Review of Villas Marlin Penthouse #705 Only
Based on numerous 5 star reviews, photos, and listed amenities on various web sites, we booked "The Penthouse Gem #705". As a long time Top Contributor to Trip Advisor and as part of the Yelp Elite Squad, I take great pride in writing honest, in depth reviews of places I visit and it always gives me extreme joy to rate a location a well deserved 5 STARS. Unfortunately this condo unit is not in the 4 or 5 star category. I'm giving it a "3" because the managers attempted to help, but the property is in reality a "2". We can only imagine that the reviews were written by friends, family, or those who were not charged a rental fee.
There are numerous units in Villas Marlin that are in good shape and rented inexpensively. This unit was expensive, in need of repairs, and not as advertised. Location is central with the Hotelera bus a block away, a shopping center in front with Soriana grocery store, and the beach is white sugary sand.
*Villas Marlin is very old and run down. It is an unattractive complex with minimal greenery, no lawns, palms, or pretty entrance. It is located behind the shopping mall.
*The Penthouse is not located right on the ocean. The views of the ocean and the lagoon are also views of and over the ugly rooftops and air conditioning units.
*The condo is not cozy or comfortable nor is it furnished in an upscale standard that could merit high marks. Although it advertises it can sleep eight, there were only five chairs in the unit around the table. Against a far wall is a solo armless sofa with no additional seating-no armchairs, coffee tables, or end tables for anyone to sit for a conversation or to play a game.
*The furniture was mostly very cheap brown painted wooden "boxes" that were badly scratched and nicked. The glass topped dining table was not fastened to the base and rocked when anything was placed on it.
*The condo had a very strong sewer odor throughout our stay. The smell permeated from the various vents in the floor as well as the two showers. We believe that the sewer pipes may be clogged as when we washed dishes, the soapy water came up onto the kitchen floor from the drain. The upstairs toilet also overflowed.
*Although there were two balconies, there were no chairs or lounge chairs. Viewing the bottom of the upstairs balcony from below, it appeared to be in desperate need of repairs. The stucco had rotted and the rusted rebar was showing.
*No drinking water was available in the unit. An empty five-gallon jug of water sat on the floor of the kitchen.
*Only 2 towels were provided.
*No lamps in any room.
*Cheap, worn linens.
*The faucet in the downstairs bedroom was broken and sprayed water everywhere.
*One of the blinds in the dining area was broken and couldn't be opened, thus it remained closed, blocking the ocean view the entire week.
*Internet does not work upstairs.
*The downstairs bedroom is painted a hideous lime green with two twin beds with cheap bed coverings and a big white sofa bed crammed at the end. Had the couple we had invited to travel with us been able to come, we would have been totally embarrassed and probably would have had to move as this is a room that only children or teens could tolerate.
After twelve hours of traveling, it was most unpleasant to arrive at this condominium to find these conditions. We went to the grocery store (Soriana) after 9pm to purchase toilet paper, water, salt, soap, and other items not provided. We did email both Charlotte in San Diego and Rebeca on site the following day to inform them of the issues and request the missing items. To their credit, the items we requested were delivered within 24 hours. Four plastic chairs were also delivered so that we could at least sit on the downstairs balcony.
My husband and I travel extensively and we believe that any place that is rated 5 stars begins with a welcome letter of information on how to utilize the apartment, plus provide enough quality linens-towels, beach towels, toilet paper, paper towels,and bedding for the nights booked. Bottled water has always been provided in all of the condos we've rented throughout Mexico as well as kitchen necessities. Everything must be in working order. Both Charlotte and Rebeca did the best they could with what they had (thus a rating of 3 instead of a 2), however, it is up to the property owner to upgrade this condo to chic.
This unit is grossly overpriced. If it was $150 a night, perhaps guests could overlook the flaws, but with 126,000 rooms available to rent in Cancun, this is not the "gorgeous" gem it is touted to be, rather motel quality.
We thoroughly enjoyed the people, the outdoor activities, and the restaurants in the Cancun area and you can read my reviews here on Yelp.
My litmus test for giving a 4 or 5 star review is two-fold:
1. Would I recommend it to a friend or family member.
2. Would I book it again?
Sadly, for this condominium unit, the answer is NO! read more