“Coasting on its reputation – 170€ a night for a room that doesn't work”
The spot is decent, right on Santa Maria’s main square and close to the beach. The Ocean brand has built a solid reputation, even adding a branded café and a vending machine at Sal airport, but it seems to have lost the charm that made it popular. Sal is scorching, and in Room 9 the air conditioning barely functioned; even at full power you had to stand directly under it to feel any breeze. The only alternative was a shaky old fan on a broken stand that rattled loudly and just pushed hot air around the cramped room. What was truly infuriating was that when staff asked how our room was, they already knew exactly what we were going to say—they were fully aware of the AC and fan problems, which apparently have persisted for years with no action taken. At 170 € per night, that’s not an oversight; it’s a deliberate choice. Small details also failed to inspire confidence: the fridge held two bottles of water—one half‑drunk, the other frozen solid. There was no shower gel or soap, just a single bottle of watered‑down “shampoo.” The lift was out of order, so we had to haul our bags up the stairs. Breakfast was acceptable but nowhere near the standard you’d expect for that price. A large construction site directly across the road made any quiet day impossible, and guests should be warned about it before booking. We had been looking forward to the live music the hotel is known for, but during our stay there was none, just loud recorded music late into the evening. Combined with the fan noise and the room heat, a restful night was out of the question. The Ocean name may be growing, but the basics are being neglected. At this price, a working air conditioner, soap, and a functioning lift shouldn’t be too much to ask.
James3 minggu lalu