Hi Everyone, I can't believe I finally get to write my first trip report. It may be long but I hope you all enjoy! Beware, there are a few bummer parts....but the trip was WONDERFUL!!!! We got there Wednesday around 3:00. Flight was pretty tense as the lady right in front of me had a seizure. She is ok. She must have them some what often because her husband just took care of her and they didn't even alert the stewardess. We sailed right through customs...one of our friends did get the red light...but it took about 2 minutes and we were on our way. This report is going to start off with a "bummer" experience from the hotel....We had paid for an ocean view room....luckily I had my emails showing this, because they had us in for a garden view room. I could tell that they did not know what to do at the front desk because the hotel was pretty booked and they didn't have one. The first room they took us to was literally the first door up the stairs next to Patty'Os. Not even a glimpse of the ocean and I knew it was going to be very loud there. I said "no thank you". Then they offered us an ocean view room, with a double bed....um, this is our first vacation ever and our 10 year anniversary....that was not gonna work, but we wanted to get on with the vacation and said we would take it for the night but wanted to be moved the next day and we were NOT going to do the time share presentation. As we were getting into this room with the double beds, the phone rang and low and behold, they found us an ocean view room, with a king bed.....and they would see us at the presentation in the morning! The room was perfect, but the sexy lights were wired with the light at the door...so not so sexy...but it didn't matter....the room was great. We started with a quick bite to eat and then to Patty O's. Had a great time there and called it an early night. Thursday, we hung around at the sexy pool all day and had a blast! Friday, pretty much the same thing....only I played NTV (was on the losing team.....great way to break in the Newbie), then played twister (I did win that!) and partied some more. Headed off to lingerie night...which was a BLAST.... The next few days may blend together.... Saturday and Sunday, sexy pool, drinks, friends, Trent did the how many balls can you put in your bathing suit contest.....totally lost to the guy in a speedo that got 51 balls in that thing! WTF??? lol! Amazing dinner at the Italian restaraunt, Nice Shoes, entered in some couples contest where Gabby and Chuck totally kicked our ass...but it was a blast! The weather was pretty crappy....Monday we headed to the Isla and did the whole golf cart around the island, shopping and drinking at a few great bars...it was cool! We did not go on the excursion that takes you over there, we did it on our own so we could go at our own pace. If anyone needs any info on the Ferrys or has any questions about this, pm me. I think this was the night that we ended up in the alternative bar (which I honestly never thought I would see the inside of)....but we were there with Jill, Spex (our 2 friends that went with us), Bob, Kay, Gabby and Chuck (the coulple that kicked our butts in the contest the night before) until 2:00 in the morning. We were the ONLY people in this bar and had run of the show! At some point, I think it was me, that suggested that everytime you missed your shot in pool, you had to do a shot. I honestly do not know how many shots we did. All I know is that we all should have been under a table in the fetal position with EMT's on stand by. Bob, Kay....back me up here. Props to Angel the bartender, he kept it going and going and going, he was AWESOME!!! Tuesday and Wednesday, more of the same thing......the weather was finally better and we were able to get some sun. Made some jello shots, which I ended up consuming 23 of them on my own....so needless to say, I was having my own little party! I made more on Wednesday but never got the chance to pass them around....so on Thursday when we left, we walked around the pool and passed them out to friends and some random people! They were super easy to make there and a very big hit! Sadly we left on Thursday. Had about a hour and a half delay at our lay over and then a lady on our last leg home had a heart attack on our plane......she too appeared ok.... Some things we noticed and wanted to point out for other Newbies, as I don't remember seeing any posts about a few items: 1) Really? None of you repeaters ever pointed out that there is a HUGE church right accross the street from the resort. I was laughing my ass off.....lead me not into Temptation...... 2) There is a phone right outside of the buffet that you can use a phone card at (or credit card)...you don't need to go off the resort. 3) The hairdryer in our room was great. Not one of those that barely blew any air. I will not bring one next time....save some space in my luggage. 4) As I said, I have read every post since November, so I did pack an outlet strip. For us, we did not need one. There are 4 double outlets that I counted. 