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Trip Reports |
| If you would like to a trip report of your own, then you can send it to me via E-mail and I will post it here. |
| #89- 4/01/2004 09:39:11 by Michelle sereneka930@yahoo.com |
|
I just returned from a 4 day trip to Viva Fortuna Resort. Overall, I rate the experience
as positive, however, having travelled extensively with Wyndham, I expected a little more:
Hotel Room: I had a regular hotel room that was supposed to be a garden view, but they ended up giving me beachfront instead which was a nice surprise. The room was very sparse - the lamp didn't work, there was no alarm clock (yes, even on vacation I want to know what time it is), and the window vibrated very loudly due to the vibration of the air conditioning. I actually had to prop a chair against the window to stop the vibration! The door to the patio didn't lock very well so I had to be sure to slam it each time. The phone deposit is now $100 vs. the $20 that was posted previously. I decided to leave the phone off. In all fairness, the beds were comfortable and the room condition was clean. My biggest complaint is in the bathroom they don't give you bar soap! They have this shampoo/body wash dispenser which doesn't lather up at all....I ended up having to use my own shampoo. I don't know if they are trying to save some money, but some real soap would be nice! BRING BAR SOAP WITH YOU! Restaurant The Junkaroo does have a nice buffet, but frankly, I got bored after the first 2 days. They basically serve the same menus at each meal maybe switching out 3-4 items each time. I don't know how anyone can eat the same food for 7 days, but I would guess for families it's a nice set-up. The desserts were the best part. The snacks go up earlier than 4pm now because check-in time is 3pm so they have food to accommodate the people who have just arrived and are hungry. I couldn't get in to the Italian restaurant because each night the reservations filled up fast - CALL first thing in the morning if you want a sit down meal that night! Drinks This is probably the best aspect of the Viva Fortuna- you can drink as much alcohol as you want...with the plethora of spring break kids there this was apparent! Yes, Bring your own water bottle - they only have small plastic cups at the bar areas...I "splurged" on a $6.50 water bottle at the gift shop - bring yours - it's cheaper and you can fill it up with ice in the restaurant. Pool The pool area is beautiful...large, inviting and plenty of lounge chairs. They always have activities running during the day at the pool area. The music they were playing started to get annoying and I know several guests complained...I think no music might actually have been better. Beach The BEST part - the beach is beautiful! Clean, white sand and turquoise waters. Lots of beach chairs and tiki hut umbrellas for shade. If you only go for one reason, go for the beach! Nightlife/Shows I didn't take advantage of this because the sun wore me out and I turned in early. They operate the resort much like a cruise ship so I am sure the entertainment was great. Would I recommend it - Yes and No....if you are looking for a luxury vacation - no....there are much better choices. If you are looking for a good priced, relaxing, don't-think-about-it getaway - absolutely. I can definitely see me going back for a long weekend, but I would not go for a week. |
| #88- 3/02/2004 09:39:11 by George Burn gburn@mountnittany.org |
|
My wife and I took our annual junket to Viva (now Vivia Wyndham
Fortuna) last week and were delightfully surprised to find some renovations
completed and more to come. The large hot tub (about 15' in diameter)
sits close to the pool and the bar for easy trips on cooler days. There is
a kiddy pool that's new and a children's activity center that will be a
great addition for families on rainy days.
For club members, there will be three new buildings built adjacent to where the basketball court currently stands with something like 180 units in them. Current buildings will be upgraded to include one king size bed and there will apparently be a walk out in the new units to the porch areas. Supposedly all member units will eventually have this upgrade. The current plan is for these renovations to be completed by November 2004 but there is no evidence of the construction beginning yet. There is a rumor out there that Viva will open new clubs in Brazil next year. We especially enjoyed the shows this year...the dancing was phenomenal and full of energy...there was a new choreographer from Montreal who will be leaving in May but who has brought great energy and skill to the position. |
| #87- 2/11/2004 14:53:36 by Gaby Walker gaby_walker@hotmail.com |
|
My husband 3 year old son and myself stayed at viva fortuna in November 2003. We had planned and prepaid for 2 weeks but ended up leaving after 10 days.I had read so many terrible things before we went there and I made sure I thoroughly researched the resort before going. But as life shows you can't plan everything.
