Holiday Reviews > Caribbean > Mexico > Cozumel > Cozumel Hotels > Holiday Village White Sands Hotel > Read Reviews
Holiday Village White Sands Hotel ReviewsPage 1 2 3
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Aug 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr A Elvin |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
We have just returned from a fortnight at White Sands and I seriously cannot reconcile the holiday we have had with some of the negative comments about this resort.
We are very particular about our holidays and expect high standards for our money. It may be that First Choice have taken notice of the comments and made improvements. Either way, we would certainly go back there again.
The rooms were clean and well maintained. The bathrooms could do with updating but everything worked, apart from one day where everyone was without water for about two hours. Hey, it's Mexico!
The food was good. There was always a good variety, with food cooked to order at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some people complained about the choice - I think they mean there wasn't enough "English" food. Our eldest daughter is a very picky eater and she always found something she would eat. There was always at least 8 different main course dishes, potatoes, rice, a pasta bar, salads, desserts, etc. All meals are buffet style but there are plenty of staff to clear tables and bring drinks, which they did very efficiently. There were certainly queues at the door each evening but this did stop people rushing about trying to get a table and we never waited more than about 5 minutes. Even at the end of service there was still a good selection of quality food. The dishes are being constantly refreshed so nothing is left out to get stale.
The complex is well maintained. There were a lot of staff trimming hedges, cleaning, repairing etc and a lot of effort seems to be going into this.
The Entertainment was excellent. It is a family resort so you must expect family-oriented activities. The mini disco, aka "Kids Village Time", was the best kids disco we have ever been to (and we've been to a lot!). Then there's bingo, a quiz or some sort of audience participation fun and games, followed by the main show. Some is done by outside acts, such as the salsa band and the island dancers, others is done by the in-house entertainment team. And they are excellent - Penny, Kim, Oliver, Carlos, Oscar and Guy put their heart and soul into their work and it shows.
A positive aspect is that they have different reps for different things. We've been to places where the people who do the airport run at 5am are the ones doing the cabaret that night too, as well as everything in between. Here, there are different reps for each activity - the main contact reps, the entertainers, the activities reps, the kids club reps, the swimming reps, the Stagecoach theatre reps. Having specialists really works.
Some minor gripes - it is supposed to be all inclusive and the food and drink certainly is. You also expect to pay for excursions and swimming lessons. However, you also pay for internet access, some kids club sessions and the high ropes, which should all be included, we think. The beer is a bit tasteless and the relaxation pool was out of order for the time we were there (though they did warn us of that).
A tip - tipping is part of the culture, so take lots of one dollar bills or 20 peso notes which go down well with the restaurant and bar staff. It's only a couple of pounds a day and they do look after you when you tip!
Our advice? Go, relax and enjoy yourself and you'll have a great time! People are entitled to their opinion but some people whinge when there really is no reason to.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs S Grange |
| Overall
Rating: |
1/10 |
| Comments: |
Please dont believe the good reviews as they do not reflect what a poor hotel this is and we are not professional whingers we are professional honest people!! We went in July and found the place horrible. Our room was unhygienic, the food was dried up and there was little choice. The snack bar food had flies all over it and did not look appetising at all. We have stayed in many half board/all inclusive hotels and usually people go back for more and look enthusiastic, here they didnt. Our suitcases and everybody elses cases were dumped outside their rooms and nobody was shown around by reps. Security was lapse. Other hotels have security fences and guards only allowing guests and workers in but here there is nothing. In fact leaving cases outside the room was a security threat in itself!! The bar staff were very rude and refused our son a drink saying that he was closing in 3 minutes then turned his back on him!!! We moved to a different hotel which was absolutly amazing and was definately a 4 star as advertised in the brochure. This hotel is more like a 2 star at the most!! Don't go if you can help it. We think people only seem to go here to put the kids in the childrens club, and are not bothered about the poor atmoshphere and facilities. If you do go, visit the occidental grand and iberostar, you will be very surprised and upset at first choice at the big difference (and they have childrens clubs also). the occidental grand is the first hotel if you turn left when you get to the beach, the iberostar is the second. Good luck.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss T McCormick |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
2 months before I went to Holiday Village White Sands, I read the reviews on this website, and I must say I was put off. But when I arrived in Cozumel, I realized all the reviews I read were a load of nonsense written by a bunch of whingers.
