We went to the resort from 30th - 6th Feb 2012. {Ya man - It's Jamaica, No worries}
AIRPORT/BUS TRANSFER:-
As soon as we got through departures, a porter jumped on us demanding our bags to escort us to our bus, then asked for a tip ( i told him money was in my case) then he said 'no worries' and kept giving us funny looks while stood in our group waiting for the bus. The buses driver can't bloody drive to save their lives; tail gating, overtaking on blind corners, nearly pushing a car off the road and never checking his mirrors. They had a sign at the front of the bus ' after safely being transported to your destination tips would be highly appreciated ' I laughed at the guy when he asked for his tip...I told him the only tip you are getting from me is - go back to driving school as that was terrible and very unsafe!!
HOTEL RECEPTION/BELL BOY:-
When we got off the bus the bell boy took our bags off the coach driver and waited for us to check in. I found the front desk people to be very rude, miserable and need some customer service training. We were given two complementary drinks, which tasted nice. When we were given our room key, we were not offered a second key. She gave us a map and circle 'snack bar' and 'entertainment area' and your room is 'HERE'. We were then told to go to the money exchange desk if need, so we did. Our travel agent 'First Choice' gave us Jamaican Dollars - NOT MAKING US AWARE that they only like US Dollars, so everything they sell on the island is in US Dollars. Our mistake was we did not check the conversion rate was before leaving. So we ask to change 50 JMD$, she looked at us stupid and said 'what do you want me to do with that!' and walked off. She did not give us the opportunity to ask any questions. So we walked over to a couple and asked for money advise from them. In the mean time the bell boy just left our bags in the middle of reception and walked away, leaving us to find our own room.
TIPS - they expect tips for everything which is 1US$ or 100 JMD$
ROOM:-
We finally after 30mins found our room, our key didn't work. So I had to find my way back to reception to get the card activated.
When we finally got into our room, it was nice and cool and very clean. We asked for a high floor, sea view and king size bed but we got 2nd floor with two beds. The bathroom was clean and plenty of towels. Looked outside...Oh! a huge bloody palm tree totally obscuring our sea view, all we could see was the mountains.
So bad to reception I go..... asked for the manager, she was ok...and actually listened to my concerns but was adamant that my room was a sea view room, I took a picture and showed her. I was told I could not change rooms until tomorrow at 1pm but I had to come to reception in the morning to confirm that my room will be ready at 1pm.
DAY 2
I visited reception at 10am to confirm and went back at 1pm for new room key. I made sure to ask for 2 keys this time. We got a room on the 3rd floor, room very clean and our view....palm tree! well the top of it so we definitely had a sea view this time and it was awesome!!
On the night we had a very loud buzzing noise and birds which was constant from 8pm-6am so if you are very light sleeper, your screwed! the walls are very thin too so you could here next doors conversations and fun times!
Time to start our holiday :-)
FOOD
we stayed in the buffet restaurant all week as we could not get reservation for the other restaurants as they were fully book but every time we walked past, they were always half full. The food was nice and a lot to choose from morning to evening. The jerk chicken from the snack bar was very tasty. Service was impeccable - as soon as you were finished your food, your plate was gone and they were always topping up your drinks.
BAR
we didn't receive any bad service from the bar tenders but they did expect a tip every time you ordered a drink even when sat at the pool bar, which made us feel uneasy at times. We were drinking strawberry dacery's and pina coldadas...very nice!! Plus you see them throughout the day drinking alcoholic drinks! no wonder by dinner time they were dancing behind the bar.
HOUSEKEEPING
They come knocking at your door between 8-10 so if want a lie in after a heavy night, you can't without been woken up! they knock twice then walk in...our new room had a housekeepers door sign which was handy if you want private time on a morning :-D
They were very good but when we walked past a few room, seen them sitting our the bed watching TV, eating and drinking!
POOL/GARDENS/BEACH
These were spot on, very clean and highly maintained. The pool water was lovely and clean and warm once you were in but not as warm as the sea. The man made beach was not very great but had an awesome beach around to the left. I suggest taking crocks and water shoes
HOLIDAY REP
We didn't see or hear our holiday rep until we wanted to find out what time we were going to be picked up on our departure day. He was polite but not really informative and never around when you wanted to talk to him (Thomson/First Choice).
DOLPHIN COVE
The day before we departed it was my girlfriends birthday so we decided to go down to see our rep and see if we could swim with the dolphins. He was not there - no surprise! so we spoke to another rep. He told us it was fully booked, so I told him its a birthday present and we go home tomorrow, he got back on the phone and told us there are two spots left...funny that! anyway...they had three programs, touch - encounter - swim and they had a free upgrade on each program. He told us, only 1 place on encounter and 1 for swim meaning we would be put in separate groups. We excepted and were given a price of 14000 JMD$ which we thought was reasonable.
The whole day was amazing and I really want to do it again. Other activities which were fully included were; a speed boat ride, dual kayaking, jungle trail and snorkeling with sting rays.
The next day that rep rang us up in our room to go see him, there has been a huge mistake! We went down to reception to meet him, he was all smiles and laughing asking how our experience was. We sat down at his desk for him to tell us we under paid. We were charged child prices and he wanted another £50 from us. I told him that this was his mistake and I was not paying, he got in a huff and stormed out of the office, It's like going to Commet and buying a tv and only being charged for a dvd player, to only be phoned up asking for the rest of the money...it doesn't happen! it's his fault...ha
WEATHER
It was very cloudy all week and rained most morning and for 1 full day of our holiday. But we still got tanned and still really enjoyed our relaxing holiday.
QUESTIONS
Would I go back? hmm properly not.
Would I recommend the hotel? yes but advise them on certain issues
I really hope this gives you a good in-site to this hotel and holiday.
Please feel free to comment....
Room Tip: ask for a high room with a sea and pool view
go for the gold or platinum packages
take US Dollars
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
