A Source of Frustration
Some of you who are reading this may remember me as a rather curmudgeonly chap who was aggressive at all times and in all situations in order to get what I wanted. Those of you who either still know me or have known me only in the last few years since I left the world of bankers, booze and bonuses will, I hope, have noticed that I have calmed down somewhat and am more likely to use persuasion and negotiation.
There are, however, two things that can still raise my blood pressure (apart from cigarettes and uncle Jack D). Firstly, I do think that a product or service should “do what it says on the tin” and secondly, if someone says or promises something then I assume that they are capable, willing and timely in fulfilling those promises.
Once again, those who know me well will know that the past two years have not been easy for me (as, of course, for many people). However, over the past six months things have improved beyond measure and I can safely say that an even keel is within sight at last. I therefore decided to take a special holiday to reward myself for having survived. I recommend this practice to anyone. Look after yourself and you are far more capable of looking after others and of weathering storms as they inevitably come along.
With this in mind I remembered what fabulous and restorative holidays I had had in the past at both Le Sport in St Lucia and its sister hotel, La Source in Grenada London
I won’t spend time here describing Grenada Spice Island
La Source and Le Sport describe a vacation at either one as “the body holiday” with their rather good strap line “Give us your body for a week and we will give you back your mind”. The facilities, spa, food, drink and all the huge array of sports available (all with instructors and equipment on hand so you don’t need to bring anything unless you want to) are all included in the price as is stretch limousine transport to and from the airport. Even scuba diving with Nitrox is included and you can do two dives every day which represents a stupendous saving for those of you who dive. There are wrecks galore and the coral and marine life are spectacular. In short, with scheduled flights with BA included, a holiday at La Source represents unbelievable value despite the relatively high cost. More comment about this later…..
In the past, one had to change planes in Barbados Barbados but then continues on to Grenada
The flight was exemplary and we arrived exactly on time to be greeted by the limousine driver and the rain. But here the rain is warm and refreshing. Not quite the same as can be said of that in London
When we arrived at the resort we were offered the obligatory and delicious rum punch and were processed rapidly, shown to our rooms and advised of the dress code for dinner (how splendid!) and where to go. The room I had been given (1423 for those who come here) was incredible. Beautifully appointed with luxury bathroom, huge, very comfortable bed, UK Ibiza . Moreover, the view was breath taking, looking directly over a full panorama of the beautiful azure sea with its spattering of gorgeous sailing yachts. No jet skis, power boats or other chavish items were in evidence and I sighed hugely and gratefully.
I had brought with me my computer based music studio with a view to being inspired enough to write – or at least sketch out – some new tracks as well as working on the production of one for a friend. Imagine my delight when the entertainment that evening turned out to be a great live saxophonist and female vocalist with whom I arranged later to record some snippets for me. Joy of joys!
Dinner that night was in the Great House (don’t bother having dinner at any of the other restaurants here). It was spectacular and I chose a very pleasant Cava with which to wash it down (also included in the price!).
That was the last quality meal I had at the resort.
Let me give you some examples of the sort of things I had to put up with. This is not an exhaustive list and bear in mind that I was here for only 7 nights:
- cold food, surly inefficient and lazy staff
- Breakfast table cleared and someone new seated there while my food was still on it as I went for a coffee refill
- Tea bag brought with a pot of supposed hot water which was in fact cold
- Tea bag brought with a pot of supposedly hot water that turned out to be a pot coffee!
- Mediocre dive shop and staff
- Incredibly stupid house keeping staff – I put a note in big letters saying not to touch or move my musical equipment. I came back from dinner to find that the turn down service included piling all the pillows and cushions on top of it all!
- Expensive cigarettes and exorbitantly expensive batteries (bring your own if you need to use batteries)
- Internal telephones didn’t work
- Only low quality, non brand alcohol provided in the all inclusive offering although premium brands are available if you specifically ask and are also included
- Some rather formulaic spa treatments and therapists with very variable experience– with two exceptions – one therapist who had been here for many years and provided a sublime mud wrap (at a US$70 surcharge) and another who gave a superb full body massage getting rid of many muscle knots
- Wifi connection was only available in a limited area around one of the bars which was incapable of allowing the sending of emails (no SMTP server for those techno geeks like me)
- No Marlboro Light cigarettes and no sunscreen below factor 30 (for when its cloudy). I asked, and was promised both and came in every day for four days only to be given a range of excuses as to why this promises had been broken. Eventually I asked the (European) shop manager and both items appeared within 2 hours!!
The only competent and eager staff were the non-locals. Not unusual in the Caribbean but refined here to an extreme artform
The local staff ARE capable of delivering a good service in all respects but only if you “kick” them (figuratively speaking, of course…) very very hard]
Each day I rose with fresh hope of a relaxing and restorative day. And each day those hopes were dashed by the laziness and mismanagement of the staff and the lack of communication between different functions.
In short, it didn’t do what it said on the tin, was not the good value that it seemed – you do get what you pay for…. – and left me uninspired and more stressed than when I arrived.
The management attempted to bribe me with a free week stay when I showed them my findings as long as I did not publish this article! I refused.
If you have the patience of a saint, or a London
I gave them my body for a week and nearly lost my mind.
Dr Paul Nailor
May 2011
Paul booked through Just Caribbean and stayed for seven nights. The total cost, including on site purchases was around £2000.
http://www.theamazingholiday.com/ NOT!
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