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February 29, 2004
Sheraton at Our Lucaya
First I must start with the great
customer service provided by Travelcats and my travel agent Sandi!
Couldn't ask for a better experience and definitely will and have
recommended this
site/service to my friends and will use the services again for myself in
the future.
I must say Thank you
The trip:
Flights were on-time and, what can I say, we
made it there and back without incident!
Our ride was waiting when we got out of the
airport and the short trip to the Sheraton at Our Lucaya was
uneventful. Upon entering the hotel and waiting our turn in line to
register and get our room we were offered a refreshing glass of lemonade
- a great way to start your stay!
We had a bit
of a problem getting our room. Our reservation was there, and confirmed
our 2 double-bed reservation, but the room we were provided had only one
queen bed in it and we were told that was all we could get. After a bit of
finagling, and a few hours of waiting, we were provided a room with 2
double beds, a view of the ocean and a balcony. Which was what we had
booked originally. The hotel seemed to be overbooked as many people were
trying unsuccessfully to get rooms and seemed to be getting a bit upset.
Using a rating of 1 - 5 (5 being the highest
rating), I would rate the hotel a 3.5. Nice, friendly, and
pretty clean. The only thing lacking seemed to be the
desire to take an extra step for the guests. We got what we wanted when
we asked, but we had to ask. For instance, no one at the hotel told us
about getting a wrist band before using the hotel amenities and my kids
were turned away when attempting to use the water slide while my husband
and I waited for our room.
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The hotel staff was friendly, the
maid service AWESOME!
Once I went down to the pool area and
inquired, I was told they needed special cards to get a wrist band and a
towel, we understood. Unfortunately the kids felt like they got "slapped
on the wrist" for trying to use the amenities and they never did go back
to use the pool/slide.
At other times the kids were questioned as
to whether they were guests or not, especially when they wanted to
use the basketballs or volleyballs, etc. This was a bit uncomfortable for
them.
There were no "freebies" except for the
lemonade when entering the hotel. Too bad. It would be a nice gesture on
the hotels part to provide lemonade to guests at the pool or on the beach
or to walk around with some cookies or even offer drink specials at
various times to guests.
It just adds a nice touch when people are
spending as much money as they are and is good customer service.
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The pool/beach areas are
beautiful.
The people selling jewelry and braiding
hair ask politely, and then accept answers of "no thank you" without any
pressure. They don't follow you like in Nassau. This was nice.
Once you realize all food/drinks purchased
at the hotel cost an arm and a leg, you venture to other local eateries
for "reasonable" costing food - it can be found. This is too bad
because most guests end up leaving the
property for most of their meals and snacks. I would think reducing
prices a bit and filling your restaurants would provide
more money than hiking your prices so high
that your customer base is so low. The restaurants at the hotel did not
do a brisk business any of the days we were there (Tuesday thru
Sunday). The meals in the Aruba Marriott and the Nassau Marriott were
much more reasonable on previous visits than the Sheraton at Our Lacaya.
BUT, we weren't there for the food or the drink. We got those elsewhere
and just enjoyed the view and the sand and the wonderful ocean.
The new casino was very nice. We
enjoyed the free premium drinks and the friendly dealers!
So, all-in-all it was a nice vacation - it was
peaceful and quiet and we rested. The Sheraton at Our Lacaya was better
than your average hotel, although I probably wouldn't recommend others to
go there because I don't think they focus on their guests as much as they
should. Definitely could do more to make guests feel like guests without
too much effort.
We think you are awesome and surely
appreciated the services you provided us. Can't wait to work with you on
our next trip.
Terri - Rochester, New York
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May 31, 2004
