This is an honest and true impact of what this hotel is really like. After careful thought I feel it is necessary to inform you of the deeply upsetting, isolating, falsely advertised, and expensive holiday experience I endured.
This holiday has not only ruined my time away but also severely affected my Christmas, New Year, and most importantly my mental health.
I am a 52-year-old white British female who travels alone and has done so many times previously through Love Holidays without issue.
Total Cost Paid: £2,748.91 (plus additional hotel taxes and VISITAX on arrival, which was never checked)
1. Nexus Transfer – Arrival Experience
Upon arrival in Mexico, I approached the Nexus transfer desk. I was told to wait, after which two staff members walked away, leaving me standing alone. Approximately half an hour later, a female staff member approached me and very rudely told me to “just wait” when I politely asked why.
When I calmly asked for her name, she placed her right hand on my arm, covered her name badge with her left hand, and said, “I’m not giving you my name so you can make me lose my job.” This was never my intention. I was alone, in a foreign country, unable to speak the language, and felt extremely intimidated and frightened. She then walked away, leaving me crying and wanting to leave.
About an hour later, a man approached me shouting, “Here, here is your taxi.” I was visibly shaking and crying, and even the taxi driver repeatedly asked if I was okay.
Retune pick up was late by 30 minutes, only one other couple picked up after me, none before
2. Hotel Check-In
Upon arrival at the hotel, the receptionist, who did not speak English, shouted instructions at me regarding payments, cards, and room details in an aggressive and unwelcoming manner. Her attitude was unnecessary, hurtful, and made me feel extremely uncomfortable and unwelcome from the outset. Give paper to sign and to be honest don’t know what I signed
3. Room & Hotel Condition Issues
Throughout my 11-night stay, I experienced the following issues:
Dirty floors that were never cleaned once
Sliding balcony door extremely difficult to open and close, requiring two hands
A makeshift and unsafe balcony lock
No balcony light, making it unusable at night
No suitable place to dry wet swimwear or towels, causing the bathroom to smell (unable to leave clothing on balcony)
Dirty marks all over the fridge door, never cleaned
Hairdryer advertised but not provided
Television unusable unless connected to the internet (not advertised)
Gym not advertised; repeatedly asked reception over 5 days how to use it and whether a card was required, then gave up
Each interaction with reception was met with eye-rolling, dirty looks, and staff walking away without answering
This behaviour made me feel scared, worried, stupid for choosing this hotel, and deeply uncomfortable thought my stay
4. Restaurant Treatment & Food Issues
I was shouted at by the same female restaurant staff member on multiple occasions for what I was wearing, despite wearing the same cover-up for several days without issue previously.
On one evening, when attempting to sit down, she shouted “No, no, you can’t!” When I politely asked where I could sit, she pointed outside. I placed my plate down, with all eyes on me, and began crying from embarrassment before walking out without eating.
As a result:
I did not eat breakfast on 4 out of 11 days
I missed lunch on 6 out of 11 days
I missed multiple evening meals
Checked out at 12pm on the 11th day and unable to eat or drink as banded is taken
5. Misleading Advertising & Lack of Support
Advertised swim-up bar did not exist
Advertised infinity pool was not working
No Love Holidays representative on site (wasn’t aware of this when booking holiday)
Unable to book excursions due to language barriers
Staff did not speak English
Google Translate was ineffective
I felt completely isolated and unsupported
Pool side snack bar offered chips, hotdog, pizza and one other hot dog only, everything else had to be purchased, and only 2 soft drinks available. Not available all day as advised 12pn to 6pm (all food served cold) nothing was advertised in English; there was a bit of paper with photos
Never offered any form of active as advertised, no table tennis table, no aqua fit session supplied, no aerobic classes as advertised online
Online hotel is advertised as a four star, nowhere near that level
No sandy beach (full of seaweed) only 8 beds on beach that could be used
In 11 days, there was only 4 nights of entertainment, and they were either Spanish singers or Mexican singers
· I spent most of my holiday alone in my room or by the pool for short periods
· Min bar advertised online, no mini bar in room, there were x 2 bottles of complimentary water, then you had to buy bottles of water as not supplied though out the holiday, could only fill up a cup when the restaurant was open
· Café advertised online, no café on site apart from a mini shop
· Two restaurants on site advertised again, only saw and eat in one
· Only one dining room option not two as again advertised online
6. Meeting with Hotel Manager
On New Year’s Eve, I waited 2.5 hours in reception to speak with the hotel manager. The meeting lasted approximately 10 minutes. When I raised my concerns, his response was simply, “What can I do?” which was deeply disappointing.
I told him the hotel needs to be truthful when advertising and that this hotel is not suitable for English-speaking guests. I firmly believe there is discrimination towards anyone who speaks English. He said he would to my holiday rep and get back to me, two days later walked past me twice and never address anything with me
Impact on My Wellbeing
I spent this holiday feeling:
Unhappy
Isolated
Intimidated
Victimised
Embarrassed
Ashamed
Hurt
Disappointed
The emotional impact has continued since returning home. I am struggling to talk to friends, family, or work colleagues about the distressing and embarrassing experience I endured.