My husband and I own a timeshare from Viva Maya. There we purchased a mini suite which is supposed to accommodate 4. Back when we bought it I was pregnant and we knew we wanted to have 2 rooms available so the child could sleep in the evening and the adults could still enjoy some TV or reading in a separate area. When I wrote to Viva before booking to ask if they had junior suites and to make sure we would get one, I only received very evasive answers. I went there with the impression everything would be ok. Boy was I wrong.Upon arriving we had to wait (flight arrived at 8:00 am) till noon to get a room. Which was ok since they had to prepare it. Room: When they showed it to us I was shocked. Instead of a two room set up with a little kitchenette they lead us into a regular size room which only had a Murphy bed which was folded up. It had a kitchenette with a fridge. The icebox in the fridge was so frozen over, that the door wouldn't close any more and water was dripping on the tile floor. The cooking plates were sort of clean, nothing I'd like to have at home but I guess in a hotel you can't be too picky. The sink had been cleaned but was somewhat rusty. The room also had a small round table with chairs and a TV stand.How I was supposed to live there for 2 weeks with 3 people - I haven't a clue especially since my son is only 3 and needs to nap I would have had to make up a bed every afternoon, since they neglected to put a crib in the room (and frankly there wouldn't have been space for it). I did discuss all of this with the Viva staff before the trip which made it all the more dissapointing. So before touching our suitcases I told the bell boy we couldn't stay there. The ladies at the VIP desk were very nice and offered to downgrade us immediately (upgrade was not offered until I went for a repeat sales pitch) We did accept the downgrade and ended up in a regular room with two queen size beds which made it ok to stay there with 3 people. The room was clean enough, being a mom with a toddler (who touch everything) I bring some rudimentary cleaning supplies for the toilet anyways. The maid did a good job though, after a couple of reminders that there were 3 not 2 people in the rooms we had more towels than we needed. One of our pillows smelled horrible (like old sweat) and was replaced upon a polite request. What couldn't be helped however was the mildew on the side of the box-spring. I saw one building which was having all the beds removed, so I assume that this is a problem they are currently tackling. All in all we peacefully settled into our normal room and were ready to enjoy the vacation. Food: The food was good and plentiful, we especially liked the b-b-q ribs. The afternoon snack was nothing to brag about, but really who needs to eat all day in a hot climate. We were well fed through the other meals. Baby sitter: We had read that baby sitting would be available. Here's the information the helpful ladies at the VIP desk provided. If a sitter is needed you tell the front desk and they call a lady which lives in town. You have to pay for 18 $US for cab to bring her out and 18 $US to take her back and then (and I am not absolutely sure about this anymore ) approx. 15 $US p. Hour p. child for the sitting fees. So a quiet dinner would have cost us about 60$US. Not a bargain, so we didn't. We were a bit unfortunate since the sea was rough during our stay we had a few days with heavy rain in November and none of the tours (dolphin, glass bottom etc.) ever left because they couldn't take the boats out. Sales organization: As a VIP guest I was approached to attend yet another sales information meeting. I agreed to come because I was told the resort would be bought up by Wyndham resorts and lots would change. The first time I tried to attend I was told I couldn't because my husband wasn't with me. After some explaining that I am very able to make decisions without my husband even if they involve financial issues I was scheduled to attend at a different day. I have to admit I am feeling a bit bad for the lady who had to try her luck with me because this time I had all the questions ready for her and most times the only answers she had was (Maybe we can ask the manager later to explain) all in all they tried to sell me an upgraded room (since they have no junior suites in the Bahamas as the only VIVA resort) to suite. For this they were going to charge 100 $US more for the food package per week and person than I am paying under my old contract (she couldn't explain why) They were also going to charge me 150 $US more for the membership fee per year (which in part I can understand because it would have been a better room) and they were going to charge more money