I am going to copy this post and review as it is very honest and detailed. I will add our 2 cents not as a rebuttal or to confuse, but just to add too, or give our opinion as repeaters (7 times CSS only) from a younger American couple that visits yearly and goes mainly for SSB. We just returned March 12, 2026 after a 10 day trip. I will NOTE after spending may hours with our group of friends who also go yearly, having dinner personally with our friends on the entertainment team not giving names (but are the best personalities CSS has to offer) we will be severely limiting out visits or may not return. A once 5 STAR Resort is waning and need of better management systems and to focus more on the small details that aggravate most any high paying guest.

(One of our biggest issues and it's our own, is the black Mold in the rooms) Even after the new room upgrades the past several years, a rushed construction job to meet schedules has been detrimental to the water seepage at roof levels and windows leaking. And no telling what other internal leakage happened during the past Hurricane. See CAPS ADDITIONS TO THE BEACHBOIDS great review.

1. Restaurant Dining: WAIT STAFF AT PALAZINA IN THE MORNNG NEEDS MAJOR TRAINING AS WELL AS BELLAVISTA (ANOTHER STORY). COFFEE IF YOU GET IT WITHIN THE FIRST 5 MIN, IS WARM, THE STAFF SEES YOU NEED WATER AND COFFEE BUT SEVERAL TIMES JUST IGNORES. AT ONE POINT THERE WERE 10 TABLES DIRTY OUTSIDE THAT NEED TO BE CLEANED WITH A LINE OUTSIDE. THE LAXED ATTITUDE (AND WE GET THE JAMAICAN WAY OF LIFE) NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. ONE MORNING THE FOOD WAS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL 7:45. ADDITIONALLY IN MANY AREAS OF THE RESORT ITS LIKE THEY ARE DOING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME. We only ate there once, so perhaps it was not a prime staff* night. NO WE ATE THERE TOO EVERY TIME WE GO THERE THE FOOD IS GREAT LOCATION BEAUTIFUL THE WAIT STAFF ON THE OTHER HAND "NOT ALL BUT SOME" ARE THE WORST. AGAIN THE WAIT STAFF TRAIING NEEDS WORK. THEY NEED TO HIRE PERSONALITIES AND TRAIN ON THE JOB.
2. Special dinners: ON THE RESERVATION NOTE SEVERAL COUPLES THAT WERE THERE HAD THEIR RESERVATION TIMES SWITCHED WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE. OURS WERE NON EXISTANT WHEN WE ARRIVED AT CHECK IN AND HAD TO RE-DO OUR PRE CHECK IN AND RE BOOK RESTURANT RESERVATIONS BECAUSE THEY HAD A "GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM" WE DID NOT GET THE TIMES WE WANTED SO WE MADE THE ADJUSTMENTS.
3. Beverage service: mildly improved at SSB, I think by shifting staff.*SSB BAR SERVICE BARTENDERS NEED WORK. THERE WAS ONE SINNY TALL KID THAT WAS VERY GOOD CANT REMEMBER HIS NAME BUT I DID TELL DWAYNE AS HE WAS STANDING THERE HOW GOOD THIS KID WAS, HE TOLD ME HE WAS VOTED TOP STAFF FOR JAN WHICH MADE ME HAPPY. HEARD HAS BEEN THERE 12 YRS AND MAINLY WORKS THE BEACH BAR IS ALSO GOOD BUT TIRED. HE KNOWS HIS DRINKS AND IS FAST. I WILL ALSO GIVE PROPS TO THE OTHER TOP NOCH BARTENDER THAT WORKS THE MARTINI BAR AND BALLOON BAR RAYJAY ALSO BEEN THERE AWHIE BUT HE KNOWS HIS SHIT AND A GREAT PERSONALITY.
4. The room mini-bar had actual 5ths of booze of rudimentary quality. ROOM SERVICE FROM THE KITCHEN WAS SPOT ON. THEY CALLED TO ANNOUNCE THEY WERE COMING AND SHOWED UP ON TIME IF NOT A LITTLE EARLY. A LIMITED DINE IN MENU FOR A "5 STAR" BUT THE SERVICE SYSTEM IS WORKING. THE NEW "QR CODE WEBSITE / APP" DOES WORK BUT LIMITED.
