I stayed in this hotel with my Mum for a week and really enjoyed it. Having read some of the reviews on this site I was a little anxious re room size, customer service, noise, beach access etc. I was relieved to find that my fears re everything except noise were unfounded.

On our first night we were put into a room on the 2nd floor. It was a nice room, great beds, great bathroom, but because the room is below the swiming pool, all I could hear that night was the workings of the pool griding away all night. It was no problem at all to change rooms the next morning though. Very helpful staff.

Second room was on the 6th floor, partial ocean view. Again, a lovely room, although it was obviously on a "smoking" floor. Noise wasn't a huge issue as it seemed like the rooms next door were unoccupied for most of the week. However, when there was someone in one of the neighbouring rooms, we could hear EVERYTHING i.e. exactly what they were saying, word for word, and every action in the bathroom. I have vague memories, that I am trying to supress, of being roused from slumber by enthusiastic groans of pleasure from next door - cringe...

Also, I would have hated to be in the rooms near the elevators or the ice machines - very loud. And I'd be keen to stay away from any rooms with pets - lots of yapping.

Service was prompt and enthusiastic if sometimes a little inept. No problem at all for us to get a kettle and mugs from housekeeping and fresh milk from the bar so that we could make tea in our room.

Horrendously expensive internet access/computer usage in the business centre ($11 for 15 mins, min charge $8.12) - at least that kept me from doing too much work!

Lovely bar, restaurant, gym, pool area and an EXCELLENT hairdresser in the salon. Overall, a great hotel, if the rooms on either side of yours are unoccupied.

We stayed just before New Years'. Our room wasn't ready when we arrived and it took three trips to the front desk to get the maids to clean it up. The room (Ocean view, sixth floor) was nice, clean, but a bit small. Everything worked well. It's certainly possible to find just as good a water view for less $$ but this hotel is well-located and kid-friendly. There are better places to stay in S.M. if you want to walk to shopping areas, etc. but this is good for the beach. The valet is expensive but having a car rental office at the hotel allowed us to "return" the car the night before we left and not have to deal with airport car rental return. The hotel got us a cab (which cost about what the valet cost) but our check-out was marred by the inability of the staff to help us with getting our bags downstairs ontime (it took three calls and two visits to get a bellman, and the front desk's excuses were worse than lame). My sense was the staff did not work at all well together and this worsens our perception of this place. I think next time I'll stay at the Fairmont.

I almost forgot. For people to say that you have to cross a "main road" to get the beach is almost laughable. Especially the reviewer who called it dangerous. I was expecting a three-lane highway, but, jeez, it is pretty much a path. It is a narrow, quiet street that I don't think I saw one car cross during the whole week. It took all of two seconds to cross. In my mind, this hotel is essentially "on the beach."

I stayed at this hotel with my boyfriend for our romantic getaway by the beach and I found the service to be excellent. We had dinner at the restaurant and the staff was both knowledgeable and helpful. Our room had a great view and it was a great deal for the amenities we received.

We ordered room service in the room and it came quicker than any hotel room service I have ever ordered. Our breakfast was great other than the eggs benedict being a little overdone.

I would definitely stay at this hotel again!