Grand Hyatt Baha Mar - REVIEW MASTER THREAD
May 24, 2017, 4:19 am
#331
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: saint augustine, FL USA
Posts: 463
I was interested in reviews of the property and came to my trusted FT sources.
The award nights are indeed 20K points per night, plus $30/night resort fee. Not sure if that is just a website issue and does not apply per WoH award night redemption; or if they are actually enforcing it.
I was able to speculatively book a night in November. My confirmation shows:
Additional Tax, Fees & Service Charges:
ROOM V A T: 7.50%
C B R A LEVY: 4.00%
C B R A V A T: 0.30%
N P I P B LEVY: 6.00%
N P I P B V A T: 0.45%
RESORT FEES: 30.00
RESORT FEE V A T: 2.25
SERVICE CHARGE: 20.63
The Cancellation policy is rather insane as well:
14 DAYS PRIOR TO ARR REQUIRED/CC WILL BE BILLED 1NT RM AND TAX
Hopefully it really is not $53 in taxes and fees per night on top of 20K points.
Will see (if I actually go ahead with this stay).
The award nights are indeed 20K points per night, plus $30/night resort fee. Not sure if that is just a website issue and does not apply per WoH award night redemption; or if they are actually enforcing it.
I was able to speculatively book a night in November. My confirmation shows:
Additional Tax, Fees & Service Charges:
ROOM V A T: 7.50%
C B R A LEVY: 4.00%
C B R A V A T: 0.30%
N P I P B LEVY: 6.00%
N P I P B V A T: 0.45%
RESORT FEES: 30.00
RESORT FEE V A T: 2.25
SERVICE CHARGE: 20.63
The Cancellation policy is rather insane as well:
14 DAYS PRIOR TO ARR REQUIRED/CC WILL BE BILLED 1NT RM AND TAX
Hopefully it really is not $53 in taxes and fees per night on top of 20K points.
Will see (if I actually go ahead with this stay).
Jun 7, 2017, 12:40 pm
#332
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 101
Currently here at the GHBM, it's not ready yet. Only 3 of the 20 restaurants are open with lots of empty shops and spaces. Casino is very nice and well staffed for now. We'll see how long after the grand opening they keep staffing at the current levels. There are security and other workers at every corner. Lots of construction at the SLS and Rosewood hotels next door still. If you are used to Atlantis prices, this won't be much of a shock. Automatic VAT and 15% service charge on each meal.
Pros:
-7 really nice pools are open currently (plus a few hot tubs)
-Sanctuary (shark tank) is really neat being right next to the biggest pool. I think they feed the fish and turtles at 10:30, 1:30, and 3:30
-Lots of bars open around all the pools
-Free activities on the beach as part of the resort fee with lots of assistants around to help
-Rooms are comfortable
-Bathroom is top notch with fully sliding doors between the bed and tub
-Good views (we looked out over the water towards Atlantis)
-Staying on points with Explorist status and we were upgraded to an ocean view room (others we saw just had fountain view rooms)
-Fountain show is at 8pm every night. My son loved it.
-2 free bottles of water per day
Cons:
-It's huge and nothing is well marked (we walked around for 20 minutes looking for an open restaurant at 4pm) One sign pointing towards an elevator took you to the ESPA. Going the opposite way took you to an elevator but it was out of service.
-Swimming pig restaurant doesn't have any signage (I think it was supposed to be called Pub 24 which is stamped all over the floor) and it's down a dark hallway out of the way with the doors closed and you can't see inside
-Some elevators to the beach aren't working currently. I'm not sure if someone in a wheelchair could even access the beach without a big headache.
-Several instances of racism towards my wife from locals stopping by the hotel to eat and gamble
-We brought our toddler so our room got quite a bit messier than most, but it took roughly an hour to get it cleaned when they'd show up.
-Power went out for a while on at least 2 of our 6 days
-On an award stay, our bill doesn't show being charged for the resort fee but it does have the $20.63 per night service charge
-Grand club isn't open yet, but I was told it's scheduled to open soon
-Ice machines have signs down the hallway but not on the actual door. Once you find it, you find out that they haven't turned them on yet so you have to call for ice to be delivered
-We ordered food from off site to be delivered and it took forever. This will probably be remedied as local places figure out that it's open. I expect restaurants, shops and groceries to open up across the street and close by once all of the rooms start getting filled up.
