Ani Villas Anguilla_An Overpriced Disaster
Jul 7, 17, 1:44 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,352
Very different to my experience with Ani Villas Thailand, as you know. Although not perfect, I would definitely consider going back if in a larger group. What is so sad though is not just what happened, but their response to it. Service recovery is everything in the hospitality sector and they didn't put their money where their mouth is by proving to you, a loyalist and Ani evangelist, that you are a valued customer. I think it's quite clear that they've lost their opportunity to ever convince you to return as a customer again.
Jul 7, 17, 10:48 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Toronto
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 855
Bloody hell, DSI. This is outrageous. I feel so bad for you as I know that if there was any way of salvaging the experience and turning a blind eye, you would have done it. You had recommended Ani to me and fortunatly I had not yet booked any Ani location. This place sounds like it should be shut down until they can figure out what the hell is going on.
Jul 10, 17, 9:54 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,780
thank you for taking the time (and 'negative' energy) to write this up
didnt leave early? sometimes i would only dispute credit card once home
shows complexities with brands, whether villa brands or hotel brands
(ani - sri lanka stay (DSI) & phuket food (MacMyDay) sound good)
satellite of location >
https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=a9694...=2&form=S00027
didnt leave early? sometimes i would only dispute credit card once home
shows complexities with brands, whether villa brands or hotel brands
(ani - sri lanka stay (DSI) & phuket food (MacMyDay) sound good)
satellite of location >
https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=a9694...=2&form=S00027
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 10, 17 at 12:02 pm
Jul 10, 17, 10:21 am
#20
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
Although my experience with Sri Lanka was good, I would be hesitant even to consider one of their other properties. If something went horribly wrong there, the service recovery there too would be lacking as it wasn't simply service errors but just an outright failure to deliver what was promised and advertised.
I looked at the satellite picture and the video showing people in little bay beforehand also. Little bay is NOT accessible except by a boat (or walking over and getting in/out of the water with over volcanic rock, which would not really work for a child), but the video sure makes you think that this is the beach you'll be spending time at. I think that the video is equivocal.
Do brands even read the reviews on this website? I guess I should also post on TripAdvisor, too?
I looked at the satellite picture and the video showing people in little bay beforehand also. Little bay is NOT accessible except by a boat (or walking over and getting in/out of the water with over volcanic rock, which would not really work for a child), but the video sure makes you think that this is the beach you'll be spending time at. I think that the video is equivocal.
Do brands even read the reviews on this website? I guess I should also post on TripAdvisor, too?
Jul 10, 17, 10:55 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,780
is it really one owner?
even marketing/listing companies could offer some recovery
edit - if on tripadvisor would be interesting to see their reply
even marketing/listing companies could offer some recovery
edit - if on tripadvisor would be interesting to see their reply
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 10, 17 at 12:19 pm
Jul 10, 17, 12:04 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Although my experience with Sri Lanka was good, I would be hesitant even to consider one of their other properties. If something went horribly wrong there, the service recovery there too would be lacking as it wasn't simply service errors but just an outright failure to deliver what was promised and advertised.
I looked at the satellite picture and the video showing people in little bay beforehand also. Little bay is NOT accessible except by a boat (or walking over and getting in/out of the water with over volcanic rock, which would not really work for a child), but the video sure makes you think that this is the beach you'll be spending time at. I think that the video is equivocal.
Do brands even read the reviews on this website? I guess I should also post on TripAdvisor, too?
I looked at the satellite picture and the video showing people in little bay beforehand also. Little bay is NOT accessible except by a boat (or walking over and getting in/out of the water with over volcanic rock, which would not really work for a child), but the video sure makes you think that this is the beach you'll be spending time at. I think that the video is equivocal.
Do brands even read the reviews on this website? I guess I should also post on TripAdvisor, too?
Jul 10, 17, 12:15 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Although my experience with Sri Lanka was good, I would be hesitant even to consider one of their other properties. If something went horribly wrong there, the service recovery there too would be lacking as it wasn't simply service errors but just an outright failure to deliver what was promised and advertised.
I looked at the satellite picture and the video showing people in little bay beforehand also. Little bay is NOT accessible except by a boat (or walking over and getting in/out of the water with over volcanic rock, which would not really work for a child), but the video sure makes you think that this is the beach you'll be spending time at. I think that the video is equivocal.
Do brands even read the reviews on this website? I guess I should also post on TripAdvisor, too?
I looked at the satellite picture and the video showing people in little bay beforehand also. Little bay is NOT accessible except by a boat (or walking over and getting in/out of the water with over volcanic rock, which would not really work for a child), but the video sure makes you think that this is the beach you'll be spending time at. I think that the video is equivocal.
Do brands even read the reviews on this website? I guess I should also post on TripAdvisor, too?
Jul 10, 17, 2:19 pm
#25
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
I believe that Mr. Tim Reynolds, founder of Jane Street Capital is the owner, but I am not sure he is the whole owner. He was actually made aware of the problems and authorized the 1.7 nights worth of room refunds. I am surprised that he didn't want to really recover from the service being delivered too much, so hospitality may not be his cup of tea.
I suspect that running a hedge fund vs. a resort or villa is entirely different, as there's no such thing as service recovery at a hedge fun.
Actually I wonder if the group has run on hard times. The place needs a refurb; macmyday mentioned that Phuket didn't have a person in weeks before he went, and the Sri Lanka project is new with DR under construction.
