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Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/9/2005 2:15:25 PM
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indianabob
Posts: 6
Joined: 12/9/2005
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My wife and I and another couple just returned from 8 days on the ROO! The other couple has been there 2 times before, but for Sue and I it was our first. Loved the ROO!!!
This is not to "slam" the Copacobana, but I feel an obligation to WARN you if have plans to stay there soon!!!!
The Resort, in our opinion, should not be open, at all!!!!!
The water in the rooms in a brownish color, and has heavy tastes of both salt and chlorine! Get out of the pool, go back to the room and shower in clorinated salt water...... I think you are cleaner coming out of the either the sea, or the pool, than the shower in the room.
About half the time we had NO HOT WATER! In 8 days we had no phones! We missed several important messages from the states..... Not even a message at the desk.... The desk just connected the call to a non working phone!!!!!!
Some nights the toliets did not work!
We could not get wash clothes......
My wife finally bought some in town, and kept them in our room safe!
Construction starts every monring at 5:30 am sharp! Chain saws, jack hammers, concrete saws, heavy earth moving equipment. In the rooms on both sides of us were drills, grinders, and sanders going almost non stop. We had to leave our rooms on more than one occassion after almost being overcome by gasoline and varnish stripper fumes! The work continues until midnight every night!
There are only 3 working restuarants. Never all 3 open on the same day! Buffet breakfast by the lobby, buffet lunch by the beach, buffet dinner by the lobby, except when the buffet from dinner was closed, then an "ala carte" facility!
Almost no booze at either bar.... Even the stuff made in Mexico!
All of the walk ways and stairs in and out of rooms were criss crossed by power cords, and heavy dust, varnish shavings, and construction debris! IT makes trying to negotiate slippery marble floors a real challenge!
Two days they were painting the enterance way in our building (the only way in and out). They had tarps on the floor, but we had to walk over the tarps and try to get "missed" by the paiint falling from the rollers at the end of long poles, much less keeping our footware out of the paint!
Large electrical panel at the bottom of stairs open, and welcomes guests to fall into if you loose your footing on the "junk" and debris on the stairs!
The ice machine in our building was not working, and in fact unplugged! The "Mini Bar" consisted of a small fridge with 3 cans of pop, and 3 6 oz bottles of water.
Food is on a par with a Ponderosa Steak House, minus the beef.
Food made all 4 of us sick 4 2 days!
Cab ride to P.A. (closest place we felt safe to eat food) $16.00 US round trip. Cab ride to Playa (to eat somewhere other than Gringo Daves in P.A.) $18.00 US each way..... Plus food and drink! Carlos & Charlies in Playa, great! Even have a Jonny Rockets there!
No sail boats, or other beach toys.
One volley ball for both the pool and the beach!
Apple reps on site offered to "file an offical report", but that was it!
The ROO seems to be recovering nicely. We took the ferry out to Cosumel, and had a great time on the island! Great deals on jewelery as last 2 times we were on Cosumel!
Beaches, great!!!!
If you are going go to P.A. and swim with the dolphins.... Even if you can't swim...... You will have the time of your life! Best time on Sunday morning... early!!!
While in P.A. look up Capt Rick and private charter for a morning...... We came in with 2 40 plus lb Wahos, and landed 5 baracudas..... the largest about 20 lbs! Private charter much better, and you always seem to catch fish!!!! If you get fish, have Gringo Dave cook it up for lunch! Best meal in all 8 days of our stay!!!
Very, very dissapointing for a 5 Golden Apple AI property!
All for now........
I will upload photo later........
Thanks to LocoGringo for the great web site!
Indiana Bob
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/9/2005 2:33:47 PM
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Iguana Mama
Posts: 33019
Joined: 10/1/2004
From: St. Charles, MO
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Wow! I'm surprised to hear about the mess at the Copa--other reports had said it was in pretty good shape. I'm sorry you had a bad time--I hope it didn't make you dislike the area.
_____________________________
May you be in Heaven two hours before the Devil knows you're dead.
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/9/2005 4:02:47 PM
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indianabob
Posts: 6
Joined: 12/9/2005
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We were obviously very suprised also!
We all think the area is great!!!
Just a bad experience with both Apply and Copacabana.....
Talked with folks from Canada that tried to get to Copacabana this year, as they have for past 4 years..... They told us that Sunscape Travel in Canada has Copa on "black list" and will not let their travelers in until the place is in good order!
