trip report 07/8/06 thru 07/15/06
Posted by:
nrichmond
(168.214.86.---)
Date: July 18, 2006 08:31AM
Just got back had a lovely first time on the island!
Accomodations: Divi Resort- unfortunately we got an old unit which was nothing compared to the new ones renovated. The room was very clean and all the plumbing worked well just took a while for the hot water to heat up. The beach was wonderful as well as the view. Hotel front desk staff were too laid back and they added a bunch of unexpected charges to our bill which we didnt pay. They need to clean the pool during the day because after all the kids get finished the pool is rather dirty. They informed us that after we checked out our room would be gutted for renovations, the main pool was to also be torn out and re-done. The resort was getting ready to have major renovations going on for the next 7 weeks.
Restraunts: Lee's was good had the BBQ Ribs, slaw and fries. Loved Cheri's had 1 fat leg and ribs, the food was very plentiful and the show was very entertaining. The Greenhouse was the best and cheapest!! We had a great time there and the food was fabulous, we went there twice! Talk of the Town was okay, I was expecting it to be better and not too thrilled about fighting the flies as we ate. It also was not as cheap as we heard either, we spent $30 bucks on ribs and chicken plus sodas. Kangaroo Court for breakfast they have deals before 10am pancakes, home fries, bacon, sausage and eggs. I thought the food overall on the Island was very expensive, especially the robbery price of $2 for a regular can of 50 cent Coke we buy here state side. We spent $800 on food for just the two of us and we didnt eat lobster and steak!
Weather: Beautiful!! It rained for about 3 mins everyday and was very windy but refreshing because it was sunny and hot!
Travel: Flight on the way over was good, met some return couples on the plane staying at the Divi. The return trip home was horrible, we flew on United flight 1075. We got to the airport early and it took a while to check in because Security went through everyones bags by hand. The new airport is not open yet and it doesnt look like it will open next month either, saw very few ppl working on it. The wait in the airport was horrible, it was standing room only and hot! My husband stood for about 4 hours because there was no seats, our flight was delayed by an 1 1/2 hour. You couldnt hear any announcements from the gate attendants. When we got on the plane the flight attendant made an announcement that our flight got delayed because the original plane United was supposed to send had mechanical failure and they had to find another one in Chicago to come down to pick us up. The majority of the ppl on the plane had connecting flights which we all missed. A lady we met sitting next to us was traveling with 6 kids and was told by United staff in St. Marteen not to worry the airline would put us all up in hotels in Wash DC once we reached Dulles airport. The crew told us on the plane someone would be there to meet us once we cleared customs to assist us with missed flights and such. There was 4 ppl to help about 100 misplaced ppl. The airline lied and told us it was weather related and was not paying for anyones hotel, ppl were irrate and upset! By the time we got to the desk, United staff was rude and would not take any questions they just shoved re-issued tickets at us and pink slips to call for your own hotel which was supposed to be discounted. We knew nothing about this airport and didnt know where to go, how to get even outside. The airport staff didnt not try to help, everyone we asked just blew us off or acted like they didnt know. A simple question as to where do we catch the hotel shuttle, everyone working at the airport should at least know that. The customs staff was rude and we were hearded like cattle through the airport. It was the worst experience and I will never fly United Airlines again.