Another FT'er has this review of the FS Anguilla. We had drinks there one night, and it is certainly operating at a much higher level of luxury and I hardly doubt there'd be the absurdity of a GM hiding behind the bushes tricking you that he's merely a porter. http://sitinfirst.com/2017/03/four-s...y-recommended/
Anguilla is a beautiful island no doubt, so the Four Seasons may be the best option.
I suspect that running a hedge fund vs. a resort or villa is entirely different, as there's no such thing as service recovery at a hedge fun.
Actually I wonder if the group has run on hard times. The place needs a refurb; macmyday mentioned that Phuket didn't have a person in weeks before he went, and the Sri Lanka project is new with DR under construction.
Another FT'er has this review of the FS Anguilla. We had drinks there one night, and it is certainly operating at a much higher level of luxury and I hardly doubt there'd be the absurdity of a GM hiding behind the bushes tricking you that he's merely a porter. http://sitinfirst.com/2017/03/four-s...y-recommended/
Anguilla is a beautiful island no doubt, so the Four Seasons may be the best option.
Jul 10, 17, 2:29 pm
#26
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 9,617
I believe that Mr. Tim Reynolds, founder of Jane Street Capital is the owner, but I am not sure he is the whole owner. He was actually made aware of the problems and authorized the 1.7 nights worth of room refunds. I am surprised that he didn't want to really recover from the service being delivered too much, so hospitality may not be his cup of tea.
I suspect that running a hedge fund vs. a resort or villa is entirely different, as there's no such thing as service recovery at a hedge fun.
Actually I wonder if the group has run on hard times. The place needs a refurb; macmyday mentioned that Phuket didn't have a person in weeks before he went, and the Sri Lanka project is new with DR under construction.
Another FT'er has this review of the FS Anguilla. We had drinks there one night, and it is certainly operating at a much higher level of luxury and I hardly doubt there'd be the absurdity of a GM hiding behind the bushes tricking you that he's merely a porter. http://sitinfirst.com/2017/03/four-s...y-recommended/
Anguilla is a beautiful island no doubt, so the Four Seasons may be the best option.
I suspect that running a hedge fund vs. a resort or villa is entirely different, as there's no such thing as service recovery at a hedge fun.
Actually I wonder if the group has run on hard times. The place needs a refurb; macmyday mentioned that Phuket didn't have a person in weeks before he went, and the Sri Lanka project is new with DR under construction.
Another FT'er has this review of the FS Anguilla. We had drinks there one night, and it is certainly operating at a much higher level of luxury and I hardly doubt there'd be the absurdity of a GM hiding behind the bushes tricking you that he's merely a porter. http://sitinfirst.com/2017/03/four-s...y-recommended/
Anguilla is a beautiful island no doubt, so the Four Seasons may be the best option.
Jul 12, 17, 8:41 pm
#27
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 25), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,434
Booking a client to Anguilla next Feb for annivesary. This made my job a lot easier choosing between FS or Ani.
Jul 13, 17, 4:50 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Sweden
Posts: 214
This made me so upset to read! I truly feel for you, and hope you get the compensation you deserve (at least a full refund) and can move on. What happened to you as you were departing sounds like a very uncomfortable and threatening situation.
It's always good to learn about absolute disasters, it's just too bad someone had to be there to experience it.
It's always good to learn about absolute disasters, it's just too bad someone had to be there to experience it.
Jul 13, 17, 2:48 pm
#29
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
So on the website, likely in response to this review, the link that I posted with the inclusions has been changed. I tried to pull a historical website search with Archive.org, but this PDF page was not indexed. Did anyone else read the link and see those inclusions before it they were just changed?
Yoga and RT airport transfers are no longer included on that sheet.
Yoga, tennis lessons and children's activity programs were a HUGE reason why we went and none (except one lesson that we were later learning was costing $150 an hour, so they decided not to) were really provided. I kept hoping to see the in-house tennis pro, Denny Derrick (http://www.anivillas.com/sites/defau...%20Program.pdf) but never saw him unfortunately.
Almost 72 hours ago, I wrote their executive management once again reiterating my concerns and how so many things that were advertised just weren't delivered and service problems. I mentioned that I felt like this 1.7 nights (maybe 1.46 since it was a seventh night free) were not sufficient for the gravity of the problems. I have not yet heard a response... and my spouse thinks that they just want to ignore me. I'm hoping that's not the case.
Yoga and RT airport transfers are no longer included on that sheet.
Yoga, tennis lessons and children's activity programs were a HUGE reason why we went and none (except one lesson that we were later learning was costing $150 an hour, so they decided not to) were really provided. I kept hoping to see the in-house tennis pro, Denny Derrick (http://www.anivillas.com/sites/defau...%20Program.pdf) but never saw him unfortunately.
Almost 72 hours ago, I wrote their executive management once again reiterating my concerns and how so many things that were advertised just weren't delivered and service problems. I mentioned that I felt like this 1.7 nights (maybe 1.46 since it was a seventh night free) were not sufficient for the gravity of the problems. I have not yet heard a response... and my spouse thinks that they just want to ignore me. I'm hoping that's not the case.
Jul 13, 17, 3:23 pm
#30
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
Correction: the page was available on google webcache.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us
I do think correcting the website is a good step in the right direction, so that future guests don't get disappointed. I used to really love the Ani brand, but this whole experience wasn't what I expected.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us
I do think correcting the website is a good step in the right direction, so that future guests don't get disappointed. I used to really love the Ani brand, but this whole experience wasn't what I expected.