Again.... Great site.....
Thanks to all at Loco Gringo.com that gave us such wonderful information!
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/9/2005 4:37:34 PM
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luker
Posts: 41
Joined: 10/31/2005
From: St. Louis, MO
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Sorry you had such a bad time. We returned from the Copa on 11/28. I know they were just starting to fix up some of the buildings when we left but it was never disruptive to us. Plus there was additional construction on the lunch palapa and theatre which we never heard unless we were right there and even then it was never bothersome. You're right about the salty taste of the showers but I just assumed that's how it is in the resorts in Mexico (first visit). Our phone also didn't work but I had my cell with me for emergencies and didn't feel like talking to anyone anyway! We had no problems with the food but it would have been nice to have more than 1 option for our meals and it would have been nice to have someplace to grab a snack in between. Otherwise, we thought the food was very good. Our rooms were always clean, plenty of towels and even extra soda and water (I think leaving a small tip goes a long way and I am not opposed to doing that...even at an AI resort) in the fridge every day.
I guess, in short, I was pretty impressed for what they had to offer so soon after a hurricane the size of Wilma. I would hope that everything will be 100% in a couple of months.
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/9/2005 4:54:48 PM
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Reef Lover
Posts: 65
Joined: 12/2/2005
From: Blue Springs, Mo.
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Do you think they will be back to normal by mid January? Was the vegitation between the buildings gone or have they manicured it to look like a jungle? Also, did you see any iguannas? Thanks, Mike
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/9/2005 5:05:27 PM
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shape shifter 47
Posts: 12490
Joined: 9/27/2005
From: St. Louis Area..Northern Roo...
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mike, knowing how the trees,etc was in between the building leading to the beach, I don't think it will be back to the way it was when we were there last year. The iquannas are always around, cool aren't they?
forgot when you are going in mid Jan, we will be down the beach, south at Club Maeva....let us know the dates you guys arrive....
_____________________________
gary "coolerman" & martha
Banking off of a northeast wind, sailing on a summer breeze
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/9/2005 5:13:55 PM
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Reef Lover
Posts: 65
Joined: 12/2/2005
From: Blue Springs, Mo.
Status: offline
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Getting to the Copa 1-9 through 1-23-06.
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/9/2005 6:43:45 PM
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luker
Posts: 41
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From: St. Louis, MO
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I don't know what it looked like before, but there was plenty of green vegetation between the buildings and LOTS of iguanas. We were always able to spot at least 1 or 2 along our different trips. I thought it was beautiful and it did have a jungle feel.
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/9/2005 9:04:22 PM
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shape shifter 47
Posts: 12490
Joined: 9/27/2005
From: St. Louis Area..Northern Roo...
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quote:
ORIGINAL: luker
I don't know what it looked like before, but there was plenty of green vegetation between the buildings and LOTS of iguanas. We were always able to spot at least 1 or 2 along our different trips. I thought it was beautiful and it did have a jungle feel.
Betweem the buildings where the rooms are the tree were so thick it was like a small rain forest, you couldn't see the tops of most of the rooms, the path too you thru the trees to the beach and pool. It was very nice and rather romantic in the evening.....
_____________________________
gary "coolerman" & martha
Banking off of a northeast wind, sailing on a summer breeze
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/10/2005 7:01:49 AM
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luker
Posts: 41
Joined: 10/31/2005
From: St. Louis, MO
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ORIGINAL: shape shifter 47
quote:
Betweem the buildings where the rooms are the tree were so thick it was like a small rain forest, you couldn't see the tops of most of the rooms, the path too you thru the trees to the beach and pool. It was very nice and rather romantic in the evening..... [/color]
No, it definitely was not that thick but there was plenty of new growth and lots of green. It will be back!
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/11/2005 2:11:55 PM
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TerryTx
Posts: 198
Joined: 11/7/2005
From: D/FW, TX
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I just returned yesterday from a week at the Copacabana. Two of the buildings containing sleeping accommodations were undergoing refurbishing, however the other 4 buildings were not. I was upgraded to a jr suite and had absolutely no problem with my room. The hot water was always hot and the toilet worked each and every time. I always had plenty of towels and wash cloths, and there was always soda and 5 or 6 bottles of water in the mini frig. There were also a couple of bottles of water in the bathroom and also next to the coffee maker. I didn't drink the water coming out of the faucets or the shower, so I don't know how it tasted, but I am sure that if it was pure enough to drink then bottled water would not have been made available. Every morning another towel animal adorned with flower petals was placed on the bed after it was made. Perhaps my placing a tip on the bed each morning made a difference.
