Last Friday, approximately 6:30 AM, Sweetours picked me up from my hotel lobby for my Grand Canyon South Rim tour, Wally was the tour guide. He took us (tour group) to the Hoover Dam, which was brief and lovely, a TA Rest Stop twice, where the food was old/stale and the prices were exorbitant. He took us to another gas station, and a stop along route 66, were he encouraged us to take pictures with a 'Cowboy' while holding his shot gun, which was an utter waste of time, and last we arrived at the Grand Canyon. This tour was nearly 14 hours but we ONLY spent 3 hours at the Canyon. We spent an additional 3+ hours on BS like stopping to see a 'Cowboy' and stopping for a travel center/rest stop which sells expired and unconsciously priced snacks.
Approximately 10PM, we finally arrived 'at' my hotel or I should say my hotel's proximity. I was so exhausted and half-asleep, so I handed Wally a $5 tip, because you're supposed to tip tour guides. I tipped not because I believe he provided exceptional guide Services, because I don't believe he provided satisfactory guide services, but that is what you're supposed to do. Out of my sleep, I stepped off the tour bus, I immediately realized that he dropped me off on a dark backroad street, I informed Wally that was not where I was supposed to be dropped off and that was not my hotel lobby's door. I informed him the tour stated that he would pick me up and drop me off at the same location, my hotel lobby's door. It was 10:00 at night and he dropped me off at a dark empty street in Las Vegas. Wally informed me that I needed to walk down the street a couple of blocks, because he passed up my hotel, he then proceed to close a door and drove away.
It was a dark road, behind all the hotels, and I'm a 5'1 woman, so I'm not very tall and I was alone, exhausted and petrified. As I walked down this street, in the black of night, I heard strange and scary noises, but I kept my eyes straight ahead, and prayed that I would arrive safely to my hotel...and with the grace of God, I finally did.
Once in my hotel room, I immediately called Sweetours to tell them what happened, but the lady who answered the phone, didn't seem concerned, she simply told me to call back and file complaint. I informed her that I had an early flight the next morning but I would definitely write a review and please have management please contact me, but that didn't happen.
Wally was horrific, he did not do as the tour stated, which was pick me up and return me to and from my hotel lobby. The tour was 14 hours, yet we ONLY SPENT 3 hours AT THE GRAND CANYON, which was not sufficient time to truly hike or enjoy the splendors and beauty of the Grand Canyon.
I rate this tour 0.5 stars, but since that is not possible, 1 star. In my opinion if you decide to book this tour, and Wally is your tour guide, you may find yourself in grave danger, walking down a dark alley in Las Vegas at 10:00 at night, trying to find your hotel room.
******* Cautionary Tale *******