First Impression:
I entered the hotel to be greeted by friendly staff offering us drinks. Then we were sat in reception for no more than 10 minutes while the receptionists got over 40 familys' room keys sorted out. We were then walked to our room by Holiday Reps who told us all about the resort.
The food was always well cooked, well presented and enjoyable. The waitors and chef's were always friendly and outgoing and willing to cater to your every need, litterally. The relaxation pool was out of service at the time I was there, due to refurbishments, but the activities pool and the Water park were fully working and always very clean. To the person who wrote there was naked people by the kiddies pool - I think you may have just been caught unlucky because for the 2 weeks I was there, there wasnt a single person even close to naked. The Maid Service was impecible, me and my two teenage cousins stayed in one room and it was an absolute pigsty but by the time we came back from the pool/beach it was spotless, I was overpleased and it was the best maid service I have ever come across. The Entertainment of a night time was amazing also, the entertainment team Carlos, Oscar, Fleur, Oli, Kim, Penny and Guy were all really polite, hilarious and real genuine people, not to mention outstanding performers. They entertained the younger children with club dances and games, and entertained everyone from 10 o'clock onwards with the nights show. The activities in the daytime were fun, but restricted. I would recommend any teenagers or children not to play Water Polo with the Adults because they tend to get a bit aggressive. There was a range of water sports aswell that I thought was really good, seeings as you can get 3/4 things for free if you're all inclusive! Such as Kayaking, Snorkling and Bogie Boarding.
The only thing I think that could of improved this holiday is if there was more things to do for Teenagers. Other than that I think this has been the most amazing holiday I have ever been on and I seriously want to go back there.
If you're thinking about changing your mind about this holiday, dont! I promise you, you will not regret it.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr A Anonymous |
| Overall
Rating: |
1/10 |
| Comments: |
If you have booked to go, then change if you can. This place is unfinished and not a 4 star hotel at all. The hotel has a weird atmosphere and i can honestly say is the worse place we have ever stayed in. First choice should be ashamed of themselves. They should not be sending people to it until it is ready!! Personally i think that even when/if it is ready then it will be horrible even then, because the hotel staff are rude and the food is awful. The beach is the only good thing about it and even then there is very little shade for the little ones. Security is also an issue with families reporting thefts and that doesnt include money left out for the maids which some people mistake as stealing.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Jessup |
| Overall
Rating: |
1/10 |
| Comments: |
We went on this holiday under the impression that it was a new hotel. Not at all, it was a refurbishment and still not complete as one of the main swimming pools was out of action. We were so disappointed, it was the worst holiday we have ever been on. Like a 1960s UK holiday camp!!! When we go on holiday we always choose 4 star accommodation and this certainly was not. We had to queue for ages each evening to just get seated in the dining room. Will say the two First Choice reps were very helpful but I think they were fighting a losing battle.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr JCH Harrison |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
Hi,
For anybody reading the bad reviews, do not have second thoughts about booking this holiday! The hotel is clean, the food is lovely, especially the breakfasts, although there wasn't much variety for lunch. The daytime activities for teenagers aren't the best, but the night-time entertainment is brilliant, as the Entertainment team provide enjoyment for people of all ages.
The island is great - hiring a Jeep to go round is a good idea, because there are so many things to see, and it doesn't take long to see everything. Swimming with dolphins was fantastic - i did the swim adventure, and I loved it. Going in the submarine was good, but we didn't see much.
The animals are amazing - loved the iguanas, the fish are beautiful when you snorkel, and you get to see loads of creatures you never imagined you could see; like 6-ft stingrays, puffa fish, scorpions, sea turtles and much more. It's fantastic!!!!!!!!!
The staff are very friendly, and very helpful - they were 100% great!!!
HAVE A GOOD HOLIDAY!!!!
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs SJH Harrison |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
For all of you people ready to change for the sake of the bad reviews, do not, for this has got to be the best holiday that I've ever been on.
