Two things to consider though, the RIUs were closed recently for the outbreak of viral disease and the Hiltons were just awarded an award of excellance for their attention to sanitary matters. You may say it was the guests that brought the disease into the RUIs, but if they had followed proper health procedures, it would have been controlled.drloca said:Location aside, I think the RIUs are worlds ahead of the Coral Hotels by Hilton, as far as AIs go. I think you will be disappointed but good luck with your decision making!
You get what you pay for. There are 2-3-4 and 5 star AIs. All are priced accordingly. For example the Gran Paradise serves grilled lobster every day at the beach BBQ for lunch. But the daily rate per person is probably 50% higher than a 3 star resort. On other islands for example a Sandal's Resort will still be an AI, but serve name brand liquors and gourmet food. Again still higher price. Don't lump all AIs together.ricktoronto said:It is an AI after all how good can it be, really?
HOWMAR said:You get what you pay for. There are 2-3-4 and 5 star AIs. All are priced accordingly. For example the Gran Paradise serves grilled lobster every day at the beach BBQ for lunch. But the daily rate per person is probably 50% higher than a 3 star resort. On other islands for example a Sandal's Resort will still be an AI, but serve name brand liquors and gourmet food. Again still higher price. Don't lump all AIs together.
drloca said:The ratings, for the Canadian tour operators anyway, are done by their own employess who live in destination .
That is why I use independant reviewers such as Zagatt's and AAA. Also the ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) ranks all hotels in the world by strictly numerical criterea. In order to be listed the hotel must submit it's data. This data is confirmed by inspection with the risk of exclusion from ASTA if not correct. Something no hotel can risk. In the end, the best rating system is the free market system of supply and demand. Usually a hotel that charges more is better.ricktoronto said:My point exactly, and remind our viewers that the tour operators are the ones selling the packages to these very AI's. So it is not what you would remotely conceive of as an independent assessment and buyers need to take that into account. You can find the same places in different tour catalogs rated from 2 to 4 stars.
HOWMAR said:That is why I use independant reviewers such as Zagatt's and AAA. Also the ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) ranks all hotels in the world by strictly numerical criterea. In order to be listed the hotel must submit it's data. This data is confirmed by inspection with the risk of exclusion from ASTA if not correct. Something no hotel can risk. In the end, the best rating system is the free market system of supply and demand. Usually a hotel that charges more is better.