Title: U.S. Divers St. Tropez Snorkeling Kit Is Inexpensive, Durable, and A Great Value
Photo Courtesy of Amazon.com
CombatCritic Gives Marsana Wellness Beachhouse and Spa 6 Out of 10 Bombs … BOMBAS ARE BUENAS!
“We enjoyed our stay, especially your sweet, wonderful dogs. We were pleased overall with the accommodations, but felt your description was misleading. As a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, honesty and integrity are very important to me and I do not like being misled. My decision to stay at your “beachhouse and spa” was partially influenced by your description:
“mountain-beach views”
– I could barely see the water from the roof, not a beach in sight
“organic natural macrobiotic and vegan cuisine”
– Yuri and Marina may be eating it, but we were never told about it
“wholistic therapies, treatments, classes”
– Where, when? Why were we not informed of these options and who was leading them?
“natural foods catering, meals available”
– Again, we were not informed of this option
“concierge services, natural beauty care treatments”
– If you call the 5 minutes Marina spent with us the evening we arrived “concierge services”, that is misleading
“2 naturapathic doctors on site”
– Are Yuri and Marina naturopathic doctors?
“acupuncturists, herbalist, nutritionist, physical therapist ,massage therapist, cooking classes and surfboards available”
– Available where?
“we have installed our outdoor Jacuzzi”
– True, but it was empty the entire time we were there and by the rust on the metal, it looks like it probably does not work
My recommendation is to be more honest in your description or actually provide the options you say you have. My 6 Out of 10 rating is very generous and strictly based on the value of what we got for what we paid ($45 a night for a basic room) and I did not deduct for the deceiving description.
Again, we were not displeased with our stay, only the misleading description.
As a travel critic I have the duty to report honestly and accurately to my readers and followers and would be doing them a disservice if I omitted the facts I described above. Because this review will be published on AirBnB and my blog, http://www.CombatCritic.com, I would be remiss if I were not completely honest. I hope you understand.
Finally, I think you should consider reducing your rate to the $50 per night range as your new $60 rate is probably more than the room is worth.
Thanks for having us!”
Key Words: Marsana, wellness, beachhouse, spa, AirBnB, hotel, room, beach, Rincón, Aguada, PR, 115, Puerto Rico, puerto, rico, CombatCritic, combat, critic, TravelValue, travel, value
El Tapatio – Comida Mexicana
PR-115, KM 20
Aguada, Puerto Rico
$$$$$
Margarita – $6.25 |
Tacos Duros – $1.60 Each |
Beef and Cheese Enchilada – $4.75 |
Dinner Salad |
Potato Leek Soup ($3.50) and Goat Cheese Tart ($8) |
Jägerschnitzel – $20 |
Forest Schnitzel – $20 |
Menu |
First of all, Bonnie, Tony, and the boys and girls are a delight, wonderful human beings and dogies (all 10) who made our stay in Punta Santiago comfortable and caring … THANK YOU ALL!
Furnishings are basic and somewhat dated, but in working order with the exception of the stove which we were unable to use. There are AC units in the bedroom and living room and were sufficient in providing cool sleeping conditions. The apartment gets plenty of air from trade winds, so the AC really is not necessary much of the time. There is an older color TV with cable in the living room (be sure to ask Tony how to get rid of the “blue” screen) and the wireless internet worked well the entire week we were there.
There is a market down the street with most everything you need at reasonable prices and several small restaurants (see Taco Rico review) and bars just across the street, so food is abundant. Playa Naguabo (ten minute drive North) has several seaside restaurants including Waterfront Cantina and an outdoor cafe with three food stalls that serves fresh fish to hundreds at a time arriving on busses.
The towns of Humacao and Fajardo are close by, so restaurants are abundant and the islands of Vieques and Culebra are a little over an hour away by ferry from Fajardo. The Humacao Nature Reserve is less than a 10-minute drive, offering trails, a secluded beach, wildlife, and mangrove swamps.
The primary drawback as other guests have mentioned is the noise at night from the bar across the street, blaring music at decibles in the hundreds as well as the occasional vehicles with custom stereo blaring music at all hours of the day and night running up and down PR-3 adjacent to the house. Bring earplugs and/or a white noise machine as we did and unless you are a very light sleeper, you should not have any problems.
If you love dogs, the sea, friendly people, and life in a relatively quiet fishing village, you will love the time you stay with Bonnie and Tony in Punta Santiago.
CombatCritic Gives Bonnie and Tony’s Punta Santiago Apartment 7 Out of 1o Bombs … BOMBAS ARE BUENAS!