The accomodation is good, with a good maid service and thank goodness for the air conditioning. The 2nd floor rooms have all got lizards, do not worry for these are high and don't disturb, only eat the mozzies, note some droppings, the lower rooms are smaller, still good. The food is also good, the pools are good, and the close proximity to the sea also works well. Everybody staying appeared to enjoy all of their own holidays. The entertainment team can only be praised, for Carlos, Kimmy, Fleur, Ollie, Penny and Guy are all brilliant entertainers of a professional standard. The daytime activities could all be improved, with me being a 15 year old boy wearing a life jacket at a 4ft deep swimming pool is not good, with the adult and child gap being too apparent. Don't travel during hurricane season, we left as the storms all started, I dread to think of the situation for all of the people going soon. The island is brilliant, and the reps are all friendly.
NOTE ABOUT THE CREATURES.
Nothing at the island can kill you. NOTHING CAN. During a fortnight, we did see approx 8 scorpions and approx 2 tarantulas. A bite and a sting from both of these can only cause a 2 day fever at most, and only ever come out at night. The lizards and the iguanas are all friendly, the moths are big as are the crabs, and the crocodiles are all at the bottom end of the island. Only small snakes and small tortoises are about the grass, and the air coniditioning puts off everything from the rooms apart from the lizards and the mozzies.
Overall, a brilliant holiday reccomended.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs SJH Harrison |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
For all of you people ready to change for the sake of the bad reviews, do not, for this has got to be the best holiday that I've ever been on.
The accomodation is good, with a good maid service and thank goodness for the air conditioning. The 2nd floor rooms have all got lizards, do not worry for these are high and don't disturb, only eat the mozzies, note some droppings, the lower rooms are smaller, still good. The food is also good, the pools are good, and the close proximity to the sea also works well. Everybody staying appeared to enjoy all of their own holidays. The entertainment team can only be praised, for Carlos, Kimmy, Fleur, Ollie, Penny and Guy are all brilliant entertainers of a professional standard. The daytime activities could all be improved, with me being a 15 year old boy wearing a life jacket at a 4ft deep swimming pool is not good, with the adult and child gap being too apparent. Don't travel during hurricane season, we left as the storms all started, I dread to think of the situation for all of the people going soon. The island is brilliant, and the reps are all friendly.
NOTE ABOUT THE CREATURES.
Nothing at the island can kill you. NOTHING CAN. During a fortnight, we did see approx 8 scorpions and approx 2 tarantulas. A bite and a sting from both of these can only cause a 2 day fever at most, and only ever come out at night. The lizards and the iguanas are all friendly, the moths are big as are the crabs, and the crocodiles are all at the bottom end of the island. Only small snakes, and the air coniditioning puts off everything from the rooms apart from the lizards and the mozzies.
Overall, a brilliant holiday reccomended.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss L Bisson |
| Overall
Rating: |
1/10 |
| Comments: |
Do not go to this place.
I go on holiday regulary throughout the year and i can safely say this holiday was shambolic.
just read the other reviews, they summarise it well. how anyone can rate this as a 4* holiday must be mad.
first choice need to have a long hard look at themselves.
VERY POOR.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs D Speak |
| Overall
Rating: |
4/10 |
| Comments: |
We booked to go to this resort on the 6th July 2008 for two weeks 18 months ago, after reading all the reviews we have now changed our holiday destination. First Choice have been accomodating and reasonable even though we had to pay additional costs. I feel people work hard all year for their holiday, its a shame so many people have been disappointed. First choice should not be sending people to this resort until they get it right.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs S Farley |
| Overall
Rating: |
1/10 |
| Comments: |
I have been on holiday worldwide and to Mexico 4 times HVWS needs closing down until the refurb is complete Reviews which state that it is wonderful must be easily pleased no, I am not a moaner I like value for money which I work very hard for. Do they accept it is OK to sleep in smelly rooms with rain pouring in, no hot water, raw meat, cold food when available, filthy chipped drinking glasses, did the easily pleased wear blinkers, got to say they missed the blocked overflowing toilets next to the pool bar, the snack bar turned into an A La Carte restaurant whoopee, first time ive had A La Carte dining with a load of swearing drunken louts, its not everthing just because the maids come everyday and pretend to clean and leave a towel folded like an animal, bird. proves some people are not used to something a little different Most of the facilties I paid for(£5600.00) as advertised were not available hence NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE for those who recognise a hovel and are not used to staying in such, I advise you to read the Package Travel Regulations 1992 on the Internet
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr G Sims |
| Overall
Rating: |
1/10 |
| Comments: |
I WOULD ADVISE ANYONE GOING TO THIS HOTEL WITH FIRST CHOICE TO CANCEL.
