Absolutely Disappointed — A Place That Thinks It’s Elite But Acts Anything But
I had previously stayed at Mermaid Beach Resort in 2023 and had a wonderful experience. That’s precisely why I chose to rebook this August — for my first wedding anniversary, a very special occasion. Unfortunately, this time their service and communication were shockingly poor, to the point of being downright disrespectful.
After my booking was confirmed, I was supposed to receive a payment mail as a follow-up. I never got it. When I informed them, instead of re-sending a fresh one (as any professional establishment would), they simply forwarded the same mail that never reached me in the first place. Spoiler: it didn’t reach me the second time either.
On a Friday morning, while I was outside, they texted me on WhatsApp with the payment link and gave me a 30-minute ultimatum to pay — yes, 30 minutes, despite their own policy clearly stating a six-hour window. It felt less like a reminder and more like an order, as if I was working for them and not the other way around. When I couldn’t make the payment within their arbitrary 30-minute deadline (again — because I was out and it was FRIDAY), they abruptly cancelled my reservation without even a proper call, explanation, or concern for my situation. No warning. No grace period. No empathy.
Let me be clear: I had the money. I had the intent. What I didn’t have was time to be bullied into a rushed transaction by a team that clearly lacks basic communication skills and courtesy. For a resort that markets itself as “boutique” and “elite,” the service was nothing short of cheap and transactional.
What hurts most is that I trusted them for a special celebration. They knew it was my anniversary. They knew I was a returning guest. But clearly, loyalty and customer experience mean nothing here. It’s just about the money — and fast.
Turns out, I’m not alone. After this incident, I found multiple people sharing similar stories — how rude, unhelpful, and condescending their staff can be, especially over booking/payment issues. Seems like Mermaid is coasting on their one big advantage: direct beach access. But let me tell you — when the service is this bad, that oceanfront view becomes a whole lot less appealing.
If you’re planning something special, meaningful, or even remotely human, I’d advise you to look elsewhere. There are plenty of resorts in Cox’s Bazar with better staff, better service, and at this point, better basic decency.
Mermaid — you lost a loyal customer. Not because of your prices. But because you forgot how to...
Read moreUtterly Disappointed – This Place Fell Far Below Expectations
Where do I even begin? Let’s start with the location—because honestly, that’s about the only thing this place got right. The setup is nice and the sea views are stunning. But don’t let that fool you. Beyond the scenery, everything else was a cascade of letdowns.
The food? Mediocre at best, with very limited options. Breakfast was downright unacceptable—well below any reasonable standard. What made it worse? Ants crawling all over the food section and items that looked far from fresh. It was enough to make you lose your appetite.
Facilities and activities? Non-existent. We were told boating was the only thing available, yet ironically, there was an activity board on display like some sort of cruel joke. The kids were heartbroken. We had come expecting fun and relaxation, but there was nothing to keep them engaged.
We booked three rooms. Not a single one had olive oil, which was supposedly a basic amenity. One of the rooms had a cockroach crawling around—a disturbing and unacceptable sight. Another room had a blocked sink and no running water due to a motor failure. No one warned us. No one fixed it. We were left unable to shower, and even though the staff and managers acknowledged the issue, they showed zero urgency or interest in resolving it—or offering any form of compensation.
But it didn’t stop there. Due to the water issues and desperate to let the kids enjoy something, we agreed to pay to use one villa beyond checkout so they could swim. What a mistake. We were made to feel completely unwelcome—like intruders rather than paying guests. Staff even denied us access to the pool to check on our children!
And then came the final insult: a hidden charge for using the pool. After everything we’d endured, they actually tried to squeeze more money out of us.
When we brought our concerns to the manager, he deflected blame onto the staff, saying they were from small villages and lacked training. But that excuse only underlines the core problem: this is a case of poor management and complete lack of guest care.
A weak “sorry” doesn’t begin to make up for the ruined experience we had—especially with a group of 10 people, including young kids who deserved better.
Please, think twice before booking this place. Don’t let the view fool you. If you value your time, money, and peace of...
Read moreI recently had the unfortunate experience of staying at the Mermaid Beach Resort, and I must say it fell far short of my expectations. Despite its quiet ambiance and being kid-friendly, there were several significant drawbacks that outweighed any positive aspects.
First and foremost, the resort's exorbitant prices left a bitter taste in my mouth. The rooms were not only overpriced but also overhyped. The amenities and facilities provided did not match the high costs. I expected luxury and comfort, but instead, I found myself in an average room with subpar furnishings. It felt like a classic case of charging customers more than what the experience was truly worth.
To make matters worse, the resort took advantage of its monopoly on food options in the area. With no other restaurants available nearby, the Mermaid Beach Resort had a captive audience and exploited it by charging exorbitant prices for their food. The lack of competition resulted in inflated food prices, making every meal an expensive affair. Considering the poor quality of the food, it felt like a double blow. The taste and presentation were lackluster, leaving much to be desired. It's disappointing when you pay a premium for something and receive substandard quality in return.
One of the few redeeming features of the Mermaid Beach Resort was its large swimming pool. However, even this aspect had its drawbacks. The management imposed a baffling rule that guests were only allowed to access the pool once during their stay. This restriction seemed unnecessary and inconvenient. For a resort that markets itself as family-friendly, such limitations on pool usage felt unjustified and disappointing.
Overall, my experience at the Mermaid Beach Resort was far from satisfactory. The expensive and overhyped rooms, coupled with the resort's monopoly on food prices, left a sour taste in my mouth. The poor quality of the food further exacerbated the disappointment. While the tranquility and family-friendly atmosphere were appreciated, they were overshadowed by the resort's shortcomings. It is regrettable that the management failed to live up to their promises and deliver a truly enjoyable and memorable stay. I would not recommend this resort to anyone seeking a quality...
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