CBR-Just back, the good, the bad and the ugly!

[DaisyNY]

Just back from five days at CBR. Stayed in Jamaica section near pool and beach. What we liked: Food court, Shutters (highly underrated), quiet pools, theming, and size of rooms, manager of resort who was very responsive to problems we accounted with room. What we didn't like: musty room smell and mildew on walls in bathroom (we were later refunded one nights stay because of this problem - it was that bad). Overall, this was a nice resort, once room problems were rectified. I don't think I would have liked it as much if we were staying in one of the sections further away from the food court. Though there is an internal bus, it can be a hike just getting to the bus stops, especially in inclement weather and with small children.

 

[Zephyr]

We'll be going next month and are planning on staying in Jamaca - what building were you in and what floor?

Did they clean the room for you or move you or did you stay in with the mildew all vacation?

Thanks!

 

[Deweysgirl]

Thanks for the report! We love CBR and have never had any trouble with the rooms but we haven't stayed there in awhile. Sounds like they may be due for some room renovations. Otherwise, sounds like a good trip. Looking forward to our next stay with the Mouse!!

 

[safetymom]

All the rooms at CBR have been renovated. We returned 11/7 from CBR. No complaints with the room. The musty smell I think is a Florida thing. It is so humid it is hard to have fresh smelling rooms all the time. Usually every place that we stay at housekeeping turns on the ceiling fan to move the air so you don't get the musty smell. If there was mold in the bathroom they should have taken care of that.

 

[dznycrazy]

We're going to CBR for the first time in 20 days and I keep reading alot of negative things about this resort (i.e., room cleaniness problems, long bus waits, busses too full, resort too spread out to be practical...)

I originally wanted to stay at POR, but they were booked & CBR was the only moderate available for the length of our trip (only level we can afford). But, I am serously considering switching to anyplace that is available because of all of the negative things I keep hearing.

This is supposed to be a special trip for just DH & I and I don't want to ruin it with room problems. What do you all think? Should I attempt to change at this late time or stick with CBR and hope for the best?

Thanks,
Sandy

 

[safetymom]

CBR is a large resort and you will hear some that weren't happy with their stay. I just returned and stayed in Martinique and I didn't see that things were slipping. I have stayed here many times and always had a wonderful trip.

You have to go with the attitude to try it for yourself. Everyone is looking for different things when they go on vacation. If you read in the CBR FAQ there are many people that are satisfied with their stay at CBR.

 

[Deweysgirl]

IMHO, I would stick with CBR. We love this resort! My DH and I have visited here many times without the children and have had so much fun. The grounds are lush and tropical, the pool is fun to relax by and people watch, the gift shop is great and the food is awesome! Like safetymom said, go in with an open mind. Don't be persuaded by others until you have tried it for yourself. I think you'll be happy with CBR, we always are!

Hope this helps!

 

[LvsTnk]

Sorry to hear about the mold yuck, but it sounds like they really tried to make up for it and that is sooo important IMHO. Glad the rest was good!!

I loved CBR, we used to stay there often until my 3rd child became "of age" LOL!

 

[jordanyosh]

We love CBR. We stay in Barbados which is one of the farther villages. We like the peace and quiet. The walk to Old Port Royale may be a little longer, but it is a nice walk.

 

[kmc33]

We really enjoyed CBR! And I agree with DaisyNY about Shutters. I didn't read much about it before we left. We ate there one night because of the convenience and it was a very enjoyable meal! Of course the kids sandcastle dessert was on disply for DS (3 at the time) to see and that was the only thing he wanted to eat -- he barely touched his hot dog! It was a cool dessert.

The buses worked out great for us. We typically got a bus to the parks very quickly -- taking advantage of the early entry. The only time we had to wait was coming back from Typhoon Lagoon. We waited about 15 or 20 minutes. But, that was our longest by far.

And we stayed in Aruba, which was fine for us. We liked the quietness and enjoyed the walk across the bridge to the food court.

