The Not-So Grand View Inn
Jan 21 '02
The Bottom Line Water problem and exchange rate games make the Grand View Inn a "Not Recommended" site.
I really wanted to like the Grand View Inn, I truly did. From its website and traded e-mails, I thought I'd found another bargain-priced gem. The reality is a bit different.
The Good Points
The Grand View Inn does have a number of good points, and out of fairness, I'll list them first.
The Room
I booked a standard room, which was actually a two room apartment, and absolutely immense. The bedroom was 15' by 16', and contained a double bed and a single bed. A corner was walled off as a private bathroom, which was small and dark.
The kitchen/living area was also 15' by 16', and contained a table, a futon couch, and a small kitchenette. The living room opens out onto a balcony that is big enough for a table and a couple of chairs. Both rooms were high ceilinged and airy. Sadly, both rooms really needed a couple of lamps as they suffered from a serious lack of sufficient light after dark.
The Employees
All of the employees at the Grand View Inn were pleasant and generally helpful. Iain and Jane, with whom I carried on an extensive e-mail correspondence, are a hotel manager's dream: bright, cheery, and efficient.
The View
The Grand View Inn does live up to its name in this regard. The rooms all have balconies or patios, and overlook either Grand Anse Beach or Morne Rouge Bay. Be aware that rooms on the Morne Rouge side get the full brunt of the afternoon sun. This can make it uncomfortably warm to sit on your balcony with an afternoon cocktail. The views on the Grand Anse side are absolutely stunning.
And now....
The Not-So-Good Points
Water
Water is kind of important to me. And yes, I understand that clean, fresh water is at a premium in many Caribbean Islands. I am comfortable with taking short showers, and only flushing the toilet when necessary. At the Grand View Inn, however, there were mornings when I'd turn on the tap and get....nothing. Limited water is one thing. No water, well, that's a problem.
Location
The beach, the grocery store, most shopping, and the bus stop were all half a mile to a mile away. Normally, this would make for a pleasant walk, but all these places were straight down hill. Getting down the hill is easy. Getting up the hill is not (especially if you are a middle-aged, American woman wearing flip flops and carrying half a case of beer.) I do not exaggerate when I say the hills leading up to the Grand View Inn slope at 30 degrees or better. Since there is no bus service to the Grand View Inn, the only way up the hill is on foot, or by taxi. For those younger, or fleeter of foot, than I, this may not be a big deal.
The Pool
The pool had no water. It was, however, painted a pretty color.
Conversion Games
This one item annoys me more than all the rest put together.
The price for your accommodations at the Grand View Inn is quoted in US dollars. You are told up front that 18% for tax and service will be added to the price. Fair enough. What you are NOT told is that the price in US$ will be converted to East Caribbean dollars at a rate of EC$2.72 = US$1.00. The official rate is EC$2.67 = US$1.00. This effectively raises your cost by 5%. If you use a credit card, Visa or MasterCard will then charge you 1% to change currency back into US dollars, using the official rate of EC$2.67 = US$1.00. (The bank that issued your credit card may charge you an additional fee on top of that for a foreign currency transaction.)
This just frosts me. Either quote me a price in East Caribbean dollars, and let me worry about the exchange rate, or quote me a price in US dollars, and use the official rate. But don't quote me a price knowing full well that you are going to charge me 5% more. On their website my room is listed at US$75.00 a night. In reality, with tax and service and exchange rate shenanigans, it cost me US$92.76.
The Surprise
The Grand View Inn website says if you book online, you'll get a surprise on check-in. Over the course of two weeks, I asked several times about my "surprise", and never really got an answer, not even from the owner. I guess the surprise is that there is no surprise. No truth in advertising, either.
In Summary...
I really would like to recommend the Grand View Inn, but I really can't. The water problems and the fiddling with exchange rates are deal breakers for me.
With a few minor fixes, and shuttle service to the bottom of the hill, the Grand View Inn could be a bargain-priced gem. Until then....at least know what you are getting into if you stay here.
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Epinions.com ID:
friskycelery
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Location: Holly, MI
Reviews written: 98
Trusted by: 47 members
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