Biggest Luxury Hotel Disappointment?
Jun 24, 2010, 5:26 am
#256
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Just remembered Marbella Club in Marbella, Spain.
1. Lousy room (even though they had confirmed an upgrade in writing with the travel agent).
2. Very forgettable service (as in they kept forgetting things when asked for).
3. Double Billing on F&B (although this was corrected quickly).
My understanding is they have since rennovated the property completely- although I could never really even imagine going back to check.
1. Lousy room (even though they had confirmed an upgrade in writing with the travel agent).
2. Very forgettable service (as in they kept forgetting things when asked for).
3. Double Billing on F&B (although this was corrected quickly).
My understanding is they have since rennovated the property completely- although I could never really even imagine going back to check.
Jun 24, 2010, 6:37 am
#257
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
I think a lot of it goes back to the time when Stockholm was the most expensive place in the world for hotel rooms and it made sense to build in broom cupboard size rooms with no views as you could still get a fortune for them. Ironically, the basic rooms at The Grand are so poor that they don't even offer them for Priority Club reward nights - the default reward room is 20sq m one. Probably still a dump but at least it has a double bed!
If I went to Stockholm again (and it is lovely in Summer) then I'd go back to The Grand but I'd be very choosy about what room I booked.
Jun 24, 2010, 6:47 am
#258
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Oh yes - 12 square metres some of them! However, it also has some truly lovely rooms and suites overlooking the harbour. Fairly hit and miss but twice (out of 2 trips) I have had a fight with them over the room I was allocated and twice they have come up trumps in return.
I think a lot of it goes back to the time when Stockholm was the most expensive place in the world for hotel rooms and it made sense to build in broom cupboard size rooms with no views as you could still get a fortune for them. Ironically, the basic rooms at The Grand are so poor that they don't even offer them for Priority Club reward nights - the default reward room is 20sq m one. Probably still a dump but at least it has a double bed!
If I went to Stockholm again (and it is lovely in Summer) then I'd go back to The Grand but I'd be very choosy about what room I booked.
I think a lot of it goes back to the time when Stockholm was the most expensive place in the world for hotel rooms and it made sense to build in broom cupboard size rooms with no views as you could still get a fortune for them. Ironically, the basic rooms at The Grand are so poor that they don't even offer them for Priority Club reward nights - the default reward room is 20sq m one. Probably still a dump but at least it has a double bed!
If I went to Stockholm again (and it is lovely in Summer) then I'd go back to The Grand but I'd be very choosy about what room I booked.
Given the numerous lures of this hotel - the Raison d'Etre Spa, the two amazing Michelin starred Mathias Dahlgren restaurants - then it is a wonderful place to stay, but like many hotels, you need to know exactly which rooms to book. The Princess Lilian Suite is pretty nice....
Jun 24, 2010, 7:06 am
#259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
+1 on the Burmanska Palace wing- it is new, and the harbour views are great.
Jun 25, 2010, 11:58 am
#260
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,526
Amanfayun
I didn't have a major problem, and I really loved Hangzhou, but for nearly $1,000 per night (especially given high prices on-site, e.g., they asked $75 for the hotel car to West Lake, about a ten-minute drive), it lacked the "wow" factor that I was expecting.
The restaurants were very good, but the room was a bit disappointing. It also has no swimming pool, which, in a sweltering environment with days spent wandering around the temples, would be a nice diversion in the afternoon. The service overall was pretty good, but I experienced a couple of glitches.
Maybe partially because of the Amancult here, my expectations were too high.
The restaurants were very good, but the room was a bit disappointing. It also has no swimming pool, which, in a sweltering environment with days spent wandering around the temples, would be a nice diversion in the afternoon. The service overall was pretty good, but I experienced a couple of glitches.
Maybe partially because of the Amancult here, my expectations were too high.
Jun 25, 2010, 12:28 pm
#261
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I didn't have a major problem, and I really loved Hangzhou, but for nearly $1,000 per night (especially given high prices on-site, e.g., they asked $75 for the hotel car to West Lake, about a ten-minute drive), it lacked the "wow" factor that I was expecting.
The restaurants were very good, but the room was a bit disappointing. It also has no swimming pool, which, in a sweltering environment with days spent wandering around the temples, would be a nice diversion in the afternoon. The service overall was pretty good, but I experienced a couple of glitches.
Maybe partially because of the Amancult here, my expectations were too high.
