"Partial ocean view"

positivek

Hi all-
Forgive me if this seems like a dumb question, but I don't actually have a lot of experience with staying at beachfront places. I'm having a little trouble discerning "ocean view" from "partial ocean view". Now to me, ocean view is a flat out full view. And partial? I'm not sure. You can kind of see it through the trees? You can see a sliver of it if you lean out really far? Or just from one window?

A google search didn't really help. Nor did YouTube videos of rooms. In fact, some rooms billed as "ocean view" that I then looked up online didn't appear to have that, you know, panoramic full out view of the ocean. I've also read reviews on tripadvisor where people complain about how their "ocean view" was really more partial.

So, how do you really know what you're getting? Is it, in your opinion, worth it to spring for ocean view? How did you handle it if it wasn't exactly the view you expected?

I'm only asking this stuff because I notice how much the prices jack up over this terminology and I feel like, if I'm staying at the beach, then yeah, I'd like to see the ocean and just want to get what I paid for.

Thank you!

acaponi87

I think you are on the right track.

When I've been on trips with "views" it's been pretty standard..."lagoon view room"--full unobstructed view of lagoon. "Ocean view room" = full, unobstructed view of ocean.  In my head, "partial ocean view" is probably obsured by trees or something. 

I'd imagine it depends on the hotel. I think your best bet is to check out the TripAdvisor reviews. And I would check the customers photos on TA. You can tell a lot from those. 

[Deleted User]

What resort are you looking at?

It really depends on the resort and how it is situated. Partial ocean view is generally obstructed by something or only a side view. Ocean view could be a full view but far away (again depends on how the resort is situated) or it could also be slightly obstructed by something (palm trees come to mind) but still with a decent view of the ocean or it could in fact be a true full out view of the ocean. 

Try going on trip advisor and reading reviews as well as looking at other peoples pics. I will say though most people are horrible about labeling their pics "usually they just say "our room" wich is so not helpful.  If all else fails, call the resort and ask. 

MoonlightSilver

A lot of places have trees inbetween your window and the beach. Obviously trees don't grow the same size or direction or anything all together, so some rooms will have really great views while others will have spotty views. A resort uses the term partial ocean view to get people's attention without having to promise that full, flat out view you love. 

When we travelled for our honeymoon, I checked out the facebook page of our resort. Previous guests knew which rooms had the great views, and I was able to request (and got!) a room that had a beautiful ocean view. Other rooms, in the same room type, you apparently couldn't see the ocean at all. 

dazyabbey

We had a Partial Ocean View at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya. We were upgraded it from a garden view. It was basically a view off of the balcony. If you looked to the right then you could see part of the ocean. It wasn't huge or super nice but it was neat. :-)

positivek

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_partial-ocean-view?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:ab1444b9-c4e9-4864-95c8-5471fde0b6b4Post:bfd5db5f-cb8a-49d0-94e3-12bc1619a041">Re: "Partial ocean view"</a>:
[QUOTE]What resort are you looking at? It really depends on the resort and how it is situated. Partial ocean view is generally obstructed by something or only a side view. Ocean view could be a full view but far away (again depends on how the resort is situated) or it could also be slightly obstructed by something (palm trees come to mind) but still with a decent view of the ocean or it could in fact be a true full out view of the ocean.  Try going on trip advisor and reading reviews as well as looking at other peoples pics. I will say though most people are horrible about labeling their pics "usually they just say "our room" wich is so not helpful.  If all else fails, call the resort and ask. 
Posted by monkeygirl18[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div><div>Hey-</div><div>I'm looking at either El Dorado Royale (Riviera Maya), Sanctuary Cap Cana (Punta Cana) or Secrets Marquis (Los Cabos). Are the resorts generally pretty honest about what's a "true" oceanfront if you call? </div>
</div>

positivek

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_partial-ocean-view?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:ab1444b9-c4e9-4864-95c8-5471fde0b6b4Post:273f97d4-f2ad-40a2-bff3-30dfce964358">Re: "Partial ocean view"</a>:
[QUOTE]A lot of places have trees inbetween your window and the beach. Obviously trees don't grow the same size or direction or anything all together, so some rooms will have really great views while others will have spotty views. A resort uses the term partial ocean view to get people's attention without having to promise that full, flat out view you love.  When we travelled for our honeymoon, I checked out the facebook page of our resort. Previous guests knew which rooms had the great views, and I was able to request (and got!) a room that had a beautiful ocean view. Other rooms, in the same room type, you apparently couldn't see the ocean at all. 
Posted by MoonlightSilver[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>So it seems like you booked your room right through the resort? I had thought that this was more expensive than booking through, say, Kayak or Costco Travel or something. Or did you request the room when you got there? Travel agents can't request specific room numbers for you, can they?