One day this will be a nice place if you like mega resorts. Right now, I don't think it should have opened. If you ask some of the security or other people standing around, they don't know much about the place. It'll take a little while to get everyone on the same page and be able to help the guests that have questions. Honestly, my wife was ready to leave before we had even stayed a night. We stayed though and it hasn't been a bad experience. It just wasn't ready yet.
If you have any questions about the place I can try to answer them or ask around to get an answer.
Pros:
-7 really nice pools are open currently (plus a few hot tubs)
-Sanctuary (shark tank) is really neat being right next to the biggest pool. I think they feed the fish and turtles at 10:30, 1:30, and 3:30
-Lots of bars open around all the pools
-Free activities on the beach as part of the resort fee with lots of assistants around to help
-Rooms are comfortable
-Bathroom is top notch with fully sliding doors between the bed and tub
-Good views (we looked out over the water towards Atlantis)
-Staying on points with Explorist status and we were upgraded to an ocean view room (others we saw just had fountain view rooms)
-Fountain show is at 8pm every night. My son loved it.
-2 free bottles of water per day
Cons:
-It's huge and nothing is well marked (we walked around for 20 minutes looking for an open restaurant at 4pm) One sign pointing towards an elevator took you to the ESPA. Going the opposite way took you to an elevator but it was out of service.
-Swimming pig restaurant doesn't have any signage (I think it was supposed to be called Pub 24 which is stamped all over the floor) and it's down a dark hallway out of the way with the doors closed and you can't see inside
-Some elevators to the beach aren't working currently. I'm not sure if someone in a wheelchair could even access the beach without a big headache.
-Several instances of racism towards my wife from locals stopping by the hotel to eat and gamble
-We brought our toddler so our room got quite a bit messier than most, but it took roughly an hour to get it cleaned when they'd show up.
-Power went out for a while on at least 2 of our 6 days
-On an award stay, our bill doesn't show being charged for the resort fee but it does have the $20.63 per night service charge
-Grand club isn't open yet, but I was told it's scheduled to open soon
-Ice machines have signs down the hallway but not on the actual door. Once you find it, you find out that they haven't turned them on yet so you have to call for ice to be delivered
-We ordered food from off site to be delivered and it took forever. This will probably be remedied as local places figure out that it's open. I expect restaurants, shops and groceries to open up across the street and close by once all of the rooms start getting filled up.
One day this will be a nice place if you like mega resorts. Right now, I don't think it should have opened. If you ask some of the security or other people standing around, they don't know much about the place. It'll take a little while to get everyone on the same page and be able to help the guests that have questions. Honestly, my wife was ready to leave before we had even stayed a night. We stayed though and it hasn't been a bad experience. It just wasn't ready yet.
If you have any questions about the place I can try to answer them or ask around to get an answer.
Jun 7, 2017, 4:02 pm
#333
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Minnesota
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,101
Currently here at the GHBM, it's not ready yet. Only 3 of the 20 restaurants are open with lots of empty shops and spaces. Casino is very nice and well staffed for now. We'll see how long after the grand opening they keep staffing at the current levels. There are security and other workers at every corner. Lots of construction at the SLS and Rosewood hotels next door still. If you are used to Atlantis prices, this won't be much of a shock. Automatic VAT and 15% service charge on each meal.
Pros:
-7 really nice pools are open currently (plus a few hot tubs)
-Sanctuary (shark tank) is really neat being right next to the biggest pool. I think they feed the fish and turtles at 10:30, 1:30, and 3:30
-Lots of bars open around all the pools
-Free activities on the beach as part of the resort fee with lots of assistants around to help
-Rooms are comfortable
-Bathroom is top notch with fully sliding doors between the bed and tub
-Good views (we looked out over the water towards Atlantis)
-Staying on points with Explorist status and we were upgraded to an ocean view room (others we saw just had fountain view rooms)
-Fountain show is at 8pm every night. My son loved it.
-2 free bottles of water per day
Cons:
-It's huge and nothing is well marked (we walked around for 20 minutes looking for an open restaurant at 4pm) One sign pointing towards an elevator took you to the ESPA. Going the opposite way took you to an elevator but it was out of service.
-Swimming pig restaurant doesn't have any signage (I think it was supposed to be called Pub 24 which is stamped all over the floor) and it's down a dark hallway out of the way with the doors closed and you can't see inside
-Some elevators to the beach aren't working currently. I'm not sure if someone in a wheelchair could even access the beach without a big headache.
