Festiva Resorts complaints resolved by new web presence

The latest Festiva Adventure Club complaints resolution effort (www.festivacomplaints.com) has helped to open new lines of communication between the company and its guests.   The site is set up to handle issues at a corporate level, as well as individual Festiva resorts complaints.

Festiva Hospitality Group and Festiva Adventure Club recently launched a new web presence, Festiva Complaints Resolution Center, aimed at resolving online Festiva Resorts complaints and providing information to owners and guests trying to resolve their various Festiva complaints.  Festiva has experienced an immediate positive reaction from its resort guests who have used the new service

“Since the launch of the Festiva Resorts Complaints Resolution site we have seen an overall decrease of complaints submitted to third-party websites as our customers are finding that when they contact us directly, their issues are resolved much faster and more effectively than when they submit their complaints to a third-party site that offers no resolution,” says Sara Little, Festiva’s Director of Corporate Communications.

One of the most significant accomplishments of the new site is the facilitated direction of complaints to the proper departments within the company for quicker resolution and away from false “Festiva scam” websites which were set up in the past to masquerade as the company’s complaints department.

Little explains, “We realized several years ago that in order to keep up with the fast-paced and ever-changing world of the internet, and specifically social media, we need to actively participate in the online conversations that are already taking place within our industry. We have since taken several steps to utilize various forms of technology to improve customer service and communication with our owners and guests, and festivacomplaints.com is the latest tool we are using to reach out to our web-savvy customers.”

Festiva Hospitality Group and Festiva Adventure Club’s family of resorts include a wide range of properties across the U.S. and Caribbean, including a fleet of luxury yachts.  Festiva resorts include such premium properties as the Church Street Inn, the Atrium Resort, and Ellington at Wachesaw Plantation East.

Visit Festiva Complaints Resolution Center at http://www.festivacomplaints.com.

Festiva Complaints Resolution Offers Unique Solution to Online Timeshare Industry Complaints

Festiva Complaints Resolution Center, a new online presence by Festiva Resorts, offers members and guests at Festiva’s timeshare resorts a unique opportunity to interface with Festiva’s customer care team to resolve problems, submit complaints, and read frequently asked questions and resolved complaints from other guests.

The timeshare industry’s online reputation has been inundated in recent years with various “consumer scam” and complaint sites, claiming to help consumer solve their problems.  In reality, these scam sites are set up to produce ill-gotten advertising revenue for their owners and offer little value to the consumer trying to open a dialogue that ends in their complaint being resolved or to obtain more information about their issue.

“We’re trying to make a proactive effort to meet online complaints “head-on”.  We are able to resolve an overwhelming majority of the issues that our guests bring to our attention, and we constantly strive to improve our methodology and service as it applies to consumer complaints”, says Sara B. Little, Festiva’s Director of Corporate Communications.

Guests are able to read special announcements from Festiva; for instance, a recent letter to members regarding special assessment has been posted on the site, along with updated comments from members, in order to dispel confusion about the program.  Along with various resolved Festiva complaints, member-specific information specially suited to resolving common issues can be found throughout the site.

Festiva Hospitality Group and Festiva Adventure Club operate a chain of resorts located in destinations across the United States and Caribbean.  Offering a full range of resort locales from luxurious beaches to historic neighborhoods, Festiva’s timeshare resorts provide the utmost in comfort, service, and luxury, while maintaining a family-oriented environment.

Visit Festiva’s Complaints Resolution Center at http://www.festivacomplaints.com

A Wedding in Paradise

We received the following story and photos from a Festiva Adventure Club member who recently got married at the Atrium Resort in St. Maarten. Danielle and Scott entered these into our 2010 Photo & Story contest and have allowed us to share their experiences here. This is one of those stories that makes us say, “THIS is what Festiva is all about!” Congratulations to newlyweds Danielle and Scott, and may you enjoy many family vacations with Festiva in the years to come!

