|
Tripadvisor comment
May 21, 2004: "Beautiful and peaceful getaway. We found Villa Montana on the Internet and enjoyed it so much we've been back three times in two years. The beautifully landscaped, well-kept grounds enhance the natural tropical setting. Long walks, along the reasonably isolated beach were refreshingly peaceful... The attitude and responsiveness of the management and staff to every request was outstanding.... Definitely gourmet dining; a stone's throw from the water, in an incredibly unique and beautiful outdoor tropical setting."
User rating: 5 of 5 stars
Puerto Rico: Villa Montana Resort: "A Hidden Jewel"
March 11, 2005: tsinger@webmd.net, Chappaqua, NY
I stayed at this hotel in:
February, 2005
My ratings for this hotel are:
Above AverageRooms
ExcellentService
ExcellentValue
ExcellentCleanliness
Above AverageDining
Neutral/averageActivities and gym
I traveled to this hotel with: spouse/partner, small children
I recommend this hotel for: couples and romantics, honeymooners, active/adventure travelers
My visit was for: leisure
My wife and two children (3 and 1) just spend a week at the Villa Montana during the final week of February. By all accounts, it was spectacular!
Everything said about the natural beauty of the place, the immaculate condition of the grounds and landscaping, and the top notch customer service are right on point. For those expecting a typical Carribean all-inclusive resort style place, this is not that - thank god! The place has the feel of an exclusive condo complex tucked into the base of a beach-side cliff where Palm trees, tropical birds, friendly dogs and guaranteed weather abound. This part of the island is a surfer's paradise and I saw at least a dozen "mature" surfers heading back to their condos after a morning in the waves. Most of the rental condos are a one minute walk to the beach. The fact that the Villa has a lot of "owners" who make the place their permanent getaway, and that it is densely populated with Puerto Rico natives add to the feeling that you have discovered a hidden gem.
We had a one bedroom villa with a kitchenette which was adequate for our needs. The Villa acomodated us with a "pack-n-play" crib for our baby which was fine. The crib was in the room as requested. The pull out couch bed in the living room was standard pull-out couch fare (aka back breaking), but it would be fine for kids. If you can afford it, go for the two bedroom with the full kitchen. The cable TV was awesome as well, at least 100 channels including all the major US network and cable options.
The beach is gorgeous and untouched. Looking West, there is no development as far as the eye can see. People are talking about the water being rough. I compare it to a choppy day at the Jersey Shore - no worse. It's not the placid pool that many carribean beaches boast. Granted, there are no lifeguards at the beach or pool. To me, it was perfect and manageable - I took my 3 year old in the waves with no problem. The pools are modest sized, but clean and comfortable. The place never felt crowded, never. The pool and beach side lounges are very nice, big comfortable cushioned structures and hammocks dot the areas around the beaches and pools. For those interested, there are two tennis courts and a very large and new playground for the kiddies.
The one restuarant is good, the food did not dissapoint. But, the dinner menu is pricy ($20- $25 per entree) so I'd advise having a car to explore the dining options around the Villa. There isn't a ton of places to go, but if you are there for a week or so, you can definitely find a new place every night. I found the staff very willing to make recommendations.
Travel is something to consider very carefully. If you can fly into the nearby airport, do so. It is literally 5 miles from the resort. We flew into San Juan and started the 80 mile drive to the Villa at 2:30PM on a Friday. We had traffic the whole way and the trip took 3 hours. On our way back to the airport early on a Saturday, the trip took an hour and a half. Don't fly into San Juan if you can avoid it. I agree with the last reviewer that anyone who felt threatened in the area around the villa must by very timid. Puerto Rico is basically america, and the windows have bars to let the breeze in and to avoid replacing glass everytime there is a tropical storm - it's not because it's 'the hood'. Another reason to have a car is that there are a lot of things to do in the 30-50 mile radius of Isabella - get out and check stuff out.
A final note about the customer service. They never said no to me, not that I was demanding, but I never heard the word no. Also, when I had a billing discrepancy that I picked up after I got home, it was promptly addressed and my credit card immediately credited once I got the right person on the phone.
For those looking for an amazingly beautiful natural environment, and a laid back vibe, this is the place. If you're looking for an all-inclusive vibe with video game rooms for your kids, pools with water-slides, mega buffets, and constant stimulation, then stay away.....PLEASE.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor, Inc.
