quite a difference in how the rooms were
appointed considering they are owned by
the same resort on the same property.
Grand Mayan has a private Jacuzzi on every deck and in every bathroom and other
updated conveniences.
RCI ended up refunding the transfer
fee and redepositing my week. I guess I
can’t complain too much since the accommodations were free but it was still very
aggravating to be switched 7 days before
arrival.
The resort never responded in any
way to my e-mail. When I checked in, I
asked to speak with a supervisor and requested my original reservation. I had the
paperwork for both reservations. They
were confused but the supervisor did try
to call the reservations department to move
me. Unfortunately, there were simply no
rooms available.
I hope RCI doesn’t allow this kind of
thing to happen often. I have a reservation for the Hilton Club in NYC through
RCI. Hopefully they don’t move me to the
Travelodge.”

When TimeSharing Today published
Gary Cook’s experience in TimeSharing
Today Express, a number of subscribers
reported similar experiences.
I would be interested in knowing (and
disappointed if not!) whether he and his
family were given the distinctive wristbands that allowed them to use the Grand
Mayan facilities not generally open to the
Mayan Palace visitors. I only last year
purchased a Grand Mayan week, so this
article caught my eye.
Roger Merle and Ann Meridith
I was booked for the Grand Mayan as
well for Spring Break and received a notice that they are going to accommodate
us in the Mayan Palace instead.
I guess when they are over-booked,
RCI guests go by the wayside.
Arthur
The same thing happened to me just
about the same time frame prior to my l X]