We had a somewhat disappointing experience here. This was a return visit for us (first time was in early 2003), and in the 3 1/2 years, it has definately gone downhill.
We requested a tower room and did receive that, although it took a couple trips to the desk to actually get a key that worked.
The food was okay. The Japanese restaurant was good, but not quite as good as it used to be, though the Italian one was very good. The buffet was just so so .
The snorkeling off the beach was very good.
We had a huge hassle trying to make a call to the USA. CRMAM Training It took several calls to the front desk to get them to set up our line to do so. It was frustrating experiences like this that wore on us. We were on vacation, and certainly didn’t let it ruin our good time, but some really simple customer service would have gone a long way.
One thing that would have been good to know is that the activity desk right in the lobby would only accept cash (other than the down payment, which you could do with a credit card through the front desk).
Though we had read about it, we were surprised how overrun the place was with locals on day passes on the weekend. For this reason alone I would probably not return. For what we paid to be there, it should not have been so crowded.
So in summary, like people say, it’s not five star, but if you keep a good attitude, you can have an enjoyable time.Breezes is a lovely resort which should aspire to do much better. After a long travel day we arrived to find no room had been assigned to us. We were kept waiting for 3 hours in a hot lobby watching our luggage which was left on the lobby floor. We were finally assigned a gardenview room (which looked out to a parking lot and a dumpster). We had paid for oceanview. The hotel services manager was wonderful and changed our room the next day. She also gave us a complimentary massage, champagne twice and other small extras to try to make us happy. The room was large, clean and had a wonderful view of the Caribbean Sea. Unfortunately the bath had a major problem with a leaking shower (the new installation was not level), we had to put towels on the floor with every shower. This became a problem because apparently the laundry could not keep up the demand. We frequently could not get facecloths or handtowels. It seems that regular coffee was also on short supply…it took 5 days to get that in our room. We were also confronted with major painting in our hall. We had to step around workers and endure paint fumes for at least 5 days. When that was completed the floor scrubbers arrived….We were generally disappointed with the food. 2 of the 5 restaurants were shut down completely. That left a buffet with subpar food (which was frequently open to the islanders) and caused long lines and short supply. The 2 other restaurants required reservations and had very few menu choices. The entertainment was also below expectations. There were a few good bands (maybe 4 in 10 days) but generally audience participation was required. Kareoke and children putting on skits and singing was not what we expected. Fortunately the weather was a plus…..pools were beautiful, workers were generally friendly and the tour personnel were great. I am glad we visited Curacao, it is a culture unlike any other because of the mixed influence. I hope the resort improves because this was our first all-inclusive experience and it may well be our last. We traveled with my brother and his wife. We were all celebrating an anniversary and unfortunately (except for the reservation problem) they were also disappointed.It really is like they say that a company’s most valuable asset is it’s employees. Particularly true this is to companies operating in services, such as tourist industry. In my life I’ve seen way too many examples of bad service from people who seem to be working in a profession that does not suit them. One of the good, and by far the most positive and impressive example of good service IP Communications Training and devotion to ones profession was recently the one that the staff at Breezes Curaçao performed during my family’s vacation at the resort.
I’m not going in to the property itself, parts of it need renovation, but that is being done at the moment. I’m not talking about the grounds which are well kept, nor about the clear blue sea or the snorkeling, which is very good right in front of the resort. I’m not reviewing the food, as it generally is a matter of taste. My family spent twelve memorable days at the resort, and for a great deal it was because of the people working there. For more reason we remember these days as we came home to freezing winds, below zero temperatures and 20 centimeters of snow. Nothing wrong with skiing and skating, but the contrast just knocks you out.
Anyway, back to Earth from Siberia. How can you emphasize enough the importance of people? During our stay I witnessed or experienced the personnel
- smiling and taking a positive and polite attitude to difficult situations and tired guests,
- telling “no problem” to difficult guest who want to re-arrange his room upon arrival,
- when passing by picking up used cups and litter that guests left lying around,
- giving little presents to guests children,
- happily coming to a photo with guests when asked for,
- shoveling sand for kids sand castles,
- opening doors and ordering elevators for guests,
- discreetly trying to coordinate cleaning of the room and guests comings and goings without causing any inconvenience to guests,
- quickly helping a family that got stuck in the elevator and not worrying about their own security or the cleanliness of their clothes,
- encouraging guests to take part in activities and giving all they have e.g. at the karaoke
- managers taking care of birthday cake delivery to a guests room,
and lots more. It is obvious this is not just about the normal smiling and saying “hello” that should go woithout saying. These little things and especially the way they are done go further and tell me lot about what the resort wants to be about.
The management deserves congratulations having been able to put together such a wonderful staff. Saying all this it is also true that “the world you get is the world you give away”. In my home country we say: “The forest answers in the same way one shouts in it.” If you’re not one of those who always have a grouch about things, go on and get your share of warm and relaxing breezes at Curaçao. It may not be a five star resort judging by it’s property, but in my opinion it sure is one by the unpretended friedliness of it’s people.I had a magnificent time at the Breezes Resort Oct 19-23 06 but it was only possible by Vanessa , a manger at the hotel, after I demanded to check out and my full cash refund to check into another hotel. My discomfort stemed from noise due to renovations down the hall but I didnt have a prob with my initially assigned room. When the front staff realised I was a woman of business and was serious and not mixing matters to bear with them any longer, I was quickly calmed with a heavenly 4 hand massage and some lovely nail art ( on the house) then promoted to a suite . I cannot find 1 prob with Breezes.
Fan-tab-u-lous food… Heavenly Poolssssss and jacuzzis throughout the premises. Wonderful entertainment and activites throughout the day … Impressive night shows … Great alcohol… Snorkel and other actitives to take part in during the day. No need to leave the resort during the day. If you have an overly hec tic schedule do not choose the Breezes becasue you will be cheating yourself and robbing yourself of embracing all that the Resort offers during the day. Clean lovely rooms.. Fortunately mine had a lovely seaview… Some have a canal view… Network Management Training Some no view but its a generally well kept premium end resort. Reality hits you with some of the front desk staff.. They are not too keen on customer service, at least in my opinion, but Randy, front desk manager, he’s a gem and if you have any probs ask for him and all will be quickly sort out.
Overall Fantastic hotel and I wish I can still be there perhaps on business so I dont have to pay to stay there to continue to enjoy the food.. B-fast/ Lunch & Dinners…. yummulicious…
IF any1 want to find out anything bout Curacao or how to visit Bonaire, Aruba or tour Curacao whilst there, feel free to contact me I guess via the site they ought to have 1 entitle your emal Request for Info- Curacao and I will be more than happy to assit. The site will not allow me to post my email but I trust I have some invaluable info I wish I got to aid in my plans rather than having to do my own research.