5) Personally, we thought the food was great! In fact, I gained 10 pounds on this vacation....ugh! We ate and ate and ate. 6) I don't know if it was because of #5 or if the drinks were poured lightly....but I swear, I don't know how many drinks and shots we had....but I only slightly got buzzed. It wasn't until I did the 23 jello shots that I made that I felt a really good buzz. 7) To all of you that have not yet been to TTR and may be worried about your size or whatever imperfection you may have....leave your worries at home. There are all different types here. It took me about 3 minutes to take off my bathing suit top! 8) I am really conflicted about the whole tipping thing. I posted on another recent thread our experience. I believe in tipping, but we will scale it back next time we go. 9) The cast was amazing. I love Chinos and Chris! Stephanie was a total sweetheart and is doing a great job! Amy is also really nice, but we didn't get to really know her that well. 10) We did see jellyfish in the water. We did meet someone who was stung by one and we also met someone who got sea lice. Not trying to scare anyone, just know that this could happen. 11) Pack lightly. I only brought one bathing suit cover up and wished that I brought more. I lived in that thing up until it was time to go out at night. 12) If you are going to buy any antibiotics, there is a pharmacy by the hotel...but we also found one in the airport....they seemed to be a bit better on the pricing at the airport. 13) Last but definately not least.......to the people we met.....Bob, Kay, Arron, Rebecca, Jen & Jen, Delicious, Emilio (aka Fabio), the Brits (Mim and all the girls), Chuck, Gabby......everyone.....thank you. You made our vacation so memorable. 14) I have struggled with this, but I think it is important to mention......and I won't go into detail but you can pm me if you would like more clarification. Lets just say, the people that are on this board.....certain couple in particular.....may not be what they seem. We are no longer newbies, we are definately future repeaters. We love everything about TTR and this board.
We had jello shots the stripper night with Dan and Ellen were those yours? We were at the pool Monday - Thursday minus the jelly fish watching we must have crossed paths more then once but don't think we met. Met Jeff and Crystal I think Wednesday
Hey Typo, We didn't meet....and I was looking forward to meeting you guys too! We were at the island on Monday...Tuesday was the day that I consumed my mass quantity of jello shots...so do not remember much of that night....Wednesday we were pretty low key and left Thursday morning. I don't think the jello shots were our that you had....but maybe. I made them 2 different days. Where is your trip report????
Tuesday was my low key day after arriving Monday I started consuming lots of Jack and at the end of the day I was fairly lit. We left the pool showered, chilled then back to dinner and then Paty O's and there was some glow going on but just a few. More drinking so Tuesday was a bit slow for me.
Great TR and great tips....Church? Never noticed it.... We know exactly what you mean about the slight buzz effect. That was what happened when we had beer or mixed drinks. It would be a little buzzier when we had shots (rainbows) or the purple sh*t. However, the times we were most buzzed was at night after having wine with dinner. I saw them uncork the bottle a few times during the week at bars and restaurants. I guess they don't water that down. Not to say I'm complaining...can't imagine being totally crocked all week, but I will pick up some Hornitos at the airport on the way in next time just to kick it up a little at certain times.
Thanks for the great report! I agree with most of your remarks, especially about tipping. The bar staff at the Sexy Pool and PatyO seem to have special training in not even seeing me, while the Quiet Pool bartenders are wonderful. There is a waiter(wish I could remember his name) at Margaritas that I love. He always remembers me and provides the best service. I usually would tip the 1st. bartender of the day $20 at the sexy pool first drink ordered but rarely have I ever been served promptly. As for the maid service, rooms are always clean. But many times, they have not restocked the minibar with my Diet Coke and or left clean towels. One trip, the minibar was empty for the whole trip. And I tip the maid daily. So I'm going to rethink the tipping also.
good report....................sorry your weather was bad. Apparently we were only there with you a couple days and on Fri and Sat we were off resort a good part of the day.....and left at 5am on Sun morning. we had soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much fun!
Great report!!! I totally agree on the tipping.... it should NEVER be expected. The bar staff (according to this forum) gets tipped like there is no tommorro. I only tip when good service is rendered, I never just tip because the staff expects to be tipped. Thanks for posting and Id love your Jello Shot recipe!! If I remember it is quite easy!! artyhorn:
Tere, And the things you mentioned about the Diet coke/clean towels/being ignored are things that should not of happened to you. You PAID for the advertised amenities. I would of skipped the tipping of the maid and the bartenders if thats the way they treated you. We stopped with the big tipping after our first two stays. We also noticed these things and no longer just throw money at the staff. Sorry this happened to you.