A sunset wedding at the Atrium Resort & Spa in St. Maarten

My new husband and I spent a week at The Atrium Resort in St. Maarten.  While we were there we got married right on the beach at sunset.  The Atrium staff was the best staff that we have encountered in our travels. They were very willing to make our stay perfect.  The beach at the Atrium was the perfect location for the ceremony.  We would recommend this resort to everyone at Festiva.  We had guests staying at other resorts in the area and they were very disappointed with their amenities and told us next time they come to St. Maarten they will be staying at the Atrium.

- Danielle Brady & Scott Kennard

If you would like to view the other 2010 Vacation Photo & Story Contest submissions, please visit the Contest Page of our Festiva Blog and feel free to let us know in the Comments section which are your favorites. You can also see the photo submissions on our Facebook page.

Get the best at Zee Best

Zee Best is a heavenly taste of France conveniently located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten and is within walking distance from Festiva’s Atrium Resort.  Before heading to the beach, Zee Best is the perfect place to set your pace for the day. From 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. owner and lovely Frenchman Dominic, is serving his customers the most delectable and beautifully prepared omelets and crepes, sweet or savory.  Lunch begins at noon with specialties such as quiche and pasta.

Before you are even able to order juice and a café au lait, you are face to face with a basket of some of the most delicious croissants known to man. You definitely feel like you’ve died and gone to food heaven while eating coconut custard twists, chocolate almond croissants, apple turnovers and more at Zee Best.

If you’re really looking for a special treat, I would suggest trying the La Paysanne crepe (bacon, onions, cream and cheese), or the La Volaille crepe (chicken, tomatoes, onions, cream and cheese.) Or, the staff there is so friendly that they would be more than happy to make a crepe to your liking. But the La Paysanne and La Volaille are my favorites, especially if you’re looking for creamy cheesy goodness; this is exactly what you want.

You’ll definitely be missing out on a true dining experience if you leave the island of St. Maarten without making a quick stop in France for a scrumptious crepe or croissant!

- Claire Clayton

Festiva Sailing Vacations in St. Maarten

My time spent on the Smitten Kitten, one of Festiva’s catamarans, turned out to be one of my most memorable experiences. Festiva Sailiving Vacations is definitely one of the most unique trips you could ever take. I was only sailing for three days, but that was enough time for me to realize I was just given an opportunity of a lifetime.

To live on a boat gives you a new, maybe even better, outlook on life. I realized that people are constantly complicating life, when all you need to do is keep it simple.

Some may wonder about the bathrooms and bedrooms because they are indeed small, but it is so much fun! Your shower is your bathroom and you save an unimaginable amount of water from using seawater in the toilets.  I actually enjoyed the simplicity of it all; I found it incredibly rewarding and sincere.

Also, you feel like a family to the other guests and crew. If you want you can ask to assist the crew and learn how to sail and how the boat works, or you can also feel free to sit back and enjoy the ride. Being waited on and served gourmet meals didn’t hurt either. I was fed some of the best food I’ve ever had, including dinners I’ve had at five star restaurants.

I began each day with a quick dip in the ocean and maybe even an hour of snorkeling before setting sail to the next island; I was living the life!

It takes a few days to get your ‘sea legs’ but once you do, it’s hard to say goodbye! I miss the rocking of the boat at night, I felt like a little baby being rocked to sleep by the ocean.

I’m not sure if I’ll find any other experience that made me feel that at peace and appreciative than the time I spent on the boat.

This is definitely the perfect vacation for couples, especially if you’re looking for something exciting and different. Worried about staying with another couple you don’t know? That’s completely understandable, but our experienced Sailing Vacations reservations manager will match you with other sailors based on your age, interests, etc. It’s not uncommon for strangers to leave a sailing vacation with new friends for life!  Or you can consider getting your sister, brother, friend, and their spouses together for a sail around the islands.

