The hotel is going to be wonderful in about 6 molnths when all the work is completed and they have enough staff.

Good Points
We met some great people who made this holiday for us.
Beach is stunning.
Daytime & evening entertainment team are great.
Afternoon food at the Mexican resatuarnt is good.
Swimming with dolphins, submarine & 3 reef snorkling are great fun.
Alfonso at the terrace bar can't do enough for you.
Hard Rock cafe and Senior frogs in town are well worth a visit.
Also visit town when the cruise ships are in (not a Sunday), it's bustling and there's lots going on.
The kids club was great fro my 9 year old who made loads of friends attending the sessions.

Bad Points
Hotel is not fit for opening, there is still lots of work going on with fixing leaky roofs, swimming pools being closed and re-done, walk ways being cemented and high ropes being constructed.
Food is awful especially if you have children.
Service is poor, this is not because the staff don't want to help you, more that there isn't enough of them to serve all the guests.
Although the trips are great, they don't tell you that you have to pay upto $30 on some trips to get yourself to the pick up point.
Keep all valuables locked away, poeple were having things from a packet of pants, to money, trainers & ipods taken from their rooms.
The hotel is not 24 hrs and bars were closing early due to lack of staff and the kids club also closed a few times for the same reason.
Health & safety are a real issue around the hotel - please keep an eye on your children.

We stayed at the Holiday Village White Sands from 24th May until 7th June. 2 days prior to our departure we were contacted by First Choice to inform us that the splash pool and high rope facilities were not completed and this was due to some parts having not cleared customs. I called the hotel directly and they informed me that all would be in place within 5 days......Ha .Ha

Part of the splash pool opened after we had been there for 8 days but no shade was provided for a further 4 days in this area. In addition it was only on the last day that the water guns were operational. Try explaing that to a 7 and 9 year old! The high ropes were delivered after 6 days and were still being worked on when we left, this operation required the taping off of large areas whist cranes were in use

When we booked the holiday we were informed by First Choice that the hotel had undegone a complete refurbishment, I can assure you that this is not the case. The interconecting rooms provided ,at extra cost for children can be opened from the inside by any child over 3 and they can then leave the room without parents knowledge. Whilst our room was OK we were informed of horror stories from other people staying at the resort.

On the plus side the room service from our maid was excellent with clean bedding every day and loads of towels

After 6 days the main activities pool was completly closed as it was turning any swimwear yellow and leaving blue paint on all clothes.Once this was closed teams on workmen were working on the pool with electrical drills and tools to remove the pool surface. I suspect that this will be closed for a good 3-4 weeks and after that I am told that the smaller pool will close, I hope you all like the beach as there is now not a lot of room to sit around the smaller pool Be careful in the small pool as their are very rough patches on the botton that will scrape your feet

The food in the restaurants was passable for a 3 star hotel, this is supposed to be 4 star, and the mexican restaraunt was good. There was a good selection of drinks with premium brand Vodka and Rum however for a 4 star hotel serving this in disposable plastic cups which blow over is a disgrace.

Service in the main buffet faclility is OK but to have to ask for a cup to drink your coffee from and also for cutlery is not good for a hotel of this supposed standard.

There is a distinct lack of cold drinking water, you have to ask for it at meal times and it is certainly not cold

We enjoyed the beach very much and the free kayaks and snorkelling equipment provided were good

I have read another review where a customer has been informed that First Choice have recieved no formal complaints. I would imagine that they may be in the post. Most people we met had filled in a complaint form, someone even 4!!

If you are going with young children the entertainment for them and the kids club is good.

All in all the complex needs some refurbishment as it is tired in some areas

The First choice staff on site were all very good, after all its not their fault its the main management that is to blame

Having booked this holiday for 2 adults and 2 children in November last year at a cost in excess of £4000 I would not be using the term 'Value for Money' and will be looking for another operator to book for 2009

My family and friends have stayed here when it was called Allegro since 2005. We just returned from our last trip. Let me say it left a bad taste in our mouths. First choice has ruined the resort. They have tried to combine a family friendly resort, with an adult style. The beach is split into sections. A nude beach, and non nude beach. Only problem, you can see from one end to the other. There is no divider.

Second the UK daytime staff, holds to themselves. They walk in tight packs, and are not very socialble. You have to go to them, and hope they are in a helpfull mood. I think this comes from being so far away from home, they are socialable only during times where there is a class.

One incident which struck me as downright rude. A girl was looking for the beach volleyball at the activities desk. SHe was told there was a $25.00 deposit. Odd, but still the girl returned with the cash. The young man, replied "Sorry can't find the ball". Only later the ball appeared with some of the staff.

As the main pool was closed for repair, the smaller pool had to be pressed in larger service. The daystaff only wanted to allow children activities in this pool. Several guests had to protest to get the water polo games played played. Then the staff, would only allow one game then took all equipment despite guests request to continue playing.

The 4 children ranging from 6 -16 who were with us were not to pleased either. The "water park" is about ankle deep, for kids. There are two small slides, and its closed at 5 pm. The reason is they dont want to pay for a lifeguard after 5.

Then there was the several acts of theft. One of which we fell victim to. There were many guests who complained of clothing left to dry on balconys was taken. It was later discovered several older teenagers in groups were seen taking items. Some would say how is this the fault of the resort? Well there are no activities for the teens. They are left to roam and get into mischief. When the mexican national staff would tell them to behave, the nationals were told, "We know the owner, so bleep off". I heard this myself. In the years I have been there, I only saw a small amount of security. After the complaints rolled in I counted 7 guards, and they were forced to shadow this gang around.

What has happened is the resort has been turned into a nice relaxing place, into a plastic fake resort.

The nationals are forced to comply or be fired. And First Choice staff walks around as if they are right at home and must be catered to.

Thank god for the First Club. While we are not members friends we were with are. As being friends, this staff took us in allowed us solitude and treated us like we remember from our last trips. When told of the volleyball incident, this staff went to a store and bought one for us. Inside the club games were played the staff interacted, made us felt welcome. There was no us and them. It was quite simply all of us.

First Choice staff could learn something from them. It's their home they know how to live there, and how to treat people who visit.

For thoes of you who are going, look up Carlos. He is the only one from the original staff who remains. He generally works nights, but if you should see him during the day. He will treat you like a guest, friend, and family.

Now not all was lost. The diving was great, the beach was clean, the food was good and fresh. The national staff were curtious and helpfull.

I went with my friend and her 18month old daughter and we cant believe some of the complaints on here, the hotel was lovely!
The beach is stunning and the sea was totally clear and warm.
The rooms are authentic theme and I loved them, cleaned every day with plenty of towls changed daily.
The food is a good standard, the Mexican A La carte was lovely. Breakfast was really good with lots of choice too.
We went out for dinner a few times in the local resort too which is just 10mins in a taxi and roughly just £5 to get toand that was nice.
The staff at the hotel are fantastic, we were brought drinks to us on the beach every day and tried all the cocktails the bar staff were making us, trying to come up with a better one every day for us to try!
The First Choice staff/E3/In2Action teams are brilliant, always about asking if your ok and wanted to join in with volleyball/games/circus skills and the shows in the evening were good too.
All in all I dont really know what people are complaining about! yes, they are still putting in some finnishing touches to this hotel, high ropes etc but it didnt ruin my holiday one bit and I didnt really notice as I was too busy having a good time!
The trips on offer are really good too so you can do as little or as much as you like.
People should definately choose this hotel, I would go back tomorrow!