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Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
#39182
02/10/2015 11:58 AM
02/10/2015 11:58 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254 Canada
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We have rented privately at Caravanserai for the past 2 years, but decided not to this year because of the on-going debacle. However, we still have a soft spot for the place and went to check it out; late Saturday night it was like a ghost-town, Sunday night there were about 25-30 people around Marty's bar, which seemed normal for this time of year. The entrance signage has been changed and updated to Algeria, and there is now royal blue strip lighting around the front of the main building. There are more poolside loungers and umbrellas, plus new tables and chairs by the bar. We walked around and found the elevator still isn't working; a fresh coat of paint on the main building and new room direction signs have been added. The reception has been redone and is much brighter and more professional looking than before, but still needs a bit more work; a new light fixture sans dead bugs now hangs from the ceiling! When leaving the pool area going into the reception area, we noticed what looks like an exercise room had been installed upstairs. Cannot comment about the interior of the rooms, but from what we saw it looks like the same old, same old but with possibly less people. Mary's Dream bar is still a great place to go. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#39185
02/10/2015 11:08 PM
02/10/2015 11:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
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Update, we went to The Dream tonight for happy hour and walking by the elevator I pushed the button. Lo and behold it worked. Hubby went up one floor to see if it actually moved. That's progress for you!
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Birdwatcher]
#39186
02/11/2015 09:24 AM
02/11/2015 09:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,598 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Wow, stop the presses on that one!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> ...although if you go by again tomorrow, it probably won't be working! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />
By the way, I just have to say that your profile picture is beautiful! Any chance you could post a larger version of that picture here?
Carol Hill
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#39187
02/11/2015 10:53 AM
02/11/2015 10:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254 Canada
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Well I am sure hubby will want to go to The Dream again, it just keeps calling, so will try the elevator again. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
I can definitely send a bigger picture, however, it will have to be done when I get home, as it is on another system and I can't access it from the laptop we are using now. I took that picture 2 years ago, it's a green throated caribe. I saw one last night but didn't have my camera with me. I'm always on the hunt for the elusive hummingbird, and once in a while get lucky and get one. Takes a lot of patience though.
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Birdwatcher]
#39188
02/11/2015 10:58 AM
02/11/2015 10:58 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,598 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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OK, if you do get by there again, keep us posted!
OK on the picture. I suspect that one isn't the only beautiful one you have!
Carol Hill
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#39189
02/12/2015 01:07 AM
02/12/2015 01:07 AM
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Carol_Hill said: OK, if you do get by there again, keep us posted!
OK on the picture. I suspect that one isn't the only beautiful one you have! Wandered over to The Dream for happy hour again, hubby really likes it there; found out the elevator was only fixed yesterday. I'll check it out later in the week to see if it is still working. Yes, I have several good bird pictures from different places. They are so elusive and hard to capture. Haven't got one on this trip yet, but I'm ever hopeful.
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Birdwatcher]
#39190
02/12/2015 09:12 AM
02/12/2015 09:12 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,598 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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OK, keep up that on the spot reporting! I'm sure that it is a big sacrifice! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Birdwatcher]
#39191
02/12/2015 10:11 AM
02/12/2015 10:11 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,496 Rhode Island
RonDon
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Birdwatcher said: Update, we went to The Dream tonight for happy hour and walking by the elevator I pushed the button. Lo and behold it worked. Hubby went up one floor to see if it actually moved. That's progress for you! Your hubby is brave! I wouldn't have gone in or up for fear it would trap me!
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: RonDon]
#39193
02/12/2015 10:49 AM
02/12/2015 10:49 AM
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Posts: 254 Canada
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Your hubby is brave! I wouldn't have gone in or up for fear it would trap me! [/quote]
That's why I didn't get in! Hubby was a bit apprehensive pushing the button too.
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: RI Bob C]
#39202
02/13/2015 11:17 PM
02/13/2015 11:17 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,198 Auburn, WA
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Bob_Dot said: 2300 of us think there was/is obligation. I realize it's a hard pill to swallow but I believe the court did make a ruling in favor of Alegria. Disgruntled people will have to learn to move on. No different than buying a stock in a corporation and they declare bankruptcy. Stocks are then worthless.
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: San]
#39206
02/14/2015 02:32 PM
02/14/2015 02:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,598 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Huhm, OK, I thought the Caravanseri 'owners' had been totally thrown out on their ears by the courts. What else is going on?
Carol Hill
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Computerwise]
#39211
02/14/2015 04:35 PM
02/14/2015 04:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,598 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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I don't know, I have no horse in this race either, BUT, if you come right down to it, there really are not a huge number of larger strictly HOTELS on the island. Most of the larger places are timeshares, which have their own issues in terms of booking. They MAY well be successful, from bookings from people who have no idea what Caravanseri was, IF they can get their issues--like the elevators!!--fixed. They'd have to spend some money for advertising, but they could be successful, IF they improve the product.
Carol Hill
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: SXMWendell]
#39213
02/14/2015 07:08 PM
02/14/2015 07:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,598 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Yes, I actually expect that is what they will do, reduce prices to get the place full, once they get some of the issues resolved.
Carol Hill
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: wilsonck]
#39215
02/14/2015 11:14 PM
02/14/2015 11:14 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,598 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Actually, I just looked at dates in March and it was under $200 a night for Heineken Regatta, so I think they are reducing prices closer to the time.
Carol Hill
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#39216
02/15/2015 12:17 AM
02/15/2015 12:17 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254 Canada
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They appear to be taking steps to reverse the negativity surrounding the place; if you follow Trip Advisor you will find that all negative reviews have been removed for Caravanserai/Alegria. I didn't realize this could be done, but apparently it can and has been. We also found out that people booked at the Sonesta for an "all inclusive" vacation, are being sent to Alegria if the Sonesta has no rooms available. It appears they aren't eating or drinking there, just sleeping there. So there must be some arrangement between the two resorts.
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: Birdwatcher]
#39218
02/15/2015 07:40 AM
02/15/2015 07:40 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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They appear to be taking steps to reverse the negativity surrounding the place; if you follow Trip Advisor you will find that all negative reviews have been removed for Caravanserai/Alegria. I didn't realize this could be done, but apparently it can and has been. That is one of the flaws with TripAdvisor. There are often very slanted reviews and ratings of places. Applebee's or another chain-type restaurant often is ranked higher than a really good independent restaurant with a good reputation.
J.D.
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Re: Alegria (Caravanserai) Today
[Re: oceanview17]
#39220
02/15/2015 07:46 AM
02/15/2015 07:46 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763 Ohio
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oceanview17 said: All time share owners on the Island should boycott Alegria. By hitting them in the pocketbook maybe then they will get the message that they morally did the wrong thing to 2300 owners. The St. Maarten government has no idea which end is up, they better stop drinking the kool aid and get with the program. I don't have a dog in this fight but how is the "boycotting" of Alegria by "owners" who don't own there going to take place? People that "own" elsewhere are not going to go to Alegria anyhow and I am sure they would not consider buying anything there now. Have you even owned stock in a company that went bankrupt or totally out of business? I have and it is the same scenario as this. You are left with a worthless piece of paper.
J.D.
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