Key Words: Bonnie, Tony, Antonio, Punta Santiago, AirBnB, punta, santiago, Humacao, Puerto Rico, puerto rico, travel, value, CombatCritic, TravelValue, apartment, room, hotel
The Humacao Nature Reserve, on Hwy P3 between Humacao and Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico, is a small, free natural park with trails, bathrooms, souvenirs, and the opportunity to kayak through mangrove swamps (for a fee).
We decided to take an hour-long hike on our way to look at some properties in Vista del Mar, a huge resort community a few miles South of Humacao on the sea. It was serenely quiet and oddly beautiful as we made our way down the soggy road looking for our first iguana, said to grow up to 12 feet in length!
We saw several large lizards (up to 18 inches long), a large beetle of some type, a few birds, but no iguana, turtles, manatees, or monkeys along our journey. The park is well worth the detour if in the area, but bring some stable shoes, ones that you do not mind getting muddy and soggy along the way.
Pasta y Pueblo
Luquillo, Puerto Rico
$$$$$
Dining Room – Five (5) Tables |
Scallops and Penne Carbonara ($20) |
Skirt Steak with Penne Carbonara ($16) |
CombatCritic Gives Pasta y Pueblo 8 Bombs Out of 10 … BOMBAS ARE BUENO!
Guava Cheesecake ($3.50) |
Key Words: combat, CombatCritic, critic, Luquillo, pasta, Pasta y Pueblo, pueblo, steak, scallops, chicken, mussles, wine, beer, puerto, Puerto Rico, rico, TravelValue
Seven Seas is a very nice public beach and national park about 30 miles West of San Juan and is clean with a protected swimming area, public toilets, life guards, and access to a nearby snack bar (pastilillos).
The water drops off to about three feet then quickly drops off. There are numerous species of fish inside the reef, so bring your snorkeling gear. The bottom is sand and small, smooth rocks, and is easy on the feet. Water temperature was probably in the high 70’s, perfectly cool enough to refresh while not so cold it shocks the system.
Living Room and Balcony |
We found Keith’s apartment in Marimar (San Juan) by chance and were we glad we did! For a reasonable price considering the location, we had a bedroom and access to the living area (bath, kitchen, living room, terrrace) of a modern apartment centrally located between downtown San Juan and Old San Juan (less than 2 miles).
Kitchen |
Keith was visiting relatives stateside when we arrived, so Tiffany (a student at University of Puerto Rico and tenant) was there to let us in, orient us to the area, and give us the keys, all on Christmas Eve. She was friendly and helpful before leaving for Ponce to spend the holiday with her family.
Bedroom |
CombatCritic Gives Keith’s Miramar Apartment 8 Out Of 10 Bombs … BOMBAS ARE BUENAS!
Leaving the Rio Piedras train station, go straight one block to De Diego street, turn left, and go about 10 blocks. Mercado del Rio Piedras will be in your left.
CombatCritic Gives Mercado del Rio Piedras 9 Bombs Out of 10 … BOMBAS ARE BUENAS!
Key Words: Mercado del Rio Piedras, mercado, market, rio, piedras, river, stones, shopping, food, eat, clothing, shops, shoes, fruit, vegetables, San Juan, Puerto Rico, CombatCritic, TravelValue
Santa? What Are You Doing In This Dump? |
Pina Colada – $9 |
Our burger FINALLY arrived after 30 minutes and was slightly bigger than a White Castle (Whitey One-Bite). There was no sauce, the patty (advertised to be 8 ounces) was small, maybe 5 ounces at best, and accompanied by a pickle spear, very small slice of tomato, and a little lettuce. The fries were shoestrings and not many of them at that. We finished the sandwich literally in less than 3 minutes and I am not a fast eater by any stretch.
$$$$$
Homemade Mozzarella Caprese ($9) and Vido di Alicante |
Polpette with Mashed Potatoes and Tomato Sauce – $9 |
Casoncelli alla Bergamasca – $17 |
Lamb Lasagna – $18 |
World traveler ... 41 countries and counting; Professional chef ... studied for 3 years in Pozzuoli, Italy; Published author of reviews, editorials, articles, a popular blog, and producer of a highly successful YouTube channel. On the Front Lines in the Battle Against Mediocre, Overpriced Travel, Food and Accommodation ... Follow Me To TravelValue ... Thank You for Visiting My Blog! CombatCritic is Yelp ELITE '14 and '15 and TripAdvisor "TOP CONTRIBUTOR" ... Follow Me To TravelValue!
Travel
introspective contemplations and worldly observations
Just another WordPress.com site
The moment you realise it is time to thrust your head deep in the sand