V-Flyer

Dearest Gurus.

I hope some of you knowledgeable & well travelled V-Flyers can help me pronto. oo)

'Miss Behavin' marries in less than 3 weeks & the happy couple (not any more) have just been informed that the Barbados hotel they were due to stay at, Mango Bay is closing for major refurbishment :0 Whether the refurb bit is true or not I really don't know.

Th holiday company (I thought that the said travel company were solid, reliable etc but they apparantly don't seem that fussed v( ) have offered them Almond Beach resort & spa for the same money but not adult only, or Turtle Beach for more money( I don't know yet how much).

The not so happy couple had paid for all inclusive & an adult only resort.

Please can I ask you for you opinions as to whether you think that Turtle Bay or Almond Beach would be acceptable for a like for like with Mango Bay?
To my mind the answer is no, but I have not stayed at either, although I have been to Barbados.

I've looked on Tripadvisor & the worms are a worry :0 .

Any alternative suggestions would be appreciated that they can use to negotiate with the travel company.

I do not know my legal rights as yet as I'm posting this first but will get onto that next.

The reason I'm so involved is because I paid for the honeymoon on my credit card. :$

Thank you in advance dearest Gurus oo)

Roxy-popsy

Hi RP,

The Almond Beach Club and Spa is adults only (or nearly) - well, at least the VH brochure says children under 16 are not permitted at the hotel, they go to the Almond Beach Village. y)

I have a friend who has stayed at both and she swears by Turtle Beach if thats any help.

I have stayed at all three of the hotels mentioned although
stay at the Almond Beach was probably 10 year ago. Stayed at both Mango Bay and Turtle Beach in 2010 & would put them about on a par, both very good. Food was good at both, beach at Turtle Bay is good although as on the south coast the sea can be pretty rough.

Good luck

oldboy

I have just booked my third stay at Turtle Beach - I personally love it and would highly recommend it.

It is not adult only however, but there is a kids club there, so most kids will not be bored and running around, and I have never seen this.

Looked at Almond Beach for our wedding but decided on Colony Club as wanted own bit of pool to swim in and it was no children at the time we went in February, and would HIGHLY recommend the place but having said that if the choice is Almond Beach or Turtle Beach I personally would go for Almond Beach.

I couldn't find anything on the Mango Bay website about closing for refurbishment.

Not sure of the required dates but the booking engine indicates availabilty for one week from 20th August, however it will not allow stays after the 29th. Perhaps that is when it is shut?

Perhaps time to have another word with the agent?

I have stayed at all the hotels mentioned. We have mostly travelled as a couple and found that even though some hotels accept children that it's never been a problem for us but I see you're travelling in the school holidays.

Personally I prefer the Almond Beach Village to the Spa, even though the Spa is more or less adults only. The village has an adult only pool at one end and all the kids pools and facilities are at the other end of the resort so it is separated very well. The restaurants there are also much better and can highly recommend the Italian. The downside is that the rooms are a bit small bit if you do decide to go there then I'd push for a sea or pool view room at the northern end of the resort which more than compensates.

If you're happy to be on the south coast then the Turtle Beach rooms are much bigger and more comfortable but you'll have less in the way of watersports because of the roughness of sea. It's fine to swim in and actually the wind can be a welcome relief. The restaurants are fine but there isn't as much variation as at the ABV.

We have also stayed at the Colony Club but we were moved there by VH from The Crystal Cove which wasn't suitable. Fortunately we were kept on an AI basis but it's normally RO. Stunning hotel suites and beach though.

Jilly

I'd scrap Barbados and go to Royal Plantation in Jamaica - perfect intimate Caribbean retreat.

Please don't go to any almond resort's in barbados, have been to all three if you can go to Turtle beach, am booked to go to mango bay at end of september hope it is open then ?|

My advice would be

1. Check with the Mango Bay directly in case there has been some confusion on dates etc.
2. If it is close, push the travel agents for the Turtle Beach at no extra cost as a goodwill gesture to cover distress etc. due to the closure of Mango Bay.

Most importantly, remember that the contract is with them and the travel agent, not the hotel so the travel agent should be doing all they can.

Darren Wheeler wrote:Check with the Mango Bay directly in case there has been some confusion on dates etc.

It seems a bit odd, as Mango Bay underwent a major refurbishment 5 years or so ago.

Paul

I've been going to Almond beach village for a number of years and it's great as a family holiday - but it does also locate adult only groups on the other side of the resort - there are swimming pools there that kids aren't allowed in either. The place is big enough that you should get some peace and quiet - if that's what you're after.

That said, I did also stay at Turtle Beach about 7 years ago - liked it even better, although that might have something to do with the England cricket team who showed up after we had been there a day!

RC

Have rang Mango bay and was told that is closed from 29Aug to 11Sept but was not told WHY ?|

An update dearest gurus who are so kind in assisting me with this problem.

Rang Mango Bay last night to be told that no-one could help us as it was a Public Holiday (Monday) & a Bank Holiday Tuesday. All I wanted to know was whether or not they were open??? Thanks JIMW.

We are awaiting news from the travel company to let us know if a stay at Crystal Cove is possible. The travel company said they couldn't let us know 'til Wednesday as it was Public/Bank holidays! Having said that, they sent an email yesterday demanding that a decision be made by today???

Thank youy all for your assistance. oo) Will keep you updated.

R-P

With regards to the coast at Turtle Beach, the water will be perfectly calm this time of year, even on the south coast.

I've only stayed at Turtle Beach out of the hotels mentioned, but would recommend it.

A further update:

The managing director of the travel company informed us yesterday that Mango Bay has been closed by the Government because of structural issues :0

The issue of the honeymoon has still not been resolved to a satisfactory conclusion, watch this space.

Thank you all for your contributions.

R-P

R-P - I'm sure you'll drive a hard bargain and bring this to a satisfactory conclusion!

Good luck...

I can breathe again now, all sorted for the bride to be & her future husband

It took a week of 'phone calls to & from the travel company, & me speaking to a solicitor several times but I'm pleased & so relieved it's all sorted.

The outcome is that the happy again couple are going to Crystal Cove. We have receieved the confirmatory emails including the contract.

There have not been any additonal charges incurred & they will be upgraded if there is availability. Whilst this may not be possible if the hotel is full, it has been written on their contract so we know that the company has made an effort - finally!!

I'll let you know the outcome when they get there.

As an aside, I realise that in 9 sleeps I'll be a mother-in-law :0 .

I want to scream out I'm too young! I remember my own wedding day as though it was yesterday & you know what an awful day that was ) ii)

R-P

Oh good it got sorted out in the end

Roxy-Popsy wrote:I remember my own wedding day as though it was yesterday & you know what an awful day that was ) ii)

R-P

I vividly remember mine (20 years ago today ) but mine was a great day for all the right reasons (even my parents who hadn't been civil to each other for years :0 were well behaved on the day ).
Relax and enjoy the forthcoming nuptuals - I adore my mother-in law (I can't say the same for Mr DL however LOL) and I'm sure the daut -in law to be will feel the same .
Great news all is sorted
DL

Well done R-P - persistence does pay off - and how lucky are the almost-married couple to have someone like you fighting their corner!

That's great news, R-P. I hope the rest of the wedding plans go other without a hitch. y)

Always remember,
Mother-in-law
is an anagram of
Woman Hitler

An anagram I'll never forget, for in my case, it couldn't be more true!

But I'm sure, R-P, you'll be no such thing:D