3.5/5 Stars - Nice Location, But Service Fell Short…read more
I stayed at Opal Sands Resort from Friday through Sunday, and while it was a nice weekend getaway, the experience didn't quite live up to the price or the expectations.
Check-In:
The check-in experience wasn't the warmest. The front desk associate was polite, but the interaction felt very transactional, more like, "Here's your key, hand me your credit card, have a great day," rather than making us feel welcomed to the resort.
Room:
Our Gulf View room on the 5th floor overlooking the pool was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. The beds were very comfortable, and the room was quiet for the most part. Occasionally, you could hear music from the pool area, but it wasn't disruptive.
Pool:
The pool itself was great. The water temperature was perfect, and we had no trouble finding chairs both times we used it. The music wasn't really our style, so I brought a small speaker and played my own without any issues.
Unfortunately, the pool service left a lot to be desired. Getting a server's attention felt like a mission. I ordered a piña colada, which tasted good--especially whatever they put around the rim, but it barely seemed to contain any alcohol. The same happened with a whiskey and club soda; it tasted almost entirely like club soda with just a splash of whiskey. For the prices they charge, I expected much better.
Beach:
On our second day, we decided to spend time on the beach. The day before, we had asked how the cabanas and umbrellas worked and were told everything was first come, first served. Based on that information, we assumed they were included with the resort stay.
We grabbed towels from the pool, found an open cabana, and about 20 minutes later an employee informed us there was a $50 charge to use it. We had no issue paying the fee, but the lack of communication from the front desk and other staff was frustrating. Better communication would have prevented the confusion.
Food:
I had breakfast at the restaurant on the first floor. The food was decent but nothing memorable or worth going out of your way for.
Overall:
For the price, I expected a higher level of service and better communication from the staff. The property itself is beautiful, the rooms are comfortable, and the location is excellent, but the service and food and beverage experience brought the overall rating down.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Would I stay here again? Probably not. Next time I'd be more interested in trying the hotel next door, The Sol, which looked beautifully decorated and has two pools instead of one. Hopefully the overall guest experience is better.