Author Topic: Re: Melia Cayo Santa Maria - Review (Read 4319 times)

flopnfly · « **on:** May 23, 2005, 08:51:00 PM »

Bellagio's review on the Melia Cayo Santa Maria is now posted.

You can read it here: Review of the Melia Cayo Santa Maria

Thanks Mr B. it's excellent !!

bellagio · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2005, 09:23:00 PM »

Thanks Heather for saving me the time and embarrassment of saying my review was on line.

I know I've dwelt far too long on the outbound and return flight but I felt that because every single passenger on that flight was so irate that it needed to be said.

I have to say that I feel like a great burden has been lifted from my shoulders now that the report is finally completed.

Next time I should try to keep an AnneM type journal. I set off with that intention this time but somehow, apart from noting down details of the flight and the room, I just never seemed to have enough time to write things down after the first couple of days.

Probably far too busy either playing tennis or drinking mojitos.

Reckon Wendy's on her 6th right now - wish I was there with her I can tell you, mind you I expect we all do!!

flopnfly · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2005, 09:36:00 PM »

I wish I was back there too. I'd be having a :rof: Just kidding.

I really hope that she's having great weather and is spending all her time outside in the sun.

She'll be meeting up with Garin tomorrow.

flopnfly · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2005, 09:38:00 PM »

Your review was excellent. Very detailed and informative.

I think you did a great job with it. Now you deserve a Baileys.

millybess · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2005, 09:47:00 PM »

Fantastic review bellagio. It is so detailed, no wonder you struggled with it. Have you ever thought of writing for a travel guide? Your dream job to be sure!

I am surprised that you couldn't eat at the Sol. When we were at the MCC, we took a trip over to the Sol. At the MCC front desk we were given Sol wristbands which enabled us to eat there. The same when we took a trip over to Cayo Guillermo.

I believe you have been to Cayo Coco. How do the two beaches compare? Are they similar?

We noticed a very large sign by the pool at Melia Cayo Guillermo that reserving loungers was prohibited. We didn't stay there, so I don't know if this sign was effective or not. Possibly this policy will be enforced throughout the SolMelia chain.

Again, congrats on the review.

bellagio · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2005, 10:11:00 PM »

Thanks millybess:

Some guests did eat at the Sol I understand, but I was taking NO chances so I went through official channels and it took me three days before I was issued with a Sol passport signed by Yaritza Gonzales the Reception Manager at the Sol which gave me permission just to eat at the Sol buffet.

The delay was apparently because the Melia couldn't contact the gentleman concerned at the Sol, Strange isn't it, the hotel is right next door!! I do have one of the Thomas Cook reps to thank though because she was standing nearby when I went back to see if they had any news for me and she took it up from there for me and chased them around to get it sorted.

I have only been to Playa Coco on Cayo Coco and the beach there was rather narrow and somewhat disappointing whereas the beach at the Melia CSM was UNBELIEVABLE. The beach in front of the Sol does have some coral at the water's edge in parts but there is none of this at the Melia, however the sand does drop somewhat into the ocean. Where the new hotel is being built though the beach is exquisite. Firm white sand and no drop at all down into the ocean.

millybess · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2005, 10:21:00 PM »

I must admit bellagio, I wasn't as impressed with Melia as I was with Paradisus. I suppose I expected the same excellence in food and service, it being the same company. Our Melia experience was still very good, just not as good as Paradisus.

bellagio · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2005, 10:58:00 PM »

Well the Paradisus, particularly the PRDO, is supposed to be the Rolls Royce of hotels, so I would not have expected the MCC to be as good.

How did the MCC compare to the PP though? Did I not recall you wrote somewhere that you preferred the PP or am I just Cuba dreaming?

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millybess · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2005, 11:00:00 PM »

The animacion staff were far, far superior at PP. The food was about the same. I think I prefer the intimacy of a small resort.

millybess · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2005, 11:53:00 PM »

bellagio, I agree that one would expect the PRDO to be very good, however, I didn't think the disparity would be so great