We have stayed at this hotel many times over the last 11 years. The last time we visited was 3 years ago, and the change since the Marriott takeover of the Sheraton brand is dramatic. This most important thing to state is that this is not a 5 star hotel anymore. Save your money and book at one of the many nice 4 star hotels at this resort instead. Anyone who has visited the USA will have experienced the ‘nickel and diming’ culture that exists. It seems Marriott corporate have exported it here. I was annoyed before I even reached my room, as we were printed out our bill, told a one euro per night ‘charity fee’ had been added, and that we COULD have it removed IF we wanted. Of course the whole thing is peer pressure to shame you into saying yes - absolutely disgraceful sales tactics that you would expect from a timeshare seminar, not a five star hotel. We were then told we cannot actually charge anything to the room during our stay… you HAVE to pay upfront for any drinks or food that you MIGHT buy… and they will refund any money you haven’t spent at the end of your stay. Again.. I find this absolutely disgraceful. Again.. low brow marketing practices to get to you commit to spending a certain amount… do they not trust me to pay my bill at the end? It’s not ‘charging’ to your room if you’ve already paid for it in advance. The whole check in process leaves a sour taste in your mouth. Next I would like to talk about the quality of the hotel interiors. I don’t think the hotel has been redecorated since we started coming here 11 years ago, and frankly, it’s beginning to show. The carpets are worn, the paintwork full of patchy ‘touch ups’ and slightly crumbling in places. A small example of this… I am sat on my bed as a write this review, the ceiling fan above the bed has had the pulley cord snap off at some point and rather than replace it, the cord has been tied on with a knot - again just lots of little things that, on their own, would be fine.. but they add up to deliver a sub par experience that cannot be called five star. Breakfast too has gone downhill. Previously you would be greeted, shown to your table, drinks orders taken etc.. today we waved in from afar and left to find a table and fend for ourselves. The big plus point of this hotel is the staff, who are extremely friendly. I believe the fault lies with Marriott corporate, who appear to be determined on sucking every last penny out of their acquisition, whilst utterly destroying the Sheraton brand. My feeling is this includes reducing staff numbers, who are now busier, and trying their best to cope. With me, they are shooting themselves in the foot. I have probably spent close to €20k at this hotel over the years. Sadly I won’t be coming back, and will be eating / drinking at a neighbouring hotel for the remainder of my stay here. A real shame, a once amazing hotel has been ruined - a case study on how to ruin a brand.
