Lakes Global Resorts

Lakes Global Resorts, operating from an office in Miramar, Florida, presents itself as a travel agency specializing in discounted vacation packages to popular destinations. The company promotes attractive getaways, often including stays in Orlando and Miami, cruises, and car rentals, all bundled into what appear to be highly affordable travel deals. However, a deep dive into customer feedback and public records reveals a pattern of serious complaints and significant discrepancies between the advertised services and the actual experiences reported by a large number of clients.

The Initial Offer: An Alluring Proposition

The process for many customers begins with an unsolicited phone call or an online advertisement promising an exceptionally low-priced holiday package. These offers are often framed as exclusive promotions for a limited time, creating a sense of urgency. The initial pitch might include multiple components, such as a multi-night stay in an Orlando resort, a subsequent stay in Miami, a short cruise to the Bahamas, and a rental car for the duration of the trip. The price point is typically so appealing that it prompts interested parties to provide an initial deposit, often in the range of a few hundred dollars, to secure the deal.

This initial stage is critical to the company's model, as securing a financial commitment is often the first step. Sales agents are reportedly persuasive, highlighting the value and benefits of the package while downplaying the terms and conditions that later become major points of contention for customers.

A Pattern of Complaints: Unraveling the Reality

Despite the appealing facade, Lakes Global Resorts holds a very low customer rating across various platforms. The vast majority of public reviews are intensely negative, with dozens of clients detailing similar and troubling experiences. These accounts paint a picture that starkly contrasts with the promise of a carefree dream vacation. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has assigned the company its lowest possible rating, an 'F', based on numerous unresolved customer complaints that echo the reviews found elsewhere.

The Hidden Costs and Additional Fees

A primary and recurring complaint involves unexpected financial demands after the initial deposit is paid. Customers report that once the first payment is made, the company begins to introduce a series of additional, mandatory charges. These are often described as resort fees, taxes, or reservation processing fees that were not clearly disclosed during the initial sales call.

Clients describe a frustrating cycle where they are repeatedly contacted and pressured to make further payments. Having already invested money, many feel trapped, fearing the loss of their initial deposit if they don't comply. This tactic of incremental payments can cause the final cost of the trip to balloon far beyond the originally quoted price, turning an affordable deal into a significant financial burden. The promised 'inclusive' package becomes a piecemeal collection of separate, and often inflated, charges.

The Timeshare Presentation Requirement

Perhaps the most significant and often understated component of these vacation packages is the mandatory attendance at a lengthy timeshare or vacation club presentation. Many customers claim they were not fully aware that the discounted trip was contingent upon them dedicating several hours of their vacation to a high-pressure sales pitch. The penalty for skipping this presentation is reportedly severe, with clients mentioning fines of several hundred dollars being charged to their credit cards. This suggests that the primary purpose of the travel package may not be to provide a holiday, but to generate leads for timeshare sales, with the tour operator's role being that of a facilitator for these sales events.

Issues with Hotel Reservations and Other Bookings

Another area of major concern revolves around the legitimacy of the bookings themselves. Numerous clients have alleged that their reservations were either non-existent or problematic. There are multiple accounts of travelers contacting hotels or cruise lines directly, only to be told that no reservation exists under their name, or that the booking is merely a temporary hold without confirmed payment. These have been described as "phantom reservations."

Specific complaints include:

• Cruise Bookings: Several customers have shared harrowing stories of being informed just a day or two before their scheduled departure that their cruise was canceled. The reasons provided are often vague, leaving families who have already traveled to Florida stranded and without a key component of their planned trip. In some cases, customers who investigated directly with the cruise line discovered that a booking was never finalized.
• Hotel Accommodations: The quality of the hotels provided is often cited as being far below what was promised. Furthermore, even when a hotel reservation exists, customers report arriving to find that it is not fully paid for, leading to difficult situations at the check-in counter.
• Car Rentals: The "included" car rental is another point of contention. Reports indicate that the actual cost, after factoring in all the necessary fees and insurance pushed by the rental company in coordination with the package, is often double the market rate, negating any perceived savings.

Customer Service and Communication Breakdown

When problems arise, customers report extreme difficulty in obtaining resolutions from Lakes Global Resorts. A common theme is a complete breakdown in communication. Clients claim that once full payment is made or when they begin to question charges and inconsistencies, company representatives become unresponsive. There are multiple reports of phone numbers being disconnected or of customers being blocked on messaging apps like WhatsApp, particularly after requesting refunds. This lack of accountability leaves travelers feeling abandoned and without recourse, especially when they are already on their trip and facing problems in real time.

Conclusion: A High-Risk Proposition

In the field of travel planning, trust and transparency are paramount. While Lakes Global Resorts advertises services typical of a travel agency, including access to all-inclusive resorts and streamlined cruise bookings, the overwhelming weight of customer feedback raises serious red flags. The business model appears to rely on an attractive initial offer that leads to a series of escalating costs, undisclosed obligations like timeshare presentations, and unreliable reservations.

Potential customers considering a deal from this company should exercise extreme caution. It is crucial to demand all terms, conditions, and a full breakdown of costs in writing before making any payment. Verifying reservations directly with every airline, hotel, and cruise line is an essential step. Given the consistent pattern of severe complaints, the risk of encountering significant financial loss and a ruined vacation appears to be exceptionally high.