FYI:  Atelier management recently announced that they will still be allowing non-members access to the Sky Bar (the bar at the rooftop pool area) during the evenings.  The remainder of Inspira privileges are only for timeshare members only.  Also, management announced that they will be “trying out” this new policy for the next 2 mos. and then re-evaluate the situation.  Hopefully they will come to their right minds during the next two weeks and only restrict the number of rooms in certain room categories for non-members, not take all of them off the market).

As of Feb. 1, 2021, Atelier and Estudio Playa Mujeres will no longer be offering Inspira room/suite categories to non-member vacationer .  They will be reserved for members only, which only leaves the Jr. Suites, Jr. Suite OV, Jr. Suite Swim-Outs, Rooftop Suites, Handicap rooms, and Family Suites at Estudio available for booking to non-members.  Bummer.  I never got a chance to enjoy the Party Suite….even the Master Suites are no longer available.

Inspira perks are gone–no in-room liquor, no ability to make dinner reservations, no free access to Maria Dolores gourmet restaurant.  The only caveat I read about which would result in obtaining access to Inspira amenities while on the property would be to attend a timeshare presentation, but that’s at least a four hour commitment; it all depends on whether you think four hours from your vacation is worth the perks.

There must have been a lot of unhappy Atelier members complaining they could never book the upgraded rooms at this resort because of unavailability; rooftop access suites were always very popular.  While I can understand a business decision concerning the  satisfaction and happiness of members who’ve shelled out thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars to join a timeshare (I’m not sure how much a timeshare costs with this company, but upscale resort companies typically cost a lot of money to join), this decision may turn out to be a bad one with the elimination of so many suite categories and amenities from the general market.  I think it’s a bad decision–there is already a glut of all-inclusive resorts, especially nicer all-inclusive resorts, in this area of Mexico.  A certain amount of vacationers will likely return to companies like Excellence (one of my favorites), Secrets or other AMResorts, Karisma’s brand, or be willing to try other new all-inclusive resorts such as Planet Hollywood or Majestic Elegance.  I’ve come across many comments from prior and soon to be Atelier guests saying they would not return or would cancel their future booking on principle.  FYI:  It is my understanding that prior Inspira bookings made before Feb. 1 to non-members would be honored; you may want to contact the resort or your TA to make sure this is accurate.

I would still book a future vacation at this resort because I enjoyed my previous stay so much; the food was excellent overall and the service was very good.  I will miss daytime access to the rooftop pool, but I don’t think sitting in on a timeshare presentation is worth the ability to spend a couple of hours in a pool as far as my vacation priorities are concerned.

What do you think about this policy?  Would you stay here; would you listen to a timeshare presentation just to gain access to Inspira amenities?