March 2013
This was our third stay here at the Tam, so we were well aware it is an older resort with nothing fancy about their rooms or amenities. However, after reading that most, if not all of their rooms, have been recently renovated, I was a little disappointed with what was done.
First, I have to agree with most other reviews that this is one of the best located all inclusive resorts with all of their rooms oceanfront, a beautiful beach and beautiful views from the moment you step outdoors until the fantastic sunsets appear. Rooms are small but adequate since you are most likely to be spending all your time outdoors. We spent every day on the beach in front of our room in building 11. We had no problem securing the palapa just in front because although my husband is an early riser and would be outside before sunrise, no one at this end was trying to save chairs or palapas overnight as I’ve noted in past visits. We were right beside the activity center and the non inclusive bar above, but the afternoon music and some heavy foot traffic at times did not bother us. I really wish that bar were part of the all inclusive because it seems they were having fun up there with the afternoon music.
Now for the not so nice things we encountered this visit. We are not picky people, not at all fussy eaters, and do not expect to be catered to in a resort such as this. But, I do have to point out that since our last visit, even with their renovations, things seem to have deteriorated as far as service and comfort. I was wondering if all the managers were on vacation, or maybe just eliminated and therefore service deteriorated.
First, the “remodeled” room still had the same furniture from 4 years ago. Two of the dresser drawers were broken so every time you opened them you had to be careful they didn’t fall out on your feet. We reported this and were assured it would be taken care, but it never was repaired. The curtains looked a little soiled and one end kept coming off the track no matter how careful we were in opening them. This was repaired after about the third day of the housekeeper fighting with it. The fan above our bed was either very dirty, or very worn, in which case, it should have been repainted or replaced. The bathroom light fixtures were coming loose from the ceiling and after a short rain one morning, my husband noticed a leak. He alerted the front desk, they sent someone down, he agreed it was a leak, took one of the fixtures out , cleaned it up and replaced it. No attempts at finding or fixing the leak. It had to be an ongoing problem because the ceiling around the fixtures was crumbling. Another leak appeared later in our stay, over the bathroom doorway, next to the air conditioner. I was also amazed that after the complete remodel of the bathroom, they replaced the old, outdated safe, and right back in the most awkward spot underneath the sink. As others have already stated, there was something very wrong with the installation of the half glass enclosed showers. Unless you positioned the shower head into the opposite wall, your bathroom floor would get flooded. That made for an awkward shower experience, doing half your body at a time.
It is a shame that they seem to just be putting “band aid” fixes on things in this resort. As you walk around the resort you can see a lot of neglect in keeping up appearances. A lot of the entrance doors really need replacing, and some of the housekeeping room doors had large sections of rotting near the bottoms. You can’t help noticing these things as your walk to and from your room.
The biggest surprise for us was the attitude and/or lack of caring of most of the staff. We always tip even at the all inclusive resorts we stay at, but I have to admit, this is one resort that I didn’t feel some of the workers deserved a tip. You are supposed to tip for good service, not tip to get good service. It didn’t seem to make a difference here. When we stayed here before, there was always someone greeting you as soon as you walked in to the buffet and they’d be there very quickly to take your drink order. It’s not that they were busy either. Most spent more time talking to each other than taking care of the guests. The same prevailed at the a la carte restaurants, but I do have to say they were a little more professional. They were polite enough but just not very into their jobs. Bartenders were hit or miss. Some very pleasant and talkative, others barely acknowledged you and again would talk amongst themselves or on the cell phones instead of waiting on the guests.
The housekeepers we encountered were very friendly and did a very good job in the rooms. There was one housekeeper I should have reported though. She would clean the ash trays off the second floor balcony and throw the butts into the sand below. I did not see her do this, but my husband did because she nearly hit him with the mess one day before she noticed he was lounging below. She just giggled and moved on. I wondered why there were so many cigarette butts right around our area when most people who were smoking disposed of their cigarettes properly.
I’m sorry if this review sounds so negative, but for what they charge here, I shouldn‘t have had anything negative to say. If it weren’t for their oceanfront setting, I don’t think they’d get many repeat guests. I guess I just thought the room renovations would make it a real first class resort on the beach. Perhaps if the staff were more friendly and accommodating, it would have made a big difference too. We probably will return again though, if I hit another sale just right. I’m already missing the sand and sea outside my patio door.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