I found that there was plenty of booze at the bars as they never ran out even though I tried to empty their supply...LOL If I wanted a brand that they normally had on the shelf and ran out of, they would go and get a bottle from stock or the other bar. Perhaps my tipping of the bartenders at the bars and the servers on the beach starting on the first day I was there made a difference.
I must admit that not all restaurants being available was a bit disappointing, however the resort was apparently less than 50% occupied so it is understandable that not all dining facilities would be in use. I found the food wasn't amazing but it was good and plentiful with many selections available. I must however say that the creamed soups were excellent and the pizza at the La Palapa was outstanding.
For transportation, I used collectivos exclusively from the Copa to/from Tulum, Akumal, and PDC and found this mode of transportation to be readily available without a wait of more than 3-4 minutes at any time and the cost at 15 pesos ($1.50) per one way trip was very reasonable.
Although I am sure many people experienced minor inconveniences at the Copa, and probably at all of the other resorts in the Roo since Emily and Wilma visited, it is almost as if the originator of this thread stayed in a different resort than I did.
To the originator of this thread: I find it difficult to believe that you would not have been relocated to another building immediately after notifying resort management about the problems you were having. Or did you not contact management immediately about the problems you were having and instead wait until the end of your stay at the Copa before you complained?
I must say that I found the level of recovery from 2 massive hurricanes in the Roo to be short of miraculous, especially considering that the use of manpower in place of mechanized and/or powered equipment was so prevalent. One only has to compare the recovery that has been accomplished in New Orleans and other US locations damaged by the recent hurricanes to be amazed at what has been accomplished in the Roo.
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/11/2005 5:14:36 PM
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shape shifter 47
Posts: 12490
Joined: 9/27/2005
From: St. Louis Area..Northern Roo...
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Hey Terry, you didn't by chance strole south of the resort and find a nice little pub on the beach did you.....it was a great little place with food and a few small shops by it.....we were wanting to go there in January.....
Sound like you enjoyed the Copa, I know we did when we stayed there...do you remember the bar tenders name?
_____________________________
gary "coolerman" & martha
Banking off of a northeast wind, sailing on a summer breeze
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/11/2005 8:20:25 PM
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TerryTx
Posts: 198
Joined: 11/7/2005
From: D/FW, TX
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quote:
ORIGINAL: shape shifter 47
Hey Terry, you didn't by chance strole south of the resort and find a nice little pub on the beach did you.....it was a great little place with food and a few small shops by it.....we were wanting to go there in January.....
Sound like you enjoyed the Copa, I know we did when we stayed there...do you remember the bar tenders name?
Gary,
I didn't venture too far on the beach south of the Copa and didn't get as far as the bar and shops. The bartenders I got to know at the Copa were Aniceto, Armando, Miguel, and Carlos. There may have been one or two others however I can't recall their names.
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/11/2005 10:37:29 PM
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shape shifter 47
Posts: 12490
Joined: 9/27/2005
From: St. Louis Area..Northern Roo...
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Terry, thanks for the info...glad you had a great trip...Copa is a nice place and we loved the place....maybe we can catch you sometime in Roo.
_____________________________
gary "coolerman" & martha
Banking off of a northeast wind, sailing on a summer breeze
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/12/2005 11:25:15 AM
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Sheba and The Indian
Posts: 15
Joined: 12/3/2005
From: North Bay, Ontario
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Sorry you had such a bad experience. But I guess some of the conditions can be expected after having gone through two terrible storms. Hope this doesn't dissuade you from trying again. Better Luck next time.
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/12/2005 12:15:32 PM
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stargazer
Posts: 183
Joined: 7/17/2005
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Indiana Bob, I am so sorry and disappointed that you had a negative experience with the Copacabana.
We were there this past January, and when we indicated that this was our second visit and we were happy to return, we were immediately upgraded to a Junior Suite. We weren't expecting it, but it was a wonderful gesture. We had a few problems with the lock on our door, and when we went to the front desk, it was taken care of immediately. Absolutely no issues with service, towels, or hot water, although I have heard the hot water comment made before.
