YOUR QUESTIONS
When it comes to star rankings, the destination is a major variable, so be sure to do your research,
My family and I travelled to Cuba last month and although we have had some good experiences travelling to the Caribbean, our travels don’t always seem to meet our expectations. The resort we stayed at was the furthest from a 5-star experience we have ever had. It should be re-evaluated to avoid being misrepresented to those who will be going in the future. At best it should be rated a 21⁄ - to 3-star resort.
The food was definitely not 5-star quality as there was no variety and was repetitive almost everyday. The à la carte restaurant food was the exact same food as the buffet. The rooms we were assigned were not the suites we were expecting and were run down. For several hours one day the entire resort had no running water. There was also no premium alcohol available at the bar. On our last day when we wanted to take a shower just before leaving we discovered there was no hot water.
With all the disappointment, we would like some advice to avoid a similar situation in future.
One of the keys to having an enjoyable holiday is to start out by doing some research so you can manage your expectations to avoid disappointment.
Consider the type of holiday you are seeking and what aspects of your travel plans are important for you to enjoy your holiday.
For example, some travellers are very satisfied with clean and modest accommodations while others may wish to experience a little luxury complete with fine dining and spa treatments.
Determine what factors are important to make your holiday enjoyable and then do some research online or contact your local travel agent for guidance.
When planning a trip outside the country, it is important to consider that different living standards and practices may exist outside Canada including but not limited to the provision of utilities, such as water and electricity, accommodations, services, food and food preparation as well as the water quality.
Understanding the living standards and culture of your destination will help you manage your expectations and appreciate the experience.
Many travellers are also not aware that there is no standard international star rating system for hotels and resorts.
Every tour operator, hotel or association has its own quality rating system to rate hotels and resorts located abroad.
The rating systems vary and are based on factors such as, but not limited to, the country’s standard of living, the hotel’s location and proximity to the ocean or other landmarks and the various amenities and activities available at the hotel or resort to travellers.
Consider that each rating system for hotels and resorts abroad are not always comparable to Canadian standards.
Understanding your needs and what aspects of your vacation are important will guide you in making an informed travel purchase.
A little research or the assistance of an experienced travel agent can provide you with information and recommendations about where to stay, what to see, where to eat, and how to get around.
Book your next travel experience by customizing it according to your personal needs and preferences. It can make all the difference to enhancing your travel experience. Dorian Werda is vice president, operations for the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), a non-profit corporation that regulates 2,500 travel retailers and wholesalers registered in Ontario. Send your travel questions to travel@thestar.ca Not all questions can be answered.