Trip report by my husband. 5 nights at Grand Miches (also see TMR 2 night report). Occupancy claimed was 30%. We have visited TTR 9 times and DMR 4 times. We are not LS, not Premier members and ability to be fully nude is not important to us. We were so frustrated with lack of information that he decided to write detailed review. Transportation: Used hotel contracted service. Took 1 hr. 25 min. avg. time. Last 25 minutes is winding up and down around small mountains and thru small towns. Random speed bumps and continual dodging of slower moving mopeds. $240 plus tips. Last part was scenic but trip lasts 30-40 minutes too long. Beautiful mountain setting to West of resort. Airport is much smaller than Cancun with similar chaos to be expected outside of the US. Need to complete DR electronic tourist ticket within 72 hours of arrival. You can do this online or even at airport upon arrival if you forget. Layout of Resort: see attached aerial "rendering", somewhat reflective of actual Grand layout and TMR layout. More intimate setting made 30% occupancy not feel empty as compared to TMR. Easy to get around and navigate. Not right on the Sea. Pool: topless only, about 95% topless during our stay. At peak occupancy, seating will be an issue. Energy was a little slow but Playmakers did their best to bring energy. Swim-up bar with stools. Inconvenient for gals to have to put on coverup/top to go back to rooms or to Lobby Bar which is directly adjacent to Pool. We don’t like to sit in the water so we didn’t like that the Pool Bar (reverse side of swim-up bar) is blocked off by a floor to ceiling free-standing wall so you can’t feel part of or see the action in the pool (we love this at DRM). Wall needs to be removed especially with increased occupancy so people can congregate in this area and be in the shade. Hot Pool: yes it’s more a pool than tub and it is hot! Fully nude allowed. Upper level similar to DRM. Approx 15 canopy beds, pool is square with in-water cement seat around edge plus swim-up bar with maybe 10 stools. IMO this would not be an alternative to topless pool to hang out all day. Didn’t like that the glass on exterior walls were frosted which blocked view of grounds and beach/sea, also made it feel like an enclosure vs open space with a view. Per Pool comment, we didn’t like that the Lounge area (reverse side of Hot Pool swim-up bar) is blocked off by a floor to ceiling wall so you can’t feel part of or see the hot pool if you chose to sit at this part of bar. It needs to be opened up so that guests feel as one group and actually utilize this space. Beach: Major upgrade from MX. Very wide sandy area and beautiful sea with real waves. We actually loved the beach for its scenic beauty (mountain framing) and peacefulness. Very few people it was like our own private area. Wife laid out topless on lounge chair and went to sea topless with no issues. Locals use beach area just to North of TMR (even drive vehicles on beach) Beach is so wide that loungers are off the beaten path for TMR and there is an alcove type area protected by trees and foliage for Grand. Very few locals ventured towards TMR or Grand beach area. We didn’t walk the beach North towards the locals but did walk South with no top on. No shower to wash off when going back across wooden walkway towards pool. Family of 4 wild horses would trot down the beach each day. Thoughts on this is just be respectful, if a random motorbike or vehicle comes by just put your arm across your chest if you are wading in the sea or walking the beach. DRM vets may miss fully nude and sex on beach in beds. Rooms: Garden View room was major upgrade from DRM, easily twice the size. We spend very little time in our room and never do room service. Can’t comment on other room categories. No real Ocean View rooms like DRM. Coffee Shop: yes, they have one and it was great which is something needed at DRM. Food/Restaurants/Bars: We enjoyed the food at the buffet and Salo/Suki. Buffet offerings were plenty and we never ordered from the menu. At Salo they do not have the same DRM Sexy vibe with videos and artwork…we missed that aspect. We did enjoy the intimate, quiet outdoor eating area (closest part of resort to the beach). Suki was loud as usual because of Hibachi tables, but our food was fine. Lobby Bar is located right off the pool and there is ample seating in this area (also where nightly entertainment takes place). Must have a top or coverup on. Can’t comment on Room Service as we don’t use it as Wife loves to dress up in beautiful dresses and high heels and head out. Disco: attached to same second floor area as Hot Pool. Can’t comment on adjacent Playroom as we don’t use. Dance floor similar size to DRM. One long bar along side of dance floor. No video screen. Even with 30% occupancy there was great energy here (say from 10pm – 11:30pm). This can change day-to-day depending on crew of guests. Even with 30% occupancy we had some interesting groups and individual couples. Note: I love to dance so I can entertain myself so for others may be a different feel. Always fun to watch gals in sexy theme wear dance! Theme Nights: this was awesome and a huge differential from TMR. 90% female participation dressed in really sexy costumes. This is a major part of my wifes enjoyment in coming to these resorts…so every night we had a blast. This is when we interact most with other guests. Service: overall it was very good. English Language IS AN ISSUE even for some workers who are in direct contact with guests. Managers do realize this and are offering programs for workers to better understand and communicate with English speaking guests. There was a large percentage of Spanish speaking guests. My wife speaks 3 languages (English being her third) and has a very heavy eastern European accent so it is always comical to hear her interaction with workers…like asking for ice cream and getting served a margarita kind of thing. Moving between Grand + TMR: yes, Grand guests can go to TMR at any time. There is a bridge over the small water way (sometimes there is a security guard) and also you can walk along the beach and access the wooden walkway into TMR by the quiet pool. Impression: we had a great 5-night stay. The more intimate setting (compared to TRM) made the 30% occupancy not feel so empty. The small groups and individual couples participated in the theme nights adding to the energy. Many Spanish speaking guests (even a small group from Spain), also small groups from France and Romania and some other European based individual couples. At our age, we see Grand as a Hybrid type vacation and easily established a very nice daily/nightly routine. The day was more tranquil and relaxed on the beach leading to mid-afternoon pool fun, hit the coffee shop head to the Hot Pool. Get ready for a nice dinner, back to room to change into theme night costume and hit the dance floor. Some LS folks may have been disappointed (not sure) with the low occupancy…other DRM regulars said they liked the DRM energy better…I agree but I think with higher occupancy Grand will improve and match DRM. If they can address some of the issues we listed it would make this resort better. We will be back again.
Wow excellent review thank you so much! We've been to TTR in Cancun (we actually live just down the road in Playa del Carmen) several times and are planning a trip to Grand and we were wondering what it'd be like. I love to read all the reviews, but the wife not so much, so I'm happy to hear you all liked it. We've never been to any of the Desires so we're not sure what to expect. I guess we'll find out! Again, thank you!
I wanted to add for ladies information, similar to TMR, the walkways between buildings at Grand are kind of a cobblestone (uneven) and can be an adventure with high heels Just be careful and have your husbands arm in yours!
Thank you so much for the encouraging words! It can only get better. We'll be at Grand in November and very anxious to see all this.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write your excellent review. We are looking forward to our April 15-19 visit!
