Mags and I were knackered and well, wanted to be pampered so we headed to Harbour Village. I called ahead to inquire about lunch and a day pass. We were told 25,00 Naf pp but 15,00 Naf pp credited to the restaurant.

We found the security like San Quinten..it took awhile to get in..as we headed to the restaurant a front desk clerk ran out to stop us and ask if we were guests. She then realized who we were from my phone call and ushered us in to the office without much welcome yet not rude..just brusque. There we learned the beach fee did not include towels so we head to go back home ( I refused to pay 3.00 USD PP for towels when I just forked over 50,00). Took awhile to figure out how to get out (bell on side of building..now we know)..came back and were stopped by a security person. He asked for our passes...my point is it took almost an hour to get all sorted out.

Lunch was on a boat..overlooking the sea..LOVELY views. Menu was very nice. Prices fair. Food was average..nothing special. Caesar Salad had shredded deli iceberg most blowing away on to the deck..no seltzer or sparkling water..decent virgin straw. daquiri for Mags. She said her burger was ok. Service was spotty but friendly when available.

We were entertained by a HUGE iguana..

Off to the beach. LOVELY sandy beach but the entry into the water was interesting..it is for those who ambulate well..it is very rocky and rough..

So in summary, it was not a super friendly welcoming warm place in some regards but so beautiful..lovely flora and fauna..

Was it worth the 10,00 pp? Naw..I prefer Plaza..but it was a nice diversion.

Nice trip report Ann.

Sometimes I think front desk clerks are selected on base of their territorial behaviour instead of their hospitality skills.

The really good ones are the ones to remember.

I remember "Elena" on the isle of Crete who greeted us with "goodafternoon friends", and upon checking in offered us a room with a better view than booked "because it was vacant anyhow".

I remember the floor manager at the restaurant of "avila beach" at Curacao.
Clearly we were not guests, just daytime visitors, asked if everything was as wished and arranged without further hassle a Childseat for Amber so she could enjoy some "over table view" as well.

sjosss

Jos,

Everyone was friendly enough but having traveled extensively I didn't feel welcome?? Does that make sense? It appeared to be an enforced precence?

I was just a travel agent guest at Round Hill in Jamaica..5 star property..and there I was welcomed with open arms..it was incredible. Prices are similar but the feel was one of gracious elegance yet warmth and comfort?? Hmm..anyway, it's my opinion for what it's worth..

Ann,
In 2002, my husband and I toured the property. We were dressed in shorts and T-shirts which was not viewed as appropriate attire by the front desk / sales staff. At that time Harbour Village was closed and they had units For Sale. We were treated rudely at first....then I handed them our business card and like magic the attitude changed. The one female guest we saw had on linen slacks that "shouted" $$$$. We thought the property was beautiful but just didn't suit our style.

Interesting..well, we were at Round Hill, a 5 star resort in Jamaica and were treated sooo well. This is where Ralph Lauren has a villa (we were in villa 10, Joan Collin's favorite) and other famous people. Mind you we went last minute so had strictly casual t shirts / board short attire..some dressier..At Round Hill we were treated like royalty..very chic, not stuffy..oh, just fabulous..It as sooo comfy..

It sounds like the people at Harbor Village need to get the sticks out of their behinds and develop some warmth and lose the attitude.

Snooty does not make a resort; class is in the welcoming luxury, not the amount of money it takes to get past the gate.

Susan, I call those sticks "corn cobs" hee hee...snooty...funny story. Back in the 1950's my grandfather who was a farmer, got off the tractor and headed to town (in his work overalls) to buy my grandmother a Cadillac (with the cash in his pocket)...went into the dealership and couldn't get anyone to even talk to him...so he left, went down the road and bought her a Ford...can't judge a book by it's cover...

Now now everyone..I do not mean to give the wrong impression..no one was rude..it was just not a warm welcoming feeling kind of place..So beautiful but like sterile and well, cold..ya know??

Annie, you KNOW how "excitable" we all are I got your point...I probably wouldn't go there even for the day cause I would drag donkey doo in on my shoe for sure (that always happens when I try to go somewhere where I'm afraid to touch anything, especially if they are staring at me) LOL!

Cynde, I just love your grandfather's story!!!!!

Thanks Darlene I think of it often when I'm not dressed "appropriately" and get "looks" as if I don't belong somewhere...usually never go back to "those" places

Hi Cynde.. Ya I know..I get excited too..haaa...but I live here now and cannot deal with misunderstanding..you can relate..I just like to share the good and the bad..and there were certainly good..what a place for a wedding..LOVELY..Several BT regulars were married there..I can see why..

Ann, that is why I prefer the little out of the way places as a general rule. The rooms are frequently nicer and cleaner, the staff friendier, and the place is usually unique. I dislike waking up in the morning and having to look out the window so I can tell what country/city I am in. My favorite so far was in Quito, a hostal (inn) that had room names instead of numbers and each door had bas relief carvings using the room name as the theme of the carving.

Annie, know what you mean....so if anyone from Harbor Villiage is reading this, Annie gave a great report, and I think there are certainly folks that enjoy your establishment and facilities....I have often wondered what HV was like, now it's nice to know more about the place...(and we...aka BTalkers are the one's that got excited with our rants...don't blame Annie)

I stayed at the Harbour Village for ten days in Sept '03. The people were very nice especially the people at the dive shop. I spent the entire week in cargo shorts and t-shirts and never felt underdressed. I was wearing more than the women on the beach. Of course it seems like there were only about eight people in the entire resort. As far as the accomodations they are beautiful and clean.

We have toured Harbour Village, done a dive from their dock and eaten there, we were treated well and with respect. We have a friend who has stayed there and thought it was ideal for him and his wife. It is more expensive but the quality is very good and the management changed in 2003.