The one thing I think people should know before taking a Festiva Sailing Vacation is that it is a luxury, just a different kind. I think it is the only vacation you can come home from and actually feel like you’ve had a cleansing, which is what vacationing should be about: cleansing the soul.

- Claire Clayton

Karakter Beach

If you’re looking for that secret spot, the one where locals choose to take their families on the weekends and where tourists can only dream about, I know just the place!

Karakter is a restaurant and lounge located on one of the most beautiful beaches on the Dutch side. This idyllic little hot spot not only amazing for its white sandy beach and blue water, but it is also:

• Located right in front of the runway of the airport
• Unique for its bar, which is served out of an abandoned bus
• Famous for its delectable and varied menu

It is possible to get there from the Atrium by foot, but you’ll have to be on the road for a few minutes before you can switch to a stroll on the beach. But no worries, there is plenty of space for parking if you decide to drive.

Karakter is not your typical packed beach on summer vacation; it’s got more of that laid-back European atmosphere. Across the beach lay white beanbag chairs instead of your typical plastic lawn chairs, and world music plays softly in the background.

Owned by a Dutch couple, this is a great place to meet people from all over. On my visit there I met couples from Holland and Atlanta, all in one day!

The menu also offers new and interesting dishes to try. The majority of the menu includes tapas and appetizers, which is all you need in-between naps under the sun. Their goat cheese bruschetta is undoubtedly my favorite on the menu.

Karakter’s drink menu is equally impressive. They have fresh and fruity cocktails, wine, champagne, and of course beer. Their mojitos turned out to be the drink most recommended. Their fresh and minty taste is the best way to cool off after a day in the sun.

While looking out into that Caribbean blue water it’s hard to stay on the beach for too long. In the water all that’s beneath your toes is white sand and maybe a few harmless fishes.

- Claire Clayton

Pineapple Pete’s

Pineapple Pete’s logo, “rum, sun and fun,” suits it well as there’s definitely plenty of all three at this St. Maarten restaurant and bar. Located across from Paradise Plaza Casino and Caribbean Cinemas in Simpson Bay, Pineapple Pete’s is a short walk from Festiva’s Atrium Resort. Highly recommended by the Atrium staff, I found this laid-back beach bar to be perfect in every way. They have:

• Great food
• Great service
• been voted #1 place for live music

Pineapple Pete’s was also voted in the top 2 for best international cuisine. Within the first week I was here Pete’s was the restaurant recommended most by locals and tourists alike. And by the looks of the menu, there’s something for everyone. From a children’s menu and salads all the way to crab stuffed shrimps, rack of lamb, and amazing steaks. Whether you’re taking a break from the beach or looking for after dinner cocktails, Pineapple Pete’s suits everyone’s appetite.

Live music happens nightly and lunch and dinner is served every day of the week! Tired from catching waves and sunshine? No worries, Pineapple Pete’s full menu is also available for take out.  Save a little bit of money and stop by the activities desk at the Atrium and Sherlyn or Nancy will be happy to hand you a 10% off food and drinks coupon.

At Pineapple Pete’s you’ll also find that it lives up to St. Maarten’s friendly island reputation. On the island it is a known fun fact that the pineapple symbolizes hospitality, and it’s obvious that this Margaretville look-a-like bar is trying to make everyone feel welcome! So if you’re searching for great food, service and live entertainment, Pineapple Pete’s is highly recommended by the Atrium Resort!

- Claire Clayton

St. Barths

A trip to St. Barths was the perfect start to Fourth of July weekend. Our day began at 8:15 where we met at the Pelican Marina, a few short steps away from the Atrium. I was baffled to learn that when sailing on “The Edge,” the 40 minute sail to a little French Caribbean island was only costing us $65! This doesn’t include the endless amount of free refreshments: sodas, beer and water.

When sailing from St. Maarten to St. Barths it can be a little bumpy since the boat must work against the waves. However, with a lighthearted crew and great friends I hardly noticed what the captain considered ‘rough.’

