First, as usual we met 3 very cool couples and had a great time again. Too much rain, but thats not the resorts fault. The one biggest complaint we have is this Premiere only stuff is getting ridiculous. Why dont they just make the damn place Premiere only and be done with it? No Red Bull for us "red banders"? No surf and turf or coconut shrimp for us "commoners"? No free WiFi for us "peasants"? " Whats next? We can only walk outside and not down the hallways unless we have the whites bands?? Second.....there seemed to be groups of people on this trip that were very clique-ish, and not really sociable. Last year when we went, everyone, and I mean everyone was socializing in the pool. Thats what really made us want to go back this year. We didnt get that vibe at all this trip. The group thing is cool, but it can get a little silly with the noses in the air attitudes. The timeshare crap. Look....We paid less for a week than our Premiere member friends. Its true. It can be done. We got hounded pretty bad this trip to the point where I told the timeshare lady....NO MEANS NO! If the "Premiere only" keeps expanding, we will find someplace else to go. COVER PATYO'S!!!!!!!!!! Holy crap!! WIth all the money this place makes, they could put tarp covers over every counter. But for some reason, they dont. GET NEW DRINKING GLASSES!!!! We take our own mugs (if you think those glasses are "sanitized" like they should be, think again), but every once in a while we just get a drink in a glass. I swear every plastic glass we got had chips all around the edges, and some were sharp. And its kinda gross too. Change the lunch buffet up some. By the 3rd day we could name everything on it. Renovate Nice Shoes. Its pretty much a small dump. Vary the music more at Paty'O. Since there is a wide range of ages, there is most likely a wide range of musical taste. Not everyone wants to hear the same techno crap all night. To us some of the most fun moments is when they play the "shuffle songs", and throw in some rock every once in a while. I know.....it's minor, but Im on a roll. LOL Its 2013. GET FREE WIFI. Hell, even Motel 6 has free WiFi. Put anti skid paint on sloped areas for when it rains. I saw some pretty nasty slip and falls this trip due to all the rain. Stop surrounding the pool with rent-a-cops everyday at 4 o'clock. They may be needed at times, but do they have to stand right at the edge of the pool like hall monitors?? Fix the damn door at the buffet thats suppose to open automatic that leads out to the sexy pool. If its a emergency only exit, then lock it. I saw a girl yesterday nearly knock herself out when she ran into it. No joke. The pros are the people we do meet that are cool and sociable, and the price. Thats the only reason we go back. I know this sounds like alot of complaining, but Im sure alot of people have thought at least some of the same things. I tend to think of it more as "observations". We love going and will go back as long as the price stays right, and they chill out a little on the timeshare crap. Not likely though as long as people continue to buy it. BIG BIG props to the workers at TTR. Those people work their asses off!!
At that time everyone is very drunk from being there all day and a lot more loose and going crazy. Last year Melissa did have single guys all over her one day and I did appreciate the security standing close and watching.
While I agree with the timeshare crap, drink cups, nice shoes, and music choices(I like classic rock). There are other options for lunch other than the buffet. I also bring my own mug. I am a member,so the premier benifits makes me happy.I paid lots of money, deserve something extra for it. I know to wear the proper shoes when floors are wet. But they could do a little something in the worst areas. While I am very social, groups do have the right not to include strangers. I don't like it either, my advise is to choose your vacation time when you know more regulars are going. I have almost spent a half year in total time at TTR going back to 2001. They have made upgrades. I believe nice shoes is kept like it is to get everyone to go out to the clubs at night, the resort spend less on booze and make money on the sale of wristbands.
I can understand premier members getting top shelf liquor and other perks, but certain food choices are a little much. I like the surf and turf and coconut shrimp, so because I'm not a premier member am I not allowed to order it at all?
I think the best way to look at some of what is and isn't offered to non-Premier members is - the more perks offered to everyone, the more the rates will rise. It's an affordably priced all-inclusive resort...so to offer a high dollar option like surf n turf to everyone, premium liquors, free wi-fi, etc, rates would have to go up. In your review, you also mentioned low rates were a key reason you go to TTR. Raising prices would negatively affect the bottom line more than additional percs would help in filling the rooms with guests. Econ 101 - the Law of Diminishing Returns. To make Premier perks available to everyone would seriously devalue their Premier Mambership - which is obviously a very important part of their business plan. The perks that you want to receive, but don't are available...you just need to buy the Premier membership or book a more expensive resort where those perks are included.
It was just some thoughts. We heard others complaining about the food thing too. And the timeshare people. I dont have a problem with "Premiere" members getting a little extra. I would think the biggest perk would be making the cost a lot cheaper, but like I said earlier, we paid less than the friends we were with who are members. So where's the benefit? They asked the same thing. We dont want to be "included" in any group. Im just talking about being social. But you are right. People do have the right to be snobs if they choose. How about different options AT the buffet every once in a while? I know the mexican has lunch also. We will probably go back next year, but there are some things they could do to make this a much nicer place.
