I am comparing this trip to the two trips I had to this village in the first half of 2009, both reviews were posted at this site. I chose this week, because my roommate asked for it, although I paid more than the usual. Positive reviews about the new CDV Barq, and his second hand Vladimir encouraged me to visit, my expectations were nevertheless, quite low. The passport control at the airport was as slow as ever. This time the luggage was pulled from the belt, it was easier to spot them and leave. CM pickup is immediately accessable; under the coordination of Diesel, the van left without completely filling up. The arrival to the airport was also efficient, and we had the traditional warm CM farewell. I did not return my bracelet, despite I knew that I would not get free drinks anywhere else. T&C does not stamp the passports at departure any more , we surrender the tourist card.
CM renewed the lease mid 2009, thanks to the real estate bust and the recession. Otherwise it would have been closed by now, to build multiple hotels at this site ( it is said that this is a prime property, and the best beach on the island). The upscale pool chairs were new, the cabanas were upgraded, the old chairs are now at the beach. The village will be closed in the near future for renovation ( probably following Sandpiper, which will be closed, Aug 22 2010 being the last day, for real renovation). I do not know how ''family'' it will become, but allowing children without miniclub facilities is quite plausible ( to compete with The Beaches on the Island), similar to the CI.
The weather was not the greatest, (most likely because we did not do enough sundances!-hint Coral Gables), it rained on Wed March 3 , as predicted by the weather reoprt at the CM website. Water sports were reduced/cancelled on Sunday, Wed-Friday. The Sharkie''s sunset band performance were not done Wed-Fri, and no band on Sat. There were at least 3 bands, the visiting artists, and they were cute. The magician was back ( a visiting artist). His performance pleased the crowd, however I still think is it not the right choice for an adult village. There was one new show (2-3 weeks old) thanks to the presence of a choreographer and a costume designer.
The weekly activities schedule is now posted, it is easy to track the shows, the dress codes. Thursday dress code is chosen by a different team each week (it is listed TBA on the board), it was the turn of the kitchen and bar team, it was pirate night (prior week was psychadelic ). The GOs used the theater costumes. Luckily I had followed the suggestion of Borabora, and I had brought long sleeved shirts, one of which fit the theme. The dress codes were Sat: white&black (the GOs generally wore black top), Sun: blue (men), pink (ladies) and jeans, Mon: colorful, Tue: flowers and white bottom, wed: 45 jersey& jeans, Fri: elegant, ( I saw male GOs wearing jackets, and sometimes tie-I refuse to carry and wear a tie at CM, so far).
Overall ambiance significantly improved significantly from the last year. The GOs were out during the first one hour of the disco, with costumes, a first for a long time, with bottles to pour to willing GMs, but the liqour was so light! The disco music was good up to 2 AM. The disco and the bar closed at 2:45-3 AM, except Sat at 2 AM. This time I wanted to be more active at night, I brought a hat, banderas and a boombox, to keep the party going, which I think helped. Barq gave a reception to silver and gold members Monday evening at his house, which I had not seen before. There was 50% repeat customers. First time visitors were there beause of recommendation, they came with a relative, this was the best priced all inclusive on the Island, or The Beaches was full. They were however impressed by the variety of the activities, I did not hear a definite complaint. A table at Lucayan restaurant was hard to get. I was surprised to be charged a cork fee ($20) for bringing my wine, since this is a dues paying club, not a usual restaurant, and this fee was not present at Sandpiper. There was no gift for silver members.
The food and the appetizers before the dinner were decent/ good, there was emphasis on ''Chef specialties'', but they were no match to CI ( that was a 4 trident village).The house wine was drinkable, and slightly better. The bar choices were reasonable , whithout change. The bar team tried hard, however they were sometime behind due surge in demand, and the mistakes happened. As a professional GM these are negligable to me , however, unforgivable for some newcomers and tripadvisor reviewers.
I stayed at a standard room on the first floor of the C building, facing the main alley, I think it was a good location. The room cleaning was prompt, the AC, the refrigerator worked, and there were 71 channels on the TV ( no wonder few people were around after 1 AM). There was a working CD player in the room.
I received my wake-up calls on time, to participate the power walk ( I needed it after closing the bar every night). There were plenty participants at this activity, only Sat morning I was alone with the GO; the morning tennis was also popular. I participated the fitness and the Zumba classes ( I knew one instructor from Sandpiper), and I received another medal. My team won the traditional pool volleyball. The ladies won the water polo match.
The pool games attracted few GMs, the morning and evening yoga, the beach volleyball were popular. Sailig was limited due to weather. I took the initiation lesson, but I did not sail by myself (weather not permitting). There were landsports on Sat, new from last year.
The after dinner dancing at the Sharkie''s was crowded, I believe this replaced the former beach party. The trapeze and the scuba were active. The soccer was now on the schedule eveyday, but not may participants. Many GMs sat at the communal tables ( with 7 chairs, instead of 8 at classical CM), I think eveybody liked meeting others, however the GMs were (only) mildly playful ( in my standards), and this is what the CM management wanted. CM tried to limit the crazy signs, a policy in the American zone since 2007. I had to counter with protests, and I squeezed out a little bit more. CM believes that Americans do not like crazy signs, but I could not confirm it in any of my conversations with the GMs ( new or veteran).
Sat-Sun the common TV area was busy due to the Winter Olympics, the entire wall was dedicated to the medal count. The Canadians cheared a lot when Canada won the ice hockey match.
I think this week was as good as it could get at this village. The first timers (if they are not picky), and the GMs who started visiting CM since 2003-2004 will like it. Those who has been aroung 15 plus years will not see the classical CM ambiance in the American zone, nor GOs doing body shots on the bar, or other activities. They will be memories we will be talking to each other, as long as the present CM CEO and the Board remains active in Paris.
This was a warm-up week for me. I am going to Kemer in May, and hopefully La Fidele in September to live the real CM.
