Evening all
I have booked (back in January) to stay at Holiday Inn Sunspree in Montego Bay Jamaica from 12th October for one week. However I now read that the hotel closes on 25th August and is due to reopen on 7th October - a mere 5 days before we arrive. Its rumoured that it is being bought out by the company that own the Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios.
Im in a bit of a dilemma of whether to ask my operator to change to an alternative as I am worried that
1. Hotel re-opening may be delayed (even here in the UK these building renovations run over finish dates, never mind Jamaica!)
2. If it isnt open I'll get dumped somewhere Ive not had the chance to do some research on
3. If it is open it may not be "fully" operational so various facilities are closed or work is still ongoing around me
Where do I stand with my tour operator (direct holidays) I havent called them yet as I only found out yesterday and i want to be prepared with options in case I dont like what they tell me.
If I chose to move, will I have to pay extra - would you risk it and just wait it out to see - Am i worried about nothing??
Its great that the hotel is being renovated,but it just concerns me that its reopening so close to my expected arrival date - I am having daydreams of arriving there- being only a few guests here and there and the hotel not being fully stocked.
Your help please - I am going to phone my tour operator in the morning.
Many thanks
Lisa
Should your query become a complaint (and hopefully it won't!) then please post in the COMPLAINTS FORUM for the best advice.
Pippy
We booked SSJ 2006, holiday was cancelled 2 days before we were due to go as hotel not ready and no alternatives (Easter).
We then booked for Easter last year and turned up in the middle of a building site...It had over run by about 14 months!
Saying that, you are not going peek season and unless you are dead set on the Holiday Inn, there are loads of comparible alternatives, it's just not nice to be left in limbo, when you've spent alot of money!
Good luck, hope it all works out, our friends went there and really enjoyed the holiday.
Well I called the tour operator and they told me that thier agents will be keeping a close eye on the renovations and re-opening schedule. They said if they think there will be a problem they will contact me nearer the time - but as you stated my concern is they tell literally hours before we go-i wont be best pleased to say the least.
I guess im going to have to keep an eye on things myself and hopefully the various travel forums may reveal later whats going on there. Im sure Im not the only traveller with this concern.
Thanks again for your reply, hopefully it will open and I'll have a great holiday.
Just an update - got a letter from agents to say they can no longer send us to the hotel due to the closure so they offered me Grand Bahia Princpe in Runaway Bay - dont really like to sound of it too much (spanish owned and run so not much "Jamaica" at the resort) so i cancelled the holiday and have now booked at Starfish in Falmouth so all is well.
Shame as we stayed at the GB Principe last July and thought it was great! It was fairly new when we stayed and Trip Advisor had quite a few negative comments - but we thought it was a really nice hotel. I would return again and recommend it to friends. I don't wish to upset you but I think Starfish is rather old and dated.
Yes i am aware that Starfish is an older resort but im after a genuine jamaican stay and from the few people I have spoken with whom have visited both they agree that Grand princpe is by far a more luxurious resort but it doesnt have much "jamaican" feel to it and there is rarely any jamaican food on the menu. Plus my 2 children will be with me and Starfish is certainley a bit more geared towards children. (hope i dont regret that!!) lol
I like to experience the culture of a country whilst there so thats my only reason really. Im informed that Grand princpe has more of a Dominican republic feel to it and I went to the DR last year - although brilliant, i now want to have the jamaica experience.
I do understand the bedrooms etc are not as plush etc at starfish - but i only sleep in there - so as long as its clean - I'll spend most of the day out and about so its somewhere to lay my head so to speak.
Thanks for your honesty anyway - i know you are only wishing me a great holiday regardless and thats why I think these travel forums are great for honest views so you havent upset me...no probs.
You summarise the differences between the two hotels well. I'm sure the Starfish will meet your expectations more than GB Principe.
Hope you have a great time.
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