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Karakter...not so much fun
#122039
02/26/2017 03:29 PM
02/26/2017 03:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750 Ohio
ruralcarrier
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750
Ohio
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What started out as a good beach day at Karakter did not end that way. Very busy and happy for them for that but service was the worst I have ever experienced there. The initial beach guy who greeted us before they were very busy did not return for over an hour. We finally ordered some drinks from another server and then lunch.
We occupied 2 separate beach tables/lounges and made that clear. The food came and the first order for one person was wrong. It was rectified and then we ordered another bucket of beer. 30 minutes go by and no beer so we order from another server who came by. The beer shows up and we finish lunch and them take a couple of dips. Two others then ordered water and it never shows.
A disc jockey shows up and the very relaxing background music turns to a overly loud jungle theme that is blaring. It is obvious many people did not enjoy the volume or the music and you could see people clearing out.
Based up on the lack of consistent drink and lunch service, I was sure the bill would not be correct. We were charged for the one entree we did not order and also an additional bucket of beer that was never served.
Trying to pay was another issue since people (of all ages ) were leaving and likely due to the music. I mentioned the music volume and was told "that is how the young people like it and perhaps we should have not come on Sunday". I grew up in the era of loud rock music but this totally messed up an otherwise potentially decent day.
Between the lack of service, the music volume and the attitude when paying, it may be a while before I return, if ever.
Most of the food was decent, except for the nachos that were one giant lump of melted cheese on chips, it was a disappointing experience compared to multiple past visits.
J.D.
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#122040
02/26/2017 03:42 PM
02/26/2017 03:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,160 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,160
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Sorry to hear of your bad experience today at Karakter. For some reason it seems that when some places become too popular, the service and whole experience declines.It has always been such a nice place to spend the day, but if the owners do not correct this problem, their business will definitely suffer.Perhaps a conversation with the owner could help to improve the situation for yourself and others for future visits.
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: islandgem]
#122042
02/26/2017 03:48 PM
02/26/2017 03:48 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750
Ohio
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If I knew who the owner was, I might try that. It was obvious the person taking the money that I attempted to talk to didn't really care.
The overly loud music thinned the crowd out considerable.
Should have gone to Mullet Bay I guess.
J.D.
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#122043
02/26/2017 05:03 PM
02/26/2017 05:03 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,671
Brookfield, CT.
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We reached that opinion three or four trips back, and at first we thought it was just Sunday's they were catering to a different crowd and packing them in like sardines. If you came early the chances were very good your car would be blocked on departure and if you came late there was no place to park.
So we said so much for Sunday's and made it a weekday spot for a couple of trips. The music wasn't quite as loud but the service was still poor and you were still crammed in to the point you had no privacy for your conversations and it just plain wasn't any fun.
Good luck with your next choices - you might try El Zafiro - it's much what Karakter was like in the beginning but it too is increasing in popularity. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#122044
02/26/2017 05:21 PM
02/26/2017 05:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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We don't really need to go there to the beach any more when we're staying at Beachside, but I have to say their food and service seems to have suffered to me. We go for just lunch sometimes, but maybe not so much in future.
Carol Hill
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: GaKaye]
#122046
02/26/2017 06:06 PM
02/26/2017 06:06 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750
Ohio
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Sad and glad it is just not me. One or two places to walk from 2nd row to the beach as the lounges were within inches of each other.
J.D.
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#122047
02/26/2017 06:23 PM
02/26/2017 06:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,301 Upstate New York
Cheryl_Ted
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,301
Upstate New York
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JD, we had a similar experience in November. We weren't there on a Sunday, but the service really sucked. We asked a couple of the help questions, and they looked at us like we had four heads! Chairs are new (from last year), and more comfortable, but when you're packed in like sardines, the comfort (zone) disappears! It took us over 15 minutes to pay the check. We asked for it and no one ever came with it. Went up to the bar, they finally retrieved it, and took them "forever" to figure out the charge card machine! It was like they had never used it before.
Lunch was "okay", but nothing to write home about. With so many beaches that also have finer dining attached (Dreams and Palm Beach come to mind), I know we won't go back to Karakter again.
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#122050
02/26/2017 09:23 PM
02/26/2017 09:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 882 Arizona
marybeth
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Traveler
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Posts: 882
Arizona
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Totally agree with you. I never said anything a couple of trips ago cuz they still had many fans, but our experience was not a good one either. Never again!
MB
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: marybeth]
#122051
02/26/2017 10:09 PM
02/26/2017 10:09 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 552 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
KGB
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Posts: 552
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Sorry to hear that you folks had a bad experience.... We were there Saturday and it was pretty much empty till about 2 pm. Sunday we dropped 12 members of our group there around 10 am and they had no problem getting chairs. Nobody complained about service either, they ordered lots of food and drinks and everything was perfect. It took a bit longer than usual but nothing crazy...
"Often Wrong, Never in Doubt"
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: sxmmm1987]
#122054
02/27/2017 09:14 AM
02/27/2017 09:14 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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Well, I would beg to differ that the ambiance is perfect, if there is blaring loud music.
Carol Hill
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: deirdre1]
#122055
02/27/2017 10:32 AM
02/27/2017 10:32 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671
Brookfield, CT.
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Once again, your post goes to show, we can all look at the same thing and see it so differently. I'm one who loved the original version of Karakter with Jorritt and his staff making it the 'in' place to go on the Dutch side - free chairs on an uncrowded beach with great food and soft music playing in the background and all this with excellent service to boot. I couldn't have asked for any more.
While the changes of late make it a very unappealing place to me, obviously others see it in a totally different light. And the beat goes on....... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> :
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: foreversxm]
#122057
02/27/2017 11:10 AM
02/27/2017 11:10 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671
Brookfield, CT.
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forever,
Many of us are holdovers from back in the day..... and may have been trying to just hang on to our great memories of a fledgling place we grew to love long before it became the 'in' place to be on the Dutch side. As I suggested earlier, my experiences over the last year or two is that it's been trying to appeal to a different clientele and obviously, there are many who enjoy the changes SO to each their own.
And I think, regarding that 'other' place, judging by the larger numbers we saw there in January, and as much as I want them to succeed BIG TIME, I think from now on I'm going to refrain from using their name in print so hopefully, there will be room for us there come April. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: Teresasxm]
#122059
02/27/2017 01:14 PM
02/27/2017 01:14 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671
Brookfield, CT.
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Teresa,
John and I have stayed at the Boon over the years and while it's not our favorite beach, we do enjoy it there as well as being Boonies for a day. Some days we go for breakfast and most often for lunch and we enjoy their free lounges with meal purchase.
Jorritt and his wife were the original owners and we heard they did open another place on Curaçao and they were well received there, too.
I get the current changes but just find them not to be to my tastes since there are more than enough beaches that pack you in sardine-style and perhaps it's age, but I don't particularly enjoy the music choices, preferring the sounds of the waves over all else. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Karakter...not so much fun
[Re: pat]
#122060
02/27/2017 01:17 PM
02/27/2017 01:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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Pat--I just re-read JD's original post and it sounds like maybe the loud music was a Sunday afternoon thing? I've not been there when they had loud music. I'm with you, I actually much prefer NO music at all, but loud music would clear me out in a heartbeat..
Last edited by Carol_Hill; 02/27/2017 02:07 PM.
Carol Hill
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