Hefty price includes Beg Bugs

Posted by Joe from San Diego on 5/20/06

My vacation started off great. I thought this place was incredible. The grounds were beautifully maintained, gorgeous landscaping, huge pool, secluded beach (although no swimming or snorkling because of shallow rocky waters), nice rooms, friendly staff, nice bars and entertainment, and great plantation like relaxation areas. The food varied - breakfasts and lunches at Mirador were OK The birds flying around the food and eating off people's plates when they got up to get drinks was a little gross, but tolerable. I ate dinner two nights at Avocado and one at Toscano.It was much better than I expected based on the reviews I read. However, I woke up after my second night with three dozen welts covering my arms and legs. I did not recall receiving one bug bite when I was awake. I remembered reading that bed bugs are an increasingly common problem. After a little internet research, I found out that the bites fit the classic pattern of bed bugs. When I complained to management, they sent a maid to the room who spent 30 seconds scanning the bed in the middle of the day and concluded that there were no bed bugs. I have NO DOUBT these were bed bug bites. What had been a great vacation was ruined! I felt extremely self conscious going out to the pool area covered in itchy welts which still, one week later, have not gone away. Try sleeping knowing that there are blood sucking bugs waiting to come out! I know these things can happen in even the poshest hotels. What bothered me was management's response. They completely blew me off, did not apologize whatsoever, and refused to even refund a single dollar. When you are spending hundreds of dollars a night to be in paradise, you expect to be treated better! Paradisus was OK, but not worth the $. If you go, bring some potent bug spray and long sleeve sleeping attire.

Potentially good, but hardly great

Posted by marty from dallas on 11/25/05

This is an interesting all-inclusive that could be much better than it is. The grounds are excellent, and the rooms are very good. But the service is typically Caribbean (slow to non-existent) and the food is mediocre at best. Avoid the Toscano restaurant (the best food is pizza and ice cream) at all costs. Romantico is a nice dining experience. The big pool is a zoo, and the smaller private pool isnot available to everyone, but rather only to guests staying at the oceanfront bungalows, creating a 2 tier system than is offensive for an "all-inclusive". There are, however, some beautiful spots to park yourself on the beach, away from the main pool, and thus tranquility is possible here. If they improved the food and the service, this could be very nice family resort