Update from Nuevo Vallarta
June 13, 2015
We received word from Jim, Jan and Craig about status in Nuevo Vallarta and Riviera Maya. Here are their comments:
Only 9 holes are open for next 2 weeks due to overseeding. Normans' course now scheduled by October per the Caddies. Pro shop is now in lower floor of Tower 5 ("The new "Residence Tower"). And golf carts stored underground since they are all new...finally. This is temporary also I am told.
When Norman course opens they will hire 35 more caddies making 80. They will be selling laser range finders to the caddies for purchase price and caddy can pay weekly and will own same.
We are playing the "old" 1-9 holes twice. Course is in very good condition. The caddies are now allowed to ride on back of golf cart now or drive/ ride if a single.
The new French Restaurant is fabulous and is open for breakfast too...the French Way. Eggs Benedict the Best!
Went off campus to try Eddies. Eddy died in May (2015). Restaurant is not as vibrant and food not as good as before. No reason given for his passing.
Tower 6 (Now called "Butterfly Building" or "Tower 5") is under construction and Sales are now selling weeks into the Theme Park lodging at pre construction prices (to be opened Jan. 2018 according to Management). With the Peso at 15+ to 1 dollar, things here are still priced the same if you use Pesos? Remember 10 to 1?
Jim
Also:
We were just there 2 weeks ago and they only had 9 holes open because of construction. They are working on the new Entry into Vidanta and on a bridge over the river so that they can work on the golf course on the South Side. I'm not sure that it's worth it now to try and play the course until they have all 18 holes back up.
Craig and Jan
Answers to questions:
Thank you for your update.
When you say, “construction”, do you mean the area east of the Residence Tower where Tower 5 is under construction? We would imagine that could be congested, depending on how fast they are moving forward. Yes- that area is really messed up at the moment.
Construction at the entrance took away two holes. Is that still going on and do you think there will be any golf there again? I don't know. There is still construction on BOTH Golf Courses: re-arrangement on the Nicklaus course because of the new entry from the Highway...and the new pedestrian/golf bridge over the river to the new Greg Norman Course.
The bridge to the south course is interesting too. We heard it would be in place by November. Should be close to the Pro Shop in the Residence Tower, is that correct? YES- close but not directly adjacent. But, it was to be a “walking” bridge rather than a bridge large enough for vehicular traffic. Has that plan changed? NO- only a walking bridge and for golf carts. Were you able to take any photos of the area during your last trip? No- I played the open 9-holes. Didn't take any new pics.
We also understood the area immediately to the north of the SPA Towers and Towers 3A and 3B was going to be part of the golf course. Has that area been improved since February or March? Last images showed not much progress there. No-it is still a big hole in the ground. It looks like it will be a large lake- but don't know if it will become part of the re-made Nicklaus Course- or not.
Great to hear from you. We truly appreciate your continuing support and confidence in us.
PS: If anyone asks... the new Cirque de Soleil venue in Riviera Maya is...SPECTACULAR...and a "must-do" when people are there. Do the full Dinner & Show- it is definitely worth it.
Finally:
In the last 5 months we have been in PV twice & Riviera Maya once.
Also-FYI... the new "Beach Club" for Grand Luxxe & Grand Bliss Owners just opened in March in Riviera Maya. It is a very nice new pool and restaurant facility directly adjacent to the beach (at the South end of the Resort). I prefer the existing smaller intimate Grand Luxxe Pool but the Beach Club is nice. The new "Spatium" also just opened and is beautiful. (It's also smaller but similar to the one in PV).
I heard that the Grand Mayan in San Jose del Cabo is open and about 85% re-built since the Hurricane last year. They had to almost totally re-do that property. Because of having to use their construction workers to re-build there- the East Cape Project is again behind schedule. The infrastructure at East Cape has been done and they are working on Site work (grading, pools, roads etc.) but have not started "vertical construction" yet on any of the buildings- (at least from what they told me when I was in PV).
Great to hear there is progress, but certainly understand the issue of construction messing up the golf course. Also, sounds as though the course is still fun to play, even if it is only 9 holes today.
Thank you Jim, Craig and Jan for the updates. We will all.....Stay Tuned....