The Happy Beach

The reception area is open and inviting, with a view toward the pool, and the facade looks pleasing. The facilities seem fairly new and well maintained, and driving up to the receiving area gives the impression of a sophisticated resort. But the customer service was so poor that the attractive setting lost its value for us. We came for complimentary day use, which didn’t include food, so we brought our own. Reception said outside food wasn’t allowed. That was understandable since there’s a restaurant, and we were ready to discuss it and pay any corkage fee, as we’ve done at other resorts with the same policy. Two people from our group were talking to reception while the rest of us looked for somewhere to put our things as we waited. Security kept following us and repeating the same warning about our food. Three different staff members came over to tell us the same thing, drawing attention from onlookers and making us feel like common criminals. The staff dogged us with an arrogant attitude the whole time. I’ve stayed around the world in places ranging from budget hostels to luxury resorts, and I’ve never been treated this way in similar circumstances. Take that as you will, but the experience didn’t get better after we left reception.