-Several instances of racism towards my wife from locals stopping by the hotel to eat and gamble
-We brought our toddler so our room got quite a bit messier than most, but it took roughly an hour to get it cleaned when they'd show up.
-Power went out for a while on at least 2 of our 6 days
-On an award stay, our bill doesn't show being charged for the resort fee but it does have the $20.63 per night service charge
-Grand club isn't open yet, but I was told it's scheduled to open soon
-Ice machines have signs down the hallway but not on the actual door. Once you find it, you find out that they haven't turned them on yet so you have to call for ice to be delivered
-We ordered food from off site to be delivered and it took forever. This will probably be remedied as local places figure out that it's open. I expect restaurants, shops and groceries to open up across the street and close by once all of the rooms start getting filled up.
One day this will be a nice place if you like mega resorts. Right now, I don't think it should have opened. If you ask some of the security or other people standing around, they don't know much about the place. It'll take a little while to get everyone on the same page and be able to help the guests that have questions. Honestly, my wife was ready to leave before we had even stayed a night. We stayed though and it hasn't been a bad experience. It just wasn't ready yet.
If you have any questions about the place I can try to answer them or ask around to get an answer.
Pros:
-7 really nice pools are open currently (plus a few hot tubs)
-Sanctuary (shark tank) is really neat being right next to the biggest pool. I think they feed the fish and turtles at 10:30, 1:30, and 3:30
-Lots of bars open around all the pools
-Free activities on the beach as part of the resort fee with lots of assistants around to help
-Rooms are comfortable
-Bathroom is top notch with fully sliding doors between the bed and tub
-Good views (we looked out over the water towards Atlantis)
-Staying on points with Explorist status and we were upgraded to an ocean view room (others we saw just had fountain view rooms)
-Fountain show is at 8pm every night. My son loved it.
-2 free bottles of water per day
Cons:
-It's huge and nothing is well marked (we walked around for 20 minutes looking for an open restaurant at 4pm) One sign pointing towards an elevator took you to the ESPA. Going the opposite way took you to an elevator but it was out of service.
-Swimming pig restaurant doesn't have any signage (I think it was supposed to be called Pub 24 which is stamped all over the floor) and it's down a dark hallway out of the way with the doors closed and you can't see inside
-Some elevators to the beach aren't working currently. I'm not sure if someone in a wheelchair could even access the beach without a big headache.
-Several instances of racism towards my wife from locals stopping by the hotel to eat and gamble
-We brought our toddler so our room got quite a bit messier than most, but it took roughly an hour to get it cleaned when they'd show up.
-Power went out for a while on at least 2 of our 6 days
-On an award stay, our bill doesn't show being charged for the resort fee but it does have the $20.63 per night service charge
-Grand club isn't open yet, but I was told it's scheduled to open soon
-Ice machines have signs down the hallway but not on the actual door. Once you find it, you find out that they haven't turned them on yet so you have to call for ice to be delivered
-We ordered food from off site to be delivered and it took forever. This will probably be remedied as local places figure out that it's open. I expect restaurants, shops and groceries to open up across the street and close by once all of the rooms start getting filled up.
One day this will be a nice place if you like mega resorts. Right now, I don't think it should have opened. If you ask some of the security or other people standing around, they don't know much about the place. It'll take a little while to get everyone on the same page and be able to help the guests that have questions. Honestly, my wife was ready to leave before we had even stayed a night. We stayed though and it hasn't been a bad experience. It just wasn't ready yet.
If you have any questions about the place I can try to answer them or ask around to get an answer.
Jun 10, 2017, 4:17 pm
#334
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 101
Not a clue. It is definitely more adult centric vs kid centric. I even saw them mention it was adult oriented, kid friendly on twitter. We'll see how it turns out in the long run, but I don't see it making it's billions back at this rate.
Jun 13, 2017, 5:24 pm
#335
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 213
Trying to figure out if your review is positive or negative and what the experience was like.
I'm biased because I hate Vegas (and I'm not even 30 - just far too many work trips there) but calling something "Vegas on a beach" and then in the same paragraph saying "thought it was excellent" seems contradictory to me but that might just be me.
I'm biased because I hate Vegas (and I'm not even 30 - just far too many work trips there) but calling something "Vegas on a beach" and then in the same paragraph saying "thought it was excellent" seems contradictory to me but that might just be me.
