carmenmunoz's Reviews

Paradisus not so much like Paradise

While we have visited Puerto Rico many, many times; we normally make the Ritz Carlton in San Juan our home base. We were very interested to visit this first ever all-inclusive 5* resort on the island, we even splurged on the Royal Service Suites.
From the very first impression to the last our experience was anything but 5* (not even 2*). We had to pay for transfers to the hotel because the van driver was never informed that our transfers were included (vwn after numerous phone converstaions with the van company) The drive itself took upwards of 1 hour and a half this and the driver was horrible.
Our check-in was nothing special we were checked in at the Royal Suite private check-in which is nothing more than a room with 4 attendants and (much appreciated) a/c.

I must say we asked and were granted an upgrade to an ocean front room which was very nice. The rooms themselves are beautiful and spacious but the linen were of the worse quality I have ever seen (can you say scratchy, pilled and cheap!!) the sheets as well as the towels had holes the size of a quarter, trust me I took pictues I was so shocked.

The main pool area was always jam packed even though the hotel was not full; I later came to find out they sell daily passes to the locals who come in enjoy the facilities and restaurants for about $40 per person per day (where as we "guests" paid upwards of $500 for the same service).

The royal suite pool was actually a delight the staff was quite attentive, drinks were plentiful and loungers pool beds were great; until a huge local group came in and over took the pool. it was sorry charlie after that.

Restaurants are not actually open most of the time. The only one that is open on a daily basis is the buffet restaurant, which would be fine for breakfast and lunch (assuming the food were good and varied; which it wasnt) but for DINNER!!! somethimes this was the only option open for dinner.  On the rare occasion where the so called specialty restuarants are open they tell you that the restaurants are full.  In fact they are not, I had the experience of complaining to the restaurant manager who miraculously was able to fit me into one of the restaurants that was supposedly already "full" no exageration, there were less than 5 occupied tables at the time and 15 empty tables around us, it felt like  dining in an empty gymnasium. 

We were very disappointed and checked out after 3 days of what was meant to be a 7 day stay adn went back to the Ritz Carlton.

take my advise, dont bother... there are many more beautiful places to stay in PR, like The Ritz Carlton, Horned Dorset.
NOTE:
I have since read that they have downgraded this resort to a Sol Melia 4* guess at least this way you can manage yor expectations, I wonder if they are charging the same rates??

Reviewed on: March 05, 2008