Rating:
"Feb 29 - March 7/12 We've just returned from what we thought would be a typical fun vacation with two other couples, (wonderful friends) that we have shared happy memories with in places like Cancun, the Mayan Riviera, Cuba, St. Lucia and Montego Bay, Jamaica. Who thought that this holiday at Couples San Souci would be the "one to top"? I will refrain from repeating what many past clients of CSS have stated only to explain that this truly is a little piece of heaven right here on earth. All three of us were designated a one bedroom oceanview room in Dahlia Block. My boyfriend and I stayed in room D17 which offered a breathtaking view of both the ocean and the beach bar grill area and Pallazina Restaurant. It's funny, but as I sit here in my living room in Niagara Falls, Canada, I swear that I can still hear the ocean waves that I sadly left behind this morning. Upon arrival and after checking in, we immediately made our dinner reservations for the week. We had our first dinner at the Bella Vista Beach Restaurant. Thursday night consisted of a formal dinner at the Casanova Restaurant followed by the Star Gala Dinner on Friday night. I seriously thought that I was in a dream eating under the stars surrounded by little white twinkle lights over a tasty array of food choices topped with the most outstanding dessert choices I've ever seen. Saturday, Sunday and Monday consisted of dinner at the Ristorante Pallazina where the menu changed nightly. Tuesday night was a fun night at the "beach party" where we were entertained by a steel drum band while again, dinner was served under the stars. Each and every night, no matter where we had dinner, the food was always delicious and presented elegantly. Although there is room service available all day long, we chose to start our day with a nice breakfast at the Pallazina. Lunch was either the Beach Bar Grill or the Pallazina for a change. I would highly recommend a hot stone massage while you are staying at CSS. OMG! I slid off the table and literally felt drunk with relaxation afterward. Make sure that if you do book a massage, ask for Joan. She is truly wonderful. Imagine this: you are having your massage in a small intimate hut on a mountainside overlooking the ocean waves splashing on the rocks below. Now you get the picture! If you have trouble getting around, this resort is not the place for you. Thankfully for us, there were many stairs to climb and descend in order to get from point A to point B. Every morning, we did a 45 minute walk around the pond area so that we didn't feel so guilty indulging the fantastic meals we enjoyed. We spend most of our time at the main pool but we did find the mineral pool a nice place to escape to a few times. I enjoyed the water aerobics in the morning while the others took advantage of the Glass Bottom Boat excursion and the catamaran rides which were part of the all-inclusive package at CSS. We have been very fortunate to have stayed in many beautiful places in the Caribbean prior to visiting Couples San Souci. Although we have been to Montego Bay, Jamaica, numerous times always staying in the Sandals Resorts, this is our first time in Ocho Rios and our first experience with the Couples chain. In closing, let me say that our experience at Couples San Souci in Ocho Rios simply reinforces to us that the hard working people in Jamaica and their beautiful country is what keeps us coming back. Thank you to all the wonderful staff and the breathtaking beauty of Couples San Souci for making our vacation a most memorable one. Something tells me that we will be joining the ranks of many "return guests" at CSS! Marie & Joe Niagara Falls, Ont, Canada"
Reviewer: reviewer8460
Date: Mar. 13, 2012

Rating:
"Don't go to Sans Souci! We did and had the worst vacation in ever in Jamaica.


The problems started the third night at dinner at Casanova's Restaurant. During a pleasant dinner with friends, our waiter decided that a few harmless questions about Halloween should turn into an inquisition about Christ, Christmas and ultimately Catholicism and the relevance of the Pope. I had to cut him off finally as our friends were getting agitated, so I pointedly told him it was time for desert.
During desert, as I was taking my last sip of coffee, I felt something strange in my mouth and found that I had a cockroach in it from the coffee.
Now, on to the real reason I'm writing. The next night, we had two cameras stolen from our room while we were in it. We were in a penthouse so there was only access to our floor from one of the four suites and we know two of the other people. After a little looking around we found that one could gain access to the penthouse floor by way of a window about halfway up the stairs to the main entry. After gaining access to the floor, the thief would have free reign and since the French doors to our veranda merely have skeleton key locks, it would be easy to gain access to a locked room, especially since there seems to be an abundance of "spare" keys.
My cameras were placed on the minibar that night after dinner and I discovered them gone as I went to get one ready for a morning scuba dive.
All this was brought up to security and the general manager. We had our vacation ruined on a number of levels and come to find that we "may" not even receive compensation for our loss and that it is "up to the insurance company". Now, besides having lost any chance of taking photos while on our vacation and along with the loss of the cameras, if we want pictures, we have to purchase them from the resort. The manager never even hinted that he would comp us any pictures for our trouble.
These were not terribly expensive cameras and really, what we are talking about is what amounts to about two nights stay in our room.
The biggest problem I have with the management and Couples overall is that was implied that I had "misplaced" my cameras and that there was no way my room could have been accessed while I was there with it locked.
This trip was a disaster with the incident and the the time and stress involved with talking to authorities.


