Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

[TFollis]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I know what you mean Goldilocks... We once stayed at a place and they advertised cable tv in both bedrooms, pool, pool bar and restaurant, telephones in bedrooms... hmmmm

What we got??? Yes there was a tv in both bedrooms but not one plug to plug them up and of course no cable. Pool was open but you had to walk a plank to get to it as they had just built it and the bar and restaurant weren't even recognizable as yet. No telephone in sight...
No light bulbs in any room but one .. Toilet tore up for three days and had to haul water from kitchen sink to flush. No clean towels for days as they said their washer was torn up. Then when we complained the lady went ballistic on us as if we were in the wrong. It was a mess trus me. Never ever had so many problems with a place. The place looked so nice too.. cosmetic wise.

Well we did only pay $50 a night for two bedroom with kitchen and sitting area but we were told the price was so good because they had just remodelled and they were trying to build up business. Yeah right...

Live and Learn I guess but I definitely don't reccommend the place to this day. They may have got their act together by now but the owners wife got too many bad vibes for me.
One thing I can't deal with is DRAMA on my vacation.

[Nancymac45]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

Laurel
That Oprah show must have gotten to everyone that watched it. I did the same thing you did, new kitchen sponges, pillows etc. Dust mites? YIKES!
When I think of all the "kittys" under the beds................well I gave my bedroom a BIG and I mean BIG dusting! But I can't change me sheets every 3 days like Ms O.



I am in the same conclusion you all are, get that comforter or spread off the bed right away.
Just thinking about it makes me itchy

[jenn24]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

I've had the same thing happen to me at a few different properties. You arrive at a place and many things are either non-existent or not working. I don't need luxury accomodations, but I do like to have the things that are advertised.

For example, when I stayed at For Real in August the pool and hot tub were closed for my entire stay for "maintenance". I never saw anyone working on them either, so not sure when they were ever going to open up. I was dissapointed because I love to take a soak in the hot tub at night and was looking forward to it.

It's just one of those things that you live and learn from in my opinion. If a property seems to good to be true for the price, it probably is. Also, remember that everyone has their own standards. There are a few properties that I've seen get rave reviews from several different people on this site that I tried and hated.


Jenn

[Laurel]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

I am just always to freekin hot to think about a hot tub in Jamaica - I have never even used the hot water tap in a shower.

Being land-locked in Minnesota is the only place I ever have the desire for a pool - if I am near either coast or on the Island - it is only the clear blue sea for me!

[Tigrrr]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

J-Kay,
Thank you for posting your report. You were fair in reporting what you expected, what was promised, what concerned you and what you did enjoy. You gave specifics. That is the type of information that helps people decide if they want to stay at a property. Taking the time to compose this report is a free service to us all and I appreciate it. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Not everyone will avoid FHB because of your post - only those who have expectations similar to yours. Others will read your report and think, "Beach front, $50, 2 for one drink night, near the clubs - PARADISE." Others (like me) would have been done as soon as you mentioned the home made easter egg curtains and I would know to spend more to stay somewhere else.

Online pix and brochures make most hotels and resorts look wonderful. Usually only the more expensive ones live up to the promises (and even then not always.)

I have been to Jamaica many times and stayed at some outstanding places. Only once have I stayed in Negril and I hated "the beach front property for $50/night" that I stayed in. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] (It was on the other side of Whistling Bird from where you were.) $50/night is not a deal to stay in a dump on the beach - $50/day is REASONABLE to stay on a dump on the beach. While in Negril, I toured several properties and made notes on their pluses and minuses. If I find my notes, I will PM them to you. BND is a good source for candid info on Negril properties.

Finally, what is all this nonsense about it being the tourist fault for being robbed!!! Depending on the situation, the hotel may or may not have provided adequate security, but the fault of a robbery is the robber. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I carry an expensive camera, because I want hi quality photos, not because I want to invite trouble.

[halfwaytree]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

Tigrrr:

Finally, what is all this nonsense about it being the tourist fault for being robbed!!! Depending on the situation, the hotel may or may not have provided adequate security, but the fault of a robbery is the robber. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I carry an expensive camera, because I want hi quality photos, not because I want to invite trouble.

True words for sure!!!!

[Sophie Magoo]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

Hi everyone!
After all this bad publicity, we got booted out of Fun Holiday before we got there!

Lisa refunded all the deposit even though I now wanted to stay. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] She said we could try just walking in. Am a bit disappointed, since we sort of resigned ourselves to stay there! :verymad: We thought we would form our own opinion! We'll do a "walk-in".

[rudemonk]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

well if you walk into a lion's den with a steak and he takes a piece of your arm with the steak is it his fault you were holding a steak, or yours? you have every right to walk anwhere you want with a steak.

at a certain point, like if you were robbed, it's an academic argument over whose fault it is, or the whys of what you are carrying.

[TFollis]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

Well Lucija I am not surprised at all. Was she nice about it??? Somehow I truly doubt it. Did you tell her that you had decided to stay?? This story sounds very very familiar to one I have already at experienced at Fun Holiday. Boy boy they really do need to brush up on customer appreciation. Slow season soon come again in case Lisa don't know.

Sorry Lucija that you have now been left to find another place to stay. I'm sure the price will be higher when you "just walk in".

I do love to hang at FH and I love the staff. I really hate to hear about the bad attitudes that some have that are affiliated with the property.

Have a good trip and enjoy yourself to the max.

Many Blessings

[Tigrrr]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

Originally posted by Lucija:
[qb] Hi everyone!
After all this bad publicity, we got booted out of Fun Holiday before we got there!

