Held prisoner at Hotel Natura Park Punta Cana

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David Cornish

Guest
Date of visit 19/12/00 to 02/01/01

To Whom It May Concern,
I wish to make an official complaint regarding our recent visit to the HOTEL NATURA PARK situated at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

What happened to ourselves at this hotel is what we consider a shameful violation of our rights. The events that lead up to the confrontation was over two bags of laundry from our two separate rooms, when they were returned two items were missing one from each bag both new and both the most expensive. This was by us considered a theft and not a loss. The Hotel had been informed and could not give us an answer they even wanted to charge for laundering the missing items. They had 4 days before we left to give us an explanation, which they did not do; therefore we refused to pay the laundry bill. On leaving the hotel we were told by a very arrogant management we could not leave without paying the bill, we were not allowed on the courtesy bus, and our taxi driver was told not to take us to the airport. The hotel staff could see we were distraught having two young children and a baby who was ill, one of us asked for the police to be called, they refused and did not allow us to use a phone. The only manager we were allowed to talk to had a total disregard for our wellbeing, not one apology only an attitude of take it or leave it, and was prepared to see four adults, two children and a baby miss flights over a laundry bill. How can a hotel hold people prisoner this way, being held to ransom was a despicable act and frightening to young children? What should have been a nice holiday was totally destroyed by the way the management treated us. If the management had apologised for the loss and forfeited the laundry bill this would not have happened, perhaps some P.R training would help.
We will be sending this letter to the Dominican Tourist Board, the Police, Travel company, and as many newspapers that may find it interesting.

Yours truly, David Cornish & Louise Ward, Ian Field & Emma Burton
 
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John

Guest
Crime a big problem in the DR

Unfortunatly it's a common occurence. Due to all the corruption and bad treatment of tourists DR is definitly not on the top of the list when it comes to vacations. I don't think the underpaid corrupted police would've helped you much either. Count your blessings that you made it out. It is a big shame that a bunch of thieves running a hotel spoils it for the country. In my opinion the US STATE DEPT should issue a Travel adviroy or warning about the corruption and crime that takes place in the DR. In the mean time Im sorry to hear about your experiences, and I hope you share your experiences with others. Maybe the loss of tourism will awaken them up !
 
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Tom

Guest
Re: Crime not a big problem in the DR

Crime is hardly worth issuing a travel advisory on. How much was the laundry bill?. You should have paid the amount for "laundry' (I am not saying the hotel was right)Your homeowners insurance would have likely covered the replacement, then dispute the laundry charge with your credit card company

Tom
 
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Jack

Guest
Re: Crime not a big problem in the DR

I'm sure this experience was very distessful and it seems that the hotel management handled the problem very inappropriately. To say that tourists should stop going to the DR because of crime and poor treatment is a huge overstatement. We have been there three times and are leaving on our fourth trip in a couple weeks. We have always felt safe and treated well both on and off the resorts.
 
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steve

Guest
Re: Crime not a big problem in the DR

homeowners always has a deductable of at least $250 so the bill would not be covered. Better to spead the word about a poor hotel.
 
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Sue

Guest
Do you realize this is a third world country and your arrogance sucks.

So what...you lost some laundry....so what you had to pay for the cleaning....maybe 20 US dollars? How about bite the bullet, don't complain and consider it a donation to this poorest of poors country....it would have gotten entered in your good book some day.

LOOSERS!
 
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Joyce Jimenez

Guest
Just because they are poor, does not give them the right to steal.
 
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Tom

Guest
Re: Crime not a big problem in the DR

YOU choose the deductible, mine is $50.00 and the post said that two "expensive items" were missing, easily meaning 3-400 dollars
 
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Karina

Guest
I really don't think you get the point...

It seems to me that it was as much a matter of principle as it was the loss of clothes. They were dealt with in a totally uncompassionate manner. This is not the way to carry on business in the tourism industry no matter where you are. I doubt very greatly that David and his family were very concerned about loosing 2 pieces of clothing, it was the way the were mis-treated. This however, in my opinion is hopefully an isolated incident. During all of our stays in the DR, the south and north shore, we have experienced excellent service, including compassion if necessary.
 
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Tom

Guest
The post didn't convey the point

I agree that they were likely concerned over their shoddy treatment, but to post "Don't go to the DR, The US State Department should issue crime warnings etc" are a bit much
 
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hlywud

Guest
Re: Crime not a big problem in the DR

Crime is not a problem in the DR, never had a minutes trouble in my many many trips to the DR. Will be back there in a couple of weeks.