The restaurants were very good, but the room was a bit disappointing. It also has no swimming pool, which, in a sweltering environment with days spent wandering around the temples, would be a nice diversion in the afternoon. The service overall was pretty good, but I experienced a couple of glitches.
Maybe partially because of the Amancult here, my expectations were too high.
Jun 26, 2010, 7:23 pm
#262
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 39
Just remembered Marbella Club in Marbella, Spain.
1. Lousy room (even though they had confirmed an upgrade in writing with the travel agent).
2. Very forgettable service (as in they kept forgetting things when asked for).
3. Double Billing on F&B (although this was corrected quickly).
My understanding is they have since rennovated the property completely- although I could never really even imagine going back to check.
1. Lousy room (even though they had confirmed an upgrade in writing with the travel agent).
2. Very forgettable service (as in they kept forgetting things when asked for).
3. Double Billing on F&B (although this was corrected quickly).
My understanding is they have since rennovated the property completely- although I could never really even imagine going back to check.
" 3. Double Billing on F&B (although this was corrected quickly). "
I cannot confirm it of course, but I get the distinct impression that they frequently do this on purpose. Yes, they also correct it, but only if detected by the guest. (and always that "surprised" looked when it is brought to their attention)
Nov 25, 2010, 9:26 pm
#263
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Alaska Airlines, BMI Gold, United 1K
Posts: 112
.
" 3. Double Billing on F&B (although this was corrected quickly). "
I cannot confirm it of course, but I get the distinct impression that they frequently do this on purpose. Yes, they also correct it, but only if detected by the guest. (and always that "surprised" looked when it is brought to their attention)
" 3. Double Billing on F&B (although this was corrected quickly). "
I cannot confirm it of course, but I get the distinct impression that they frequently do this on purpose. Yes, they also correct it, but only if detected by the guest. (and always that "surprised" looked when it is brought to their attention)
Nov 25, 2010, 9:40 pm
#264
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Alaska Airlines, BMI Gold, United 1K
Posts: 112
Nov 29, 2010, 5:08 am
#265
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
Caribbean flops!!
I have to say that I have endured a few terrible stays in the Caribbean, most notably Caneel Bay in the US Virgin Islands, Little Dix in the British Virgin Islands (both Rosewood properties) as well as Cap Juluca in Anguilla (back in 2006/2007).
Overpriced, poor service, dated facilities, complete lack of any interest whatsoever from the staff.
Caneel Bay was particularly poor. I know that it is not technically a luxury resort, but to have no telephones in the rooms and to have to walk to a bus stop to place your room service order is almost criminal!! Aggressive and unfriendly attitude of the staff made us feel very unwelcome. Loved the little 'wild' donkeys that roam the grounds though.
Little Dix was simply an expensive mess.
Anguilla was pretty and I seem to recall that they might have been going through an ownership change during my stay.
Have had great stays at Sandy Lane in Barbados, the Carlisle Bay in Antigua and Peter Island in BVI (had one of my best martinis ever at a little restaurant called The Dove in Road Town on Tortola!! Delicious)
Overpriced, poor service, dated facilities, complete lack of any interest whatsoever from the staff.
Caneel Bay was particularly poor. I know that it is not technically a luxury resort, but to have no telephones in the rooms and to have to walk to a bus stop to place your room service order is almost criminal!! Aggressive and unfriendly attitude of the staff made us feel very unwelcome. Loved the little 'wild' donkeys that roam the grounds though.
Little Dix was simply an expensive mess.
Anguilla was pretty and I seem to recall that they might have been going through an ownership change during my stay.
Have had great stays at Sandy Lane in Barbados, the Carlisle Bay in Antigua and Peter Island in BVI (had one of my best martinis ever at a little restaurant called The Dove in Road Town on Tortola!! Delicious)
Dec 4, 2010, 5:12 pm
#268
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Join Date: Feb 2003
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Posts: 17,832
Dec 4, 2010, 5:46 pm
#269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
one thing is it may be "disappointment" rather than bad, considering thread.
but for amanpuri, there was one regular poster that said they had a very bad puri villa stay, and many amanjunkies have said they feel its gone downhill.
also, aman outside indonesia do seem more mixed. over time, GM during stay may play a role? and of course there was zecha's hiatus.
but for amanpuri, there was one regular poster that said they had a very bad puri villa stay, and many amanjunkies have said they feel its gone downhill.
also, aman outside indonesia do seem more mixed. over time, GM during stay may play a role? and of course there was zecha's hiatus.