for the maid (about 80 $US p. week) I am not going any further into this but I'll be more than glad to help others out with information. When I told them that I would just be happy to receive now what I had already payed for, they offered to put my family into a suite. But I declined. Not only because I wanted to save myself the hassle of repacking and unpacking everything we had with us for a 3 week vacation but also because I had no intention to sign another contract with them. It also turned out that Wyndham is not buying the resort they are only allowing them to use their name to advertise with it because it brings in more customers. Sports: The tennis lessons were terrific. I started really late into our stay there and only got to attend 3 evenings but the coach was great and made me work really hard, hot weather or not. He also brought his own racquet because it was strung harder then the loaners - so I could hit much more powerful The staff at the pool was really nice and friendly and tried their best to get people to participate. They try to remember your name so it feels very personable. Unfortunately November isn't the high season and it was often tough to find enough people to play volleyball or other things. Kids club: The kids club was virtually non existent during this time - I assume because there weren't enough kids there and because they were still understaffed. The girl in charge was very friendly and accepted my son even though 3 is rather young to be in the kids activities (I think they are supposed to be 4) but since she only had one other kid to watch she let me fill out the paperwork. Imagine my surprise after telling her specifically that my boy can not swim (and neither could the other kid) to see her dashing off 10 minutes later to referee a volleyball game on the beach. Needless to say, I never left my child there _ not on that day and not on any other day. Final: I know this all sounds very critical and not too happy. But I want to say that I think it is possible to have a quite enjoyable vacation in this resort. While we were there they were building a brand new building for the kids club, also a kiddie pool and Jacuzzi they also started with the refurbishing of some of the Abaco buildings. (considering the speed it was going at it is however hard to say when they'll get around to the other buildings) And if your children are old enough to not need constant supervision it should be possible to relax. Yes it is not a 5 star resort but we knew that when we bought into Viva Maya. However the other Viva Resorts are in much better shape than this one and the attitude of the Bahamians is maybe just a little bit to laid back for me. If you want to have a casual relaxing vacation and you have plenty of cash to pay for out of the hotel fun this may well be the place for you. For us it just didn't work out which is why we decided to go to the US a few days early and extend our stay there before returning to Europe. |
| #86- 12/22/2003 21:16:18 by J T crocgrl@hotmail.com |
| Hi! My boyfriend and i just returned from our trip to the Bahamas and our stay at viva fortuna 2 days ago. We stayed a week and let me tell you...this hotel was great!! Although, the pool was pretty cold, and the cooler weather didn't help...i enjoyed the ocean everyday. They just got the new hot tub finsihed and warming up by the time we were leaving. Food was great, different selection every meal and i enjoyed the grilled swordfish. The Italian restaurant was nice too, a break from the buffet style. The drinks were plentyful and the bartendars were fun (don't forget to bring a cup of your own, they're happy to fill it up for you so u don't have to go and get more so often)....and yes, i would tip them now and again...although we were told u didn't have to. The staff was a group of amazing people from everywhere!!! Always willing to chit chat with you and make sure you had a great time. The beach is HUGE and beautiful....never felt over crowded..infact sometimes it felt like i was the only one on the beach.....Check out all the free things you can do at the hotel....like snorkeling...my boyfriend and i saw amazing fish right there off the beach...it was just soo cool. There's always something going on by the pool....games, bingo, water polo, volleyball, dance lessons..etc. Then the shows at 9:30p....they're great, speically the game show nights....i don't think i've laughed so hard in my life!!!! I loved my experience at Fotuna and if i ever go back to the Bahamas, i'm for sure staying here again...i loved the "islandy" feel and look to it. It was wonderful!! Julie T. |
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| This page was last modified on 3 April 2004. |