The main bad point of Breezes Bahamas (I’m not sure if this applies to all Breezes) was the "Specials" they have advertised. I booked our week long trip to Breezes Bahamas towards the end of January 2005. When visiting their website, they advertised that if you book by 1/31/2005 and travel by Mid June, you’d pay the same rate for any room (garden, oceanview, oceanfront, etc). When trying to pull up any of the room rates, they all gave the same rate, which was the rate of the cheapest room. The catch that they printed was it was subject to availability.
Arrival: The main bad point of Breezes Bahamas (I’m not sure if this applies to all Breezes) was the "Specials" they have advertised. I booked our week long trip to Breezes Bahamas towards the end of January 2005. When visiting their website, they advertised that if you book by 1/31/2005 and travel by Mid June, you’d pay the same rate for any room (garden, oceanview, oceanfront, etc). When trying to pull up any of the room rates, they all gave the same rate, which was the rate of the cheapest room. The catch that they printed was it was subject to availability. So, if picking a room (like oceanfront), the website seemed to query their database to see if room was available for the duration of the stay. If not, it gave a message that indicated to try another room or date. If it was availble, it allowed you to book that room. So, after searching through the calandar, I found a week that had an oceanfront room available for booking. I went ahead and booked the dates based on this fact, so I ended up choosing 4/10-4/17 to stay at Breezes Bahamas. I received a confirmation letter stating I had an oceanfront room for the week. Due to this special, we decided to try Breezes instead of going to Sandals, in which we have already stayed at another location and enjoyed ourselves. Arrive on 4/10 at about noon, so after waiting in line in the lobby for about 20 minutes, we were given arm bands and told our stuff could be stored while we went to have a drink and relax til 3pm, when rooms would be available. Returned at 3pm, and once again stood in line for about 20 minutes, to finally get a room. Double checking to see if the room was an oceanfront, I was told that no, it was a garden room. I pulled out my confirmation sheet and asked why I am confirmed for an oceanfront room, and did not receive one. I was told that it was subject to availability, and they had none available for the week. I then asked to speak to a supervisor, Darrall, and was told the same thing. They said I paid for a garden room, and that’s what I was getting. I then asked what was the point of the "special" then, if I could book and get confirmed for a room, but not receive it when I arrive. They again told me my travel agent overbooked, and it wasn’t their fault. I then asked to speak to someone at Superclubs. They led me into the offices, and informed me that I’d have to pay for the call to Jamaica. I told them no I wasn’t, because I’m trying to get my reservation straightened out. Finally, they dialed a number, which led me to an automated answering machine at Superclubs, and no one was available to take my call (since it was 4pm on a Sunday). So, my wife talked me into going with it and enjoying our vacation. So, their specials are mainly meant to draw people to reserve rooms with them, promising whatever rooms they can find dates for. It’s not until arrival that the guests are informed of what they mean by "availability".
Now, a quick review of the rest of the stay.
Check in:
When arriving at the lobby area, there are two or three people working the front desk. The lobby was always packed during the day with arrivals/departures trying to make it to the front desk. Lines were everywhere, and the wait was typically at least 20 minutes each time. It would have been more helpful if they created one line of inflow, rather than a free for all trying to get to an available person.
Room:
Our first room was a 2nd level room, facing the main entertainment area and pool/gardens. During the day and through the night, noise from these areas are clearly heard. We swapped to another room the second day, and requested one of the top three levels on the other side (facing away from the pool). We got one on the seventh floor, and it was much better. Now the only noise were from one room of spring breakers, who seemed to lock one guy out of the room every night. He would bang on the door of his room for half an hour trying to get in. Then, we received a call from him, most likely dialing random numbers on the seventh floor, trying to get his room.
Pool:
Pool was fine, still a bit chilly for April, when the sun wasn’t beaming down. Towards 6pm, the crew that handled the pool area would rearrange the loungers and tables back to their original spot, even if you were sitting there.
Bars:
Bars were pretty slow in service, and didn’t always seem to be first come first serve, if people got to know the bartenders. In the main bar near the entertainment area one night, we were standing on one side of the bar waiting for 5 minutes or so. My wife finally flagged a bartender down and asked if we could be helped soon. He said to walk to the other side of the bar and wait instead! She was furious.
Food:
Food was decent for buffet food. There was always something one could find each day, and some days were pretty good (and I’m picky on what I think is good food). Decent different variety each day. Service was slow at both the "reservations" restaurants, because it seemed there were two servers for the entire place each time.
Entertainment:
Entertainment was ok. There was the main entertainment area near the lobby, that had something going on each night. Piano bar was open each night for sing along, and a disco playing mainly hip hop was available each night.
Overall ratings: I’d say if you’re on a budget for an all inclusive resort, then Breezes Bahamas is decent for the money. Keep in mind it allows kids 16 and over to stay, and during March-April, sping breakers will be abundant.
In comparison to Sandals Halcyon in St. Lucia, I’d say Breezes is a 3, and Sandals was a 4.5. Would I go back to a Breezes in the future? Probably, but I’m not going to count on the "Specials" to lure me back there again. Would I go back to a Sandals (over a Breezes)? Definitely.