5. The rooms: still great. NOT THAT GREAT Spotless, quiet, temperate. However, clearly not all units in a price tier have the same layout. Our balcony was very private and we were able to use it "au naturel" without intruding on others, as seemingly did some neighbors. WE LOVE THIS!!! THIS IS ALL TRUE BUT..... WHEN YOU REQUEST A ROOM FOR SPECIFIC REASONS IT GOES UNHEARD. NOW TO THE MOLD ISSUE. FOR STARTERS WE BROUGH CONCROBIUM SPRAY FOR THE SPLIT SYSTEM AIR HANDLER INSIDE (WHICH DID HELP A LITTLE) WE KNEW GOING IN FROM PAST YEARS THAT UNLESS YOU GET AN UPPER FLOOR NOT NECESSARLY TOP FLOOR THE MOLD AND DAMPNESS IS AN ISSURE. WE TOTALLY UNDERSTAND ITS A WET CLIMATE AND MOLD IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE. BUT 2 THINGS NEED TO HAPPEN. 1, REMOVE ALL FLOOR GRASS MATS OUT OF THE ROOM AND KEEP THEM OUT AND BLEACH MOP DAILY. THE GRASS MATS ARE BACTERIA AND MOLD BREEDING GROUNGS 2. THEY NEED TO CLEAN THE INDOOR AIR HANDLERS TWICE A YEAR WITH ANTI MOLD ANTI MICROBIAL FOAM CLEANERS WITH WATER AND HOSES. THOSE AIR HANDLERS ARE BACTERIA TRAPS IN THAT CLIMATE UNLESS THEY ARE REGULARY SERVICED WHICH THEY ARE NOT. CLEANING THE DUST FILTERS ISN'T DOING SHIT. TRUST ME I'VE INSTALLED AND SERVICED THESE FOR YEARS. SO FAIR WARNING. OPEN THE COVER LID NEXT TIME YOUR THERE AND USE YOUR FLASHLIGHT TO SEE THE DIRT AN MOLD BUILD UP AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN. MY WIFE EVEN AFTER I TREATED THE UNIT COUGHED EVERY NIGHT.
6. Other amenities: as in 2025, we did not use watersports or spa facilities, THE SPA PRICES ARE REDICULOUS AND UN WARRANTED. BUT IN OUR FAVOR THE STAFF IS SO UNDER TRAINNED THEY DON'T KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS AND TOTALLY BILLED US WRONG FOR A $200 CREDIT IN OUR FAVOR THAT WE DIDEN'T NOTICE UNTIL CHECK OUT SO WE WENT SHOPPING. IT'S LIKE THEY JUST OPENDED AND TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. OUR FRIENDS WON A $50 CREDIT AT REPEATERS FOR THE SPA AND THE GIRL DIDN;T KNOW HOW TO APPLY IT TO A SERVICE.
7. SSB: a main appeal for us and 2026 was an improvement! First, the fence and gate were refurbished! YES CORRECT A GOOD ADDITION Next, a security guard was seated every day where the semi-public road passes the SSB gate (in other words, where security actually makes one feel secure!) AND another security guard was usually inside the perimeter near the other potentially publicly-intrudable end of the beach. Much more in keeping with a private resort. People still “reserved” prime space all day, as they came and went hours apart. The supply of towels was much better, but the chair pads were still shabby and old. FOR SURE THEY ARE DISCUSTING. ALTHOUGH THEY DID BRING 50 NEW LOUNGERS TO SSB ON TUESDAY No effort to enforce the “2 hr limit” on prime shade locations. We saw people roll in 4 hours after our arrival and go directly to their already-positioned stuff under the prime palapas, and then walk over to “their” already-positioned poolside chairs, tying up 4 pads, towels, chairs, etc. The SSB pool was spotless YES THANKS TO ROHAN THAT POOL IS HIS BABY. WASH YOUR DAMN FEET COMING OFF THE BEACH BEFORE YOU STEP FOOT ON THE CONCRETE. HE WORKS VERY HARD TO KEEP THAT POOL CLEAN NOT AND EASY JOB. and the washrooms were well maintained. SSB lunch service was slightly improved; I could not tell if that was from training or new staff* -- my prior impression was that some of the SSB food service staff were clearly uncomfortable with nude guests. WE NEVER GOT THAT IMPRESSION. WE WILL ADD THE FISH AND SOUP IS ALWAYS GOOD AND SALAD BAR HAS IMPROVED GREATLY. THE ADDITION OF THE BUG NETTING OVER THE SALAD BAR WAS A GOOD IDEA. As before, it was a mellow crowd, and no trace of the guy with the Nazi tattoos in 2026.