 

[leighe]

DH and I stayed there last summer and we loved it. We stayed in Trinidad North which was just a short walk to the food court and main pool, but far enough away to feel secluded. I agree that Shutters is underrated. We love CBR - but that could be because we are very "beachy" people and have been on lseveral vacations to the Caribbean. I just love the atmosphere.

 

[ragdoll]

DH and I love CBR too! Great food court and great atmosphere. Feels like we are in the Caribbean. Don't be afraid to try it.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

DH and I stayed here without the kiddies last month . I think it is our favorite moderate(have stayed at POR several times and CSR in addition to some deluxes). We plan to take the kids there in the spring. The resorts have MANY rooms, so chances are that something will go wrong in a room at a resort at some time-just the odds. The OP did the right thing by letting the manager know. Our room at CBR was in Jamaica on the second floor and it was very fresh and new feeling. CBR is a wonderful relaxing place with lots to see and do. Don't get scared because of one posters experience-the other resorts have just as many posters reporting the occasional negative. Enjoy!

 

[noel]

DH and I just spent 7 nights at CBR 11/2-11/9 and really enjoyed ourselves (again )

We were in room 4620 (king bed, corner room, regular view 1st floor) in Jamaica - building 46. The location was great. We NEVER heard any noise from other rooms or even anyone walking past our room. I would request this room again.

The Old Port Royale was just a short walk across the bridge but we also had a car for days when we were feeling extra lazy and weren't taking the bus to the theme park.

Our room was in great shape and was well maintained by housekeeping. We even got towel animals on most days!

My only complaint would be that the bathroom seemed a little dim but once I got into the shower I adjusted to it.

You'll love it!

 

[2MuchOhana]

Sorry to hear you had a problem with your room; but very glad to hear that they were able to resolve this problem to your satisfaction.

We have stayed at the CBR twice and have really enjoyed our stay there. We will be trying Shutters for the first time in December ; so it is really encouraging to hear you give it a good review.

dznycrazy,

I sent you a PM. Hope it makes you feel better about staying at the CBR.

 

[DaisyNY]

Yes, they did remedy the mildew problem. However, the extent of it was distressing, down the back seam of bathroom door and across the wall. My main issue was that no room should be given out in that condition, regardless of whether it's a value, moderate or deluxe - the fan in the bathroom was broken and I also reported that to mainentance, it was never fixed during our stay and obviously contributed to the problem. Housekeeping should be on top of these things. All that being said, we had a good visit. Again if I was staying at one of the rooms further from the food court with little ones, I might think again. There is no guarantee that you will be close to the food court and that could be a problem in inclement weather. The manager was very responsive to the problem and in talking with him, he mentioned that the Pop Century looks like a real hit, says you wouldn't think that it was a value resort. I'm not a particularily picky person either, first time I've ever complained about anything to management in fourteen visits in 10 years.

 

[2MuchOhana]

DaisyNY,

I am glad you didn't let it get the best of you or ruin your vacation. I agree that it should have been taken care of long before you ever got the room; and I am sorry that you had to go through the hassle. Like you I am not one to complain unless it is untolerable and I can't stand it. Heaven help them it my inlaws would get that room if that fan wasn't fixed. They wouldn't have been as nice as you obviously were.

Just out of curiousity what room did you have. We requested the island of Jamaica because of the childrens play area on the beach there. I know there is no guarantee that is where we will be; but want to know just in case. I would consider requesting a different one if one of our three rooms happened to be that one.

Funny you should mention the PC we had reservations there before changing them over to CBR for our third stay there. We are arriving opening day; and chickened out of staying there. I liked the fact that it was new; but need the space that the CBR provides.

 

[DaisyNY]

We were in Jamaica 44, just steps from the pool, beach, playground and bridge to Old Port Royale, which made it a great location, but not a great room. I had originally faxed request for Martinique and Trinidad close to Old Port Royale. They did have a room in Trinidad but it wasn't non-smoking. Enjoy your stay!!