27
Jul
2008
What an experience!!!Jul
2008
I was able achieve the perfect balance between excursions and partying - which was my basic goal.
As far as the club, itself, the first thing that you'll notice is that it is massive and that you must climb steps and ramps to get anywhere. So, don't feel guilty if you don't feel like hitting the gym, you will come home with buns of steel!
The rooms are lovely with great A/C and excellent water pressure. There are TVs and telephones but, no voicemail (big problem) no clocks (wake-up calls are inconsistent so, take a travel clock) no frig for cooling water and fruit, and no coffeemaker for that first good jolt in the morning. Housekeeping is quite consistent, though.
The CDV, Olivier Sanchez, is super. Very visible which is my only measuring tool. Very engaging and involved in everything. I was most impressed that he greeted eveyone at, almost, all lunches and dinners - at the entrance and, then, table-hopped. (As an aside, Olivier will be in Cancun in six weeks and is going to attempt to do something to make a separated section for adults who would like come back - details will follow.)
I was told that the club holds 1200 people and that, at least, eighty percent are Parisians. I did manage to have a great time with people I met from France from outside of Paris, as well as Belgian, Italian and Israeli GMs and GOs.
There was only one Canadian person in the place and I didn't meet him so, I won't address all of North America. However, United States citizens are unwanted and unwelcomed by the huge Parisian population (GM AND GO, alike) and they let me know that every chance they got. I happened to have studied French and, although, I don't speak much at home, after the first day or so, it started to come back enough for me to adequately communicate to be understood and, certainly, to understand every nasty comment. I was pushed and shoved out of the way-in the restaurant, in the snorkel boat, at the bar, in the nightclub- and one night in the nightclub, one of them picked me up off of the ground and, literally, tossed me aside to pass me while his friends watched and chuckled.
The beach(es) are ugly but, the Meditteranean is fabulous. I solved this little glitch by spending almost every afternoon on the snorkel boat offshore. There isn't much to see but, you can swim in the sea and sunbathe on the deck from 3-5P out in the middle of the sea. It's much more comfortable than staying at the club - cooler temps and no having to navigate dirty, rocky beach.
The shows are quite professional productions but, not well rehearsed.
The food is fabulous in both restaurants. The buffet in the main restaurant is more fun but, the sit-down/table service at the speciality restaurant is a nice change.
Also, White Night and the visit to the Moonlight Arena are a must but, beware everything everywhere outside of the club is very expensive. (By the way, so is the Boutique.)
The excursions are amazing! Due scheduling, I did have to leave a couple for another time so, you will have to pick and choose. I chose Perge/Aspendos, Demre/Myra/Simena and Phaselis with the help of the excursion GO. Bring shoes with tread (flip-flops will not do well)and a hat/cap is a must, as well.
I tried to make this review as balanced as possible, and, although, I leave it to my fellow Americans to decide how much aggravation they are willing endure on vacation. For me, it was well worth it in the final analysis. I exchanged email addresses with quite a few people and over all had a once in lifetime experience that I will never forget.
Anything I forgot? Any questions?
...), and I wanted to ask you about the coming absence of the CDV. I heard so many good things about him, and I'm worried: who is going to replace him while he's gone?? Do you happen to know or have any more details?
That's only one reason for which I prefer to go on holiday in off season.
