evilriso
March 16, 2025
Our review is kind of split into two parts. To start with, our overall rating is for the resort as a whole, which was very good. Having access to the 2 different hotels, along with free kids club and golf made this an absolute winner. We went to both resorts, and would say Telfair was our preferred due to style and amenities, but it was nice to have the beach and restaurant options of both , Yes there were a couple of minor issues - staff were not entirely clued up on a Gourmet Bliss (All Inclusive) package, and seemed to sometimes try to charge for things that were included, and the wine selection is not really that great on the GB package, but it did at least include Champagne - but overall it was a great experience and resort. Our review The Villas is a bit of a different. Our accommodation itself was fantastic (we stayed in a 3 bed villa, which was great with loads of space, outside area with a pool and view of the golf course). However, what we were NOT aware of, nor is it made clear at the time of booking, is that The Villas are not actually owned by the hotel resort. They are instead privately owned, but managed by the resort on behalf of the owners (like an Airbnb). Therefore there are some key differences, which are drawbacks others should be aware of: 1. If you go for the GB package, there is no mini bar included and they do not restock your fridge daily (including replacement water) like they do if you were staying in the hotel. Fortunately, after we complained about this they agreed to supply water bottles and snacks daily, but this was an exception. Otherwise you have to pay for additional water to be supplied (which is quite costly) or smuggle it from one of the food venues. I met other people staying at the villas and they too were upset by this glaring omission 2. When checking in you are asked to sign a form agreeing to pay for any damaged items, then served with a document outlining the cost of each and every item in the villa. This is quite ridiculous, and really takes the shin of staying. I’m not planning to cause intentional damage, but there is of course natural wastage (the potential dropped glass for example) anywhere you stay, and having this hanging over you throughout the stay is very off putting. Furthermore, at the end of the stay there is then an ‘inspection’ conducted to check you have not broken anything - again, very over the top. Likewise with the buggy which is included with the villa, there is a full inspection conducted at the start which is more thorough than a car rental. I get that both the above is because they are managing the villas, but had we known this from the start we wouldn’t have booked and instead stayed at one of the hotels, which is exactly what we plan to do next time if we come back.