Our issues began months before we even arrived. Shortly after booking our stay at RumFish Beach at Tradwinds, we noticed the same room and dates listed for about $50 less per night on a third-party site. I called RumFish directly, expecting a price match or at least an explanation. Instead, I was bluntly told there was nothing they could do. When I asked what the benefit was to booking directly through the resort, I received no clear answer, just that they couldn't honor the lower rate. That should have been my first red flag about their approach to customer service, but unfortunately, I ignored my instincts.
A few days before check-in, I received an email offering an upgrade to a Gulf-facing room and early check-in. (Our original reservation was for a resort-facing room with Queen beds). I clicked to accept the upgrade to a Gulf- facing room but noticed after I clicked that this room had Double beds instead of Queens. I called the resort to switch back, only to be told that even if we didn't change anything, there was no guarantee we'd get Queen beds, which is something we specifically needed for two adults and two children. All they could offer was to "put a note in the reservation that we preferred Queen beds" and hope for the best. I also asked about early check-in, as mentioned in the email, and was told this "could not be guaranteed" and to simply show up early and see if anything was available.
We arrived around 11:00 AM and were told the room wasn't ready but that we'd receive a call when it was. That call didn't come until 3:45 PM. I'm still unsure why we were offered early check-in if it wasn't actually an option.
Upon check-in, with two kids (a 7-year-old and an infant) and lots of luggage, no one offered assistance or even a cart so I had to ask. Eventually, a bellhop arrived and we walked across the parking lot to the "Wahoo" building with our luggage and kids who were hot, hungry and tired after waiting for our room since 11 am. When we got to our room in the "Wahoo" building, it hadn't even been cleaned. I left my husband and kids outside in the heat while I walked back to the building with the hotel lobby to tell them the room they sent us to was not cleaned. I was matter of factly given the key to another room with zero apology or explanation. When I expressed frustration, the staff member actually said, "Come back and see me once you're settled and calmed down." Completely unacceptable. We also noticed that we were not given a parking pass at check in, so we had to yet again go to the other building hotel lobby to get a parking pass.
The room we were eventually given was in poor condition. The floors were filthy; after walking around barefoot on the first day, my 7-year-old's feet were jet black with dirt. I didn't let her take her shoes off again during the stay. The shower was full of hair did not drain, and as we would shower the bathtub would fill up so we would be standing in ankle deep rising water with other people's hair floating. The sinks also didn't drain properly. The mini fridge we had in our room leaked the entire stay. Even worse, the walls had what appeared to be dried bodily fluids (like boogers), which is just inexcusable.
We had no Wi-Fi the entire time. On day one, I called the front desk and was told it would be fixed soon. It was not. On day two, I called again and was told I needed to contact Spectrum myself and was transferred to Spectrum. The Spectrum rep was shocked and appalled that the hotel had pushed this onto a guest and informed me they couldn't speak to me about the issue since I wasn't on the account. Wi-Fi is included in the $25/day resort fee, but we never had access.
After calling about the wifi with no resolve, we decided not to call about the other myriad of issues we were having (sinks/shower not draining, filthy floors and walls, leaking fridge, etc.).
The beds and pillows were the most worn and uncomfortable beds I have ever slept on. If the floor wasn't so filthy, I would have slept on the floor. The beds were concave in the middle, so no matter how you were laying you would sink.
The only redeeming part of this stay was the beach and pool. But that alone does not justify the over $400 per night price tag.
For over $400 a night, this resort was abysmal at best. I wouldn't stay here again if I was offered a free room. The customer service from the beginning was dismissive and rude. I understand this area was hit by the hurricane pretty badly and they are trying to rebuild, but many of the things we experienced were unacceptable. I would never recommend this "resort." There are so many better places at St. Pete. We took a chance on this place and lost. Don't make the same mistake as us. read more