Villa Reviews

Travel discussion for St. John
greyhoundmom
Posts: 978
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
Location: Columbia South Carolina

Villa Reviews

Post by greyhoundmom »

What if you saw a bad review about your next year's villa rental that related not to the house but to owners and possible break-in? Would it freak you out? I know there are two sides to every story but I sure would like to hear more about this one. After not going this summer, it is disheartening to read this review. :cry:
Image
User avatar
tjwgrr
Posts: 292
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:49 am
Location: West Michigan

Re: Villa Reviews

Post by tjwgrr »

greyhoundmom wrote:What if you saw a bad review about your next year's villa rental that related not to the house but to owners and possible break-in? Would it freak you out? I know there are two sides to every story but I sure would like to hear more about this one. After not going this summer, it is disheartening to read this review. :cry:
Adeste through Carefree? What a horrible review. Talk to the good folks at Carefree and ask them to switch you.
greyhoundmom
Posts: 978
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
Location: Columbia South Carolina

Post by greyhoundmom »

I don't want to automatically switch villas solely because of this review. It's just disturbing to read and makes me wonder what happened? In reading some other Adeste reviews on the TA forum, many posters think highly of the owners and their respect for your privacy. As I stated, the owner has been very gracious in her e-mails to me and we really like the look of the villa. Perhaps Kathy would consider elaborating on her review? I think it's only fair to the owners and guests. :)
Image
User avatar
mbw1024
Posts: 7347
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:54 pm
Location: The Garden State

Post by mbw1024 »

I read that and have to say I get a weird feeling from that review, like it's not true. anyone else getting that?
sorry if kathy is around here and this is in fact accurate but i'd certainly like to hear more about it.
if you are in touch with the owner i'd give them the chance to address that review.
User avatar
lprof
Posts: 3130
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:09 pm
Location: Florida

Post by lprof »

mbw1024 wrote:I read that and have to say I get a weird feeling from that review, like it's not true. anyone else getting that?
sorry if kathy is around here and this is in fact accurate but i'd certainly like to hear more about it.
if you are in touch with the owner i'd give them the chance to address that review.

yes, me too... a very weird feeling...
... no longer a stranger to paradise
greyhoundmom
Posts: 978
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
Location: Columbia South Carolina

Post by greyhoundmom »

Yes, I'm feeling the same thing. Especially since she said they were there in March 2009. Why would you wait 5 months to post a villa review? I know it's possible, but just seems odd. I'm going with my initial gut feeling about the owners and reviews. Unless Kathy Kennedy posts something here, I am not going to worry about it anymore. Thanks, everyone for listening! GHM (Jan)
Image
User avatar
Roberto
Posts: 106
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:37 pm
Location: Maryland

Post by Roberto »

I had a similar experience before renting a house in the Bahamas. After reserving the house I was doing some internet research on things to do, where to buy groceries, etc. One of the people that I e-mailed related a bad experience involving an unsafe vehicle rented with the house and their serious personal injury as the result.

Interestingly I read their entry while staying at the house, and they wrote a great review on the house and described the accident as very minor.
User avatar
Randy in MD
Posts: 395
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:04 am
Location: Shady Side, MD

Post by Randy in MD »

I know the owners and I've been in the house. And I'm extremely sceptical of this "review". The villa is called "Adeste", not "The Adeste". It's a beautiful home and the owners are good people. You'll have a wonderful time...
User avatar
toes in the sand
Posts: 994
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm

Post by toes in the sand »

In fairness, I haven't read the review yet and do not know the house our had experience with the management firm, but I had a similar reaction when researching a Hawaiian cruise we took in 2006. I was excited about it and started reading reviews after I booked it. I was shocked at some of what I read and became worried that I had picked a lemon for a much anticipated vacation. Long story short, we had a wonderful time. None of what I had read about the ship and staff was apparent to us. The lesson learned from that experience is that we all travel with different expectations. The expectations of some will never be met and unfortunately it seems to be those who will scream the loudest to anyone who listen.

I would speak to the owners or management and hear their side of things.

Hope your visit is a good one and you will let us hear what you experienced.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
greyhoundmom
Posts: 978
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
Location: Columbia South Carolina

Post by greyhoundmom »

I have contacted the villa owner and made her aware of this negative review. She may post a reply. :)
Image
greyhoundmom
Posts: 978
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
Location: Columbia South Carolina

Post by greyhoundmom »

Just as a follow-up, after many e-mails with villa owner today, she said they have never had a guest with that name, she thinks it is a villa management company that is upset because of their sucess on VRBO. She asked for the VIOL website link and said that "this is very damaging for people who can't read between the lines and so hard for me and Charlie because we work so hard." She offered to share e-mails from guests and repeat guests with me.

In case she doesn't post here, just wanted to share this with the forum. :)
Image
User avatar
mbw1024
Posts: 7347
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:54 pm
Location: The Garden State

Post by mbw1024 »

greyhoundmom wrote:Just as a follow-up, after many e-mails with villa owner today, she said they have never had a guest with that name, she thinks it is a villa management company that is upset because of their sucess on VRBO. She asked for the VIOL website link and said that "this is very damaging for people who can't read between the lines and so hard for me and Charlie because we work so hard." She offered to share e-mails from guests and repeat guests with me.

In case she doesn't post here, just wanted to share this with the forum. :)
Great, maybe Anthony would consider removing it.
SunnySal
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue May 19, 2009 9:58 am
Location: West Bend Wi

Post by SunnySal »

I just read on the St John forum - Trip Advisor some additional info regarding the review of this villa. You may want to read it...
I believe there is magic here...
User avatar
cypressgirl
Posts: 2178
Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
Location: houston

Post by cypressgirl »

I just read that Trip Advisor back and forth about Adeste and I think the more Kathy tries to explain what happened, the crazier it sounds. She said the people they were traveling with were so disturbed, they're not coming back? My mind is running wild.....I am imagining all kinds of horrible things that could have happened. My point is, why is she so vague? If something so terrible happened involving the owners, tell us what it was!!!
greyhoundmom
Posts: 978
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
Location: Columbia South Carolina

Post by greyhoundmom »

I just read the back and forth on TA posted yesterday. She never really says what happened, just going with another couple with children who won't go back to STJ???? She says I urge you to go to Caribbean On Line if you want to read my review but there isn't anything posted on that old site???? Totally confusing and vague.
Image
Locked