Marriott resort with not so good reviews. Is it worth the risk with Platinum?

[sam5035]

Hi all,

I was considering booking a resort (Marriott) in the Caribbean, however the reviews on Google maps are not great.

For every positive review there are three negative reviews. All within the past 12 months. Looks like one half of the resort is a dump with some areas/rooms being outdated, having mold/damp, bed bugs, no hot water etc..

And then the other half which seems like it is like the photo on the main website.

Do you think having Marriott Platinum status would protect me from getting a below average room?

Anything I can do to improve my chances of getting the best room without just having to pay extra for the best non-suite room?

[Lady London]

Suggest you give it a wide berth and stay somewhere else.

[Pangolin]

Agree with LL on this. Having Platinum won’t turn a dump into a worthwhile place to stay.

Even if some rooms are passable, would you honestly want to stay in a hotel where they subject guests to such conditions? It’s a sure sign they care very little about standards/service.

Britannia, for example, could offer Diamond Super Elite status but that wouldn’t make me want to stay there.

[E]

I don’t think Marriott Platinum will help you much. Depends where in the Caribbean that it is but there may be quite a few guests from the US with Ambassador or Titanium status which would outdo Platinum.

[FlyingPtarmigan]

Plus 1 for giving it a wide berth.

If it’s the Carambola Beach Resort in St. Croix then this is worth a read – https://thepointsguy.com/news/marriott-booking-disaster-refund/

[NorthernLass]

Marriott are naughty. The Grand Cayman Marriott “Beach” Resort is still being advertised as much, complete with pictures of pristine white sands, when actually the beach there has completely eroded and the sea laps at the property’s wall! After many negative reviews, future guests now get an email saying they will be bussed to an exclusive “private” beach, which sounds lovely, except that it’s not actually private and the locals are rather disgruntled that they’re being displaced for Marriott’s loungers and umbrellas!

[BuildBackBetter]

In addition to what tpg says, check for any reviews or trip reports or reviews on flyer talk as well. Because the site is more oriented towards frequent travellers, who can post frequent updates, there’s less fake reviews. On the flip side, many hotels may not have any reviews.

[sam5035]

Thanks everyone for your advice. That tpg link is really good material. Definitely going to avoid the resort now!