![]() ![]() No beach: there is no beach at the property, despite renderings on their site/marketing materials. You can't call room service for a soda, and if you run out of "credits", you'll be paying $2-3/ea at an all-inclusive resort. In theory, it lets you customize your own mini bar, but in practice, half of the Irena there should be free/included (e.g., sodas, small snacks, etc.) and other items are ridiculously priced (e.g., $6 for a non kid-sized bag of chips). Instead of a mini-bar, there is "Joe Merchants" - a coffee shop + store where you use credits for your room to purchase snacks, sodas, and other alcohol. One or two is one thing, but it's everywhere in the menus, on the property app, and even on screens in the gym and throughout the property. Just about every restaurant has several items available for an extra charge. Too many upsells for an "all-inclusive". Sure, you can hire more staff, but you can't magically increase the size of pools and bars. Once construction is finished and the hotel is fully staffed, it's going to be a S-storm you'll want to avoid. ![]() However, at the time, the property was only at 45% occupancy as half of the hotel is still under construction. Now, that's understandable for a full-sized property at max occupancy during a holiday. Our stay was over July 4th where the pools and bars were absolutely slammed and crowded beyond belief. Undersized pools and spaces/prepare to be crowded. The alternative was two free nights at a future stay which is insulting since that number didn't change if you were inconvenienced for one or seven nights, and who wants to lock in a second start when you've just arrived somewhere that messed up your stay on the first day? The overselling situation affected both Karisma Prestige/Exotic members during the Karisma Member Appreciation Week (one I met who lost over $700 from the downgrade) and non-members alike, and wow- were the Karisma members upset. We were all offered lower room categories than initially booked with only an offer of resort credit that 1) fell considerably short of the difference in room rate - this putting guests at a loss (with no attempt to adjust appropriately) and 2) you can't use everywhere on the property (e.g., no gift shop). Both myself and at least two others I meet here arrived only to learn that the room type we booked was "not available" despite both calling days before to confirm and emails verifying our room type. If you're basing your stay on having a swim-up room or other specific room type, DO NOT STAY HERE. Notable issues affecting many/most guest experiences: - Overlooking rooms. While one or two issues aren't make or break, our stay was death by a thousand papercuts where it quickly became a comically bad stay, and others should be warned. Other items will be chronic due to poor planning and initial design issues. The resort struggles from a myriad of issues - some growing pains solvable over time and with more/better staffing. It was first scheduled to open before the pandemic but it was ultimately delayed until December '22, but was delayed an additional 7 months finally opening in July '23. Pros: - Nice rooms - Jose the SOS bartender is great - Overall safe property Cons: - Horrible management and staffing issues - Room types aren't guaranteed, and you could be swindled by the property - Too many issues that will collectively ruin your stay - Not worth the cost compared to more reputable properties The property is a "collaboration" between Karisma hotels, the Maragaritaville brand, and an independent franchisee. We were all offered lower room categories than initially booked with only an offer of. Notable issues affecting many/most guest experiences: The property is a "collaboration" between Karisma hotels, the Maragaritaville brand, and an independent franchisee. ![]() Not worth the cost compared to more reputable properties Too many issues that will collectively ruin your stay Room types aren't guaranteed, and you could be swindled by the property Horrible management and staffing issues ![]()
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