I couldn't start a new thread in the review section so I'll just do it here, feel free to move it FRONT DESK: - The front desk staff are excellent and professional, I never had a single issue there and was always dealt with promptly. - The timeshare thing I got out of very easily, I never even opted for the tour. I basically told them I've done my homework and I know what it's all about, after some perks were thrown my way that I refused, they had no problem with it, so just be up front and it won't be a big deal - My wife lost her wallet and luckily it was returned. The front desk staff were VERY organized for this kind of thing, writing down all contents, very impressed. ROOMS: - Given the renos this comment seems pointless but yes, the rooms are dated but I found them to be VERY well maintaned and the maid staff was fantastic. FOOD: - For the most part, we absolutely loved the food and being someone who does a lot of cooking I'm pretty picky. Even the buffet is pretty good, especially in the mornings where they seem to have everything. Contrary to what I've read in the past from others, I wasn't "that" impressed with the Italian restaurant (went there twice), the Asian was our favorite and the Seafood was also excellent - The service in all of these restaurants is BEYOND excellent, anyone who says otherwise I don't know what to tell you, you must be very hard to please. BEACH: - The beach is not as bad as people make it out to be. Is it great? Not by any means but we liked chilling on the beds and the water sports guys are great, highly recommend taking a catamaran out. POOLS: Sexy Pool: I know the majority of people here love the sexy pool and this is an unpopular opinion but to be fair to those who have never been - it's not for everyone. To us, it seemed we flash backed in time to Daytona Beach in the 90's. Back then, we would have been front and center, but 20 years and three kids later, ummmm...not so much. The games are hit and miss, the music for the most part is TERRIBLE unless you are a techno fan. The bar is always packed and it's difficult to get a drink at times. And let's be honest and address the elephant in the room - it's kind of gross in there. It's basically a large toilet, rarely do people go to the bathroom and other bodily fluids will occur from time to time. We never went back after day one although we did watch a few games from time to time. Quiet Pool: Luckily, we found a great bunch of people in the quiet pool and we had a fantastic time in there. If you like to have some funny conversations with some like-minded people without techno music blasting in your ears this is your place. If you feel like your trip is a failure because you're not a fan of the sexy pool, then that would be a mistake. The pool is beautiful and the bartenders are wonderful, you'll have a drink in minutes there at all times. Sports Pool: We didn't really know what to expect but as it turns out, we had a blast in the foam party! That really is a lot of fun and was truly a time where the "nobody gives a shit" stuff comes out. Don't miss that, it's a riot. At night, you can't skinny dip in the pool (I tried it), security will come but oddly enough there's probably more sex in there than anywhere at night. One guy I met called it "penetration pool" LOL STAFF: The staff as a whole is stellar. A couple of bartenders like their tips for sure but everyone from waiters to maids to cleaning staff were fantastic, much respect to the staff. Boobs Cruise: I spent weeks on here hearing how much fun the Boobs Cruise is so I booked it - but it's not for everyone. It's like the sexy pool on crack so if that's not your thing - stay away. You WILL see sex in front of you. There WILL be loud techno music. You will hear a loud of F-Bombs at 10:30 in the morning. The buffet on the island is really below average. Having said that, the staff on the boat are EXCELLENT and super cool dudes, we stayed towards the back and I chatted and joked with them a lot. They will ALWAYS make sure you're drink is full. LOVED the skinny dipping. EVERYONE on the boat was friendly and never gave us a hard time for not being into it. Our experiences are that lifestyle people are super friendly, and this was no different. NIGHTLIFE: The bar is beautiful but unless you're Pitbull's #1 fan, the music here is enough to make you drink yourself in a coma. It's usually the same music every night and I lost track of how many people were dying to hear something from the 70's or 80's or 90's. The rare times classic songs were played were the happiest I saw the place. There really needs to be an alternative at night to this bar, sports bar is air conditioned but really small (piano bar, anyone?). At Paty-o's, it's really the same night over and over again with different themes. OVERALL: We came to spice up our relationship and I'm happy to report - mission accomplished. We would definitely go back as long as it maintains it's quiet side vibe. I was amazed about how many people preferred it over there, at first we thought it was just us, but many others feel the same way. Over-all a great trip.
Great description of the Boobs Cruise. So much fun When I was there in May they did change up the music a bit. At around 9 they would play 70,80,90s music and then as it got later it got more techno. Even on Rock Star night after the band is done it moves to the dance club type of music. Glad you two had a fun trip.
Once Steve sees the review post he will move it to the review thread at some point, if it doesn't happen after it drops off the first page just shoot him a private message. T
Glad you guys found your spot and had a great time. Having the quiet pool is always great after a few days of sexy pool for anyone I think. lol
Perfect, especially on the music. We disagree with most of your thoughts but we understand them. Glad you had fun and plan to return.
After my first 3 trips, I always would say that the music was awful and was my least favorite part of the resort. I filled the survey out after each trip saying the same thing. I understand that dance/party music makes a great party, but when it seems like the same playlist day after day, night after night, and it's so heavy on Pitbull with the same songs 5 times a day, your kind of want to poke straws into your ears. I can grin and bare it in the sexy pool all day for obviously reasons but I would sometimes avoid PatyO's for long periods of time because the music was too much. However, on out last trip in June this was far from the case. Lots of variety each day with 70s, 80s, and 90s, music. There was definitely an improvement all around, and it just wasn't dance, techno, and Pitbull all day. I am hoping this continues in the future. It is a bummer to hear you experienced this music issue on your trip, because I was getting the feeling from the forum that things were getting better. Other than that I am glad to read your review, and hear what you did and didn't like about the resort. Even though it seems like you were looking for something slightly different then others, you still were able to have a great time, and would go back. Just kind of reiterates what I have said in the past that "the resort has options and you can have whatever kind of vacation you are looking for".
Nice report. I've never understood the timeshare complaint that people have. Just simply say not interested, and get up. How hard is that? As for the music, we were there last week of Oct. last year, and I didn't remember Patyo's playing the same songs at all. One night they had a violin guy that went on forever, another night they had a DJ, who would never let a song finish, and I certainly didn't hear the same play list five nights in a row. Maybe they start doing that way later at night? I don't know. Only odd part of your report was you didn't like the sexy pool, because it was a floating toilet, but loved the "penetration pool" Interesting.... I also didn't think the beach was that bad. At least you could get in the water. Down the hotel zone a bit, it's pretty much red flagged all day, every day.