We had a fantastic stay. As long as people know what they are getting into ahead of time. Reminds me of the Bellagio of the Caribbean. To me is a great place for a couple nights. I am out of NY area and a quick flight for some nice weather, high end resort with a great casino is my type of trip. Especially since I have tons of Hyatt points. It helps considering everything else is super expensive but that is how it is in the bahamas. The only thing that has to get paid on a hotel stay is the VAT tax.. which comes to I think 20.67 per night.
I did my research ahead of time and knew there were only a few restaurants open and no shops etc.. It's currently in a soft opening. Full opening is supposed to be in October.
The rooms was nice.. the grounds were gorgeous .. tons of different pools to choose from, nice calm beach with nobody hassling you like at other parts in the Bahamas. Food although expensive I thought was very good to excellent. Casino was huge and nice and bright and airy . The staff very friendly always looking to please.
Do I wish they had more food choices.. yes.. And more lively nightly activity or even a happy hour with band etc.. sure.. I would be bored if anything longer then a weekend here. I do like that it will be more high end and probably keep most of the families over at the atlantis.
Do they have stuff that needs to be worked out.. sure... But nothing to ruin my quick getaway.
Jun 25, 2017, 5:52 pm
#336
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 136
Currently here at the GHBM, it's not ready yet. Only 3 of the 20 restaurants are open with lots of empty shops and spaces. Casino is very nice and well staffed for now. We'll see how long after the grand opening they keep staffing at the current levels. There are security and other workers at every corner. Lots of construction at the SLS and Rosewood hotels next door still. If you are used to Atlantis prices, this won't be much of a shock. Automatic VAT and 15% service charge on each meal.
Pros:
-7 really nice pools are open currently (plus a few hot tubs)
-Sanctuary (shark tank) is really neat being right next to the biggest pool. I think they feed the fish and turtles at 10:30, 1:30, and 3:30
-Lots of bars open around all the pools
-Free activities on the beach as part of the resort fee with lots of assistants around to help
-Rooms are comfortable
-Bathroom is top notch with fully sliding doors between the bed and tub
-Good views (we looked out over the water towards Atlantis)
-Staying on points with Explorist status and we were upgraded to an ocean view room (others we saw just had fountain view rooms)
-Fountain show is at 8pm every night. My son loved it.
-2 free bottles of water per day
Cons:
-It's huge and nothing is well marked (we walked around for 20 minutes looking for an open restaurant at 4pm) One sign pointing towards an elevator took you to the ESPA. Going the opposite way took you to an elevator but it was out of service.
-Swimming pig restaurant doesn't have any signage (I think it was supposed to be called Pub 24 which is stamped all over the floor) and it's down a dark hallway out of the way with the doors closed and you can't see inside
-Some elevators to the beach aren't working currently. I'm not sure if someone in a wheelchair could even access the beach without a big headache.
-Several instances of racism towards my wife from locals stopping by the hotel to eat and gamble
-We brought our toddler so our room got quite a bit messier than most, but it took roughly an hour to get it cleaned when they'd show up.
-Power went out for a while on at least 2 of our 6 days
-On an award stay, our bill doesn't show being charged for the resort fee but it does have the $20.63 per night service charge
-Grand club isn't open yet, but I was told it's scheduled to open soon
-Ice machines have signs down the hallway but not on the actual door. Once you find it, you find out that they haven't turned them on yet so you have to call for ice to be delivered
-We ordered food from off site to be delivered and it took forever. This will probably be remedied as local places figure out that it's open. I expect restaurants, shops and groceries to open up across the street and close by once all of the rooms start getting filled up.
One day this will be a nice place if you like mega resorts. Right now, I don't think it should have opened. If you ask some of the security or other people standing around, they don't know much about the place. It'll take a little while to get everyone on the same page and be able to help the guests that have questions. Honestly, my wife was ready to leave before we had even stayed a night. We stayed though and it hasn't been a bad experience. It just wasn't ready yet.
If you have any questions about the place I can try to answer them or ask around to get an answer.
