I have noticed a trend in the hotel reviews posted on our sister site www.ReviewResorts.com. There is a trend that the nicer resorts tend to have really positive reviews, while the lower level 4-star and 3-star resorts tend to have many more negative reviews. While this may seem appropriate considering 5-star resorts are nicer, it is clear that the vitriol of the 4 and 3-star hotel reviewers mean they were really unhappy. Here is a rundown of common complaints that we generally receive:

Pushy and Deceitful Time-Share Sales
It never ceases to amaze how Mexico’s hotel managers put so much effort into providing an awesome experience for their guests, yet allow pushy time-share sales people to ruin so many of their guests vacations. The complaints that time-share sales people lye in wait like vultures ready to pounce on guests are common. We also receive many complaints that the “absolute truths” told to hotel guests in the time-share sales presentations turn out to be total lies and untruths. Guests get home only to find out most everything they were told in the time-share presentation was false. This trend is very pronounced with the lower level 3 and 4-star beach hotels.

All–Inclusive Resort Complaints
The number one complaint about all-inclusive resorts is that the food served in the buffets is the same and never changes. The guests get really sick of eating the same thing for their entire stay and they complain about it in their hotel reviews. If an all-inclusive resort wanted to create a marketing edge, they might consider alternating the food in the buffets. This seems simple, give people new choices and they will be happy.

The number two complaint is securing reservations at the specialty ala carte restaurants. The hotel will tell them the reservations are sold-out for the whole week and they will go look and find few people in there eating. If this was a one or two time complaint, we could say it was an isolated circumstance, but this is a very regular complaint and something to be aware of.

The number three complaint about all-inclusive resorts is that if you are not a “member” of their club (aka: time-share program) you are treated as a 2nd class guest. Many of the all-inclusive resorts have policies that if you are not a “member” you do not have access to preferred areas of the resort. This is especially true of securing reservations at the specialty restaurants.

Rundown Rooms
The 3-star and 4-star level hotels in both Hawaii and Mexico have a common complaint of rundown rooms in need of renovation and repair. This is not to say that all 3 or 4-star hotels are rundown, but the complaint is common.

Let the Buyer Beware
One of the most important things you should do when selecting a hotel for your vacation is to visit the review sites. While some of the reviews will be gushing how great, and some will be overly negative, the bulk of the reviews will fit a pattern to give you an idea of how committed the management is to providing a quality guest experience.

We also feel that working with a Professional Travel Agent who specializes in the destination you are planning on visiting is very worthwhile. They have access to feedback and people at the destination that you simply cannot replicate online.

George