March 2006

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I just read the last review on this hotel and I'm wondering what the heck happened between January and the end of February. I'm wondering if there were a change in management, lack of personal or maybe they just couldn't' handle all the people that suddenly are descending on this place now offered as an all inclusive. We have been on 5 vacations to Mexico and 6 to the Dominican Republic, staying in different resorts each time, all but one was all inclusive, and I can honestly say this hotel is a "one out of ten". At first I wasn't going to send my review, but then I thought it might help sway someone to look elsewhere. I wish I had known more about this place before I booked it.
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We booked this all inclusive package with American Airlines Vacations. Flight out of Providence, RI with a changeover at Chicago O’Hare was on time, uneventful. Flight back from Los Cabos through Dallas/Fort Worth was also uneventful. My only complaint with the flights was the usual lack of leg room and the lack of meals. We were supposed to have been offered a meal to purchase from Chicago to Los Cabos, but it wasn’t offered. No offense to first class or business passengers, but I am really beginning to resent seeing the food and drinks being served up front while we are picking at out little brought aboard snacks. I am tired of hearing how the airlines have to save money and by cutting out the meals and snacks so they are able to stay in business. We paid over $700 each, round trip, and they cannot give us a sandwich and bag of chips? It’s not as if you can stop and eat in-between flights as there was barely enough time to make it to the boarding gate on this trip. And, now that my husband has a brand new knee, he will be stopped and searched at all security checks forever. They should allow a medical document to be sufficient if there isn’t any other reason to be searched. Ok, enough on the airlines, that could be a whole other report.

I knew that Posada Real was a Best Western after doing some research on the internet, and since we never had a problem with Best Westerns in the states, it made me feel a little better figuring it had to stand up to their standards. I also knew that it was being offered for the first time as all inclusive, so I figured there would be some kinks to be worked out. I knew most of the beaches in Los Cabos were not swim able but the photos showed a very wide and long beach, enough to get in a daily walk and sunning. The different website photos of the pool and beach all looked good. We aren’t party people any longer, just looking for a place to relax, good food, good drinks and good company keep us happy. The proximity to the town of San Jose Del Cabo was a selling point as well as the mention of a large grocery store within walking distance if we desperately needed and “American snack”. So we were set to go with open minds and to make the best of whatever we encountered.

We were greeted at the airport promptly and after a short wait were escorted to a taxi (actually the taxis are vans here) with 4 other people and off we went. They were dropped off first, at the Solaris (which I’ll keep in mind for a future trip). As we drove into our hotel area, I was pleasantly surprised with the lobby and landscaping we could see from the entrance. There was only one other couple checking in before us. Got the check in started and the minor problems began. The bell boy led the way into the building on the left. He started to pick up the luggage to carry up the stairs (3 floors here). I asked where the elevator was because I was certain I read there was an elevator on one of the websites for this hotel. He said no elevator and we were going to be on the 3rd floor. Can’t do it. My husband would never be able to climb those stairs several times a day after the recent knee replacement. Back to the lobby, explained myself as well as digging out a copy of the email I had sent to the corporate office requesting a first floor for this reason.

The clerk changed our room to a first floor in the building on the right. Off we go. Get inside, opened the curtains to the porch with a view of a cactus plant and bare soil. (Yes, the rooms do face the water, but the lower floors' view is blocked by the cactus gardens and the further back you are from the beach, the less you'll be able to see of the water.) Told the bell boy this was unacceptable, my husband sat down on the porch and said you go back, let me know when it is settled. Off I go, explained again about the knee surgery, email, long ago booking, etc. I also asked where the refrigerators were because I didn’t’ see one in either of the two rooms we just visited. I was told the refrigerator was $4.00 a day extra. Whipped out my AAVacations printout from the internet stating room amenities include it. The clerk said that was a mistake. I asked to see the manager, he would be there later. I told him I’d return. Oh, and don’t forget to get your TV remote control and room safe key upon check in. No charge for the safe (my husband says that is because it is not electric). We finally get a room on the second floor with a good view.

Two double beds, small table with two chairs, a desk/vanity with a chair, TV armoire with 3 good size drawers on the bottom, clock radio (no reception) and a telephone (no instructions). The bathroom had a full tub, basic Best Western design. Everything was clean, but this room could have used a paint job and how simple that would be between guests before the high season began. The closet was a good size but only about 6 hangers (bring your own from home as I do and leave them behind), three large shelves, and a space below for the refrigerator. We just changed into our sandals and went off for a snack and a drink. I did go back to the front desk, spoke with the manager, showed him the printout from American Airlines and got the refrigerator for no charge. The clerk did not like the idea that I went above his head because he was starting to give the manager an explanation and was told to “give it to them no charge”.

