Hotel Xcaret

Notwithstanding some of the declining service standards over the past few years - the greatest risk to visiting XCaret, Arte or Playa is the criminal predators they have allowed onto the property, and into the lives of its guests. Even if you attend the property I would strong ADVISE AVOIDING THE XCARET MEXICO VACATION CLUB AT ALL COSTS.

They are located within the central pyramid.

We used to adore this resort and brought many members of our family there several times. We had a very disappointing sales experience after being encouraged to check out their Vacation Club. We were very cautious -- but we trusted Miguel Quintana Pali (the managing partner) and the XCaret brand. This was a VERY COSTLY MISTAKE in many ways.

At the 'sales' event we finally agreed to purchase.

That was 6 months ago. We have been met with nothing but surprise blackout periods, surprise fees, limits, conditions, complexity and poor service at every turn. We have been contacted on the telephone by representatives of the XCaret club to 'go over the member benefits' so many times (at least every month). One of those calls resulted to another 90 minute sales pitch to per-purchase more future value.

The phone rang every few weeks with another 'offer', and more and more sales pitches. It was exhausting.

THE VERY POOR VALUE IS NOT THE BIGGEST ISSUE. XCaret has opened itself up to organized crime through their vacation club 'program'. Fraudsters will STEAL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION and begin contacting you through every channel to make special offers, go over your membership, confirm some booking or claim to be taking hotel bookings at discounted rates.

They know EVERYTHING about you and your contract ... and will gain your trust by using it. On top of the $25,000 we invested (which we continue to make payments on under a lock tight and almost completely useless contract ), we lost another $8000 recently because we tried to book at Arte for Christmas. A criminal intercepted us and took the booking instead of the official reservations phone number.

And for the 3rd of 4th time since we become members, the hotel & vacation club staff were utterly indifferent.

I contacted them to confirm the room details and discovered the fraud. I was made to feel stupid, and they never called me back as they promised. I was just another nameless, faceless dollar bill to them as well.

I cannot describe how much this whole experience has hurt me and my family. This was a trusted place to come together once per year -- and they allowed us to be victimized repeatedly.

They turned on us in a way that abused our trust, our enthusiasm for the property, for what Miguel created and for Mexico. Miguel and Xcaret initially taught our family about the rich culture in Mexico. I read his book and we discussed it together as a family. We went to the cultural shows.

We grew to understand the beauty of the country through his eyes.

But that is done now. We are all profoundly sad, financially set back and will likely never return to Mexico again.