TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin TV at Club O

Just arrived today at Club O. Can not believe that they put TV's in every room. I don't watch TV at home and will not even turn one on here. Oh well, to each his own.

Wow, OK, that is big news! Didn't realize they finally were going to do that! You are an unusual person, if you don't watch TV at home. To me, I know it is controversial, but a long time coming...

I'm mixed on that news......I hope it adds a little something to do at night as opposed to a gravitational pull during the day. All we need is a yellow umbrella.

What channels/language do they have?

really...who has TV when they are camping?

I do watch TV at home, but have no intention to watch it while at Club O. I'd rather they didn't install them, instead the money could have been better spent on grills. But, that's just me.

I thought Club O was re-opening this coming Monday (Oct 5)? Oh well, they're probably trying to reduce traffic on their wifi. With the number of folks streaming videos, etc, it was taxing their wifi capacity and making Internet use difficult which has been an ongoing problem.

We used to have a small battery operated one. Hubby's addicted---can't enter a room that he heads for the TV. But I think it's for background noise. Personally, I can live without it.

Having on in our SXM unit DID help once. Had on CNN and suddenly heard "Live from Ashton, RI ....flooding..." That's only a few miles from us so we called home to make sure we had no problem.

Are the TVs mounted on the wall?

Yes they are mounted on the wall.

I thought they weren't supposed to open yet either. And yes, that is supposedly the reason why they did it. People were using their wifi to download movies, etc., anyway, making it almost unuseable. Frankly, I think it's a good idea. Just because it's there, doesn't mean you have to watch it, but it is something that may attract some new visitors in.

re the TVs working yet and if so,what channels are available?

Maybe Jim could find out about the TV'S,English channels, etc. Good addition in my book!

Totally agree with you there!!! It would be great to have a grill outside each room. We have NO intention of ever turning on a TV there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Second that!! Grills would be a great addition. I like Papagayos, but not every night, and part of the allure of Club O is not getting dressed to go out!

..and having grills in all the units would most likely negatively affect their income from Papagayo. Which to me means it is perfectly logical they WOULDN'T do that.. You can always buy your own disposable grill for $20 or so..

Ban the grills, they will increase the ozone depletion and accelerate global warming.

Embrace the tv's, in the near future you could be sitting in the dayroom of your nursing home staring blankly at a tv.

They used to have grills outside each room. They were the hibachi (sp) type, but were at every unit. That was before the ownership change.

Used to be, based on reports more than several years ago you could get them from the guard shack. But think that is no longer the case as have not read about that in several years now.

I think they see it as a revenue negative now. Not only would they have to buy the grills and maintain/replace them, but then the restaurant also loses money as a result. So there is zero incentive and actually a disincentive to provide grills.

But they are easily obtainable on the island. I have seen the disposable type (would easily work for more than one time and maybe even a week) available all over the island.

I don't think grills would affect Papagayo that much. We would still go there after dinner for drinking and dancing. Built-in grills would be safer than the disposable grills too. Just my opinion. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I think if they are provided it makes more of a difference than you imagine.

Think of it this way -- just each unit just once per week uses a grill instead of going to the restaurant. That is a lot of money. What they are counting on is that people do not want to go to the effort of buying the grill, etc. So then you choice is to go to the restaurant. Say even 1 time a week for only 20% of the occupancy -- consider the price of a typical meal, then you are not talking chump change at all. Now also consider the cost of providing the grills for every unit and the maintenance/replacement cost and it gets to be real money real fast.

If they had grills one would have to put on clothing to go to the market to buy steaks---such a waste.

Besides, you'd have to be very carefully about grease splashes---could be very painful in the wrong place.

It's just conjecture, but we would still go to Papagayo just as often, and probably most others also would. The difference is that we'd be cooking our burgers & steaks on a grill vs. a stove top - better taste. Regarding TV's, many think that it would change the dynamic of staying there. People actually now go out for a walk and socialize. There has been a medium sized flat-screen in the Community Room, and more often than not it is unused. And, although the units aren't resplendent in luxury, I would hardly equate them with camping. It's part of the overall experience of staying there. Once we tried it, we were hooked.

Biturbo,

I agree with "the dynamic of staying there". I haven't been there yet with the televisions but I do remember no air conditioning. I was happy with just the fans and breezes. I never imagined televisions. I can't imagine how anybody can call Club Orient Resort, 'camping'. Apparently those folks haven't gotten around much. I do believe that the 'Club' has out priced themselves, as far as I am concerned, but had I a few dollars more I would certainly choose them over a 'non camping' venue. lol Anyway, I am one who would never use the television, no matter where I am, Club Orient, or otherwise. If I recall, I didn't even use the air conditioner when last there. My first trip was in November of 1989. Be well.

Wayne <><

Not sure that I completely agree with you regarding the grills. Yes, we have going to Papaguyo when we stayed there. But then we grill out a lot at home also. So maybe depending on how much you grill out makes a difference.

Not sure that we would consider doing the steak on the stove top at ClubO, but a grill definately. But on another point is lunch -- before the change in ownership then grills where there with every unit. So many times, I would go back and start the charcol amd then we would have burgers, chicken, sometimes even steak, etc. Part of it was convenience but also it got us out of the sun some, and we did not have to spend a fortune for lunch, wine, etc. (not that it is a fortune, and probably bad wording, but think you get what I mean) And it was convenient - that is also a big consideration.

Now I do not know what the store has now -- but then, they had charcol, lighter fluid, steaks, etc. no problem. I imagine that is still the case today. So you still do not have to leave the resort. Given that, I will tell you that we did go out to the local groceries for the provisions for the most part. Put it this way a "company store" is not generally your best value, beside we always had a car.

