Trip Report-T & C! OCW-Never again!
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 09:42 AM
#1
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Trip Report-T & C! OCW-Never again!
I love Turks and Caicos BUT our trip to Ocean Club West was pretty bad!We had to change rooms because it smelled soo bad like mold/must. We then changed to another room and said it would be ready within 1/2 hr. Well, it ended up taking almost 4 hrs! so we drove around town. We have been to T &C before and stayed at this very resort-but things have DEFINITELY changed!! for the worse!
We proceeded to go in the next room they gave us. It still smelled a bit musty but not quite as bad--I am not a complainer when I go away on vacation as I am pretty low key! but this was awful! We all got REALLY sick within a few days. My 2 kids woke up with it-My son projectile vomited onto his sister in their crib! in the middle of the nite and by morning my daughter had gotten ill also........My husband had gotten sick that evening and was sick 24 hrs.,with nausea and diarrhea. I of course ended up getting ill after him--we were all dropping like flies! I was never so sick in my life! It was awful! I looked up in the a/c vent and saw big black spots of mold on the a/c vent---which I told the manager when we checked out- (we only stayed 3 nights total). He looked at me like I had 3 heads and said he would see what he could do and left the area!
After emails back and forth with reservation desk from OCW site, the woman offered us a nite stay (during summer time)We went in Mid august. I wrote back and told her she should really refund us a night's stay since we hadnt been planning on returning anytime soon especially with twins that are under 2!She wanted me to get a doctor's note on top of that ,then she would "gladly" refund me.
After all this, I told her I would never be returning there......SHe blamed it on everything BUT the hotel. The pots/pans,utensils were all stained and had food stuck on some of the utensils. The oven was dirty inside.Door barely opened to outside patio.......We had gotten a 1 bedroom suite.......I just couldnt get over the manager how he practically shunned me when I was almost in tears telling him how sick we got.......all he said was he would look into it............Never again. As a returning customer you think they would have been a bit more customer service oriented!!
The turks and caicos beaches were beautiful as ever........but this hotel was awful! We looked all over for a float for our kids and they had no floats/toys/for the kids.....Water stunk in bathrooms and showers too!
We proceeded to go in the next room they gave us. It still smelled a bit musty but not quite as bad--I am not a complainer when I go away on vacation as I am pretty low key! but this was awful! We all got REALLY sick within a few days. My 2 kids woke up with it-My son projectile vomited onto his sister in their crib! in the middle of the nite and by morning my daughter had gotten ill also........My husband had gotten sick that evening and was sick 24 hrs.,with nausea and diarrhea. I of course ended up getting ill after him--we were all dropping like flies! I was never so sick in my life! It was awful! I looked up in the a/c vent and saw big black spots of mold on the a/c vent---which I told the manager when we checked out- (we only stayed 3 nights total). He looked at me like I had 3 heads and said he would see what he could do and left the area!
After emails back and forth with reservation desk from OCW site, the woman offered us a nite stay (during summer time)We went in Mid august. I wrote back and told her she should really refund us a night's stay since we hadnt been planning on returning anytime soon especially with twins that are under 2!She wanted me to get a doctor's note on top of that ,then she would "gladly" refund me.
After all this, I told her I would never be returning there......SHe blamed it on everything BUT the hotel. The pots/pans,utensils were all stained and had food stuck on some of the utensils. The oven was dirty inside.Door barely opened to outside patio.......We had gotten a 1 bedroom suite.......I just couldnt get over the manager how he practically shunned me when I was almost in tears telling him how sick we got.......all he said was he would look into it............Never again. As a returning customer you think they would have been a bit more customer service oriented!!
The turks and caicos beaches were beautiful as ever........but this hotel was awful! We looked all over for a float for our kids and they had no floats/toys/for the kids.....Water stunk in bathrooms and showers too!
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 09:45 AM
#2
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I want to add that the natives on the island weren't particularly friendly to the tourists as they once were...The woman in Mama's tourist shop ripped me off and told me I needed to buy 30.00 worth of things from her store if using a credit card.........
The IGA was good for groceries but at one point we were there the lights went out and people were running around and lewding everywhere. The cops came and it was chaos!!!!!I was never so happy to kiss American grounds once I got back to the good ole USA!
The IGA was good for groceries but at one point we were there the lights went out and people were running around and lewding everywhere. The cops came and it was chaos!!!!!I was never so happy to kiss American grounds once I got back to the good ole USA!
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 10:02 AM
#3
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People were "lewding" in the IGA? DO you mean they were sneaking up to pinch you on the bum while spouting suggestive phrases? Or were they just stealing food in the dark? 
All kidding aside, I'm sorry you had such a wretched time at OCW. Do you have any idea what percentage of their rooms/condos are individually owned and how many belong to the hotel? I know it must be a hassle to switch rooms more than once, especially with kids, but surely there are some rooms there that would be acceptably clean and mold-free?!
Is the reason your family got sick because you all have mold allergies? Because otherwise it sounds more like flu or food poisoning symptoms. No matter what the cause, it makes for an unpleasant vacation!