If someone thinks crime is a problem maybe they should visit some cities in the US, like Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Miami to name a few.

It is obvious from the post the hotel management must not have been cooperative but nothing is said "what the demeanour of the tourists" was when they confronted the hotel staff.
If you approach a dog swing a stick your likely going to get bit back,
 
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jenn

Guest
I am so very sorry this happened to you, I highly disagree with some of the reponses that I read in this thread. It is not the fact you can claim it on homeowners and it has nothing to do whether or not these people are poor. You paid for an all inclusive vacation and you got violated! These people get paid to do a job and whether they are poor or not it is not their job to take material items from paying clients. I suggest you take your complaint to the Tourist Board first, and then complain to your travel agent.
 
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Susanne

Guest
While I agree you should complain about the way you were treated, I disagree strongly with the notion of the US State Department issuing warnings against the corruption etc. The State Department already makes a point about petty theft and suggests that you keep an eye on your belongins. That should be enough.

Sure, crime is a problem in the DR - just as it is in every other country of the World. The point is: The crime rate is not particularly high and when it comes to acts of violence it is a fairly rare thing. In other words - it is quite a safe country to visit and stay in.

Sue, the DR may be a 3rd World country, and of course it can be difficult to watch rich tourists behaving like they own the World. (By the way, the DR isn't one of the poorest countries in the World - you want to see poor, go to Haiti or to sub-Saharan Africa or Nepal). As far as I read from the posting, this was more a complaint at the attitude of the hotel staff. And that complaint seems to be well deserved. I don't even think the hotel is owned by local people, so spare your sympathy for those deserving it.

Regards,
Susanne
 
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Silonius

Guest
Sorry for the bad experience. Had my wallet stolen in Costa Rica but still want to go back. We live by the rule if you can't afford to loose something don't take it. We also take some soap powders and wash things out in the sink that have to be washed. Still doesn't mean you want get ripped off, but reduces your chances. PS Don't leave your pretty beach towel drying on the balcony if you are on the first two floors. Hope your next vacation is more pleasant.
 
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Reyna

Guest
Re: Crime a big problem in the DR

It's no worse in the DR than anywhere else. I traveled there by myself as a single girl, for 3 weeks from the north to the south and in between and never had any problems. I felt safer in the DR than many areas in the city where I live. If people take a few incidents and exaggerate them as a reason not to go to a country, then no one should travel everywhere because no place is perfect and crime-free. People should be on guard when they travel and not just take safety for granted because they are on a vacation, but the DR is a great place to visit.
 
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Jim Hinsch

Guest
Re: Held prisoner at Hotel Natura Park Punta Cana *PIC*

It is not uncommon for a resort to refuse to let the guest leave until the Bill has been paid. The Melia and Barcelo resorts that I've stayed at in Punta Cana all required each departing passenger to show a receipt that their bill had been paid in full else the guards won't let you leave with your luggage.

For perspective, see http://www.dr1.com/hotels/database/NorBocMadjD1OPBVIL.htm or http://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com/travel22.html#madjera to hear about what recently happened at a small hotel in Boca Chica when there was a dispute.
 
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ECH, M.D.

Guest
Re: USE THE CREDIT CARD

Very interesting reading Jim.

Let me just say that it is sort of like being pulled over by a traffic cop. There is no judge or jury on the highway/street so it is yes sir, no sir and you are quite right sir. Until you are in a position to file a formal complaint with the nearest legal authorities.

All the more reason to pay your bills with a credit card and if there is any problems, file a complaint with the credit card company and state your intentions to refuse to pay the bill and the reasons for non payment. You will find they are very familiar with such rip off tactics and your credit card company is in far better position to negotiate on your behalf than you are as an individual. This has worked for me on several occasions to my benefit.

If they don't accept credit cards, WATCH OUT. You are being set up or they have had their privilege revoked for similar problems.
 
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Sue

Guest
www.blau-hotels.com is their website Head office is in Spain. Good luck. Let us know what kind of response you get.
 
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Jim Hinsch

Guest
Re: USE THE CREDIT CARD

That's good advice in general, but that too comes with its own sets of drawbacks and risks.

Hotels, car rental companies, etc. get around the protection that a credit card offers by making you sign a piece of paper saying you agree to the charges. Hotels and Rental car companies often make you sign it before they even fill in the amount you owe, and at the start, as a security deposit. I've been round and round in few disputes with hotels and rental car companies before. Once you sign that paper, you have very little recourse.