Occidental Flamenco

We will be going to the Occidental Flamenco on March 14 and were wondering if anyone could answer some questions we have. We have 4 families going with children aged 12-18 are there activities they will enjoy? Also what type of ammenities are in the rooms such as hair dryers, coffee makers, refrigerators etc. Does anyone know what kind of beer is served there. Do they have US beer or local brands? Thanks for any information you might have.

We just got back on Sunday (mar 7). I think the only time you might have a hard time entertaining kids there would be if they were really young. There are lots of free activities such as sea kayaks and snorkeling (snorkeling off a beach sounds pretty lame, but you only have to go out about 10-15 feet and there are little coral reefs with quite a few really nice fish. Bring a banana, fish eat bananas and they'll eat it right out of your hands). There are two pool tables, 2 pools, 2 ping-pong tables, a shopping centre. There are also little sailboats you can take out. Not to mention the tons of things that you have to pay for (scuba, parasailing, waterskiing). There are also games around the hotel all day everyday. You can do a scuba lesson in the pool for free. I think you only get an hour a day of tennis per room, but the 2 courts were pretty much empty the whole week, so I don't think they'd be too strict about it. If you want any more info, send me an e-mail or reply to this. We had tons of questions before we left, but I think I feel qualified to answer most of them now. HAVE FUN!

Just returned 0n 3/9. The rooms are pretty barren but clean. We stayed in the older section and the t.v did not have a remote. The water pressure in the showers is not very strong but it was always hot. The power to the air cond. goes off between 10am and 3:30 pm.Our room had its own air cond unit and we were able to keep the room cool at night . Friends stayed in the newer buildings (buiding 10 0n up) and their room was much nicer but the air did not work as well. If your going all inclusive you have to ask for you beverage by type not brand name. Beer wiskey vodka tonic or youll have to pay. You cant drink the water in the rooms but you can buy a bottle of water at the bar and refill it in the resturant all you want. Lots of staff directed games for the kids and the have a kids show every night.On the second level padio which is the outdoor pizza resturant ther is a ice cream machine and you help yourself the kids should enjoy that. Many topples women at the pool and beach.Just remember that your a country that may not have the same standards safety or otherwise then where your coming from.

What I've heard you have to ask for a remote control at the reception desk, or you won't get one. Or do you mean the TV was so old it couldn't be operated by one?

So, the air conditioning is off between 10am and 3:30pm. Is that just in the rooms, or in the entire hotel area? One thinks it would be nice to find an air conditioned room if the temperatures reaches too high during the day.

Matt

Hi Pat

We spent a week at the Flamenco during Christmas break. We too travelled with children however a little older than yours. (18-24) Everyone loved the holiday.

As for the rooms, we were in the 12th building. I didn't realize that there were old and new ones. The rooms are not the highlight of the resort. There aren't any hairblowers, fridges, or coffeemakers. The soap and kleenex are also scarce. However, the rooms are very spacious and clean. We didn't have any problems with the air conditioning.

Your older teens will probably enjoy the disco which is right on the beach. They can get all kinds of drinks there but will have to pay extra. The disco at the neighbouring resort, Paradise Beach Resort was even better as far as our kids were concerned.

There was also horsebackriding through the mountains at an additional cost which our girls loved.

If you have any further questions, you can email me or come back to the board.

Have a great time! Melodie

All the common areas were not air conditioned. Lobby,bar,buffet resturant did not have any doors or glass in wall openings. Ceiling paddle fans everywhere. Thought to myself how do they close this place up in a bad weather. The sun was very hot but there was always a breeze and sitting in the shade was always a comfort. Spend most of the daylight hours at the beach. Went to the bar for a slight buzz and then to dinner and the hotel show which was ok some of the time.After that it was off to the casino. Back to the room in the wee hours of the morning when the wife would complain its freezing in here but I like it cool when sleeping. Up at 9:30 for breakfast and a repeat performance.To eveyone else WE DID NOT GET SICK. I might add that if your looking for a beach vacation thats what you'll get.

We just got back from the Flamenco & were extremely disappointed in the resort---it is no longer a 5* as it is advertised in the Sunquest book. When we first checked in, we looked at 3 rooms, before we found an acceptable one. One room actually had black mold on the walls. The rooms have not been renovated in many years, altho the staff did keep them very clean. So, do be firm, but polite with the front desk staff, until you get a satisfactory room. The plumbing is badly in need of renovations.Their is no mini-bar, nor even a fridge, so keeping water or pop in your room is impossible. Any of the rooms bordering the pool & niteclub (open air) are noisy until about 11:30. Our friends stayed a 2nd week, & they were renovating some of the rooms. Take a washcloth & some kleenex, & an umbrella with you. The food wasn't too bad, and in fact, some nites was very good, e.g. the special Friday nite dinner. Book your stay at the specialty restaurants all in one shot with your tour rep---the gourmet Spanish one is the best. Altho we were told the Grill was good, we had to send our steak back--inedible. The beach is good, lots of length for very long walks, but far, far too many beach vendors---literally stopped at our beach lounges every minute or so. Very irritating. The pool is beautiful. The nightly entertainment is very good. The drinks are very sub-standard---they use premixed fruit mixes & are very inexperienced at the bar. Red wine is good (OK) as is the beer. You will likely get sick at least once, so really watch the coconut milk in the fruit drinks & brush your teeth with bottled water. Take immodium & peptobismol with you. One of our group had been at Flamenco last year, and said it had gone down considerably. Too bad, it was, at one time, probably the best resort in Playa Dorad.