All kidding aside, I'm sorry you had such a wretched time at OCW. Do you have any idea what percentage of their rooms/condos are individually owned and how many belong to the hotel? I know it must be a hassle to switch rooms more than once, especially with kids, but surely there are some rooms there that would be acceptably clean and mold-free?!
Is the reason your family got sick because you all have mold allergies? Because otherwise it sounds more like flu or food poisoning symptoms. No matter what the cause, it makes for an unpleasant vacation!
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 10:37 AM
#4
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<b><font color="blue">"</font></b><i>...the natives on the island weren't particularly friendly to the tourists as they once were...</i><font color="blue"><b>"</b></font>
...the natives ?
Maybe <font color="green"><i>the natives</i></font> weren't as friendly because they didn't particularly like you referring to them as ...<font color="green"><i>"the natives"</i></font>...
...the natives ?
Maybe <font color="green"><i>the natives</i></font> weren't as friendly because they didn't particularly like you referring to them as ...<font color="green"><i>"the natives"</i></font>...
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 11:36 AM
#5
Joined: Mar 2004
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LOL ejcrowe!
Sunny... I think you meant to say looting not lewding.
Sorry you had such a terrible experience. I would guess that if some of the rooms were moldy all of the rooms were moldy. Unlikely that they only clean some of them properly.
I think it's important to check for recent, unbiased reviews of any hotel before booking if at all possible.
I didn't take the use of the term "native" to be derogatory... After all I am a native of the US.
What is the politically correct term for referring to these island residents?
Sunny... I think you meant to say looting not lewding.
Sorry you had such a terrible experience. I would guess that if some of the rooms were moldy all of the rooms were moldy. Unlikely that they only clean some of them properly.
I think it's important to check for recent, unbiased reviews of any hotel before booking if at all possible.
I didn't take the use of the term "native" to be derogatory... After all I am a native of the US.
What is the politically correct term for referring to these island residents?
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 12:10 PM
#6
Joined: Nov 2005
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Sunnydelite: So sorry about your disastrous room. A bad room and illness can definitely put a damper on a vacation! But I'm glad to hear the beaches are beautiful as ever as we're heading there in 6 days!
TPatricco: There's a negative connotation to the term. I admit that as a black person I cringe when someone uses the term. However, I think most people don't get the connotation so I will let it go....but since you asked...
From the Thesaurus online after its the section where it give the definition of "native":
Usage Note:
When used in reference to a member of an indigenous people, the noun native, like its synonym aborigine, can evoke unwelcome stereotypes of primitiveness or cultural backwardness that many people now seek to avoid. As is often the case with words that categorize people, the use of the noun is more problematic than the use of the corresponding adjective. Thus a phrase such as the peoples native to northern Europe or the aboriginal inhabitants of the South Pacific is generally much preferable to the natives of northern Europe or the aborigines of the South Pacific.·Despite its potentially negative connotations, native is enjoying increasing popularity in ethnonyms such as native Australian and Alaska Native, perhaps due to the wide acceptance of Native American as a term of ethnic pride and respect. These compounds have the further benefit of being equally acceptable when used alone as nouns (a native Australian) or in an adjectival construction (a member of a native Australian people). Of terms formed on this model, those referring to peoples indigenous to the United States generally capitalize native, as in Alaska Native (or the less common Native Alaskan) and Native Hawaiian, while others usually style it lowercase.
TPatricco: There's a negative connotation to the term. I admit that as a black person I cringe when someone uses the term. However, I think most people don't get the connotation so I will let it go....but since you asked...
From the Thesaurus online after its the section where it give the definition of "native":
Usage Note:
When used in reference to a member of an indigenous people, the noun native, like its synonym aborigine, can evoke unwelcome stereotypes of primitiveness or cultural backwardness that many people now seek to avoid. As is often the case with words that categorize people, the use of the noun is more problematic than the use of the corresponding adjective. Thus a phrase such as the peoples native to northern Europe or the aboriginal inhabitants of the South Pacific is generally much preferable to the natives of northern Europe or the aborigines of the South Pacific.·Despite its potentially negative connotations, native is enjoying increasing popularity in ethnonyms such as native Australian and Alaska Native, perhaps due to the wide acceptance of Native American as a term of ethnic pride and respect. These compounds have the further benefit of being equally acceptable when used alone as nouns (a native Australian) or in an adjectival construction (a member of a native Australian people). Of terms formed on this model, those referring to peoples indigenous to the United States generally capitalize native, as in Alaska Native (or the less common Native Alaskan) and Native Hawaiian, while others usually style it lowercase.
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 12:11 PM
#7
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I think it's more acceptable to use "native" as an adjective, e.g. my friend Kenneth Charles is a native Antiguan instead of just as a noun. But it's preferable to use the non-charged "local" which lacks any racial connotation. (CF: The natives are restless.)
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Sep 22nd, 2006 | 12:47 PM
#14
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my apologies for the and the .
I have now been to the US Boards and have had my share of silliness today. So now I am once again.
Thanks to Caribtraveler and ej for clearing it all up.
I think the terms, "Locals", "residents" "Turks and Caicos islanders", "islanders" are all preferable to "the natives".
