I read a lot of reviews before going to this hotel and was slightly apprehensive but my boyfriend and I aren't snobs who were expecting top class everywhere we went. But having been there after reading the reviews (the majority negative) I think that either these people were very unlucky with their experience or were expecting royal service or something?!
We went for 10 nights so managed to see most of the hotel and its grounds - it is a very big place but take a wonder around and it isn't that daunting at all really.
Check in was fine - we arrived at about 10pm and went straight to our lovely cool room. Check out was also fine - took about 2 mins max!
We were placed in Phase 2 with an ocean view - lovely view to wake up to in the morning. The air con was a God send, it was sooo hot outside, but even on 'low' it was very cool. The maids cleaned our room everyday, although sometimes it wasn't until about 3 or 4pm, but it didn't matter too much as we were by the pool until 5 or 6pm.
The mini-bar is refilled everyday but there were 2 days where it wasn't re-filled which was disappointing - we just wanted bottles of water to take to the pool but had to buy them from the shop in the hotel ($2USD each). Only 2 days out of 10, so not the end of the world!
Lots of restaurants to choose from (buffet, a-la-carte, etc) especially because we had the 'black wristband' which means you get everything all-inclusive (I think others that paid less got less of an all-inclusive deal, limited restaurants) - I definately recommend paying more for the black wristband then you have no worries at all as to where you can eat.
Overall I would say the food is fine, not amazing but definately enjoyable. Plenty of choice. The best food was at the exclusive Mexican restaurant in the main lobby area (Pyramid) which you have to book 2 days in advance and it has a formal dress code. Very romantic setting and definately the best food we had - get the lamb rack!!
Loved the pools! They stretch around the grounds of the hotel and are gorgeous and clean. One end was more 'happening' with younger crowds (17-20ish I would say) and activities like volleyball etc, but if you prefer a quiet poolside you can walk to the other side in 2-3 mins and it is very peaceful. I just read another review that said the toilets were too far away...maybe they didn't know that 'banos' means toilets? There are plenty! The Ibiza restaurant (buffet) is probably the most central toilets so you can get to them easily from any pool.
I was very impressed by the staff, everyday we saw maintenance people sweeping the floors, cleaning the pool, re-tiling here and there...they work hard in the heat to make sure the hotel is spotless.
We got room service one when we got a late dinner at about 10pm, they state it takes 45 mins but it actually took 30 which was good.
We were on a bit of a budget so could only afford 2 nights out which we paid for at one of the little huts around the hotel (they sell activities and trips too) and they were about $50USD each, free entry (no queue) VIP (I'm not sure what this meant...bt we did get our own seats maybe that was what it was?) and best of all free drinks. Both nights we had our own waiter who would go and buy our drinks for us so we didn't even need to go to the bar. We went to Coco Bongo (def recommend) and Dady O (I heard this was great for hip hop/r'n'b but I think we went on the wrong night (Saturday) as it was all rubbish spanish pop music, not for us! No big deal though we still had fun.
As for activities, we went on the Jungle Tour and def recommend. it was $55USD, you get to drive your own little speedboat then snorkelling - so fun! (Nothing to do with a jungle!). They had poolside activities all day, every day too so if you like volleyball, aqua aerobics etc then you will be fine.
Best part for us was the pools/sunbathing areas - we got fresh clean towels everyday and had no problem finding sun-loungers with comfortable cushions (although we went mid june so it wasn't peak season, I can imagine it getting very busy at peak).
Worst part...can't really think of anything bad to be honest! I think this is mainly because we did not have ridiculous expectations and are generally positive people who don't look for the bad things. Holidays are for relaxing and chilling out, if you use that attitude you should love it :)
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