I was going to cut them some slack because the place only opened 2 weeks ago, but in my opinion if you call yourself a 5 Star Hotel and offer a 2 Star experience, you are going to get blowback - especially when a one hour massage costs over $200.
Don't get me wrong, the facilties are spectacular. The pool and change rooms are going to be really nice when finished and things are working properly. Hopefully that will be soon.
The whole experience really was lacking:
- the call to book the appointment - they asked me so many questions and I was on the phone a lot longer than needed. (I don't want to be in your data base for marketing purposes. Just book me the appointment)
- check in was very disorganized. The ladies at the desk seem to be unsure about things - the one girl told me my massage was free. I actually noticed a young lady checking in at the same time as me mention free massage and a nervous look from one of the managers over at me, and then asked her to step into the hallway.
- the change rooms are nice - but not completely functional - the shower in the steam room wasn't working, there are missing signs on the doors, air vents are open with no covers. In the steam room I was burned by a very hot protruding pipe coming out of the wall. That should be covered.
- the massage room was chilly - and the speaker in the room sounded distorted.
- the razor blades they offer for shaving have to be the cheapest disposable blades made!
- they need to put some hooks up on the walls and in / around the steam room / showers to hang your house coat and towels.
- checking out took over 15 minutes due to an issue with a gift card I was using.
If it sounds like I am nit-picking it's because I am! A 5 Star hotel (and I've stayed in a lot of them) should be excellent in every way. They shouldn't have opened, and be charging full price, when the facilities are not ready and the staff are still going through training .
Maybe one day this place will be at a 5 Star level. But for now, I really feel ripped off!