"
Reviewer: reviewer9520
Date: Aug. 23, 2011

Rating:
"We spent the week of January 24th 2009 at Couples San Souci.
It is the worst vacation we have ever had.

Issues:

Boarding Passes - Our travel agent (Flight Centre) informed me when I picked up the tickets that as this is a chartered flight, we could not pre book our air travel flights. As a result, we arrived at the airport at 6:30am on the day of the flight without a boarding pass. We then needed to wait in line at a bunch of kiosks to get one. When I finally go to the machine, I was advised (electronically) that my husband and I were not seated together and that we had been pre-assigned seats. When we got to the check-in counter, the agent was only to get us slightly closer together. I later learned that this was not a chartered flight and we could have obtained our boarding passes online up to 24 hours in advance.

Trip from airport to resort - We were hit up at least 3 times for a tip before we got to the resort. Once to get from the airport to the parking lot. Again in the parking lot and again upon arrival at the resort.

Tipping at a "No Tipping" Resort - In the end, it cost us $US35 to get our luggage to the room in tips. As well, when ever we went to the "free" bar, we were hit up for a tip.

Special Requests - when booking our vacation, I specifically requested a quiet room. They put us within 50 yards of the outdoor live band. Needless to say, I request to be moved the next morning. The gentleman on the phone asked "can't take it?" Nice attitude..... It was nearly 2pm before we were moved to our new room and had to phone to find out where our luggage had gotten to. The day was shot.

Umbrella - For the first 3 days, it rained. When we were moved to our new room, we discovered that we didn't have an umbrella. (all rooms have an umbrella -or are supposed to) As you need to go outside to get to the restaurant, we had to phone three times to inquire about the umbrella. We got it the next day. It had stopped raining.

Breakfast - every morning we encountered some issue trying to get breakfast - no coffee, no cups, no napkins. Waiters made you feel like you were interrupting them or ruining their day. (big sigh....)

All Inclusive - There are only 2 restaurants to eat at. On 2 nights, they hold a big outdoor buffet and the restaurants are closed. In addition, the CasaNova restaurant changed menus during the week. Although we weren't there for the first night, other guests informed us that they waited 3 hours for dinner. We went the next night and found that the menu was very limited - 2 pages in large font. Not very much of a selection although what you did get was very good. In addition, the brochure indicated "premium drinks". It was very limited to cheap wine, beer and the usual margaritas and common mixed drinks. No cognac or anything particularly "premium".

Food poisoning - On the day before we left, I became violently ill. Nice way to may the 2 hour trip back to the airport and 4 hour flight home. It took me over a week to recover.

Rooms - Resort must be over 30 years old and probably had its last renovation 10 or 15 years ago. Needs a complete makeover. As I mentioned, we had to change rooms due to the noise. When we came back from dinner on that first day in the new room, the bedroom and living room were flooded. We reported this to the turn down maid. We were phoned at 10pm to see if we wanted to move rooms NOW. I told them I'd see them in the morning. If we started to move at 10pm, what time do you think we would have made it to the new room???

Shopping - the resort provided a shuttle service to go shopping in Ocho Rios - less than 10 minutes away. The tourist shopping mall was pathetic - either 7 T Shirts for $20 or a $10,000 watch. Not much in between. This is the first time in my life that I have gone on vacation and not bought a thing!

Locals - The natives are restless. Did not feel safe nor welcome where ever we went and dared not step out of the resort. One night we were told by other guests at the other end of the resort that a local had tried to break in to someone's room. The resort security guards were on the scene and in the end it seems the fellow fell off the roof. The resort security guards carried him away. Don't know what became of him. Hope he's alright.

I could go on but I think you get the point. I will never go to Jamaica again nor recommend either Air Canada Vacations nor a Couples resort. Air Canada Vacations did absolutely nothing for us. Usually when I have booked a package there is a representative on site. We had absolutely noone looking after us."
Reviewer: Lorraine
Date: Mar. 09, 2009

Rating:
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