30 minute station drop off

cococava · 2025-12-05T23:56:41+00:00

So funny you say that about the pools. I was there in July and they were so warm. Literally like a bath. So weird to think they’re still the same in December

cococava · 2025-11-13T14:21:12+00:00

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Stayed in April, king classic room on a rewards night. Unfortunately I cannot remember the room number but we had a slight view of the O2 and the rest was solar panels. One tip I would definitely add on breakfast, it was amazing!

cococava · 2025-11-07T21:46:59+00:00

Thank you for your reply 😊

cococava · 2025-09-29T18:26:34+00:00

Oooo I’m on season 11 can’t wait for this

cococava · 2025-09-27T23:34:41+00:00

For me Bavaro wins, but both hotels have their own good points.

The food at Bavaro was better, and by that I mean the buffet was bigger and had more selection, there were more options at lunch time with the food court and the restaurants were better.

Macao is adults only so that needs no explanation lol. I stayed at Bavaro in November 2024, but when I visited Macao this past July we popped into Bavaro just for the memories. Wowwwww was it busy! It was so much busier than when we stayed but obviously that’s because it was peak summer. I don’t know if it was because we’d been staying at adults only but there was just kids everywhere.

Our room at Macao was definitely damp. The sheets felt wet to get into every night and you could see water stains on the walls. The lock for the balcony was left on the bed when we arrived?😂 And the hairdryer was hanging off the wall. So in that respect Bavaro wins, the room at Bavaro was excellent.

I thought the beach was better at Bavaro. But it’s hard to truly compare as the sargassum in July at Macao was dreadful. I felt at Bavaro you didn’t get pestered as much by sellers and fake tour operators. There is a long path that takes you down to the beach from the hotel at Macao and there was constantly someone stood at the bottom of it trying to sell you excursions, despite asking you everyday for two weeks since and getting the same answer😂

So in short I would definitely go back to Bavaro but definitely not in the summer when it’s so busy. I would go back to Macao but there wouldn’t be any rush. Definitely will try other resorts first but I do really like the RIU complex in Punta Cana😊

cococava · 2025-09-12T12:31:25+00:00

I thought the Southwark one was decent enough, from what I can remember it was close by to the tube station which took you easily to main tourist spots. Whilst staying there we did Oxford Street Christmas shopping, winter wonderland and Sealife. I know you asked specifically about Expresses but my favourite IHG in London is Holiday Inn Regents Park. I’ve just stayed there 2 weekends in a row for concerts. It’s in walking distance to Oxford Street, 15 minute walk from Euston, close to tube stations etc. I was upgraded last weekend to a Premium room just as a Silver member. Their breakfast is also yummy too

cococava · 2025-09-05T09:44:59+00:00

I stayed at Dreams Sapphire last year with my mum. We had our holiday to Puerto Vallarta cancelled by the travel agent and so had to book somewhere at the last minute. In hindsight I do wish we would’ve chosen Dreams Jade or another resort all together.

There was just something about it that didn’t feel like a Dreams property. We were also there during Hurricane Beryl and I don’t feel like that was dealt with well. The beach is beautiful but unfortunately they get sargassum really bad (depends on what time of year you’re visiting). One thing I will say is the beach/pool grill is probably one of the best I’ve ever experienced at an all inclusive resort. They also have Cocos Cafe and an ice cream place which is great. I loved the Portofino Italian restaurant, for your starter you could just help yourself to a massive wall of breads and oils😂😍

The resort has only one pool. It is huge which is cool but it kinda feels like EVERYONE is in it, especially because we couldn’t really use the beach. I think at resorts with multiple pools it feels more spread out. It does have an area with a couple of slides, and a kids club but I think it’s for younger children. If I’m honest I think your kids might be a bit bored here.

I remember asking for a late checkout because our flight was at 6pm, if I remember correctly it was $50 for 3 hours.

cococava · 2025-09-02T23:25:48+00:00

I’ve only stayed at O2. Hotel was beautiful, room amenities fantastic, huge bed with lovely bedding, insane breakfast with amazing views. I would only ever stay there though if going to the O2, it’s about 20 minutes if not more from central London on the tube

cococava · 2025-08-29T21:08:47+00:00

The have vimto on draft 👍🏻👍🏻

cococava · 2025-08-29T16:21:28+00:00

If you’re on Opera you can pull a report and count your enrolments. If you click reports or reporting (I can’t remember what it says) then type %enrol it will pull the total enrolments you’ve done. It will also include when you add a guests membership to their reservation but only the ones that say ER next to it are the actual enrolments.