Pros:
-7 really nice pools are open currently (plus a few hot tubs)
-Sanctuary (shark tank) is really neat being right next to the biggest pool. I think they feed the fish and turtles at 10:30, 1:30, and 3:30
-Lots of bars open around all the pools
-Free activities on the beach as part of the resort fee with lots of assistants around to help
-Rooms are comfortable
-Bathroom is top notch with fully sliding doors between the bed and tub
-Good views (we looked out over the water towards Atlantis)
-Staying on points with Explorist status and we were upgraded to an ocean view room (others we saw just had fountain view rooms)
-Fountain show is at 8pm every night. My son loved it.
-2 free bottles of water per day
Cons:
-It's huge and nothing is well marked (we walked around for 20 minutes looking for an open restaurant at 4pm) One sign pointing towards an elevator took you to the ESPA. Going the opposite way took you to an elevator but it was out of service.
-Swimming pig restaurant doesn't have any signage (I think it was supposed to be called Pub 24 which is stamped all over the floor) and it's down a dark hallway out of the way with the doors closed and you can't see inside
-Some elevators to the beach aren't working currently. I'm not sure if someone in a wheelchair could even access the beach without a big headache.
-Several instances of racism towards my wife from locals stopping by the hotel to eat and gamble
-We brought our toddler so our room got quite a bit messier than most, but it took roughly an hour to get it cleaned when they'd show up.
-Power went out for a while on at least 2 of our 6 days
-On an award stay, our bill doesn't show being charged for the resort fee but it does have the $20.63 per night service charge
-Grand club isn't open yet, but I was told it's scheduled to open soon
-Ice machines have signs down the hallway but not on the actual door. Once you find it, you find out that they haven't turned them on yet so you have to call for ice to be delivered
-We ordered food from off site to be delivered and it took forever. This will probably be remedied as local places figure out that it's open. I expect restaurants, shops and groceries to open up across the street and close by once all of the rooms start getting filled up.
One day this will be a nice place if you like mega resorts. Right now, I don't think it should have opened. If you ask some of the security or other people standing around, they don't know much about the place. It'll take a little while to get everyone on the same page and be able to help the guests that have questions. Honestly, my wife was ready to leave before we had even stayed a night. We stayed though and it hasn't been a bad experience. It just wasn't ready yet.
If you have any questions about the place I can try to answer them or ask around to get an answer.
Also, what is the shark tank / sanctuary? What is neat about it? Do they have something like swim with dolphins?
Have never been to Bahamas or Atlantis but am loyal to the Hyatt chain so would love if we get some of the Atlantis experience at this Hyatt resort.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Jul 5, 2017, 9:24 am
#337
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 101
Could you please describe the "Free activities on the beach" that you mentioned above? Are those the non-motorized water sports mentioned at the website? Like hobie? stand up paddle board?
Also, what is the shark tank / sanctuary? What is neat about it? Do they have something like swim with dolphins?
Have never been to Bahamas or Atlantis but am loyal to the Hyatt chain so would love if we get some of the Atlantis experience at this Hyatt resort.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Also, what is the shark tank / sanctuary? What is neat about it? Do they have something like swim with dolphins?
Have never been to Bahamas or Atlantis but am loyal to the Hyatt chain so would love if we get some of the Atlantis experience at this Hyatt resort.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
The sanctuary was a shark, sting ray, and turtle tank that you can see from the pool or from the top down. They do feedings several times a day that were pretty cool for a 3 year old. No swimming in it or with dolphins that I found nearby.
Jul 6, 2017, 10:28 am
#338
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 302
Just arrived here for a multi-night stay, using straight 20k points/night with Explorist status. Was upgraded to a ocean view king room (although not the one with full balcony).
Came to find out there actually is a Grand Club lounge that apparantly just opened maybe in last week or so (not yet listed on the website), but I was denied using one of the 4 voucher certificates for Explorists to gain access. Was told its currently only granted for Globalists and other certain VIPs such as casino high rollers, and maybe it'll change once the hotel fully opens in October.
Overall impression is alright but still questioning my decision to choose to stay here on points vs going for the Atlantis Cove or even Sandals Grand Bahamian (using chase ultimate rewards portal directly). Will be upset if on checkout they attempt to charge me for resort fees on a pure points award stay, guess will prepare by having a printout of the WOH terms and conditions that states resort fees aren't supposed to be collected on award stays.
Came to find out there actually is a Grand Club lounge that apparantly just opened maybe in last week or so (not yet listed on the website), but I was denied using one of the 4 voucher certificates for Explorists to gain access. Was told its currently only granted for Globalists and other certain VIPs such as casino high rollers, and maybe it'll change once the hotel fully opens in October.
