March 12 08

Tova: How are you doing this evening?

Waitress at Kimono’s restaurant: not too good actually

Tova: really, why?

Waitress: i have a migraine. i don’t want to be here.

*crickets*

Tova: do you want an advil?

this is not a joke. this is an actual conversation that took place at one of our dinners.

we had read things about Sandals in St. Lucia that made us drool with anticipation. amazing service. everything is “no pressure, no problem” it’s like Cheers – your drinks are always full and everyone remembers your name. it’s worth the well-over-2,ooo a person because it’s THE BEST.
we actually found none of these things to be true.

before i continue, i must add in a little disclaimer. i LOVED my vacation. i spent 7 days in a gorgeous place with nothing to worry about. i was completely unplugged. no work. no kids. nothing. i spent each day eating drinking, and lying in the sun with my itouch and my book. i got to spend good quality time with my best friends and my husband. it was exactly what i wanted.

if you ask my friends, at some point of every day i proclaimed “THIS is a really good day.”

but, i still don’t know if i can recommend the Regency. because of the one thing only. the service.

there were exactly TWO people on the entire resort who smiled – Wayne by the pool and Hyacinth at the Pavilion. everyone else pretty much ignored us. the entire week.

Most people seemed annoyed if we asked for anything. a table for six was an annoyance. a cup of coffee was an annoyance. a drink at the swim-up bar was an annoyance. a table for lunch at Arizona’s was an annoyance. extra towels were an annoyance. it got to the point where we were tired of waiting and we just followed our own self-serve method. Ilana would go behind the bar and get us the drinks herself. The husband would go and get us our coffee himself. and Jack would push the tables together.

some of the days our room wasn’t cleaned. some of the days we got our beds turned down. some days we didn’t. ONE of the days we got a schedule for the next day. the other days we did not. sometimes that activities listed on the board happened, mostly they didn’t. my husband is STILL waiting for the banana-eating contest.

we took these things in stride, and laughed ’em off. it became a long-standing joke between the six of us. We didn’t let it bring us down…but i doubt it will be bringing us back to a sandals anytime soon…

for now…i’ll just let Isabella have all the fun

“Mama, i wear your boobies, okay?”

(please note…that cute little demon screamed the house down for 2.5 hours last night before going to sleep. GRRRRR)

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  1. Write a letter a demand some of your money back (not money towards another Sandals vacation)! Isabella’s hair suddenly looks so long and with such rich colour!

    Comment by Steph on March 12, 2008
  2. ick – no service whatsoever! sounds like you did make the best of it though.

    2.5 hrs? 🙁

    Holly’s last blog post..Ah, I’ll Do It Tomorrow

    Comment by Holly on March 12, 2008
  3. I am so sorry the service sucked. I def feel that is an integral part of a trip. I am glad though that you had time to relax before returning to a screamning child (we know how that can be)!

    Maya’s last blog post..Long ass weekend

    Comment by Maya on March 12, 2008
  4. well at least you got to spend a week in PARADISE…and um bella has some boobage to fill harr shes so adorable!

    Comment by LAVENDULA on March 12, 2008
  5. Gosh – she’s so adorable!

    Visit me @ http://www.momontherun.net

    Mom On The Run’s last blog post..About Mom On The Run:

    Comment by Mom On The Run on March 12, 2008
  6. Isabella is definately paying you back for going on vacation :).

    I would definately write them, I think that is totally unacceptable. I’m glad you all took it in stride though and didn’t let it affect your vacation!

    Comment by Sarah on March 12, 2008
  7. oh man that is terrible. Sandals of all places prides itself on service. You should definitely complain to them. Really. I was at Co Co Palms (in R Bay) and the service was amazing (it isn’t all inclusive). My room was spotless, the staff was super friendly. I was only there for a 4 days and staff got to recognize me and asked me about my day. You should expect nothing less.

    Chantal’s last blog post..It’s too late to turn back now

    Comment by Chantal on March 12, 2008
  8. I am SO glad you are back. I totally missed you. It looks like your trip was MORE than fun. I have been enjoying the pics and stories while being jealous beyond words. 🙂

    nicole’s last blog post..TAKS again.

    Comment by nicole on March 12, 2008
  9. Ali, you should post your review on one of those travel reveiw sites so other people can see what you thought. Or even send it to Sandals. Nothing may even come of it for you, but they should know when people aren’t happy. We’re going to the Mayan Riveria in April and I’ve been reading those reviews like a fiend. It’s gets a bit stressful in making a decision, because one man’s shithole is another man’s castle… and we all know only a castle will do for me, but it’s been pretty helpful in weeding out the crap places.

    jasmine’s last blog post..Three cheers for C day

    Comment by jasmine on March 12, 2008
  10. Wow, I’m sorry to hear that. I had a great time at the Grande in St. Lucia but admittedly, it did seem much more active than the other two resorts.