2 out of 3 TripAdvisor users found this review to be helpful.
User rating: 5 of 5 stars
Puerto Rico: Villa Montana Resort: "Beautiful, peaceful resort and comments on other reviews"
February 14, 2005: A TripAdvisor Member, Palm Harbor, Florida
I stayed at this hotel in:
February, 2005
My ratings for this hotel are:
Neutral/averageRooms
Excellent Service
Excellent Cleanliness
Above AverageDining
Neutral/average Activities and gym
I traveled to this hotel with: spouse/partner
I recommend this hotel for: couples and romantics, honeymooners
My visit was for: leisure
From one who has spent over 30 days at Villa Montana during the last 2 years, a few brief observations on other's comments. I would not have the foggiest idea where the septic tanks are that cause a smell and odor problem. I am an exercise person that has run the property numerous times, I have no idea where this preblem exists. The Housekeeping and Desk service is beyond reproach. Housekeeping is there every day and cleans the rooms immaculately, including mopping the floors on a daily basis. The hotel staff couldn't be more friendly and cooperaative. They are there to satisfy your every need. I have traveled the Caribbean for over 20 years ,and with the exception of the restaurant service which is very friendly but slow, I have never seen such dedicated friendly service. THE BEST. I have never seen the traffic be a problem in the last 45 miles of the75 mile drive. It is simply not a highly-congested area, and the area in the last 65 miles (once you are outside of San Juan) is simply not a dangerous place, unless you are timid beyond imagination. The grounds are spacious, beautiful and peaceful beyond one's most demanding expectations. The hotel service is extremely responsive and friendly. The beach is very peaceful with incredibly comfortable lounge chairs. The only negatives are the slow restaurant service and the water is frequently quite rough. It probably also would be advisable to fly to Mayaguez from San Juan, if you can't fly directlyy to Aguadilla, as the Mayaguez airport is an easy 20 mile drive to the resort, while the San Juan traffic and airport are a nightmare.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor, Inc.
2 out of 2 TripAdvisor users found this review to be helpful.
User rating: 5 of 5 stars
Puerto Rico: Villa Montana Resort: "Lovely, secluded, very laid back"
January 10, 2005: A TripAdvisor Member, Ft. lauderdale, FL
I stayed at this hotel in: July, 2004
My ratings for this hotel are:
Above Average Rooms
Above Average Service
Above Average Value
Above Average Cleanliness
Excellent Dining
Neutral/average Activities and gym
I traveled to this hotel with: spouse/partner
I recommend this hotel for: couples and romantics, honeymooners, seniors, active/adventure travelers
My visit was for: leisure
We vistited this resort in July 2004 for our anniversary. First of all, it is in a very rural area of PR, visited mostly by people who like surfing as the ocean is on the rough side. Villa Montana is located on the side of the mountain right where it meets the ocean. The views are spectacular and the setting is incredibly peaceful and romantic. Personally, I don't think it is a place to go w/ families as there isn't much to do other than swim in the pool or attempt the beach--which isn't very safe for children to swim in.
We stayed in a 1 br ocean front villa and we had these great french doors that literally opened to the ocean. There was a hammock nearby and miles and miles of unspoiled, natural beach and shoreline. We walked for hours and were almost totally alone. Our villa was very clean and cool. The grounds were kept amazingly, the pool was clean, and like I said-we were able to relax in a really nice resort.
The staff was very friendly, the food in the Eclipse restaurant was delicious alhtough the menu didn't change much. We knew the waiters and bartenders by name as the level of attention is more personal and intimate. There didn't seem to be much to do in the immediate area, so we rented a car and actually drove to El Yunque one day.
As for the person that wrote about the smell, i have no idea what he was talking about!! I didn't see any septic tanks anywhere!! People who travel to the islands need to understand that their culture is much more laid back and they aren't necessarily going to run and jump when you snap your fingers. It is that attitude that gives Americans such a bad name as travelers. Both my husband and I were delighted as were all the other guests we struck up conversations with. If you are looking for a secluded, romantic place to unwind, this is it!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor, Inc
3 out of 3 TripAdvisor users found this review to be helpful.
End
|
