Hello all!! D&A here, we're new to this forum but we're also planning our first trip to Temptation Cancun, which we're very much looking forward to. We haven't set exact dates yet (we were hoping to swing a spur of the moment trip this week/weekend for David's birthday on the 9th but it didn't work out) but we've been reading up on everything it has to offer. We keep seeing the member/non-member conversations, obviously we're non-members so we're wondering if there's major downfalls to it, like no chairs at the pool, something like that. We'll likely spend most of our time in the pool mingling but doesn't hurt to ask. Looking forward to getting to know y'all!
No major downfalls for us. Yes chairs at the pool can be difficult to get, but we have never been ones to want to lounge by the pool anyway, we mingle in the pool all day. If you get tired of standing there are generally seats at the bar or on the side of the pool, etc. We just put our stuff along one of the railings and party all day! Premier members do get access to top shelf alcohol, which might be nice. We have found if you don't specify you will get bottom shelf, but as a non-member if you ask, you can at least get some decent mid-tier options (e.g. Bacardi Rum)
In our opinion and the math supports it...there is always a huge downfall to buying a timeshare/vacation club, etc whatever title they give it. We love Temptation but much like L&D said, you're going to spend most of your time in the pool or bash. You can still find plenty of chairs and if you cant, most guests will offer you share their spot with you. As far as alcohol goes, do you reeeaaaalllyy need top shelf as opposed to mid tier? Most of us don't because after 3-4 drinks, you're just enjoying a nice buzz regardless. I like fireball shots and my wife likes Jager but not having access to either certainly doesn't affect the way we enjoy the resort. Guess what....if you're making shots with cheap vodka instead of grey goose....folks will still drink them. . That's the beauty of Temptation...you just come and let loose with no pretention. No shame to premiere members but its just not that serious and being a regular guest gives you 90% of the same options and experience if you plan to simply come to party and have fun.
We didn't become members for years, for a lot of the same reasons M&MfromLA points out. My biggest reason is a deep hatred of salesmen and sales pitches. The money was probably a wash, invest it right and it will outperform the membership. It's just fine to go as "non-members" as we did for several years. Members don't get top shelf alcohol though, it is more mid-tier, while non-members get bottom shelf. Drink enough and it gets the job done. Or bring your own bottles of your favorite. The resort no longer has Crown for members. The member tequila is much better than non-member. We bought our membership at DRM because the free nights (and massages, etc) almost covered the membership cost at the time. When we finally use the free nights they may exceed the membership cost. Many people use their free nights right away. Our last trip to DRM they were trying to get us to schedule using our free nights, to get those off the books. One other thing about our membership, is getting a locked-in rate at Temptation and paying a set pre-covid prices for tower rooms until our nights are used up (saving at least couple hundred $$ each night). There is no need for a premier membership for your first trip, I don't see how you could get one anyway until after you arrive. It will only pay if you go once/twice a year. Even Referrals don't get the members list alcohol. The seating at Bash isn't any better for members, unless you purchase a table and non-members can do that. The pool seating is not important to us, we are in the pool. The tower pool/sky bar is a nice feature, but you can pay $40 (for a couple) to go there and check it out, or stay in the tower to get access for no up-charge. Worst part of membership is the check in process at TTR.
Our first trip we bought the “playful experience “ and never used any of its benefits…. Regular room non-member since and we don’t feel we have missed out on anything. We also spend most of our time in the pool mingling and if you are good with the bartender they are good with you. The only thing we watch out for is not to book at the same time as a take over as we hear you could feel left out unless you booked with the takeover group.
This might be an odd question but do you / can you get better booze if you're staying in the Master Suite? We were in the Penthouse last year and MS this Oct, but never thought to ask for top-shelf. Does anyone know?
The red bracelets sometimes gets you better drinks, depends on the server. I wouldn't count on it. Last time we had a master suite, there were bottles of Jim Bean, Bacardi, Sauza tequila, and a some lower shelf vodka that came with it. Never touched them.
So was it easy to reserve at restaurants being non member?? And how far in advance di you need to make these reservations...how does it work??
Red bracelets should get you whatever you ask for as well as access to the Tiki (member) bar if you want. You just have to be specific with your drink order. You can also ask to swap out the bottles that are provided. PH gets 2 more (6 total) and higher quality than MS (4 total) You can ask for all vodka if you want and your butler will swap it.
After all the covid stuff we had to go and reserve around 3pm I believe. This might have changed. It was first come first serve. Big ones are sutra to sit at the hibachi table and SHE. It was at the sutra location where you had to go. I would ask when you arrive.