Once I arrived on the French island of 24 square kilometers I was immediately taken aback by its beauty. The streets were so clean they almost looked polished, and nestled comfortably up in the mountains sit adorable villas, all with red roofs.

St. Barths, discovered by Columbus in 1493, is named after his brother, Bartholomeo.

The island’s beaches are among the most beautiful in the Caribbean. My favorite place we visited was the Eden Rock Resort and Private Residence Club, a lovely place to explore its architecture and breathtaking beaches.

Although we weren’t staying there, we had no problem enjoying the beach. In fact, all beaches are public and free according to French law.

The island is known for its extreme amount of wealth, but don’t let that intimidate you. Its inhabitants are very friendly and though the official language of St. Barths is French, English is widely spoken as well. The two major shopping areas are Gustavia (the island’s capital) and Saint-Jean. Here you will find your nicest, designer shopswhich include:

• Louis Vouitton
• Bvlgari
• Cartier
• Hermes

And many more! The village of Corossol is more traditional for hand-made straw objects. Most of the shops close around 2 so it is best to do the majority of your shopping in the morning. Because it is such a quick and enjoyable ferry ride from St. Maarten, visiting St. Barths is one of the most popular day trips to take while staying at Festiva’s Atrium Resort.

For lunch, Shell Beach is a quiet and peaceful place to sip on pineapple rum, grab a fish sandwich and revel in the beauty of a white sandy beach that feels like satin underneath your toes. In terms of money, the euro is the legal currency. However, dollars are also accepted. In restaurants, French law applies, which means service is included in the prices on the menu. A small token of appreciation, or as the French say, “pourboire” (tip), is customary.

At 3:45 it was time to had back to the ferry for St. Maarten, which ended up being a very smooth ride as now the waves were helping to guide us home to St. Maarten. It was as if I had spent the day in France, and it only took 40 minutes to get there!

- Claire Clayton

Arriving in Paradise

Arrival Date: June 28, 2010

From the moment I stepped into the Atrium’s avant-garde lobby, I immediately felt a familiar sense of home. It had been a couple years since I had last visited but that did not stop the staff from welcoming my friend, Caroline, and I with open arms. It’s a rare experience to see a group of people who work together and also behave as if they were old family and friends.

Three girls made a memorable first impression on Caroline and I within the first couple of days.

• Joan: General Manager
• Sherlyn: Activities Coordinator
• Nancy: Activities Coordinator, and Sherlyn’s partner in crime

One thing I love and noticed immediately when I arrived is there is no stereotype for this little island—it accepts all walks of life. After becoming acquainted with a few members of the staff, Caroline and I went to relax in our condo, which was more than I expected.

From our balcony view, ten to fifteen boats rocked lazily under the Caribbean sun. We’re on the fifth floor of a ten-story building and we arguably have one of the best views of the ocean, whose waves glisten like crystals under a magnifying glass.

In the backyard of our new home lays an impressively developed city for such a small island. We’re within walking distance of adorable shops and bistros.  I look forward to exploring how this 37-mile long island manages to join two Nations together, the French and the Dutch, and still stay one of the most personable and relaxed islands I’ve ever come across.

- Claire Clayton

Hello world!

Festiva’s St. Maarten Correspondents

We are proud to introduce Claire Clayton and Caroline Aylward, two students from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Claire is a 20-year-old Professional Writing major from Asheville, N.C., and Caroline is a 21-year-old Film major from Winter Park, Fla.

They are embarking on a journey this summer to gain experience in their respective fields and to provide information and firsthand experiences of Festiva’s Atrium Resort & Spa, Festiva Sailing Vacations and attractions, events and activities in St. Maarten.

Their updates can be found here as well as on the Atrium Resort website and the Blog for Festiva Sailing Vacations, SailFestiva.com.

For any questions or suggestions about this blog, please contact Festiva’s Corporate Communications Department at comments@festiva.travel.