The Grand Mayan at Vidanta Acapulco

The Grand Mayan entrance certainly lives up to its name with its imposing pillars and towering Mayan-inspired stone tablets. Unfortunately, this is essentially where the resort’s intriguing Mayan theme both begins and ends, and while the property is opulent, it's also bland. 

The Grand can be a little complicated to navigate at first, with the Grand Mayan blending into part of the Mayan Palace and a second section of the Mayan Palace found on the opposite side of the grounds. Free shuttles are available to transport guests to the many pools and restaurants spread around various areas of the property.

The Grand Mayan is part of Vida Vacations, a vacation ownership company that offers members access to a collection of resorts across Mexico. Non-members are also able to book rooms at the Grand Mayan, but priority is given to members of the time share. Not surprisingly, retirees comprise a sizable portion of the guests, although it's also popular with large families as spacious, multi-bedroom units are available.

The Grand Mayan Acapulco is set in the Diamante district, on the southern edge of the city. With a shuttle required just to reach the gated entrance of the hotel’s sprawling property, it’s not practical to walk to any nearby attractions or dining options. The hotel backs onto Playa Diamante, and Playa Puerto Marques can be reached in a 15-minute drive. The shops and restaurants of La Isla Acapulco Shopping Village are a 10-minute drive away, and it's less than a 15-minute drive to Acapulco International Airport.

Guest rooms at the Grand Mayan Acapulco are contemporary and bright. Burnt-orange accent pillows and bold artwork add life to the neutral color scheme of light woods and beige fabrics. Chic, round-back easy chairs are tucked on either side of dressers topped with flat-screen TVs. All rooms include round jetted tubs as well as long sofa beds. Safes, irons and ironing boards, and bathrobes come standard. Large terraces are furnished with lounge chairs, and most offer views over the hotel’s large pool and the coast. Suites include private plunge pools, as well as separate dining areas and full kitchens complete with dishes and cooking utensils. Bathrooms feature long countertops with double sinks, bio2 bath products, and vanity mirrors. Light marble-tiled showers are separated from the toilets.

Features at the Grand Mayan Acapulco are intended for full-blown relaxation with little need to leave the grounds. The hotel’s large, beautiful pool is surrounded by a concrete deck dotted with sophisticated white lounge chairs and umbrellas. A graceful wooden bridge arches across the pool, connecting it to a winding lazy river. The pool and lazy river are both bordered by palm trees and other lush greenery, and there's an upper wooden deck furnished with lovely daybeds sheltered by breezy canopies. The poolside Si Snack Bar offers light meals on a simple, open-air wooden deck. There's also a large board where staff post the schedules of available group activities.

A path leads from the pool to the hotel’s soft, beige-sand beach. Palapa shelters with patio chairs face toward gorgeous, uninterrupted views of the ocean. Although vendors occasionally solicit guests, Playa Diamante is significantly less crowded than the beaches found along Acapulco Bay. 

Cafe del Lago is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with seating offered in the restaurant’s appealing earth-toned interior or out on an understated terrace overlooking landscaped grounds. Cafe del Lago’s gold-and-white checkered floor tiling is repeated at Mondo, the hotel’s other restaurant. Mondo’s unfussy dining area includes cozy nooks with coffee tables and sofas. Open for dinner and drinks, the restaurant also encompasses a modern lounge area decorated in deep purples and reds.

The hotel’s swish Brio Spa offers facials, body treatments, and massages. And the adjacent Brio Fitness Center features an extensive selection of free weights, ellipticals, and exercise bikes, as well as strength-training equipment. The large center includes separate cardio and weight rooms stocked with self-serve lemon water. A large game room offers a variety of arcade games, and colorful kid-sized tables. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, for a fee.

Guests can also use the facilities of the Mayan Palace resort, which include another pool, water park, additional restaurants, and an 18-hole golf course. The Mayan Palace is set on the same expansive grounds as the Grand Mayan, with shuttles available to transport guests around the property.