We paid 1500 pounds for what we believed to be a luxury retreat.
when we arrived we were told by first choice that it was not complete. they offered us £115 off our holiday price and refused to increase that offer (although the reps at the resort were handing out cash bribes to people who didnt complain once home!!!) The people who complain properly get less money.....hmmmm thats fair, good work first choice...
Not only was the hotel uncomplete, it was dirty, the food was no where near 4*+ quality an example being the stale sandwiches that are left out from lunch time (in 35 degree heat) still being availiable at 3 in the morning and the only 24hr food option!
the swimming pools were disgusting with a man swimming round the edges for the whole week with bleach scrubbing the scum marks off. (a little worrying you may think!!!) we sat at the poolside bar only for blue paint to be discovered all over our swimming costumes! (apparently 'the wrong type of paint had been used' - NICE!)
as for hygiene, there were cleaners but upon arrival there were dead bugs, dust, mud, mould, broken furniture and brown tap water in our 'luxury chalet' (just what you want after a 10 hour flight)
And as for the in house entertainment.... we had to go into town and rest our ears!!!!!!!!
if it wasnt for the great people we met on holiday and the spectacular island of cozumel we would have been in tears by the end. take my advice and go with a company that cares about there clients and not about there bottom line!!!!!!!!!
Holiday Village white sands is a poor hotel, i would say around a 2*, and first choice is not a good, honest company, so please think carefully before travelling....
hope this has helped.
happy holidays!!!!!!!!!
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs K Williams |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
My husband and I visited this resort for our Honeymoon and had a fabulous time. I will never fail to be surprised at the capacity of people to complain about petty insignificant things. The food was lovely, the service great and the accomodation was brilliant. I would definately visit this resort again. The staff were friendly and helpful and did everything they could to make you comfortable. As far as i could tell all the people there seemed to be having a good time, except that is those that decided to moan before they even got there.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Ms S Pellow |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
I have just come back the resort and we went for two weeks. I went with my. I was looking for a realaxing holiday and this is exactly it. THe staff are welcoming, the food has a great variety and is at a good standard. There are plenty of activites for kids of all ages and also stuff for adults to do. The Entertainment is very good and they are very friendly and a great laugh. However we were disappointed that they are having to work on the pools so one pool is open and one pool is closed and then they will switch. This will stop people getting blue paint on them. They are also working to create new facilities that are nearly finished. There are sometimes a few problems with the water and the electricity and they switch the water off from 1 to 5 in the morning. However this holiday was a real quality holiday and is one of my top 5 holidays. Once all the new constructions are finished it will be one of the best hotels. The hotle is a long way away from town and it cost around 20 dollars in a taxi. The trips are great fun and if you go i hope you have as good a holiday as i have because i didnt want to leave afterwards.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Ms H C Taylor |
| Overall
Rating: |
7/10 |
| Comments: |
We went to holiday village on 8th June. The flight crew did mess up with the immagration forms by forgetting to give them out on the 10 hours flights. we were delayed for a while but after traveling for 10 hours another couple didn't really make that much difference although it was fustrating.
when we arrived at the resort we were greeted with a cold beer and a very quick check in. The rooms were basic but very clean. we didnt go to mexico to spend all our time in our rooms so it was not a problem.
There was one pool that was out of action, with work men working on it. But they didn't really make any noise, I just felt sorry for them working in the heat. But the resort was not that busy so there was no shortage of room round the pools that were being used and there was always the beach, which had loads of sun beds and was absolutaly wonderful. the sea was clear and warm and the fish were amazing.
The food was ok. It was never piping hot but I never went hungry. I had no problems with the runs or any other illness. The bites did get a bit annoying but if you book a holiday in the caribbean you should expect insects.
The wild life was amazing. To see the the iguana's just roaming around was ace and the geko's were every where. They are not at all scarey. I didn't see any big spiders which is a good thing.
The staff were fantastic. If you were in the outside bar, which I would strongly recommend, Armando, the barman, is wonderful. If he sees your glass empty he will come to your table with another round.
All in all, it was not the perfect holiday, but I would certainly consider going back.
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