Do not to go to the Posada Real unless you truly want to do nothing. And if you can opt out of the all inclusive, go, if not, go somewhere else. They only had the pool bar open from 11am till 6pm and the lobby bar from 5pm to 11pm. Now this would be fine if both were of a size to accommodate 100 plus rooms, but they are not. The lobby bar had only about 10 seats. They had wicker furniture throughout the lobby, but the pillows were threadbare and the wicker was shredding. And the only thing to do at night is sit in the lobby, no TV and barely audible CD music. I knew there wasn’t entertainment as in other resorts we stayed at, but there is usually at least one bar or lounge where you can just sip your drinks and listen to music while enjoying the sound of the ocean and great weather.

Speaking of which, the weather couldn’t have been better. Sun every day we were there except one brief interlude of fog coming in off the sea. As a matter of fact, the heat doesn’t usually bother us, but we ended up, despite sunscreen, getting near sunburns. Quite a few days we stayed under the palapas in the shade and still came home with a nice tan. One thing I can say for this place is they had plenty of lounge chairs and sufficient shade for those who couldn’t stand the sun for long. Some of the loungers had cushions which were very comfortable. The beach was huge but they had a portion roped off in front of the hotel, I suppose to keep the peddlers out and make it easier to keep clean. But again, this was lacking. There was only one trash can near the beach area and you know some people are not considerate enough to toss their trash . One man hand raked the roped off area every morning, but he didn’t’ pick up any trash, just raked it into the sand and it would resurface the next day, not making for a pleasant site. (We did see whales one day right out front of the hotel, one putting on a show for about 45 minutes. The highlight of our trip!)

Ok, I could live with this because the scenery was truly beautiful and all in all the place was clean, but the food was nearly inedible. Breakfast was always served lukewarm, sometimes even cold. And I’m talking about pancakes, potatoes, etc. things that should be served hot. No bacon, no sausage and only one woman cooking the omelets. Can you imagine the line waiting for an egg because that was the only item you would get hot. They did have bread and two toasters to make it yourself, no big deal, but it took forever if there were people waiting. And, it didn't matter what time you went to eat breakfast because we went as early as 6:30 and as late as 8:30, and the food was still cold. The cereal was left out in the open and not everyone has good hygiene and good manners, so even if I ate cereal, I wouldn’t have taken any served that way. The waiters were really just doing a job. No attempts, except for 3 persons, to interact with the customers. One bartender, one head waiter and one waiter at the beach snack bar really made the stay pleasant. And although this was all inclusive, we still tip, but it didn’t seem to matter to most of the staff.

We knew this area was not for swimming so we counted on having a decent pool to refresh ourselves. The water looked, felt and smelled clean, but the pool itself is in need of repair. The paint and tiles are chipping and the only stairs into the pool were slippery and there was no hand rail for safety. They had an outdoor Jacuzzi but there were so many people in it at one time, I was hesitate to go in wondering about how well they were keeping the water balanced in that heat.

We made the best of our two week stay as did a lot of others, by supplementing their meals and beverages with things bought from the grocery store or going out to eat. But, you shouldn’t have to do this in an all inclusive hotel. We also met a great bunch of people there from all over the US, Canada and Mexico, all different occupations, so I think the advertising to fill this place and moderate cost brought us all in. But I doubt there will be any repeat customers. As I said, I researched this place and read many reviews, good and bad, so I wasn’t expecting a Hilton Hotel. I was expecting edible food and food presented in a clean, sanitary environment. Also we know that some hotels charge extra for “top shelf” liquor, but they didn’t’ even offer a bar brand whiskey. The choice was house wine (red or white), draft beer (dark or light), tequila, rum or vodka.

They did have plenty of bottled water and you could take as much as you wanted at a time. They also had a coffee pot in our room (but others didn’t) and one bag of coffee and accompaniments a day. They also offered room service for $3.50 per person, but I’m wondering what the temperature of that food would be by the time it got to you. They had a mini golf area and tennis courts. A gym(we didn’t visit) and computer service for a fee. They offered a tour into San Jose once a week but it was from 9am till noon where the stores didn’t open till 10am. You could walk, about 30 min., take a bus for 50 cents, or a cab for $5. There was a very large, new grocery store within walking distance also. If this hotel had kitchen facilities in the room, you would have been better off bringing in your own food (but who wants to cook on vacation?).

As for staying here and then going to Cabo San Lucas to dine or party, I think that would be a large waste of money. The cabs into Cabo were $35 each way, I forget what the bus was, but you wouldn’t be able to get one back late at night anyway. You’d be better off staying in Cabo San Lucas at a non all inclusive.

I hate reviews that are all complaints and I think this is turning into one of those. I am really trying to be honest here. If someone had written a review like this before I booked, I might have had second thoughts. We survived and I’m glad we were able to get out of the winter weather in New England for two weeks. I realize a lot of people don’t have this opportunity and I am grateful we can do it. If you have any questions please feel free to email me: MVBO@aol.com

I have also written to Best Western International and hopefully they may have some type of periodic inspections and try to get this hotel up to par. With just a little bit of good management, I think this would be a wonderful spot considering the location and set up of the property.

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February 2006