As you have mentioned, there have been trials and tribulations. WEll, I can tell you first hand what I observed on Jan 10/06 at the resort.
First of all, may I tell you that myself, my husband and two friends had a confirmed vacation for the Ocean Manor's resort for Jan 7-14, 2006. It was confirmed to us in August 2005. We had a two bedroom, two bathroom , oceanfront condo booked.
I am megamania from this forum. So,,,if you look back to all my posts you will get the general idea.
We ended up , after a big battle , staying at the Windsurf REsort in Cabarete, this was because the renovations were not done, and resort opening date had to be moved ahead, once again. They were just rebooking people to the Club Fun Tropicale, in my case, with no notification. I found out from someone on this forum.
I was not going to be put to Playa Dorada, Club Fun Tropicale where the owners from Georgian Manor wanted to put us. It is 45 minutes from Cabarete, and in the middle of no where, not to mention an all inclusive world. The reviews I read on the place were not that great. Long story short,,,,glad I put up a fight, and ended up at Windsurf. Great Location, great resort.
However, we did venture out to Ocean Manor on the Tuesday. What we found was a place totally under construction. Nothing done!! I was given a tour. It is ocean front, it WILL be lovely when finished. But, what we saw was condo units completely unfinished, grounds unfinished, no furniture in sight, no workers , with the exception of one guy from Ontario. Two pools. One fair size, painted, no water. The other one an infinity pool, painted, no water.
Showers in units, half done. I was told where the kitchen cabinets and sinks were GOING to be. Where the washroom was GOING to be, etc.etc. Need I say more. Even the steps from the beach to the resort were pieces of concrete that looked like had been smashed to pieces. I had no idea how they could have ever confirmed us, as we all looked at each other and said.
"WOW," this place will really be something some day, but we would not even consider booking here for at least 6 months to one year.
Now,,,,,having said that, I received emails from people who are members, who are booked to stay there in February/06/ They were told the grand opening was Feb 1/06. They were wanting info from me about the progress. I was very candid and very honest on what I saw, and what date I saw it.
Those people were obviously worried, so they contacted Georgian Manor (the home resort and owners of Ocean Manor) and questioned them. One of those people got back to me telling me that after some perisitance, there were given the number of Ocean Manor and they called there directly, and spoke with a person who confirmed that the Grand Opening was still a go, and miraculously the work was done?????????????? I wish them luck of course, but from what I saw, and the speed of how work gets done in D.R., and also the comments I received from some people who had a lot of knowledge of the Ocean Manor and what had happened previously, I think, in all honestly, I would ask lots of questions. I am also aware that things can happen quickly. I am not denying or saying that the work is not done, but I would be cautious and ask some questions.
I do not mean to be negative about things, but, if you are like me, vacations mean a lot to me. I am not made of money, and I want every vacation to be good. I expect to receive what I am promised. I just simply cannot to afford to go somewhere, pay for the flight, put up with what is there, and say,,,oh well, we will just come back another time. I am just not in that position, therefore I need to know what I can expect!
I do hope, for those of you that are going and confirmed, that your stay is good. Personally, I would not be booking at Ocean Manor for at least 1 year, till everything is completed and all bugs worked out!! That is just my feeling.
I do believe it will be absolutely beautiful, as Georgian Manor is. Lovely ocean view. Nice setting. A little out of the way, but that is OK.
Hope I have been of some help. If you need, feel free to PM me. I don't mind at all, and will completely honest in my opinion and what I saw.
Meg
(10)
Ocean Manor Resort, Cabarete - Update?
Ah Yes.....The Ocean Manor REsort!!!!
