ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort by IHG

This is a hard place to rate. For a 40-year-old hotel, it looked good and seemed better maintained than other island resorts I’ve stayed at. Our room was clean and had no bad smell. But the huge window between the room and bathroom/toilet was a serious problem. The shades were on the side visible to other people, and with our daughter there, that setup felt completely unacceptable. Whenever one of us needed the bathroom, everyone else had to leave the room. There were plenty of things we liked. The pool was clean and refreshing, and our daughter had fun there. The pool staff were polite and capable. Breakfast had good service, variety, and quality. A French chef made omelets to order right in front of you, and did a fantastic job every time for me. We also had access to a lounge with free drinks, cakes, and cookies, plus happy hour from 3 to 6 pm with as much wine or Orion beer as you wanted. Those parts could have made this a five-star stay, but the hotel got some other things badly wrong. Parking was a surprise, since they don’t mention when you book that the lot is almost a 15-minute walk away. There’s a shuttle, but it only fits nine people and the hotel is huge, so waits can be long. Each time we tried, we couldn’t ride together. I had to wait 10-15 minutes for the next bus. My wife had both hips replaced just five months earlier, and I was willing to pay for valet, but they said valet was only for luxury sweets guests. To be fair, after I raised it with the manager, he gave us access to a handicap parking spot. The other major issue was the activities. At check-in we got coupons for some of the cheaper options, but when we tried booking at the activities desk, most things were already full even though we were staying three days. Only less popular options remained. We took a banana boat ride, but my daughter had wanted reef snorkeling or horseback riding. Those activities are pricey without coupons, and unless you book before arrival, you may miss out. The homepage doesn’t warn you about needing to reserve early. That’s unacceptable in hospitality and needs to be fixed. With issues like these, I can’t rate the hotel higher. First-time visitors are likely to be disappointed.

The location is incredible and the property is beautiful, but what we’ll remember most is the service from Loic, the Guest Services Manager. He took care of reservations and coordinated transportation smoothly, handling everything with care and professionalism. Anca was also a real asset and helped us on several days. I’ve worked with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, so I know what five-star service looks like, and Loic absolutely delivered. He made our family feel welcomed and valued throughout the stay. It left a lasting impression, and we’d absolutely return.

The scenery is breathtaking, with clear ocean on both sides, and the hotel looks like a cruise ship from outside. We stayed in a modern, well-designed suite, while the kids had a regular room with dated furniture and decor. The hotel itself feels a little outdated, but the location and beaches are amazing. Food was good, and the club lounge was excellent, modern, and well serviced. The onsen was clean and spacious, and the spa was lovely. With all the Manza beach activities, I’d recommend it for families.

We had a fabulous six-day stay. The service was amazing, our room was perfect though a little tired-looking, and our housekeeper was fantastic. The grounds are beautiful, and the food was delicious everywhere except the Orchid room. The performers there had awesome energy. We also enjoyed the Onsen, one of the few hotel onsens where tattoos weren’t an issue.