    Lottifish’s last blog post..Under the Weather

    Comment by Lottifish on March 12, 2008
  11. I cannot stand poor service people. IT’S YOUR JOB! On NYE we went to Red Robin, and asked our server how he was. He goes, “Um, well it’s New Year’s and I’m working…” Dude… just lie to us! I’m sorry your service was so horrible. You should definitely write them and post it on a review site.

    B2G’s last blog post..Are pictures really worth a thousand words?

    Comment by B2G on March 12, 2008
  12. Gaaah! Good to know, Sandals is now officially on my “Never Ever!” list. No smiley wait staff? Seriously, that’s false advertising!

    xox

    heidikins’s last blog post..Father, I have sinned…

    Comment by heidikins on March 12, 2008
  13. These are good things to know!

    It sounds like you had a great vacation despite the shitty service. LOVE your attitude. You’d be awesome to travel with.

    Comment by Chantal on March 12, 2008
  14. Ick!

    But every time I see the bikini you’re wearing from vacation pictures I love it even more!!

    Comment by Maryann on March 12, 2008
  15. The cutest ones are always devils. I’m forwarding this to my bff, a travel agent.
    Did you know that until very recently, Sandals had a ‘no two-left feet’ policy if you catch my drift.

    kgirl’s last blog post..Twenty(ish) Questions (Part II)

    Comment by kgirl on March 12, 2008
  16. Gah! Guess I’m never going there. Gotta check out other reviews of other Sandal’s resorts to see if its a pattern.

    Miss’s last blog post..7 Years Ago

    Comment by Miss on March 12, 2008
  17. PLEASE tell me you complained, or will complain. That is UNACCEPTABLE.

    I am cracking up over Isabella wearing your boobies. I LOVE HER.

    Comment by mamatulip on March 12, 2008
  18. Good for you for making the best of it.

    And btw – YES you do look damn good after having three babies – hubba hubba!

    Comment by monstergirlee on March 12, 2008
  19. That’s a disappointment! Glad you didn’t let it get you down.

    Jennifer’s last blog post..Superhero Baby Spotted Wearing Cape, No Pants

    Comment by Jennifer on March 12, 2008
  20. Again, proof to the rest of us that there is a Just God who loves stay at home moms not on vacation who live in the midwest.

    moosh in indy.’s last blog post..Casey vs. The Stairs

    Comment by moosh in indy. on March 12, 2008
  21. Isabella and The Baby apparently have their sleep watches synchronized…
    You know, you’re the second person I know who has reported being BADLY disappointed in a Sandals resort. Duly noted.

    Comment by Rebecca on March 12, 2008
  22. Hyacinth? Seriously? Hyacinth?

    And really, that sucks about the service. I totally get what you mean… you aren’t just paying to not have to cook, clean, whatever… you’re paying to not feel lazy or shitty while you’re not doing that stuff.

    SciFi Dad’s last blog post..TDS: An Office Visit

    Comment by SciFi Dad on March 12, 2008
  23. Man that sucks…
    You shoulda gone to Halcyon Beach (Sandals St. Lucia). Seriously – Heaven on earth.
    Not ONE negative thing to say.
    We’re going back next year. Come with!!

    Glad you enjoyed your time away, though.

    Comment by Christine on March 12, 2008
  24. Oh I wanted to let you know (because I know YOU will appreciate this)
    I WON a $50 Tims gift card on my Roll Up The Rim!!
    woop! woop!

    Comment by Christine on March 12, 2008
  25. My husband would still be waiting for the banana eating contest, too!

    Heh.

    Loralee’s last blog post..High Low’s

    Comment by Loralee on March 12, 2008
  26. That’s really too bad about the banana eating contest…. (And, Isabella’s like a cat — she’s, like, getting back at you for going away!!!)

    Haley-O’s last blog post..A Mother of the Year, a Minden, and a Guru

    Comment by Haley-O on March 12, 2008
  27. Dude!!

    Next time you need a vacation, email me. I’ll give you the name of the resort we went to – we plan on returning EVERY YEAR.

    Good for you for having a great attitude, though.

    And I don’t believe you about Isabella 😉

    Comment by Angella on March 12, 2008
  28. Dang you Sandals, I would have expected more and I probably would have written some letter about how ticked I was about it for the money I paid (when we left), cuz I’m feisty like that.

    Lindz’s last blog post..Who’d a thunk

    Comment by Lindz on March 12, 2008
  29. Hubz and I have been wanting to go to St. Lucia for some time. I know where NOT to stay if and when we ever make it there.

    BlondeBlogger’s last blog post..Hilarious

    Comment by BlondeBlogger on March 13, 2008
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    Comment by Best Folding Chair on March 24, 2008
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