And btw, those Eastern Caribbean folk absolutely loathe it when they're referred to as "small islanders". Especially when they're being called that by Jamaicans!
And btw2 never, ever, EVER, refer to a Turks and Caicos islander as a Turkey Cake!
I almost got thrown out of a car once by a T&C friend of mine for teasing her by calling her a turkey cake!
and the . I have now been to the US Boards and have had my share of silliness today. So now I am
once again. Thanks to Caribtraveler and ej for clearing it all up.
I think the terms, "Locals", "residents" "Turks and Caicos islanders", "islanders" are all preferable to "the natives".
And btw, those Eastern Caribbean folk absolutely loathe it when they're referred to as "small islanders". Especially when they're being called that by Jamaicans!
And btw2 never, ever, EVER, refer to a Turks and Caicos islander as a Turkey Cake!
I almost got thrown out of a car once by a T&C friend of mine for teasing her by calling her a turkey cake!
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 01:56 PM
#15
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British territories, ex Anguilla and Turks, are called "Belongers."
I'm not offended by sunnydelite, I took it within the context it was written! 8-)
Sorry about your bad experience. That happened in the Abacos, and Dominican Republic to me. I always try to find rooms with central air, as wall units always seem to make me sick!
Ocean Club West is not that old. (Sands is older.) Yet I've never gotten sick at Sands, or Royal West indies. Anything in the Tropics has to be renewed and upkept all the time. It sounds like OCW is not keeping up! ejcrowe: all are owned by people and not the hotel, but they pay the hotel for "upkeep".
You may want to contact "Ominbusdan" in Conde Nast Traveler" magazine. I'm thinking if the room made you sick, you should get more than a night. Maybe your doctor can help with a note!
I'm not offended by sunnydelite, I took it within the context it was written! 8-)
Sorry about your bad experience. That happened in the Abacos, and Dominican Republic to me. I always try to find rooms with central air, as wall units always seem to make me sick!
Ocean Club West is not that old. (Sands is older.) Yet I've never gotten sick at Sands, or Royal West indies. Anything in the Tropics has to be renewed and upkept all the time. It sounds like OCW is not keeping up! ejcrowe: all are owned by people and not the hotel, but they pay the hotel for "upkeep".
You may want to contact "Ominbusdan" in Conde Nast Traveler" magazine. I'm thinking if the room made you sick, you should get more than a night. Maybe your doctor can help with a note!
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 02:56 PM
#17
Joined: Apr 2004
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"Native" isn't very popular here either. "Local," "St. Thomian," "Cruzan" or Virgin Islander are all fine. In the VI, those from islands south of her are "Down-Islanders."
Transplants from the States are Continentals or State-siders.
Sorry about your experience but that place really needs to rethink their housekeeping & maintenance habits.
Transplants from the States are Continentals or State-siders.
Sorry about your experience but that place really needs to rethink their housekeeping & maintenance habits.
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 03:20 PM
#18
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Wow... I love learning things everyday. I had no idea about the terms "belongers", "Cruzan", "Continental", etc... Thanks for sharing gals.
Well I'm of Haitian descent, grew up in Zaire (now the Congo). You'd call my guys/gals Haitians, or Zairians or Congolese, period. No 'natives", thank you very much. And you can refer to me as the "American" these days.
Well I'm of Haitian descent, grew up in Zaire (now the Congo). You'd call my guys/gals Haitians, or Zairians or Congolese, period. No 'natives", thank you very much. And you can refer to me as the "American" these days.
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 03:29 PM
#19
Joined: Mar 2003
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For the record, I consider myself a "native" of South Texas. For those who have never been here, most of us probably don't care what the local word for native is... I suppose Texan but native will do just fine.
Back on subject. We went to T & C twice. Will never go back. Granted the beaches are long white sand ones, but you can find those in Anguilla and many other islands, but the rest of the island is scrubby, flat, and more like a desert. We also were clobbered with the endless developments going on!
Not exactly your lush "hideaway island destination".
Sorry you had such a bad time. Not to worry, there's many other islands in the Caribbean. Try a very tropical one from St. Lucia southward.
Back on subject. We went to T & C twice. Will never go back. Granted the beaches are long white sand ones, but you can find those in Anguilla and many other islands, but the rest of the island is scrubby, flat, and more like a desert. We also were clobbered with the endless developments going on!
Not exactly your lush "hideaway island destination".
Sorry you had such a bad time. Not to worry, there's many other islands in the Caribbean. Try a very tropical one from St. Lucia southward.
Sep 22nd, 2006 | 04:22 PM
#20
Joined: May 2003
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Sorry to hear about your getting sick. That stinks. I have gotten sick on vacation before and it is not fun.
To everyone else, I never realized native would be taken badly. I don't think I have used it, but I didn't know. I have heard locals many times referring to the island residents. I will remember the preferred terms next time I go island hopping which happily will be April and June of 2007!
Happy Friday all!
To everyone else, I never realized native would be taken badly. I don't think I have used it, but I didn't know. I have heard locals many times referring to the island residents. I will remember the preferred terms next time I go island hopping which happily will be April and June of 2007!
Happy Friday all!