With regard to the TV, I would like it. Not that I would watch it regularly, but at times in the evening, absolutely. Still would go out and socialize. But I remember one trip at ClubO, where it literally rained all day for several days (we are not talking 15 minute showers, we are talking all day rain) --- now that was miserable at the time -- and probably the only time when I could not wait for the plane to get back home. We had to leave the resort in the rain and try to find something to do, if there had been a TV then that would have helped.... but that normally is not the case, but that time it was. Imagine a great beach that basically you cannot use at all. They tried even a day to two, but what people had to to was stand up by the umbrellas, close them around you and shiver! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Club O's reason for putting in the TVs is that people were using the internet to get TV stations and that was interfering with the net's primary purpose.

Could be a revenue generator as well. They could sell a to go box with a couple of steaks, salad, veg and a par baked potato with toppings on the side or other proteins. Make it less than the restaurant but build in a margin. I would buy it for the portion with no waste, convienance of not having to leave the property and the dinner at home feel. Get to drink your own wine as well.

One of the reasons we liked Club O so much was there was no TV, no pool, and no Telephone. We saw the phone as a waste, and the TV more so. I think the resort has lost some of the personal feel since the change of ownership, and especially some of the changes the first manager implemented. Doing away with the grills, doing away with having a bottle of wine awaiting you in the fridge when you arrived, and having a real bar of Nivea soap for the shower. Albeit little things, but they made you feel special. Now you no longer even get a bottle of wine.

If people were using band width to see programs, I don't see the answer as putting in TV. People are still going to watch things on the Internet. Money probably would be better spent on additional Internet circuits.

Don't get me wrong, Club O is still a wonderful magical place but not as wonderful as it once was. It has just lost a lot of its uniqueness and charm, and is becoming like so many other hotels and resorts.

They already have a grocery store at Club O, and they used to, at least, have small packages of stuff, like 6 eggs, half pound of bacon, 2 steaks, etc.. Doing a to-go box would definitely just eat into their profit.

Best thing to do would be to implement internet filters that block streaming content. It's cheap and effective.

... and tends to make your customers cranky.

Clarification; the hibachis were NOT supplied by Club O. They were bought by guests (sometimes sold at the store)and left behind. The ones you got for "free" at the guard shack where left overs from previous guests. Given the very nature of salt air and iron pits, it would be a freaking nightmare for management to actually try and maintain regular grills.

And before anyone goes all Papagayo-conspiracy-theory here; please remember that all kitchens have a fully equipped kitchen.

The pool with a swim-up bar will in in place for Christmas.

One of the previous statements is a total lie.

Walmart sells a very nice, square, covered grill for about 10 bucks. Take it out of the box, put it in your luggage or backpack, takes very little room, pack around it and eave it when you leave. Good way to make friends, others will borrow, and appreciate the "gift" when you leave. Been doing it for years. Probably left enough for half the units myself, although I never see them when I return.

I think you are correct about the ones you got from the guard shack. But prior to the ownership change, they were provided by the resort. Every unit had the same ones. They did away with them with the new ownership.

Don't think it is really a conspiracy as much as just simple cost savings.

TV (the original topic): I love it, it will be a nice touch on a rainy day or evening and I expect it will be popular. CO is a bit rustic but it's not camping, it's a hotel and nearly every other one has TV. Brings it up to date a bit. If it's not wanted, don't turn it on.

Grill: I keep one down there and use it plenty but you can also buy one for next to nothing at many places, including La Boutique. They also sell frozen Omaha Steak style stuff (including fish, lobster, duck, etc) and pretty much anything else you need. I bring down my own steaks, burgers etc but we still eat at Papagayo a lot because it's good and it's a fun part of the experience.

From Club O's Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/ClubOrientweb page )

"We are thrilled to have our guests �home� with us at Club O! We had a great first day back and are excited to showcase some of what we�ve been working on throughout the summer which includes, but is not limited to: state-of-the-art TVs in all of the rooms, new dinner and lunch menus at Papagayo, sleek LED laser focused gooseneck bed lamps, to be installed by end of month, continuing to beautify the landscaping throughout the resort, 15 units upgraded -- some partially, some completely -- which includes new mattresses, couches, curtains, and more on the way. Come see for yourself!"

Sounds like they made quite a few improvements.

Ah, new mattresses.................that,s the ticket.........to go along with that vastly needed improvement..........I hope they read this and put something under the bed frame legs to keep them from sliding on the floor ....... Rubber feet cushions?????

Don't forget the pool will have a lazy river tube track to take you to the perch.

Hopefully your post is "tongue-in-cheek".

More ozone depletion is caused by one jet taking off from the airport than all of the grills at Club O could contribute in a whole year.

I like the idea of a TV. If it's raining and /or lunchtime, turning the TV on might help with some "downtime".
If you don't want it, don't turn it on. One problem I can think of, is us "older" patrons, might have our TV a little too loud, and the neighbors might not enjoy what we are watching. The walls are thin enough without a TV blasting next door. Similar to a radio, I guess. You have to be considerate of others.

I'm not sure if it is correct or not, but I heard the TV's would have a governor to keep them from being turned up too loud. To ME, a loud TV from next door truly is the only thing people who are not themselves interested in TV could complain about. If you're not interested in TV, just don't turn it on!!! Even though people here say that they will not watch TV at Club O, don't do so at home, they use the internet, at least at home, and this should make it easier to connect to the net from the units..