We've been there twice before, and, like TerryTX, we have never experienced a problem. We happen to really enjoy the hotel and thus, we return, year after year (for the past 3 years anyways )
But, just like a bank, I am sure that every person in this world who has stayed at a hotel or two in their time, has come across one that makes their trip a bit of a disappointment. And that's fine, if we were all the same, what a boring world it would be right?
We are booked to go back at the end of January, and I know we will enjoy our trip. Unless something catastrophic were to hit them between now and when we leave, I am certain we will enjoy our trip as much as we have in the past. But you are right, it IS a beautiful beach.
Thanks for the report
Jennifer
< Message edited by stargazer -- 12/12/2005 1:19:56 PM >
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/12/2005 2:55:41 PM
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travelon
Posts: 1527
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From: NC
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After having traveled all around the Roo for 22+ years, I have to say that The Copa was the worst place we ever stayed and that was a few years ago. The only thing they have going is the beautiful beach (however they only have a very small portion of it) The service was horrible, food always bad, absolutely NO waterviews, everything shuts down around the beach in late afternoon so you are stuck in the jungle (where all the rooms are located). We rented a car for the entire time and escaped as much as posible
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/12/2005 4:07:02 PM
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indianabob
Posts: 6
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I would have to agree with you!!! This was our first visit to the ROO. We have done 5 different week to 10 day cruises, and fell in love with Cozemel, thus we decided to try the ROO. The ROO is fine. We talked with other folks that had stayed at the Copa before, and were appalled by the conditions!
The Copa did offer us another room to "sleep-in" the last night we were there, but come-on, we would have had to drag all of our luggage accross the courtyard (as they had noone to help us move, we checked), unpack, and repack to leave the next morning!!! By far, too little too late!!
There seems to be a real conflict between the hotel management and the beach staff. The beach equipment has been turned over to 2 seperate companies..... One for snorkeling and diving, the boats and kayaks to the second. In 8 days we never say the second. The snorkeling and diving folks were not happy, as the Copa had made them in charge of the pool towels.... The one gentleman told me he was a diving instructor, now demoted to towel boy!
I know people are attached to the Copa.... That's fine, But if this is your first trip, change resorts before it's too late!!!!
IndianaBob
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/12/2005 4:34:41 PM
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TerryTx
Posts: 198
Joined: 11/7/2005
From: D/FW, TX
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quote:
ORIGINAL: indianabob
The Copa did offer us another room to "sleep-in" the last night we were there, but come-on, we would have had to drag all of our luggage accross the courtyard (as they had noone to help us move, we checked), unpack, and repack to leave the next morning!!! By far, too little too late!!
You should have complained the first night you were at the Copa, not the last night and then you would have been moved so you could have enjoyed yourself. Complaining on the last day of a trip doesn't do much good, unless you enjoy the misery and/or love to complain.
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/13/2005 10:16:34 AM
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indianabob
Posts: 6
Joined: 12/9/2005
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TerryTX:
We did complain..... The second day we were there we all got sick, and were down, some for one day, some for 2. It was not just the 4 of us..... Over the next several days there were occasions where the bathrooms by the pool had a waiting line for stalls!
The staff at the front desk seemed unable to do anything. The onsite Apple Rep also tried to help, even to try to move us to another facility.... Unfortunately, we never recieved the information about moving until the last day, even though the Apple Reps claim to have left several messages (Remember the phone situation!)
The staff at the front desk seemed to be unaware of the construction going on in our building! In fact the last night the "manager" assured us it would be stopped by 8:00pm. He then got on a walkie-talkie, and althought I understand but a small amount of Spanish, I can tell you by the little bit I managed to understand, and by the agrevation in his voice, and the ever increasing volume on both sides, it was not a good conversation. He then told us they would be woring in the room next to us until 1:00am, and offered us a key to a different room "for us to sleep in".... again no one to help us move..... and I will repeat.... TOO LITTLE TOO LATE!
We are not complainers..... We take vacations to relax, and once we relax, get into the frame of mind of letting someone else worry about things, because we are here to relax.
Our real problem with the Copa is it was presented to us as a 5 GOLDEN APPLE PROPERTY.... At best, what we saw, and experience was maybe a 3 RED APPLE. HOW THE COPA OBTAINED THIS HIGH OF RATING IS A REAL MYSTERY!
We met 2 ladies from a travel agency in Illinios who were "guests" of the Copa. They went to our building and were so appalled at the conditions went back to their room for their cameras and starting taking pictures! They were "angry" as representatives of APPLE and said they would not recommend this facility to any of their clients, and make a full report with Apple.
