We traveled to the Radisson already 2 years ago during high season and New years Eve 2008. We literally got one of the last rooms as the hotel was running on 100 % occupancy.
We had a wonderful stay back then and decided because of that to come back...
If we would have known!?...
I booked again through Club Carlson as I am a member for two nights as stoppover because we traveled on to Europe after. We arrived and received the same wonderful "Welcome". Our luggage has been taken care of and we went to the front desk, which is when the trouble started. We were refered back to the bell desk and got a room card only. The lovely lady showed us to our room, which made my mood running already towards 100 because we had to go down the stairs with luggage, a stroller and our 13 months old. We got the categorized suite, we booked, which was fine. BUT once we stepped out of the room and to the porch, I got stung by at least 3 mosquitos. I was very worried about my child and my wife. We went back to the front desk to complain. We got told that it is this time of the year when the mosquitos comne out, which just broke my patience! This is just not good enough for a 5 Star resort. There are several pest control companies in Nadi, which spray against insects. I also asked to be put in a room on the second level instead of the ground as the elevator was fare away from our room and there not that many ramps for strollers. The ramp at the entrance is fantastic. But there is nothing like that on property.
What I hated the most when I inquired about another room was that the girl at the front desk told her supervisor in Fijian "Why I can't keep quiet and take the room, I got assigned too"! The reason why I understood that is BECAUSE my wife is Fijian and I made it very clear to the girl to watch closely what she says to who in front of the guest! What kind of management allows there staff anyway to talk in their language in front of a guest, who most likely does NOT understand what they say! This is lowest standard!
Luckily another guest inquired for a room on the ground level at the same time, I inquired for a room on the 2nd level! The front desk girl was unable to count 1 and 1 together, so I helped her! I asked, if I couldn't take their room while the lady would take our room! Finally at 6.30pm we got our room! During the waiting period, we had late lunch at the restaurant and drinks.
We met people, we already met 2 years ago and they even remembered us, which I found to be great AND that is why this hotel got two points from me instead none. Because there are people, who keep the standard up and high! To mention is Kitione, Mr. Underwood from Activities as I called him and Roberta Hazelman! These are outstanding people at this resort.
There was another very positive experience, we had and that was the breakfast! We were greeted in the morning by an absolutely professional an happy waitress of who I forgot her name even though she mentioned it to us by I guess because I am not a very good morning person, I didn't pay attention. The buffet was more likely a thing of everything. There was a huge life cooking station where the chefs made your choice of eggs, bacon, beans, potatoes etc. The fridges were full with individual yoghurts and mueslis. still and sparkling bottled water, excellent tea station, toast station, smoked salmon, beef, cold cuts and so much more. You could even have champagne for breakfast!
The breakfast is definitely SUPER SPECIAL and considering that this buffet served about 400 people every morning, it looked clean and tidy all the time!
We went out for lunch during the day and after to Nadi town to buy stuff for the family. We love the Pure Fiji products. We had late lunch again at the hotel. I had a tune wrap and my a beef burger. I love tuna and I know when the tuna comes out of the tin and is actually more of a chopped sandwich tuna than anything else. I told the waitress, who offered a remake but I delcined.
We ordered a chocolate milk shkae from the ice cream counter, which is abviously outsourced. The milkshake was horrible and I gave it back. The teller, who was more interested in sending text messages than to listen took it back - NO remake offered!
We left early the next day and made use of the "grab and run" breakfast, which is offered by Radisson worldwide and a nice touch for early check outs. Roberta, who checked us out, remebered us and was so lovely again. I felt that she took our complaints seriously and would address it to the right people.
Club Carlson sends a feedback email to their members when theyr traveled with them. I did that and was contacted back by the guest recognition manager. I mentioned to her the sameissues and that this is NOT the "Yes I can" standard Radisson spreads out AND it surely is NOT "100% guest satisfaction", which is the main carrier for Radisson and that standard which kind of sets them apart from other hotel groups.
Radisson Denarau needs to realize that there are at leat 5 other 5 star resorts on this island, which would be happy to take on guests.
I would now for a change try out Westin and see, if and what is different.
Bad points this time for the Radisson...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC