I believe that a review should give people information, both good and bad, in order for them to make an informed decision.
"Big Names" should not immediately persuade you to book at that property because you have positive experiences stateside. Such an Example is the Wyndham Viva Fortuna Resort in the Bahamas near Freeport. I love the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and book them when I travel, so for a quick 4 day family vacation over Memorial weekend, I didn't give this Resort a second thought. I still stay at Wyndham occasionally. I knew it would be a value resort, but it was all-inclusive and had a Children's program (supposedly) and a several dining options, and the website pictures and write-up looked great. The big mistake I made was not realizing that the price was too good to be true for a Wyndham Resort. Well, you get what you pay for. I think "Viva&"; stands for budget resort, but Wyndham would need to be asked that.
Positives were: The beach was beautiful, with lounges, umbrella's, palm trees, white sand, aqua water, steps away from a concrete Tiki bar (free) for drinks and good hamburgers, great fries, hot dogs and drinks. The pool was rectangular, no frills, but a good size, a jacuzzi, a small wading pool for kids. Since the kids liked the big pool, I soaked in the wading pool while I read my book! Note: Most are "No tips" allowed, but if you tip your main bartender, who will take it, he will then fill your OWN larger glass size with your drink, instead of the small glasses they hand out. I have found this to be true at most moderate & value all-inclusive. There is a night club. There were some ping-pong tables and a few games by the pool...."Learn to line dance" and exercise type activities. There is an entertainment show nightly, and I've heard they added a Circus/show.
Negatives were: Although they advertised a "Kid's Retreat" program, the program/building was closed May 29-June 2nd, which is family vacation time, so we took the 4 year old everywhere. CALL if this is important to you. Thank goodness we went to the extra trouble of bringing our stroller, because we now had a little one around with us touring the city, and even going back and forth across a large property can be taxing for a young child. This is a time-share too, so be prepared to be solicited with offers of buying into the resort, especially at check-in. The "Welcome Rum Punch" bowl is empty and unattended, but by then who cares, as the drive from the airport is not short. Plan on the buildings and rooms being warm. There is no air conditioning, just fans, in the main Junkanoo Buffet Restaurant, and the air was broken; in the 2 reservations restaurants, Asian and Italian, which were also no charge, except for bottled wine. We switched rooms 3 times right away trying to find a cool room, but the wall units are old, so be prepared. Bring slippers. I found the food in the main buffet to be fair to poor, even though they changed "themes" each night so we tried the Italian restaurant (couldn't get in Asian at all, but heard no air)and found the food to be just 1 step above the main buffet. The lobster was inedible. The steak, I think filet, was all fat and tough, and service was almost nonexistent. They finally opened the doors when the guests were dripping sweat. BEST food? The hamburgers and fries at the outside Tiki bar, which closes at 6:00 p.m. Oxymoron on the Nightclub; Nightly show positives: Club is in one of the restaurants, so it opens about 11:00 p.m., but it's hot and closes early. So plan to dance and drink-Quickly. The Nightly entertainment show is on par with your local high school show-at best.
Sorry...I had to tell the truth. Better prepared, and accepting of what you get, than disappointed.
If you have never traveled, and this is your first time, you may find this absolutely wonderful!!! If you are well-traveled, perhaps not, unless you just need to get away inexpensively.
So, the moral goes, if the price is cheap, expect a very value vacation, despite the NAME brand on the resort. There are plenty of reviews available to read on the Internet before you decide.
Good luck and happy travels!!
"Big Names" should not immediately persuade you to book at that property because you have positive experiences stateside. Such an Example is the Wyndham Viva Fortuna Resort in the Bahamas near Freeport. I love the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and book them when I travel, so for a quick 4 day family vacation over Memorial weekend, I didn't give this Resort a second thought. I still stay at Wyndham occasionally. I knew it would be a value resort, but it was all-inclusive and had a Children's program (supposedly) and a several dining options, and the website pictures and write-up looked great. The big mistake I made was not realizing that the price was too good to be true for a Wyndham Resort. Well, you get what you pay for. I think "Viva&"; stands for budget resort, but Wyndham would need to be asked that.
Positives were: The beach was beautiful, with lounges, umbrella's, palm trees, white sand, aqua water, steps away from a concrete Tiki bar (free) for drinks and good hamburgers, great fries, hot dogs and drinks. The pool was rectangular, no frills, but a good size, a jacuzzi, a small wading pool for kids. Since the kids liked the big pool, I soaked in the wading pool while I read my book! Note: Most are "No tips" allowed, but if you tip your main bartender, who will take it, he will then fill your OWN larger glass size with your drink, instead of the small glasses they hand out. I have found this to be true at most moderate & value all-inclusive. There is a night club. There were some ping-pong tables and a few games by the pool...."Learn to line dance" and exercise type activities. There is an entertainment show nightly, and I've heard they added a Circus/show.
Negatives were: Although they advertised a "Kid's Retreat" program, the program/building was closed May 29-June 2nd, which is family vacation time, so we took the 4 year old everywhere. CALL if this is important to you. Thank goodness we went to the extra trouble of bringing our stroller, because we now had a little one around with us touring the city, and even going back and forth across a large property can be taxing for a young child. This is a time-share too, so be prepared to be solicited with offers of buying into the resort, especially at check-in. The "Welcome Rum Punch" bowl is empty and unattended, but by then who cares, as the drive from the airport is not short. Plan on the buildings and rooms being warm. There is no air conditioning, just fans, in the main Junkanoo Buffet Restaurant, and the air was broken; in the 2 reservations restaurants, Asian and Italian, which were also no charge, except for bottled wine. We switched rooms 3 times right away trying to find a cool room, but the wall units are old, so be prepared. Bring slippers. I found the food in the main buffet to be fair to poor, even though they changed "themes" each night so we tried the Italian restaurant (couldn't get in Asian at all, but heard no air)and found the food to be just 1 step above the main buffet. The lobster was inedible. The steak, I think filet, was all fat and tough, and service was almost nonexistent. They finally opened the doors when the guests were dripping sweat. BEST food? The hamburgers and fries at the outside Tiki bar, which closes at 6:00 p.m. Oxymoron on the Nightclub; Nightly show positives: Club is in one of the restaurants, so it opens about 11:00 p.m., but it's hot and closes early. So plan to dance and drink-Quickly. The Nightly entertainment show is on par with your local high school show-at best.
Sorry...I had to tell the truth. Better prepared, and accepting of what you get, than disappointed.
If you have never traveled, and this is your first time, you may find this absolutely wonderful!!! If you are well-traveled, perhaps not, unless you just need to get away inexpensively.
So, the moral goes, if the price is cheap, expect a very value vacation, despite the NAME brand on the resort. There are plenty of reviews available to read on the Internet before you decide.
Good luck and happy travels!!
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