Best Western Amarys Hotel & Spa

The bathroom and shower were good, and although the A/C rattled, it cooled the room well. Parking was easy, with the interstate close by and the usual chain stores, groceries, and hardware nearby. The beach took a bit of driving, and The Mouse was about an hour away. The room itself was rough: the bed sagged like a bowl, lighting was practically nonexistent, and there was a musty, urine-like smell. The outside door lock only worked every five or six tries. The Breakfast Room was so small we couldn’t get in long enough to grab plates and take them back to our room.

We got in late as a group of four and hadn’t had dinner. The front desk offered to prepare chicken Caesar salads, and they were fresh and waiting when we arrived. We really appreciated the thoughtful gesture.

The massage was the worst part by far. Communication was poor, the masseuse didn’t respect which areas to avoid or the intensity I asked for, even after I specifically requested more pressure. We paid 200€ for a 50 minute couples massage with an intensity choice, and for the quality, that felt extremely expensive for the area. It seemed like the masseuse was chronically lazy, or perhaps unqualified and in the wrong job. I’ve had close to a hundred massage and spa experiences at hotels around the world and don’t mind paying, but this felt like she was just spreading oil over me. I could do that at home for free. She also reacted badly when I asked for quiet and turned off the music in the massage cabins. Pop music during a massage? Come on. I could feel her displeasure during the treatment. My partner and I came for the spa and massage. The place was calm, and the room was clean, though the strong sanitizer smell in the hallways was too much for my nose and lungs. Reception was impeccable and welcoming. I’d give the spa 3/5: the pool didn’t seem to have enough chlorine, the wet floor wasn’t kept safe, and someone should clear the excess water, perhaps with foot towels, or drain it. The old lemon water seemed like it could upset someone’s stomach. We didn’t mind bringing our own towels.

The rooms are plain, but clean, and the staff were especially attentive. It’s well placed just off the highway, which worked well for our travels.