Leela Kovalam Beach in Kerala, India, supposedly five star, don't deliver what it says in the brochure, apparently due to an ongoing re-build by new management. They also overcharge grossly for drinks. When challenged they just ignored us. First Choice, who were our package operators wouldn't fight our corner, and refuse any compensation.
We went between 23 Dec 2005 and 6 Jan 2006 and found all of the seaward side of the hotel facilities under fundamental re-construction - "late running refurbishment"- More than half of the "extra" facilities and features promised in the brochure and which you'd expect in a high class hotel were just not available.
There was a decided lack of social space in which to sit and relax in the evenings. Only two of the billed six restaurants were operating. Drinks prices, especially wine, were extortionate beyond belief. Locally produced wine was Rs2000 (about £27) per bottle. Mediocre Italian or Australian wine started at Rs3000 (about £40) per bottle. These prices were double those of the comparable local competition. We also had to challenge (successfully) an attempted £70 overcharge on extras on checkout.
In Leela's favour, the food and service were immaculate, but you can't have a 5 star hotel which has important parts which rate zero star. First Choice say the Leela is actually only 4 star plus - same observation.

First Choice act like they don't really know what the problem is - but they've had two reps living in the hotel since Sept 2005.