Overall impression is alright but still questioning my decision to choose to stay here on points vs going for the Atlantis Cove or even Sandals Grand Bahamian (using chase ultimate rewards portal directly). Will be upset if on checkout they attempt to charge me for resort fees on a pure points award stay, guess will prepare by having a printout of the WOH terms and conditions that states resort fees aren't supposed to be collected on award stays.
Last edited by njdealguy; Jul 6, 2017 at 10:34 am
Jul 9, 2017, 8:21 pm
#339
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 101
Just arrived here for a multi-night stay, using straight 20k points/night with Explorist status. Was upgraded to a ocean view king room (although not the one with full balcony).
Came to find out there actually is a Grand Club lounge that apparantly just opened maybe in last week or so (not yet listed on the website), but I was denied using one of the 4 voucher certificates for Explorists to gain access. Was told its currently only granted for Globalists and other certain VIPs such as casino high rollers, and maybe it'll change once the hotel fully opens in October.
Overall impression is alright but still questioning my decision to choose to stay here on points vs going for the Atlantis Cove or even Sandals Grand Bahamian (using chase ultimate rewards portal directly). Will be upset if on checkout they attempt to charge me for resort fees on a pure points award stay, guess will prepare by having a printout of the WOH terms and conditions that states resort fees aren't supposed to be collected on award stays.
Came to find out there actually is a Grand Club lounge that apparantly just opened maybe in last week or so (not yet listed on the website), but I was denied using one of the 4 voucher certificates for Explorists to gain access. Was told its currently only granted for Globalists and other certain VIPs such as casino high rollers, and maybe it'll change once the hotel fully opens in October.
Overall impression is alright but still questioning my decision to choose to stay here on points vs going for the Atlantis Cove or even Sandals Grand Bahamian (using chase ultimate rewards portal directly). Will be upset if on checkout they attempt to charge me for resort fees on a pure points award stay, guess will prepare by having a printout of the WOH terms and conditions that states resort fees aren't supposed to be collected on award stays.
Jul 10, 2017, 4:21 am
#340
Join Date: Feb 2004
Programs: IHG Spire Elite; Hyatt Platinum; SPG Preferred+; Club Carlson Gold; SW CP
Posts: 674
Jul 10, 2017, 5:43 am
#341
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 140
It's $20.63 per night and it's supposed to cover tips for other employees who are not directly servicing you, such as landscaping and cleaning staff, the GM's kids' school tuition, etc. That's on top of the 15% mandatory service charge on food and drinks you order. Not waived even for Globalists. Resort fees to my knowledge are only waived for Globalists either paid or on points.
Jul 10, 2017, 9:05 am
#342
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, AA Platinum
Posts: 74
Duane Haas mentioned his wife experienced racism. Has anyone else experienced racism at this resort or by the locals? My wife and I are an interracial couple and I would prefer not to have that type of negative experience, especially while on vacation.
Jul 10, 2017, 9:25 am
#343
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bahamas
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 958
Racism from locals stopping by to eat and gamble??? Locals are not allowed to gamble in the Casino.
Happy Independence day Bahamas.
Last edited by bruceba; Jul 10, 2017 at 9:31 am Reason: add
Jul 10, 2017, 9:37 am
#344
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 140
Difficult to comment without more context. What does he mean exactly by instances of racism? Called names, gestures, looks? What's construed as racism by some people might not necessarily mean the same for others, depending on what is done or said. I did not feel anything of the sort, but I'm usually not looking out over my shoulder for any subtle signs out there. I'm Hispanic, fwiw.
Jul 10, 2017, 11:01 am
#345
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 302
It's $20.63 per night and it's supposed to cover tips for other employees who are not directly servicing you, such as landscaping and cleaning staff, the GM's kids' school tuition, etc. That's on top of the 15% mandatory service charge on food and drinks you order. Not waived even for Globalists. Resort fees to my knowledge are only waived for Globalists either paid or on points.
My opinion on the restaurants were that Swimming Pig was alright while 3 Tides and the noodle bar sucked. Cafe Madeleine although a chain was also very good.
Would recommend going out for a dinner at a popular local restaurant Sapodilla which is nearby and provides complimentary pickup/dropoff service from the hotel. Not cheap but much better and authentic food at similar prices to the hotel restaurants.
Last edited by njdealguy; Jul 10, 2017 at 11:11 am