Couples Sans Souci All Inclusive

The grounds are spectacular and beautifully kept, and most of the staff were wonderful. Carol at the breakfast omelette station was a joy. We also had a comfortable king-size bed, a welcoming, organized check-in with our luggage brought to the room, and an airport pickup that went smoothly. Just be ready for about a 2 hour drive in traffic. The New Year’s Eve cocktail party, main event, and entertainment were fabulous despite the weather. Bella Vista was consistently good, too, with lovely service. The rest of the resort felt old and tired, and calling it 5 star would be generous, 3 stars feels closer. The buildings need renovation and our room needed a deep clean, including mildew in the shower. The mini bar choices we’d requested by email weren’t there on arrival. After contacting the front desk, using the app, and speaking with beverage staff, we got some the day before leaving, but some bottles had already been opened, so we didn’t drink them. We mostly used the AN pool and beach. Pool and hot tub upkeep was poor, and on most days the hot tub water was so cloudy we couldn’t see the bottom. The loungers’ floatie type pads were filthy and mildewed. The pool bar ran out of plastic glasses, so by midday everything, even wine, came in tumblers. Drink choices were limited when stock ran out, and there was no non alcohol beer. The beach was raked now and then, but trash stayed in the sand. Breakfast at Palazzina was the same buffet every day. Unless you got an omelette, the chafing dish food was lukewarm at best. Staff didn’t seem to work together, and getting coffee after receiving a cup could be a whole other story. Casanova had a fabulous menu and tasty food, but it was consistently cold, service was slow or absent, and the restaurant was clearly short staffed. The gym has been moved because the original space has structural damage, which is understandable, but the current room is cramped and small, and its dated equipment needs replacing. We raised many issues with senior staff, but during our 8 day stay even the basics didn’t improve. It was a very expensive 3 star experience, and we won’t return.

The setting is beautiful, and I liked how the small resort is split into separate areas so everyone isn’t packed together. Food at both Bella Vista and Casanova was good quality, fresh, and plentiful, even if the choices got a little repetitive. I enjoyed the beach size for a resort this small, and there were plenty of activities. The spa ladies were wonderful, we had three massages. Daily cleaning and turndown were good. Carol at the omelette station and the ladies at Java Cafe made my mornings, and Zuki, the tennis coach, was great. Still, the stay left me with mixed feelings. Too many staff seemed inattentive, lazy, or annoyed to be there. Some spoke with attitude, didn’t smile, and at restaurants often spoke at us instead of to us. At Palazzina, we waited over 30 minutes for two cappuccinos several times, even after reminders. Some Casanova staff were rude. I don’t know if it was a bad attitude or a lack of service training. Pool bar drinks were poor and inconsistent, the same order could taste completely different depending on who made it. Our room smelled musty, and our clothes started to smell odd too. The AC stopped working on our last day. The worst moment was the resort spraying mosquito chemicals at 6pm while guests were walking around. The fog was thick like smoke from a fire and smelled awful, so we had to run to avoid breathing it in. Reception just said, “it’s fine.” It wasn’t, my eyes were burning, and it could cause a major attack for someone with asthma. I understand spraying is needed, but guests should be told beforehand, or it should happen at midnight instead of while people are out for sunset drinks. Some staff were hardworking and attentive, and seemed proud of their jobs. We enjoyed the scenery, weather, food, and people we met, but interacting with most staff made us feel like a burden. We wouldn’t return or recommend it under these circumstances. It doesn’t live up to a 5 star resort.

The resort’s exterior and ocean views were lovely, but that was the only part we really liked. My husband and I stayed 4 nights and won’t be back. The rooms felt bare, with little detail or design. Our AC broke twice, and nearly getting another room turned into a slow process with little urgency. Cups and dishes stayed around the property during our visit, and cleanliness seemed neglected. The upstairs pool bar overlooking the ocean was often unattended. All inclusive meals were basic and didn’t seem fresh. I found mold on the bread of my hamburger at the food cafe by the private beach. Empty drink cups were piled on the tables by the beach chairs, with nobody clearing them. I don’t recommend staying here.

The grounds are lush and well kept, and the housekeepers were especially lovely, kind, attentive, and consistently did a great job. Most staff were friendly, though I did run into a few rude employees. We had a fun international night with food from different countries, and the grill was the best restaurant. Skip the hotdog. Food overall gets 6/10 from me. There’s a lot of walking in the heat, since rooms are spread out and some buildings are far from restaurants, pools, and other amenities. The place is very quiet with little entertainment, so it seems better suited to older couples than younger travelers looking for activities. Seaweed made the beach completely unswimmable, and the pools weren’t inviting either, with insects, leaves, and debris floating in most of them. It has potential to be a lovely getaway for the right traveler, but I found it just okay. Cleaner pools, a beach you can swim at, and more entertainment would make it much more enjoyable.