ORIGINAL MESSAGE / QUESTION / TRIP REPORT:

sea level review Posted By maura hagarty bannon on 05-21-2005 11:46:24am our family arrived at the boat dock to be picked up by the caretaker of Sealevel- he never showed. We were unable to raise anyone by phone so we 4 hours we rented a boat and made our way to the cottage. We happened upon our host in the local bar later that evening and well lets just say he had a lot of excuses. We met the couple in the other cottage who had a similiar story to tell about their arrival and it became a bit of a joke. We anticipated that our promised (and pre arranged ) lift back to the dock in order to catch our flight would not occur and so we made our way back in the boat that Austin had supplied; which unlike our rental boat( the return of which is another story) had no running lights, compass, or charger for the VHS. Luckily we had friends in a nearby sailboat with a portable GPS and we were able to get them to go with us as we made our way thru the pre dawn to the dock. Later when austin called me; (as he had transposed my visa numbers) I asked him about that and he said he had the flu. As this property is for sale; I can only hope that the new owner will be more responsible. The Abacos are gorgeous just get another rental.

Re: sea level review - maura Posted on: 06-27-2005 7:17:34am I was further disappointed by SealevelCottages: the same day this post was written by Austin, I rec'd notification of unauthorized charges on my credit cards- a month after our stay. I had to cancel them all as he obviously still had the numbers. Suffice it to say that Austin is great at fiction, but not good business.

Re: sea level review - Austin Smith Posted on: 06-11-2005 5:02:40am Maura Bannon, First, we are sorry that you did not enjoy your stay with us at Sea Level. But lets put this very rare situation that you encountered in perspective. We ( and every hotel/rental property) have check-in/check-out procedures that you as a guest have the responciblilty to know- they are on our web site! Your reservation however was a bit out of the ordinary as we received a call from you on Friday afternoon around 1pm on the 13th, you were looking for accommodations for the next day. We informed you that both Amy & I were in Florida on a short vacation, and that we were not accepting reservations for Saturday because that was the day I was to arrive back myself. You were not at all concerned with arrival " don't worry we live in the Bahamas" you told us, then...that you already had airfare but could not find accommoadtions. We agreeded to send you a reservation form, and gave you ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS.... we didn't pick you up because you didn't follow the arrival instructions given to you! When I met you at the Bar( the owner call to let me know you were there) I agreeded to pay for your rental boat( which I did) of $190.00 and apoligized for any misunderstanding. I made arrangement with you at the bar to meet you the next morning so that we could return the extra rental boat, as you would have to sign for it's return. The next morning I came to meet you.. you said that you would be right behind me, and that we would meet at the rental dock( as planed the night before). I waiting at the rental company for an hour, then had to return to the island. One hour after my return I get a call from you, saying that you have arrived at the boat rental company. I left and drove five miles by boat to meet you and bring you back. When I arrived at the boat rental company I asked your husband to please sign the rental agreement that had originally been set back incomplete ( incomplete card number, not signed). I at no time mentioned that on the rental agreement you had two people staying, and that you showed up with four people- something ( that as you should know from the web site) we charge extra for. You were not charged. As for your departure, our stated check-out time is 10am, you departed at 5am with no prior arrangements made for me to meet you at that time. We have met many guests at 5am,but, prior arrangement must be made, as we seldom do random "guest infomation" checks at this time in the morning. Concerning the boat- the house you rented comes with a 20' boat, we upgraded you(remember) to a 23' boat, and had you read any of the boat forms that you signed all of your problems would have been avoided. Once again, sorry you had a bad stay with us, there are responcibilies on both sides of any transaction, we however, feel we met ours. Austin Smith, Sea Level Cottages Special hotel and travel deals by TravelNow & CaribbeanMag.com Check rates and compare. Save up to 60%.