The grounds at the Copa are really nice. It has the nicest pool we have ever had the pleasure of using......
However, that does not excuse, or cover for the horrible service, food, accomodations provided by a property represented as a 5 GOLDEN APPLE RESORT!
Had we paid for a 3 Red Apple, OK.... I would shut up..... BUT WE PAID FOR A 5 GOLDEN APPLE.
WE CHECK SEVERAL TIMES WITH BOTH APPLE AND THE MANAGER OF THIS PROPERTY VIA E-MAIL ( I CAN FORWARD THEM IF YOU WOULD LIKE) The only thing anyone talked about was the new SPA not being available until December 1.
Yes we were all very concerned about the damage that the huricanes had done, and we watched this websight, as well as others, including Apple's and e-mailed the hotel, Apple, and our travel agent. Everyone assured that this property was in great shape, and we would have the time of our life!
Terry, again, this was our first visit to both the Copa and the Roo. The couple we were with insisted we stay at the Copa, based upon the excellent experience they had twice before! They were appalled, as were others who had stayed there before!
If you would like, I can send you a photo of my wife standing at the bottom of the stair in our building with a very large electrical panel with the door off, at the bottom of the stairs! There was construction debris on the stairs for our entire visit, making the stairs harder to use. One slip, and a person would have found themselves inside the service panel! There were hotel "officials" all over our building every day we were there...
The other couple had no hot water for days! They were about 6 rooms away, on the other side of the stairs in the center of the building. Twice the hotel sent a "technician" to fix the hot water. Did no good either time! Our friends started testing the water in the rooms between us and them (as the hotel had removed all of the outside doors on our floor, except for the 2 rooms we occupied!) Jim found hot water in the room next to us, but an air blockage in the next room. By bleeding the air out of the lines from room to room, he was able to finally get hot water to his room. He had to do this 3 times in the week were there!
We took a chance, went to help support the area after the hurricanes, and feel like we were lied to, and the Copa made us feel like we in the way while they got the place ready for "more important" guest in February and beyond!
My concern, and reason for posting and starting this string, is anyone scheduled to stay there in the next 60 to 90 days! If this is you, change now, while you still can!
Again, I am not trying to "rip" on the Copa, but instead am trying to keep someone else from having the type of experience we had......
Thanks for the input......
See you some day walking the excellent beaches on the ROO!!!
IndianaBob
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/13/2005 4:33:01 PM
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TerryTx
Posts: 198
Joined: 11/7/2005
From: D/FW, TX
Status: offline
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indianabob,
As I said previously, everything for me was fine except that I was disappointed about the lack of availability of restaurants for dinner, however it appears that you definitely did get the shaft.
I don't believe that the front desk personnel, except managers, know what is going on outside their designated work area. The staff at the front desk, as well as the Apple rep, should have escalated your problem to the GM or duty manager immediately and it appears that neither did that.
I don't think that the Apple rep did enough if they only "tried to help" as I believe that Apple must have a lot of clout there and should be able to "move mountains" if necessary.
I will say that after seeing the GM (Bernardo Rosenthal) on a few occasions at the resort, my impression of him was that he should be greeting people at the new Walmart in PDC instead of being the GM at the Copa. :)
Terry
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/14/2005 1:10:28 PM
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indianabob
Posts: 6
Joined: 12/9/2005
Status: offline
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Terry,
It occurred to me last night that maybe all of the complaining we did might have helped to get you the room upgrade.. We left on the morning of Dec 6, and were in the 2000 building!
My certified mail letter to APPLE VACATIONS will be in the mail tomorrow, complete with photos.......
If you ever get a chance, get up to P.A. and check out Gringo Dave's!!! Go out fishing with Capt Rick's..... Both are great folks!
IndianaBob
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RE: Copacobana Beach Resort - 12/14/2005 1:14:28 PM
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indianabob
Posts: 6
Joined: 12/9/2005
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CJ:
You might want to check with SUN SCAPE travel in Canada....
We met folks in Playa at Carlos and Charlies that had stayed at the Copa every year since it had opened, and really, really wanted to stay there this year.
They claim that SUN SCAPE has the Copa on a "Do Not Go To" list, until they get their act together again!
Just an FYI.....
Have a great time on the ROO
IndianBob
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