On our recent one year anniversary back to the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort ;Plunge is the ONLY place on property that doesn't earn that same level rating. I feel guilty writing this review. Don't get me wrong, it's a great place and it's a 'need' serving the pool area. It just doesn't measure on service or level of quality as the other resorts restaurants and bars do, yet still commands the same pricing , which isn't exactly ... budget. Our second full day at the resort, a Saturday, we ended up here. The bar at Plunge was busy , but I would not define it as 'slammed' , there was one bartender and seemingly one waiter for the tables. Lots of U of A customers were bellied up here , as later in the day was to be their homecoming game. Instantly, we noticed bees, which my husband and I are allergic too. Not that you need our dramatic history , but last year I was transported out of a canyon due to a sting when my day and life when black.. an Epi-pen almost wasn't enough. I required two more anaphylaxis treatments in the 20 minute ambulance ride to the hospital ; I'm that allergic. My husband went thru nearly the same situation in college in his frat house , but he's undergone venom treatment since which I still await treatment for. Sorry for all that , but it sheds light on my following review , I hope and why we turn to babies around the things ! We take bees pretty seriously when they swarm about. We seem like whiny little girls and this day , it wasn't one , not two , as we get this is the desert after all! We live here and we know! BUT, This was ALOT of bees! I didn't want to place an order and I mentioned them to the waiter , who in his youth , was a little like, 'well, ummm , yeah , we have had a lot of complaints...but what can I get you ?' He's young. He could have cared less. We skeptically ordered one adult beverage , waters, nachos and a sandwich ; My husband swore it would be okay. The thing that we noticed, the tables were not clean. Bees like food 'mess'! They like the sugar from the drinks! Everyone around us was swatting the things , and yes. That makes it worse, but it's also a typical human reaction. The waters went dry, no waiter. 15 minutes his drink arrived. The waiter could have worked on his friendly skills. 35 minutes later no food. My husband was enjoying his drink and we continued to fight the bees that were all around and then ... boom. He got stung. Since my sting last year had me down in mere minutes with no breath.. and I had not carried my purse with an Epi-pen to Plunge, I jumped up .. ran to the bar and told the bartender, Oscar: 'Hey we are leaving , my husbands been stung by a bee and he's allergic .. we need an Epipen.. !' I felt like a maniac lady as people just stared at me. He just looked at me. No reaction. Again, I get it. He's young, there's lots of people , THE BEES were literally swarming him as he worked all around his pre mixed drink machines .. I'm
talking in the hundreds .. as he swatted them
away. I got more excited and said 'WE have to leave , I'm sorry ! The server has our room number !' All he said was ,' Well, did you order ? Who's your server?' I then said that I had NO idea and I was gone. Luckily, Scott's hand ONLY swelled horribly BUT with several doses of Benadryl, his venom treatments had worked. Our afternoon was a bit scary and ruined though, as he slept off that Benadryl , but it could have been so much worse.
I'm not sure how a place can control one of natures beautiful creatures that are needed ! They should not be exterminated , but when there were so many and they can be dangerous ? I don't know , cleansing the tables ? Maybe not have the pre-mixed vats of sugared drinks outside? I'm definitely NOT an expert! I followed on a bit later with a call to customer service to actually apologize for ditching an order and was a little appalled at the response I received from them too. Although they were thankful for us letting them know, they were not too seeming concerned over a guest being hurt at their bar. JW Marriott is very good about follow up , and that never came. wetried to make a reservation for a Cabana by the pool for a Monday. We were passed again to Plunge via Guest Relations. No answer. We left a voice mail Saturday evening. No call on Sunday. We called early on Monday morning and got the ,' We aren't sure why anyone called you back reply, but someone will'. The Cabana we wanted was the same from our wedding week , if possible , and it was available. Weekdays are discounted , as they should be. We arrived about 1230pm. Our server advised us there are no longer refrigerators in the cabanas, a nice amenity, as 'people bring in their own stuff, and that is not allowed'. Okay. I get that , but to take away an amenity yet keep the pricing the same ? Our service was sub par all day and that was disappointing. Due to the bee issues they had closed Plunge who served the cabanas so we waited quite a while for drinks and water to be filled. read more