Mixed Experience with Areas for Improvement
Arrival. We landed at a small airport, where we were met with a Club Med sign. The transfer to the hotel lounge area before boarding a boat to the island was quick—just a 10-minute ride by a small bus. While waiting, drinks were available, but there wasn’t much time to enjoy them as we promptly boarded the boat and reached the island in 15 minutes. At reception, we were greeted with refreshing drinks. A manager welcomed us and gave an overview of the resort and activities.
Check-in. The process was long and cumbersome. We arrived at the reception at 10 a.m. but didn’t get our room until 2 p.m., even though check-in officially starts at 2. Interestingly, everyone else who checked in with us got their rooms quickly, irrespective of their room class. We weren’t given much information about the delay, even though it seemed like there were rooms available. Nevertheless, we explored the main areas, tried the bar, and played table tennis and bocce to pass the time.
Room. Our first room, number 1032, faced a neighboring block. After contacting our travel agents for help, we were told to address the reception directly as the hotel ignored their inquiries. After much persistence, they moved us the next evening to room 1043, which offered a better ocean view. While we appreciated the view, the new room was more worn-out and not as clean as the previous one. The rooms were spacious, with large balconies and bathrooms, so that was positive. A thoughtful touch was the reusable branded water bottles provided at check-in, which you could take on hikes and even keep as a souvenir. Housekeeping was consistent, with no noticeable difference in service regardless of tipping.
Negatives:
· There were issues with the outlets—only one worked, and the others required adapters despite the app stating they used our plug type. Oddly, the lobby had the proper sockets, but reception told us to buy adapters from the store instead of providing them.
· Our room, while located on a higher floor, was still on the first level. One morning, we found a huge spider (possibly a tarantula?). We called reception three times before someone came 1.5 hours later to remove it. Even though the resort promotes being eco-friendly and protecting nature, safety was a concern, and we ended up missing our hiking tour as a result.
Activities/Property. This aspect was great. Hiking tours are organized around the island, though you can explore independently as we did. We joined a group to climb to the top of the island and later walked around it ourselves, which took about three hours. At the top, there’s even a WWII cannon. The island is large with many spots to explore, so comfortable shoes are a must. However, beware of oversized spiders in the jungle; a hat might be handy! Kayaks with transparent bottoms were fun, though the murky water and seaweed made the feature less impressive. Evening events were a highlight with dances and themed dress codes that most guests participated in, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Other activities included archery, snorkeling (we swam with a turtle, though jellyfish stung some people), and feeding turtles spread across the property. You could get around on foot or by buggy, but the latter often required a long wait, especially in distant locations. Booking a buggy for a specific time only worked once out of four tries; walking was usually faster. The resort also offers a mobile app with essential info, though direct communication with staff remained tricky.
Dining. This was a standout feature. The food was exquisite—scallops, tataki, ceviche, carpaccio, Beef Wellington, and various tuna dishes. The wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, brie, and camembert were outstanding. Fruits like pineapple, passion fruit, guava, watermelon, and mini bananas were abundant. There were delightful grill nights featuring octopus, shrimp, and squid, accompanied by delicious drinks. On the last night, we enjoyed a rum-tasting party with Takamaka rum in flavors like passion fruit and guava.
Additional Comments. The only significant downside for us was the service. While it wasn’t disastrous, it fell short of expectations, especially compared to the Maldives, despite being similarly priced. Staff seemed disinterested in resolving issues or being helpful. Even a birthday greeting felt reluctant, and reception claimed they don’t do anything for birthdays, though we observed cakes being brought out for other occasions. Inquiries at the reception often required long waits for trivial matters. We did find some staff we connected with, but most problems centered around reception.
There was no bias toward Russian guests; the staff seemed to treat everyone equally, though the French may receive slightly preferential treatment, likely due to the language. Other guests we spoke to, loyal travelers of the Club Med brand, said this was their worst experience in terms of service. Lastly, the eco-focused concept means the beaches are not pristine and can have seaweed. However, if you go in with the right expectations, the experience can still be enjoyable.