Discrimination at Hamaca

Peep, their loss - your gain. The guard was preventing her from entering the casino if I read you correct. Because you were coming in from the "street" he may have incorrectly thought she was a pick-up and turned her away. It may have been within his instructions or he was being "macho". If that is the case, I suggest it is the management of the casino rather than the Hamaca that has the responsibility to respond to your assertion. I do open myself to correction, but it is a custom in the D.R. for resorts (Hamaca?) to construct facilities for casinos and lease the space to independent companies to administer, supply, hire, and operate the gambling. The resort receives rent, a commission on the house winnings, and exemption from liabilities.

In retrospect, suggest next time you be a little macho and tell the guard he has insulted your girlfiend and you. That you are both welcome in the Casino and he is wrong. Because when you push back you usually get your way. Regards, PJT

right PJT

You should have told the idiot to go take a flying phuck and to eat schitt! You are a client for God's sake!. Besides he opens the Casino to some very bad publicity....

You have to push sometimes.....

HB

usually

I have been the the Hamaca many times and generally that is the policy in order to get through reception and into the lobby. However I have never seen that policy at the Casino door. I dont think this has anything to do with Hilton. The last time I was there in Oct. there were plently of "suits" walking around that I assumed were from Hilton-but it seemed to me they were on more of a holiday than any thing else

FWIW

The guards on the street close to the cash machine although indirectly work for the hotel are operated by a security company I do believe.

All employees you see UP TO the entrance of the casino work for the hotel.

The casino is run by yet another COMPLETELY different company -Empresas, who also run the new casino at the Melia in Santo Domingo and also the casino at Matum hotel in Santiago. The casino employees NEVER venture outside the casino doors and when they do is only to go home.

Where you a guest of the hotel?

I have been going to that casino/hotel for years and have NEVER heard or seen any discrimination from the hotel or casino, now the guard is a whole different story and he could have thought your girlfriend was someone else?

Regardless..... if you feel there was discrimination maybe you should pursue it?

I have a time share at the Hamaca and never use it for that same reason, I was stopped with my girlfriend from NY who is dominican and told I couldn't enter with her, but she very quickly put the security guard in his place. I was at Hamaca in October and the security was actually more professional but still they are a pain in the #$$.
Badpiece

I can't imagine the casino turning anyone away! I was at the Hamaca casino back in October and there were at least 8 prostitutes there the night I went. Five or six were from a local brothel and were passing out business cards! The others were hanging by the slot machines and discreetly offering their services.

They were only 15 or so other people in there combined (not including casino workers). So the well dressed pros really stood out. I can't imagine the management didn't know about it.

I am not saying your girlfriend was a pro, obviously not. What I am saying is if they are letting in women who are clearly prostitutes then I can't see why they wouldn't let someone in.
I think the guard you encountered just took it upon himself to keep you out. (Maybe he knew her and didn't like her hanging out with you.) In any case the casino is totally seperate from the hotel and they make it a point to let you know that with a few signs. So I wouldn't boycott the Hilton chain.

I remember staying at a hotel in the capital and they made my girlfriend leave her id at the front desk. She told me it was for my protection in case she killed me!

I've never had a problem at the Hamaca but rarely go there. I do remember an incident at the Juragua though.

The Juragua apparently in trying to clean up the hotel, does not allow female guests into your room unless thay are registered. No problem. I stayed there with my ex and she checked in with me.

We were going to JetSet that night to see Milly and invited her then 17 year old sister. Her sister came to our hotel and they would not let her up to my room. I understood what was happening and went down to speak to the manager.

I explained that it was my fiance's sister, in essence my sister in law. She refused to let her up. I asked why. She said for my protection. I said, I don't need protection from my sister in law. My fiance was changing and the sister was just going to wait in our room, rather than in the lobby.

For about 10 minutes the manager didn't budge. I told her to call Marriott corporate as I was a Gold Elite member and did not apreciate my family being treated this way. I said, you are basically acusing this girl of being a hooker, when she is really my sister in law. The manager "tried" to call Marriott and told me no answer! On the 800 line! Please.

I now started talking loud and said I can't believe you are treating my sister in law like a hooker. Guests checking in started listening. The manager got mad, let her come up, but told me defiantly, that next time she would have to register!! BS, she was not staying in the room. In fact she was only in the room maybe 20-30 minutes.

The next day I spoke to the "real" manager. He admitted they had a problem with hookers in the casino. I proceeded to explain the real way to clean the place up. He seemed shocked to know that many of his security guards took bribes to let girls work there. Bribes of money or "favors".

They have done sucha crappy job of cleaning up that the only women in the
merengue bar now are hookers.

I spoke to Marriott corporate and received 2 free nights at the juragua. I suggest you speak to Hilton. It makes no difference if they own the casino or not. The sign and advertising say Coral Hamaca by Hilton. This guard is not doing the Hilton name any good.

Hamaca Discrimination? NOT!

Hey, I am a white Puerto Rican female, and I have stayed at the Hamaca three times since July 03 (my fist visit). I must say that not only did I observe numerous women of dark color, but many of these being local women. So I must say that I do not agree w/ your observation. In fact, personally speaking, I thought they allow too many locals to come in (basically looking for American men). But they are dressed up and look nice, so why not, I thought. Just my two cents. And I LOVE THE HAMACA..