Room Number:
5203
Room Block:
5
Arrival:
Went with a group of 6. About 20 minutes from the airport. Sent an email a day before asking for building 5 and top floor and first and second floor. Checking in was very quick and painless. Received welcome drink and a cool scented towel! Ranoldo checked us in. He only could accommodate one couple with the request of building 5 top floor. The other 2 couples had to wait til the next morning to move rooms. Not a problem, great service and all done with a smile. Ranoldo was very good, greeted us every time he seen us in the lobby!
Rooms:
Our room (my self and husband), was located on the top floor of building 5. View of ocean and pool. Very nice room. King bed, Jacuzzi tub and a seating area. Bed was very comfy, slept very well. It was two doubles pushed together, but it didn’t bother us, we both slept good. AC worked great, always stayed chilly. Nice size shower with lots of hot water. Toilet area was a little cramped and lack of privacy if traveling with someone other than your spouse. Nice size balcony with 2 chairs and a table. Stocked fridge everyday with coke, sprite, water and Budweiser. Room was always stocked with towels, hand towels and always cleaned very well. Never did order room service so cant comment on that.
Restaurants and Bars:
We tried all the restaurants. Fondue was wonderful, slower pace, very romantic atmosphere, we were given a bottle of wine to take back to our room, which was very good. The Italian was very very good, lasagna was delicious! And the Steak house, the steaks very good and very tender. We the most friendlies waitress in the steak house and Italian, Gissell, she was absolutely hands down the best waitress and the most friendliest!!! Since the restaurants alternate nights, when the steak house was closed the Italian was open and vice versa, there fore we had the same host and waitress every time, which new us by name. We only had the buffet once for dinner, was good and plenty of choices. We ate the main buffet for breakfast everyday, delicious and very good with plenty of variety. One morning they didn’t have bacon, I asked for bacon and they told us every 2 days they do, but will make me a special plate. Just ask for anything, they will accommodate. The beach bar was very good too, especially at night for snacks and drinks, the atmosphere is laid back, met a lot of people there. Its open 24hrs!
Beach/Pools/Grounds:
The pool was a party place to be after 3 since that’s when the entertainment starts. Before that its slow pace and relaxing. Need more bar tenders around the pool bar, you can wait a while for a refill. But no worries, your on vacation! Never had a problem finding a chair under shade. We went to the pool, early or late and no issues. Beautiful landscaping around the pool, very nice and well kept. The beach beautiful. No seaweed, no more than an average beach. Ocean perfect blue/green gorgeous! White powder sand. We had VIP and never had issues finding a sun bed! Drink service on the beach and pool! You could walk for miles on the beach. Go left about 5 minutes and you will find local shops on the beach!
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
Did 3 excursions with our Blue travel rep in the lobby. Went to Catalina Island, which was a 12 hour day trip, was horrible! Dont recommend, especally if you only speak English, as you will be singled out. We tried to get involved but was brushed away. We made the best of it. The other two was with Marinarium, one was snorkling with sharks and sting rays and the other was a after sail happy hour! Those were worth the money and a lot of fun!!
Other Comments:
Took the free shuttle to the casino, it was OK, fun evening, but its very small inside. Nothing to hurry to go do, but it was nice to do during the storm one evening. Shopping on site isn’t good, go off the resort to get better deals. Everyone at this resort is very friendly and will go out of their way to help you. Ranoldo in the lobby, reserved for us 6 to eat at the Italian restaurant to celebrate my hubby’s b-day, it was awesome! Tip the staff, they all deserve it!!! Never seen the evening entertainment or used the spa services.