</div>

MoonlightSilver

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_partial-ocean-view?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:ab1444b9-c4e9-4864-95c8-5471fde0b6b4Post:e0fb4a01-be35-4c5a-adec-92ce2e4937a3">Re: "Partial ocean view"</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: "Partial ocean view" : So it seems like you booked your room right through the resort? I had thought that this was more expensive than booking through, say, Kayak or Costco Travel or something. Or did you request the room when you got there? Travel agents can't request specific room numbers for you, can they?
Posted by positivek[/QUOTE]

<div>I actually booked my room through CheapCaribbean.com, then emailed the resort directly to mention that A) we would be on our honeymoon B) H has allergies and C) we'd love one of the 5 rooms I listed which I was told had great views. I got the general "We can't make any promises but we'll see what we can do." But when we got there it must have been in my file because we got one of those rooms. =)</div>

jemmini6

It really depends on the resort, but in general, it means there is some type of obstruction so you don't have panoramic ocean views.  We were upgraded to a partial ocean view for our HM, which was about 85% ocean view, and 15% the resort next door (which you could still see the ocean through portions of it, but there was a wall, their palapa bar, etc which obstructed that view).  But it was the front building to the beach, so we still could keep our doors open and listen to the ocean.  

alithebride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_partial-ocean-view?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:ab1444b9-c4e9-4864-95c8-5471fde0b6b4Post:e0fb4a01-be35-4c5a-adec-92ce2e4937a3">Re: "Partial ocean view"</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: "Partial ocean view" : So it seems like you booked your room right through the resort? I had thought that this was more expensive than booking through, say, Kayak or Costco Travel or something. Or did you request the room when you got there? Travel agents can't request specific room numbers for you, can they?
Posted by positivek[/QUOTE]

you need to check both to be sure you're getting the best price.
certainly TAs can request certain rooms.

alithebride

LOL it's a great question. frankly the answer is you'll only have a partial view of the ocean. how much or how little will depend on the resort, room, your height, the trees-all kinds of things.
if you've never seen the ocean then it might be worth it for you to upgrade but also check where the rooms are located. are they convenient to other areas of the resort? are they a hike from anything? if so you might not want to upgrade. to me it doesn't make a difference really. i prefer east facing balconies in the caribbean because i like the sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon after a long day by the pool but that's me. something to consider.

positivek

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_partial-ocean-view?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:ab1444b9-c4e9-4864-95c8-5471fde0b6b4Post:1ea06422-6bf1-4c23-9c2f-fb6cd6c998e1">Re: "Partial ocean view"</a>:
[QUOTE]It really depends on the resort, but in general, it means there is some type of obstruction so you don't have panoramic ocean views.  We were upgraded to a partial ocean view for our HM, which was about 85% ocean view, and 15% the resort next door (which you could still see the ocean through portions of it, but there was a wall, their palapa bar, etc which obstructed that view).  But it was the front building to the beach, so we still could keep our doors open and listen to the ocean.  
Posted by jemmini6[/QUOTE]

Ah, thanks! I really do want to be able to hear the ocean. Did you specifically request that upgrade when you arrived and if so, was it a big hassle to get it? You didn't pay extra, right? I'm just kind of in the dark on this stuff.

jemmini6

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_partial-ocean-view?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:ab1444b9-c4e9-4864-95c8-5471fde0b6b4Post:8ef73743-cf57-46d8-a956-db4279bd11c4">Re: "Partial ocean view"</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: "Partial ocean view" : Ah, thanks! I really do want to be able to hear the ocean. Did you specifically request that upgrade when you arrived and if so, was it a big hassle to get it? You didn't pay extra, right? I'm just kind of in the dark on this stuff.
Posted by positivek[/QUOTE]

<div>Well, ours was a little unique.  We bought a 'trial' timeshare that gave us enough points for either two weeks in a normal room, or one week in an ocean view room.  We booked a regular room for a week, but when we arrived we decided to see if we could use the rest of our points to upgrade to ocean view.</div><div>
</div><div>They said they had one available, but they were still cleaning it, so we waited at the bar for like 2 hours before they told us that they were having maintenance issues with that room and we couldn't check in, so they offered us either a pool view or a partial ocean view room instead, showed us both, and let us pick.  Since we were 'inconvenienced' it was a free upgrade, but in a normal circumstance, we fully expected to pay to be upgraded for a full ocean view room. </div><div>
</div><div>If hearing the ocean is important to you, I suggest booking at least a partial ocean view, and at booking, request it be in a particular room, or location.  The resort we stayed at had several buildings, and some of the ones farther back from the beach would probably still be considered 'partial ocean view', but might not be close enough to hear the waves.  We got lucky that ours was one of the two buildings that actually fronted the beach.</div><div>
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vanityink

Often times if you tell hotels it's a special occasion when booking, they will upgrade you for free when you arrive (assuming there's an upgradable room available). If they don't offer and you ask for an upgrade, I would expect to pay for it.

And I agree what is meant by "partial" depends on the hotel. My parents have a condo that is technically "Ocean view" by the real estate terms since you can see the ocean from the second floor. You can't, however, in the bulk of the condo. Ocean view might mean you are right on the beach, facing the ocean. You're back a little ways but can see the ocean clearly over the other wing of the hotel. Or you can see the ocean but it's REALLLYYY far away (unlikely if it's a beach-front hotel). There is no industry standard.