Travellers have different experiences-even at the same locations. All you have to do is read a few reviews! Here is our experience last week at the Blue Crab in Seine Bight.

What was good-beautiful section of beach, white sand, palm trees clear up to the edge of the water, no neighbors on either side, very private. Dinner menu-expertly prepared asian food, sizable portions, varied menu. Price of entrees around $20 US. Office has safe for valuables, manager on site almost all the time. Personal attention to making arrangements for guests. Tours will pick up at the beach on site.

What was bad-cabanas are plywood with thatch, constructed with the original property 15 years ago. Little maintenance between then and now. Complete redo in order. Wood virtually devoid of finish, paint peeling, gaps in thatch. Bathroom a disaster, concrete shower with peeling and missing paint, hole in floor covered with shower mat, black mold and mildew 12" up the shower curtain liner, as well as on the outside decorative curtain. Single light bulb in bathroom, sink hanging off the wall, toilet rocks and rolls! Door consists of curtain hung from rod, filthy from dragging on floor.

Mismatched, old furniture. One double bed, one single, mismatched coverlets. Linens consist of flat sheet wrapped around very old mattress that was stained and torn. When we awoke in the morning, sheet was off, we were on the mattress, very unpleasant. Pillows hard and dusty. The only light was one lightbulb hung from center of cabana with cheap glass shade. One fan on a stand. We had to run the fan at full speed all night to keep the bugs off of us. We were at the end of a two week trip through the jungles of Mexico and Guatemala-no bug bites. After 3 nights here, we were nearly eaten alive.

We paid $90 a night in advance for this, no refund available. We stuck it out, as it was the end of the trip. Also note that Frommers recommends this property. They must be short of staff to do updates. We talked to numerous people that stayed in Placencia proper. It appears that much better digs, at better rates are available there. I would recommend it.

Final Comment-and I will post this under Seine Bight also. Seine Bight Village is not quaint. We travel all over the world, I know quaint when I see it. Raw garbage piles in front of, or beside buildings, both business and residential is not quaint. Animals rooting through garbage, buildings collapsed and filled with garbage--Seine Bight, with few exceptions has this dubious experience. We walked through and around the village 2 days in a row. The much vaunted "Lola's" (Artist, and sometime restauranteur) is accessed after a very large garbage pile, the size of an average driveway. I think I would pass on the restaurant part.