tuscanlifeedit

Stephanie:

Noticed you used the word "nebby"

Could you be from western PA?

GailLK

Diana-Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. You seem to be the EXPERT here, so maybe you can fill us all in on what we missed in Jamaica so that others who have had such an unpleasant experience there can see it from your perspective.

mrkindallas

Just want to add to the list...

The Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, FL - definitely overpriced and overrated in my opinion.

They advertise "waterfront," but don't mention anything about the beach barely existing.

I don't know why they even call this a resort. It's a big hotel, rooms are the same size as a hotel at Holiday Inn. They do have some nice bathroom features -- but how much time am I really spending in there? It has a nice infinity edge pool, but all you are really looking out to in the ocean are big ugly barges. You have to rely on shuttle service to get to the spa or golf course. And if you have a spa appointment, you better call to confirm before getting there -- they may have forgotten to write you in!!!

When my room was cleaned, the shampoo wasn't replaced. Food was mediocre and expensive. Room service was very slow.

They also advertise that the Diplomat Landing with shopping is just across the street. Well, it is, but half the building doesn't have stores.

It's really a "conference" hotel -- not a resort. Yet, they charge just as much as the Four Seasons on the Big Island. If you are looking for someplace to have a conference and you'll have very little free time, then it's probably doable (although it would probably be a very pricey conference).

When I'm fronting this much money for a "resort" vacation, I'm expecting so much more than this.

kelbo

HKP

Obviously these threads get lots of responses/ opinions and come up on searches. Why bash me for resurrecting something that people are interested in knowing? People come to Fodor's for others' first hand knowledge, whether it be one or two years old, it is still valuable to some. There is no need for you to criticize me and in particular speculate in that I have nothing else going on in my life so I am resurrecting Fodors threads.

Little_Man

I love this thread, and, Steve it's a good thing not everyone agrees, or why would we even need Fodors...
(I'm still not crazy about Hawaii, but I've come to realize I don't think I like islands, LOL!!)

fivestar

We have stayed at all the top hotels in Hawaii. We hated the Four Seasons! The front desk staff was pretentious and the housekeeping staff seemed to forget we were there. We had to keep calling them to get our room serviced even though we requested a certain time for them to clean. We were told we could have an early check in. NOT! We gave up an upcountry tour because they said we could check in early. we never got in our room until after 4:00 P.M. The carpet was smelly and wet. We asked to change rooms and they said they were full up. Once we said we were checking out they suddenly found an OceanView room for a "slight" increase. It turned out to be a $625.00 room compared to $500.00 we were paying. Spago was quite a letdown. My Mahi was very dry and my husband almost couldn't find his Ahi because the portion was so small. It was cell phone hell at the pool. It's a good thing I had my sunglasses because the gold lame was everywhere and it was blinding.

The rooms are not the nicest I have ever stayed in either. I expected opulance and found a half canopy above the bed. The furniture was OK but not what we expected. Our armoire was all nicked and dinged. The bathroom was nice, but the Kea Lani's bathrooms blew these away. The bell guys were the nicest of all the staff there. We spend a lot of time on the islands and spend a lot of money. I don't mind spending $$$ if I get what I am paying for. To us, the Four Seasons Maui is just a place that people want to say they have been to. We have gotten much better service at The Kea Lani, The Ritz, The Grand Wailea and even the Westin Maui. The Halekulani is the hands down winner for serice at any hotel on the islands.

berhbs

I was disappointed in San Juan Puerto Rico. Not much doing, beashes so-so

Jenn

Puerto Vallarta!!

And I have to completely agree with the poster that listed the Hyatt in Montery CA. What a dump.

JRP

Thank you Jenn. It took two-and-a-half years for someone to finally mention Puerto Vallarta. Sorry I didn't see this sooner.
Second- Puerto Vallarta!!!!

chucklesbythebay

Four Seasons Maui is remarkably cheaper than Four Seasons Big Island. I would think the clientele would be a little different...

tcapp

I feel sorry for the post that is going to Opryland. We just returned from there and, even though the hotel is nice, it's overexpensive, overrated, boring, and you walk everywhere. Walking to the elevators was a chore. Shops and eating places were so spread out, it was a hike to go anywhere. Getting to your car, even with valet service, was a pain.
The rooms were nothing to write home about. Wouldn't stay there again.

kenmat

I just don't understand the high prices some people (middle class income) pay for hotels. My wife and I usually wake up, have breakfast and then leave for the day. The most that I have ever paid was $80 for the Ramada on the lower east side in New York city. We also stayed at the Holiday Inn in Washington D.C. for the same price. I just returned from Santa Fe where I stayed at the Quality Inn for $55/night. It was clean, quiet, had a pool and a fitness room. Also included was a breakfast at the coffee shop next door. The money I saved I used for sightseeing, eating good food, and suprising my wife with a few nice jewelry pieces. By the way, Santa Fe was fun!

Stephanie

anything Disney. the place is overpopulated with people and you can't enjoy anything because there are lines and people everywhere.

padams421

Maui
Hilton Head

tinamidon

Key West-Overpriced & cheesy. Nothin to do but hang out in bars and sit on the pretend "beaches". If you don't have a boat, forget about it.

South Beach: I just don't get it. I guess I'm too old (40) but most of those hotels are dumpy & smell like old beer. As long as its called "art deco", its good to go.

Nassau & Freeport: I think the rest of the Bahamas should vote them out.

GoTravel

I love Jamaica!

I've stayed at Breezes Runaway Bay, Wyndham Rose Hall (disliked), Half Moon, Ritz-Carlton, and Grand Lido Braco.

Also spent a bunch of time with friends exploring the island.

I think the island is what you make of it and it does seem to be only the people that cruise there that dislike the island.

Intrepid1

Sometimes I think it is actually Fodors.com

Devonmcj

I realize it was blown away in the hurricane, but the South Seas Resort on Captiva was a big disappointment. Years ago I spent some time there while working and loved it. I talked my family into spending Christmas together at the resort about 4 years ago. It was awful-really run down. The restaurant I remembered fondly was was not worth stepping into.

I'm sorry it happened, but the hurricane has given them a chance to start over. I hope they take advantage of it.

JAGIRL

Disneyworld. Although maybe wandering around the parks for four days with my two nieces aged 6 and 4 and who had a complete Minnie Mouse fixation probably was too much for even me!
Maybe in ten years I'll try again with no kids in tow and might just love it.

Suerich68

I love these old resurrected threads!

Cancun & St. John are really nothing special. Stayed at 5* resorts, accommodations were beautiful but not enough to do, especially in St. John. We took a ferry to St. Thomas nearly daily!