Lisa refunded all the deposit even though I now wanted to stay. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] She said we could try just walking in. Am a bit disappointed, since we sort of resigned ourselves to stay there! :verymad: We thought we would form our own opinion! We'll do a "walk-in". [/qb]

Luci,
It was better for you to know what you were getting than to be surprised by it. As you said, Having heard the positives and negatives, you had resigned to stay there and have a good time. Had you not known in advance, that initial shock could be rough to get over.

Since Lisa refunded your money and has heard less than favorable reviews of her personality, that "walk in" may not work in your favor. Try PM'ing QueenB, Brownie, or BND and asking if they know the name of a proprieter in Negril that can give you a fair deal. Or maybe someone who posted in this thread can put you directly in contact with Vernon and you can ask nicely if he will reinstate your reservation.

[Tigrrr]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

Originally posted by rudemonk:
[qb] well if you walk into a lion's den with a steak and he takes a piece of your arm with the steak is it his fault you were holding a steak, or yours? you have every right to walk anwhere you want with a steak.

at a certain point, like if you were robbed, it's an academic argument over whose fault it is, or the whys of what you are carrying. [/qb]

Apples and oranges, apples and oranges.

Negril is not advertised as a "Lion's Den" or a "Den of Thieves". If it were, most of us would not go at all. Hotel security and beach security is usually advertised. It is reasonable to believe that when you go to Jamaica you will have a fun, safe, time and that your camera, jewelry, and money are reasonable items to bring on vacation.

With or without a steak I EXPECT TO GET BITTEN BY A LION BECAUSE IT IS HIS NATURE. Are you saying it is the nature of Jamaicans to rob people, so we should expect that?

No, Of course not.

[Laurel]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

OH PLEEZZZ - [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]ray: [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]ray:

[Sophie Magoo]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

Rudemonk:
I do not understand what you mean at all. What I seem to get out of your statement is that I did something wrong. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

TFollis: yes, lisa was nice about it. After we spoke she agreed to keep the deposit and allow us to just go with it. But later on she left a message at my home saying the refund went through and i could try just walking in.

I've travelled a lot of years and have more often than not just done walk ins. Roots is a favorite place of mine, . . . so it go.

There is one thing against me: time. we leave this friday morning. I e-mailed lisa on the 27th of december and did not get a reply until yesterday the 9th of january. 13 days. So, just from that point of view, fun holiday should have left our reservation. it wasn't exactly a timely response. . . . live and learn. this experience just fortifies what i have practiced all my travelling life. Buy a ticket, get to my chosen destination, do a walk in. Worked so far and will again.

this whole experience has left a very sour taste in my mouth . . . never was a lover of negril . . . now even more so.

[Laurel]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

Good Luck to you for a safe journey and a safe and comfortable stay where ever you end up.

No one needs all the 'commotion' so close to departure!

All the best - looking forward to hearing from you upon your return - post lots of fotos!!

[rudemonk]

Re: Fun Holiday Beach resort review...not good

it's just common sense.

NYC is not "advertised" as a lion's den- but you make a wrong turn down the wrong block and people aren't going to give a horse's assdrop about your apples and oranges or your tourist sensibilities, they are going to see you as an opportunity. In the animal kingdom it is obvious that not every animal is a lion- so please let's not stretch to make me say something I never would- obviously not every Jamaican is a thief, and the majority of people who visit have a fantastic time and nothing should stop people from coming down and enjoying themselves, but theyshould on the other hand realize their "paradise" and their new "home" is basically either an illusion or an unattainable reality to a lot of people who actually live there, there is a lot of local disenfranchisement (look at all the money the tourists bring into Negril, for example, and look where it goes- rarely does it make it's way into the community- or just try and enjoy a day at the beach when it is not a public holiday with a Jamaican friend) and a lot of people in desperation make people do some rather untoward things. Just like most everywhere, Jamaica is full of wonderful people and also not so wonderful people. It is idiotic to assume there are no thieves in Jamaica. It's like you asking me, are Sicilians murderous rogues prone to violence?

So I agree, you do have the right to walk everywhere you want with your goods and person inviolate, however there are people who will readily violate that right if given opportunity. If you knowingly present such opportunity, hoping your right will shield you, you are more than a little clueless and partly responsible for what happens.

Honestly, your position is a little tenuous. What place ever tells you the truth- The JTB is tasked with attracting visitors, not telling them the local crime rate, followed by an "Enjoy your stay!"

It's up to a visitor to not assume things and learn about the place they visit. ESPECIALLY if you are not the resort type- by all means go out and exeperience the different aspects of Jamaica, but don't rely on some notion of "rights" that don't reflect reality.

Basically, you want to stroll around the WE with your 2G Nikon, then you should know you run a risk. I personally wouldn't be shocked to hear all about your camera and how it was removed from your person against your will later on that night when the street happenings start getting compiled, nor would I personally exercise that particularly right without precaution.

You get suckered into buying 5 renta-dreds at Roots a round of Guinness and break out a rack of big bills, trust me you are going to have "friends." You do that in the right place and someone might help themselves to your wad, despite your "rights."

Luci- I don't know why you are asking me if you did something wrong, I have no idea and don't really have an opinion. As far as I can tell looking back, you read the report, decided the place was not for you, and asked for your deposit back, so you could find someplace else, then changed your mind and meanwhile they gave you the refund...?

You don't need me to tell you people are not very reactive all the time...especially with a lot of fuss and back and forth.