Reviewers Rating: 
Fair
January 2002The bottom line:
If you want a vacation value with lots of sun and sand and you don't mind sticking with basic foods and beer or water for your meals - this is the perfect vacation for you.
If you want to eat good food, drink an nice wine, have a drink with anything considered top shelf or middle shelf alcohol, if you desire a high level of customer service, if you would like resort staff to speak english, if you fear travellers diarrhea, this resort is a poor choice for you!
Read on for specifics:
Sickness:
Prepare to be ill if you stay at the Melia Tropical Caribe. To be fair, the management denies that we got sick from any of their water or food; however we never left the resort. Suffice it to say - something made 3 out of 5 people in my travelling party extraordinarily sick (2 of us were only slightly ill) and no - we did not drink the water. My father-in-law is still in the hospital 15 days after coming down with the worst food/water poisoning in his life (and he drank the water in Korea and Vietnam). The doctor at the Melia Caribe may be well educated in medicine - but he cannot speak English. It was very difficult to communicate with him and given the fact that my mother-in-law suffers from severe diabetes and could not keep any food down, we were in very dire straights (and charged $1,000 cash for a room visit and some antibiotics!). From speaking to other geusts and from reading other reviews, our illness was not an unfortunate fluke, but rather a severe risk in travelling to this resort. While the young and hearty might be adventurous enough to take this risk, I strongly advise people travelling with the elderly and small children to think twice.
Rooms: Pretty rooms. Some cockroaches - but it is the Carribean after all. My maid did a great job, but others in our party had difficulty in getting toilet paper, washcloths, etc.... Mini bars were stocked with soda and water upon arrival, but you'll have to tip and beg for refills (all-inclusive?).
Restaurants: Only 2 of us could eat during this vacation... but anyway.... The restaurants are seriously lacking in nearly every way. There is one white table wine and one red wine served and they are worse than Sutter Home quality. We are talking $2 table wines here. The service is not like it is in the states. Unless you tip in advance, you will most likely not get wine poured before your food arrives. We headed this off by stopping by the bar and carrying our drinks into the restarant with us - this tactic works very well and no one seemed to mind that we brought our own drins (also bottled water is not served in the sit down restaurants - only at the bar so carry it with you). The food is mediocre. The same desserts are served in every restaraunt and they too are mediocre. Breakfast at the buffet is best, but then again who can screw up pancakes, fruit and yogurt? And last but not least, the ultimate snafu in dining is the reservation service. I dare you to send up everyone in your party to get reservations. You will be told a different story every time. I'd say you should try sending the prettiest Spanish speaking woman in your party, tip well, and smile.... If that doesn't work send your beefiest most irate man to complain to the manager (the latter worked for us) and eventually you will get reservations in at least 3 restaurants. Although having been to these restaurants, I think your better off at the buffet.
The Beach: Incredible - by far the most redeeming factor at this resort (the other being cost). Pure white sands; beautiful, clear, aqua water; free sailing; only $15 for reef snorkeling (check your equipment before you get on the boat - we found a lot broken masks and snorkels); lots of sun and shade; gorgeous pools; 2 bars - fabulous.
Cheap place to stay, the grounds and rooms are pretty, beach is fabulous but service and food are as bad as it gets.
Erika Parris
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