I returned home today from a week at the Westin Lagunamar. The resort is new and very nicely appointed. Upon arrival the resort looks sterile because of the lack of vegetation but once you enter the building you can see out to the pool area with fountain and onto the ocean. It was beautiful. The pool area has cabanas with lounge chairs and cabanas with beds. There are plenty of lounge chairs but not a lot of umbrellas. Two hot tubs and two grill areas. The pool has two areas. The infinity pool with swim up bar and a pool at a higher level with a slide and volleyball net. The beach was in good shape in that area.
The business center has free 24 hour internet and the gym looked great.
My two bedroom unit was clean and nicely done. Washer/dryer in the lock off and the one bdrm, granite counter tops, lrg flat screen tvs, dark wood cabinets and doors. Two person whirlpool tub in 1 bdrm and lrg whirlpool in lockoff. Separate enclosed shower and toilet. Maid service in my unit was only one day. These are my positives about the resort. The down side goes like this. Everyone that I spoke with had the same issues with the enclosed toilet area offered no ventilation and would stay stinky for awhile. While taking a shower, water would run out onto the bathroom floor.
Although I didn't have any other problems in my unit, many guests spoke of lights and tv's not working and plumbing issues like the sink and toilet making noises on there own. One guest said that the bathroom sink fell through the counter.
Prior to my week at the Lagunamar I spent a week at the Royal resorts which are not new and not as well appointed but the difference in my enjoyment was like night and day. The staff at the Royal Sands, Royal Islander, Royal Caribbean and Royal Mayan were welcoming and joyful. Everyone said "Hola" or "Buenos tardes" or what ever. Everyone from the front door and behind the scene smiled and said hello. At the Westin no one acknowledged you, they didn't speak and they didn't smile. I felt that this set the tone for the guests whom seems solitary and resigned to layingin their lounge chairs and reading books.
At the Royal resorts they had different activities each day and all day for you to do or not do. The activities at the Westin were sparse and whack. At the Royal Resorts you had access to all five of their resorts that had mostly the same but different features at each resort. The resorts were family oriented with older and young couples, three generation families, girlfriends and singles. It wasn't a party resort but everyone was having a good time with each other and meeting new people. The food and drinks were good and not expensive and they had pool and beach service. They also had happy hour with half price drinks.
The Westin had one restaurant open, at the pool for B-L-D. The food and the drinks were not as good and expensive by comparison. I was at the pool three days before someone asked me if I wanted a drink. No one was on their lovely beech because they didn't have service. The mood at the resort is not joyous. I would go back there again if I wanted some alone time in style and I would reccomend this resort to the standoffish.
If you can live with less luxury and want to enjoy your valuable week of vacation, go the the Royal Resorts where they are more than happy to have you. The Royal Sands is just a few resorts down. The beech has a few rocks but it's mostly good.
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