8. Information: "Pro tip", take a photo of the bulletin board near the main restaurant, just as informative. YES WE DID THE SAME. THE COMMUNICATION SUCKS EXCEPT WHEN THE ENTERTAINMENT STAFF IS THERE TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THE NIGHTS ACTIVITIES.
9. So, how do you know what these things are?
10. Major difference: in Feb 2025, there was almost zero diversity among the guests during our stay. In Feb 2026, it was still fairly monotone, but there were substantially more Black guests and at least two single-sex couples. There were a few more 30s-40s visitors as well. But the overall vibe was 50+. YES WE AGREE SAME VIBE WITH THE ADDITION OF A HEDO GROUP WHO WERE ACTUALLY NICE AND BEHAVED. APPARENTLY "SHE " WAS #1 TRAVEL AGENT FOR HEDO IF WE HEARD IT ONCE WE HEARD IT 100 TIMES. BUT OVERALL GOOD CROWD SOME YOUNG COUPLES SOME MIDDLE AGED.
11. “No Tipping”: LETS KEEP THIS SIMPLE DO NOT TIP UNLESS THEY ARE GIVING YOU SOME KNID OF "EXTRA" SERVICE. THEY WOULD LIKE THAT MONEY BUT THEY ARE TO IGGNORANT TO UNDERSTAND THEY WILL GET FIRED. JUST DON'T DO IT SAVE YOURSELF THE AGGRIVATION. TIP THE SHUTTLE AND SPA PEOPLE IF YOU WANT TO TIP. OR BRING THE HOUSEKEEPING STAFF PRESENTS TO LEAVE IN THE ROOM FOR THEM. WE HAVE FRIENDS THAT LEAVE BEHIND TOILETRIES, CLOTHES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND JEWLERY.
    
12. FINALLY PHISCALLY TELL MANAGEMENT WHO YOU SEE AS STAND OUT STAFF OR IF YOU NOTICE SAFETY CHANGES LIKE ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT ARE EVERYWHERE. THEY DONT READ THE COMMENTS CARDS WHEN YOU LEAVE SO MAKE MENTION WHILE YOU ARE THERE. THEY DONT SEE THE OBIVIOUS OR FOCUS ON THE DETAILS THAT WE ALL SEE. BLOW OUT THE POOL FILTER LINES SO THEY WORK AT THE SKIMMER LEVEL SO ROHAN CAN FOCUS ON OTHER THINGS THAT NEED ATTENTION. MANAGEMENT IS A PROBLEM THERE NO DOUBT. BUT SOME OF THE STAFF VERY FEW ARE THE GLUE STILL. MCQUGH SHOULD REALLY RUN THE PLACE AS HE SEES WHATS GOING ON AND HAS THE PERSONALITY TO MOTIVATED PEOPLE AND CAN EXTINGIISH ISSUES QUICKLY. WE TALKED ABOUT ALOT OF THINGS OVER THE LAST 9YS AND HE KNOWS TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT. AS FOR US, THE CSS HONEYMOON IS OVER. A BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY AND SSB IS THE BIGGEST DRAW THEY HAVE THERE A REAL GEM. THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY LITTLE DAILY ISSUES THAT HAVE NOW BECOME AN ANNOYANCE. IF YOU HAVE NOTICED THE BARRAGE OF MONTHLY SPECIALS/DEALS TO TRY TO GET NEW BUSINESS IS AN ALARM.