The resort and grounds were very nice and we had a pleasant stay, for the most part. As a Titanium member, I was upgraded to an ocean view room, which was very nice. The front desk staff was great.
Throughout the stay, however, I felt as if the staff's primary directive was to squeeze as much money from us as humanly possible. During our ONE NIGHT STAY, we had four experiences that led us to this conclusion.
1. We were offered a buy one get one free special on local craft beers. I ordered two of these beers, assuming they would be otherwise reasonably priced, if somewhat inflated since we were at a resort. When the bill arrived, I was charged for both beers at $15 each ($30 total). Only when I pointed this out to the server did he acknowledge that we should have been charged for only one. Normally, I would excuse this as an honest mistake, but the rest of the trip makes me suspicious.
2. My wife overheard a server in the pool area say to another server (in Spanish) that one of the guests is drunk and asked for a drink, so get him something really good like the Mexican Mule. A quick look at the menu confirmed that this is the single most expensive cocktail they serve (somehow, just $1 more than the aforementioned beer at $16 USD).
3. I later ordered another two beers, willing to swallow the $15 dollars that a buy one get one free order would entail (even though $15 is insane to pay for a 12 oz bottle of beer). By the way, no prices were listed anywhere for the beers, so I naively expected this one to be the same. When the bill arrived, I learned that this 12 oz bottle of local IPA cost $22 USD! This is the most expensive beer I have ever seen in my entire life, and I have ordered craft beer in over 20 countries and 30 US states. Pure insanity.
4. At dinner, the server asked if we would like a bottle of water to start. After the experiences I noted above, I was afraid this would be outrageously priced, as well, so I requested a menu to check. I found that a 750 ML bottle of water would be $4 and a 1 L bottle would be $5. Great, I ordered the 1 L bottle. When the bill arrived, I was charged $9 USD for a 750 ML bottle. When I asked the server how this could be, he dropped his head and explained that he had brought the "premium" water, not the cheaper water that was on the menu. He did not offer to charge the lesser amount. I just paid and decided I would never return to this particular hotel.
I am not cheap. I am perfectly willing to pay reasonable amounts for things. But I do not appreciate being treated as a foolish, naive tourist ripe for the taking. Shame on the staff and/or management.
p.s., I also did not appreciate discovering upon arrival that the beach is permanently closed because it is dangerous. No mention of this anywhere. Very disappointing.
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