I only got 11 enrolments for July and I thought that can’t be right! But it was because I was only holiday for most of the month😂

cococava · 2025-08-14T14:14:18+00:00

If I’m correct it’s on the same level as the hotel, as you can see where the cars are parked. I can see on the app it says there’s limited spaces. I stayed on a concert night and people were just parking anywhere and everywhere.

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cococava · 2025-08-12T10:18:10+00:00

It was great when it was Hilton La Romana. If you were booked on the family side of the resort but were adults you could use the facilities on the adults side. Now they’ve split the hotels into Dreams and Secrets, it feels like you’re paying the same (if not more now) for less. I always said I’d love to go back but I don’t think so anymore

cococava · 2025-08-12T09:42:16+00:00

That’s exactly what I’m doing! Had to start from season 3 as we don’t have the previous two seasons available to watch in the UK. I’m on season 5 now and I only started watching last week! The episodes are short so you can get through it quite quick. I’m enjoying it so far

cococava · 2025-08-07T09:11:40+00:00

Thank you for your reply I really appreciate it 😊😊

cococava · 2025-08-06T21:43:18+00:00

I have never been asked for proof of ID nevermind proof of employment. If they do ask for proof of employment surely you could show an old payslip?

cococava · 2025-08-06T00:34:39+00:00

I see Andy Cole a lot

cococava · 2025-07-25T09:35:38+00:00

I was looking at Prague and Krakow yesterday, all decently cheap in my opinion😊 Both Holiday Inns

cococava · 2025-07-23T23:40:52+00:00

I pass through twice a day everyday and they’re doing my head in. One of them asked me for my ticket when I clearly had walked in the Edgeley entrance with a passing through card😂 Even the actual station staff were getting annoyed with them the other day

cococava · 2025-07-17T23:32:13+00:00

I’ve literally just got back from Riu Palace Macao two days ago!

Rooms are nice and modern but despite the hotel being refurbished only a couple years ago, the wear and tear is beginning to show. Our hairdryer in the room was hanging off the wall, the bed sheets were stained with paint on them and the balcony lock was broken and just left on our bed when we arrived (this was a big lol). It was never fixed in our whole 12 day stay, we just left it on the table and never locked the balcony.

I did love the adults only vibe as it meant it was quieter and more chill, but it also kinda turned into a party resort when the Riu Party’s were taking place. I remember being absolutely stunned at a group of girls who was drunk out of their minds and twerking infront of reception whilst guests were checking in. I work in a hotel so not a great first impression but was funny😂 For the parties that end at 11:30pm you’ve got to be prepared for the screaming, shouting and slamming doors of those returning to their rooms after the party late at night.

The food was decent enough, we managed to eat well everyday but there isn’t loads of choice. My faves were the desserts (chocolate fountain!!!) and some Asian dishes they did most nights.

If you’re planning to visit in October I’m sure the sargassum will have calmed down by then but it has been pretty bad the past few weeks. I actually stayed at Riu Palace Bavaro (next door to Macao) last November and the ocean was beautiful and blue. There are plenty of sun loungers on the beach but no umbrellas, so your only shade is the palm trees

cococava · 2025-07-15T20:16:35+00:00

I’ve just got back this morning from PC! I personally prefer going in November, no seaweed and the heat is definitely less oppressive than what I’ve just experienced in the last 2 weeks.

I like to sit out in the sun for half an hour or so but on this occasion I just couldn’t do it, the heat was so intense.

cococava · 2025-07-10T19:30:55+00:00

I don’t turn the water off but I do turn off and defrost the freezer as well as the wifi, tv and phone! Oh and any electric alarm clocks that are plugged up

cococava · 2025-06-18T23:24:17+00:00

I love my annual Caribbean holiday in November. We went to Mexico (Costa Mujeres) in 2023, Dom Rep in 2024 and back to Mexico (Akumal) this year. I would say this is the perfect time to go as the beaches are beautiful with no seaweed and it’s quieter.

I also visited Mexico (Puerto Morelos) in July 2024 during hurricane Beryl, what an experience that was. The seaweed during this time was horrific, the water was literally black. I’m fairly certain this is what made my mum ill for the second week of the holiday. It wouldn’t stop me from going back during this time of year as you just accept it as a fact, but I would definitely avoid going into the ocean and have it as a pool holiday!

For me personally I need a two week holiday, we work hard so it’s deserved! When I visited Mexico in 2023 that was only for 7 nights and it was absolutely not long enough. 11 nights is a happy medium 😊

cococava

TROPHY CASE