Sands Info
 

I've read several recent posts on other sites regarding problems with The Sands. The problem was apparently with the lack of service, particularly with reservations getting lost and having to wait several hours to get your room. Has anyone on this board had any recent problems with this? I'll be there in May and am a little concerned. I don't think I'm ready to switch resorts, but would like some reassurance that the service is OK here.

where did you read this? Service must be one of the most outstanding things at the Sands! There is always a smiling face, a good morning and they go out of their way to please.

My room has always been read, even when I arrived at lunch time and check out time was only 2 hours before.

barnrt: I read these reviews on tripadvisor (one is on their forum and the other is a review under the hotel section). These have been in the last couple weeks and it just worries me. I wondered if the problem was the travel agency instead of The Sands, but it didn't sound like it from the posts. I have read many more positive than negative on this resort, so I'm still going. I'm glad to hear you had a good experience.

Do you have any recommendations on which snorkeling excursions to take? I'd like a fairly small group if possible. Thanks!

I checked on trip advisor and wow!! pretty scary. I can only comment on my good experiences and relate to the many other good experiences I have read. It would make me want to call the Sands myself and be sure of my reservation. Keep us posted on how things turn out for youl

spring break, 3/4-3/11/05: about 7 families from our school all ended up at the Sands. Now that you mention "travel agencies", one of the families did begin with a problem. Called the week before to verify reservation, and hears that Sands had no record of reservation, altho the travel agency had forwarded the funds (I tend to use agents only for business trips, so I personally don't understand the procedures.)
So, Sands ends up telling that woman & her family, no reservation and Sands if full, but we can put you at brand new resort nearby: The Palms, as I recall. (Looks lavishly, absurdly lovely, just opened in February, but loaded with older folks - and I'm in my 50's...plus the resort was having "oops, not quite ready" blues that week..)
Well, at the airport, said family walks up to person with "The Palms" on their board, and inexplicably: accommodations opened up at The Sands, so family & kids are all once again at the Sands, and everyone is happy.
Of the other families (none of whom booked thru an agent) we had no problems at all, rooms ready early, etc.
We had no problem with the staff at all - loved the place!

We went to the Sands 2 years ago and loved it. We will be back May 21-28 so I will have to report back.

Just went to tripadvisor, at first I was like what is mbl340 reading, I was out there like a week ago and the popularity index was #1. It had all about 1 or 2 complaints.

I am surprised by the complaints, but wonder too if it might be a travel agency issue. One will never know.

The staff issue shocks me, as when we were there last they went above and beyond. While I am not a traveler who stays at the Ritz, I also do not prefer a Holiday Inn either and I thought the Sands was comfy, clean and overly nice. Sometimes we have to take recommedations like a grain of salt, we have no idea what really happened and who the opinion is coming from?

I sure will be calling to confirm my reservation before arriving, that is for sure! :-)

Where is this "Sands" located ?

We stayed there twice and had not one single complaint from the minute we checked in until we went home...both times. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and the room perfect. We'd go back in a minute.

I really agree with you truppi: you never know where the opinion is coming from. So you have to read lots of opinions and glean what you can.

Years ago my daughter worked at the front desk of a large hotel. She had a "serious" complaint from a guest and a room had to be changed---- the woman did not like the color of the bedspread! And she was staying all of one night. Wonder if she complained about horrible decor of the hotel or something.

For the just previous writer: the Sands is at Turks and Caicos.

Went to Tripadvisor and read the posts...scary! This is not the first time that I have read about the rooms being worn. Would appreciate any comments concerning the condition of the suites from recent travelers. We are not going until July and I might consider switching to another place.

We went in November & found the service to be great. We arrived around noon & our room was already ready. We thought all the service at the hotel was great except for a few issues with Hemmingways (just very slow, especially when you have young kids with little patience). However, there were some people at the front desk comlpaining that their group was all split up in separate buildings. Apparently they booked almost a year in advance to be in the same building & when they arrived they were all in different buildings. Other than that though I didn't hear complaints from anyone.
Also, we did not find the rooms at all tired. I thought our room was beautiful. Not brand new, but definitely not worn looking at all. You will love it there.

I'm scared now too. Per this thread, I just called the Sands to confirm my reservation next month which I booked through aavacations. They have no record of it and told me to call aavacations. However, the problem isn't aavacations not knowing of my reservation, it's the Sands!

I hope I can get this resolved. I recommend those going to the Sands call and confirm your reservations to prevent any snafus once you get there.

mah198, I'm travelling to the Sand in May. I called too and they did not have my reservation, however AAvacations told me that my reservation would not be made until April 22nd and to check back then. Does not make much sense to me but I guess thats how the process works..

AA vacations probably buys rooms from the Sands (and other resorts) in bulk. So these rooms are on hold with the Sands, but probably doesn't have your name on it yet. At some point, perhaps a month in advance, AA will send all their reservations to the Sands and at this time the names will appear on the computer systems at the Sands. The problem is that the Sands should know to tell you this so folks don't get so panicky. Have a nice trip everyone.

I just talked to the AA vacations person again. She said that their policy is to fax over the names of the room occupants 3-5 days prior to the vacation. Katolb90 is correct in that AAvacations buys a certain amount of rooms from the Sands.

What concerns me is the reservations agent I spoke with from the Sands didn't seem to know much about the whole process. It seems like they would have dealt with the third party booking issue in the past. However, to the hotel's credit an employee promptly responded to my e-mail and called me at home. I definitely see why it's advisable to book directly through the hotel. Unfortunately, we got a better deal through AAvacations.

Moral of the story: if you're booked at the Sands call 3-5 days before you're supposed to arrive to make sure they have a record of your name.

Suggest many of you 'chill' a bit over the reservations scenarios. We stayed at The Sands last June and enjoyed it very much.

Certain posters have been repeating the same questions over and over and I am beginning to wonder if one poster, in particular is making things up!

Jeez TG. We just want to make sure that we, like you, will enjoy our vacation. I'm going on my honeymoon and don't want to be room-less. IMHO, it's better to hammer out the details than do nothing and get there, experiencing the same problems that the nightmare posts on TripAdvisor detailed.

I don't understand why people on this forum need to criticize other people b/c they don't do things the same way. If you don't agree with something, why don't you keep it to yourself instead of being nasty (and implying that someone is making up stuff; like who would do that?).

I can 2nd (or 3rd) what everyone is saying. No need to worry at all that the Sands does not have your reservation. It is very true that aavacations and all other 'consolidators' book bulk rooms and the actual hotel does not get your name until a few days prior. No need to sweat it!

It would not surprise me that the front desk associates do not know the procedure. Of course, these deals are negotiated with management, and it probably beats the heck out of the front desk assocaites what the hell is going on. No fault of their own.

No panicking - like mentioned 3-5 days prior to your arrival is a good time to check. I understand the concern with the posts of people arriving with no reservation (and I like many of you are concerned) but certainly it is too early to get stressed.

Same process with Liberty Travel...my travel agent told me that reservations are made from a pool allotted to Liberty Travel and names are faxed over shortly before departure. I will have a pre-paid hotel voucher to show when I arrive at the hotel and she offered to call the hotel a week before our arrival just to confirm that they have the reservation.