RIU-Resorts to be Closed?

[mountainfrog]

I received information that the 3 RIU-resorts in Maimon are to be closed for about one week starting next week.
Clients are transferred to other hotels and arrivals are no longer accepted.
The official reason for the closure is given as "renovations".
Can anyone elaborate?

m'frog

 

[Conchman]

Well if they are closing, its because of the 'sickness' problem that has been bugging the resorts since last year already. The sickness is a nasty contagious bug that gives people 24 to 48 hr stomach flu, bad enough to put many people on a drip. Its the same type of bug that some cruise ships had but since they have a total turnover of all passengers every few days it was easier to get rid of it then with constantly arriving and departing hotel guests.

In the last few weeks there have been no complaints, so it seems to be under control now (so it was also in April and then it came back). Why they would close now would be a mystery, maybe the authorities stepped in.

 

[FireGuy]

I received information that the 3 RIU-resorts in Maimon are to be closed for about one week starting next week.
Clients are transferred to other hotels and arrivals are no longer accepted.
The official reason for the closure is given as "renovations".
Can anyone elaborate?

m'frog

I spoke to the Riu North American Reservation Center in Mexico yesterday and they confirmed that the Rius POP (Mambo, Merengue and Bachata) will close from June 8 - 15. The reservations people only had that info and while I have requested more info from the management at the resorts (Puerto Plata Regional General Manager, who happens to be German) I am skeptical if he will answer my inquiry at present, so I have just sent a copy of my message to him to the North American Marketing Manager for comment.

Gregg

 

[Shelley]

I also heard 8th-15th

I also heard the that resort will be closed for one week for cleaning and/or renovations starting Thursday and that any remaining guests will be taken to another hotel. I also heard that employees either have to get a shot or a medical test of some sort (I'm can't quite remember the details on that). Yesterday morning I sent an email to Riu to confirm the length of closure but have not yet received a reply.

 

[FireGuy]

Shelley,

I also heard the that resort will be closed for one week for cleaning and/or renovations starting Thursday and that any remaining guests will be taken to another hotel. I also heard that employees either have to get a shot or a medical test of some sort (I'm can't quite remember the details on that). Yesterday morning I sent an email to Riu to confirm the length of closure but have not yet received a reply.

To whom did you send your e-mail?

Gregg

 

[Shelley]

Riu's official website

I did not send it to anyone special but rather through their official corporate website. There was a 'contact us' email address that I sent it to. I didn't save the outgoing message, and my computer is acting up right now (only letting me in DR1 not anything else :classic: ), so I can't confirm what is was right now. I suspect that they'll send the same response you got when you called. If I learn more, I will let you know.

 

[carina]

Closed confirmed ?

Article in Dominican Today:

http://dominicantribune.com/app/article.aspx?id=1796


Not yet an official statement though, but if tourists are moved...then that would be considered a confirmation...

 

[FireGuy]

Article in Dominican Today:

http://dominicantribune.com/app/article.aspx?id=1796


Not yet an official statement though, but if tourists are moved...then that would be considered a confirmation...

Here's official...

I have received the following from Riu Hotels. As has been previously reported here and elsewhere the complex is temporarily closing.

"Hi, Gregg.

This is ------ ------, Communication Manager of RIU Hotels from the headquarters of the company on the beautiful Mediterranean Majorca island.

Gregg, our resorts in Puerto Plata will be closed from June 8, to 14, both dates included. During these we will finish renovation and refurbishing work. In addition, we will clean the area up so that everything be finished on the 15th with new RIU friends already enjoying again our hospitality.

Best regards from Spain,

------ ------
Communication Manager
--------@riu.com"

Verbatim quote, name & e-mail address removed.

Gregg

P.S. - The article cited above is a crock. The problem has been ongoing to some degree or another since Late November 2004 and the complex only closed after the UK Tour Operators (who were slow to react initially) were named in a class action lawsuit. It is generally agreed that this reaction was insisted upon prior to the busy UK Summer season in light of the lawsuit and that is why the complex was ultimately closed.

 

[Conchman]

RIU lying about it certainly won't help their image from this problem

 

[chica]

Hi,

I arrived on Wednesday(june 1) in Riu bachata
Hotel was as good as empty
On Friday we get a letter that hotel were closed on June 8th
It was horrible the things we saw
They start on Sunday to clean and disinfected everything while we were there
No animation anymore and also less choise at the buffets
They had to close because English To ask to,else they would not send people overthere in Summer
The sickness starts half December and in January-March more then 50% of guests were sick
So they take action to late
We also heard riu mambo would close for longer time about a month,can't confirm that
All staff had to go to doctor with a stool sample ,tomorrow the get news if they are possitif or not
If they are they can't go back to work for 3 weeks
The doctor there write for every sick people antibiotics ,so it cant be a virus
We heard its a bacterie and they get rid of it in one week closing

 

[chica]

Has someone have some latest news.
Our Uk Touroperators gonna send guests to Riu's

 

[Deej]

We're booked with UK TO - Thomson.

Originally booked to go in late May to RIU Merengue, Bahia Maimon. TO cancelled 12 days before departure.

We rebooked for early July.

It's been really difficult to get definitive answers from RIU group or Thomson.

Latest statements I have from RIU is that they're opening again on 15 June. Latest from Thomson is that they're not sending anyone to Bahia Maimon before 30 June.

 

[chica]

Thanks,

When you have news you post it here please

Thanks

 

[Bartolomeo67]

Moist rooms

Good friends of mine who always stay at AI resorts in the DR, commented that the Riu hotel in POP they stayed in last year had the most moist rooms they had ever experienced in the DR (and they have been about everywhere: Playa Dorada, Punta Cana, Bavaro, Bayahibe) and they would certainly not go back there. They are not surprised these hotels are having problems with hygiene and health. Might be a construction problem.
Bartolomeo

 

[Shelley]

2 are open again (i think)

From what I understand, two of the 3 resorts reopened today. They're expecting tourists to start arriving in the next couple of days.

 

[Deej]

Bartolomeo

I've stayed at RIU Merengue 5 times before (last time May 2004). Never thought the rooms were damp. Kitchens send their food to other hotels (outside of Bahia Maimon) so must be of a good standard.

Independent (sic) health experts have ruled out food and water/sanitation as the source of the virus.

 

[Conchman]

The RIU hotels in Maimon send food to other hotels? explain please....which hotels....

 

[Deej]

What I've been told on previous visits by the hotel management. Could be bull but why bother saying anything? May also be out of date, I suppose.

 

[Deej]

Thomson (TUI UK) returned to Bahia Maimon

My UK Tour Operator (Thomson) told me today that they've already started sending people back to Bahia Maimon. Those travelling before 30 June would have been given alternate accomodation (typically Costa/Playa Dorada). However, they were being told they could switch back to their original hotel (not sure if that is those still to travel only or includes those already in DR).

 

[chica]

Its waiting now at the first reviews from people who stayed there
Does someone knows how busy riu hotels are now.
I hope sickness is gone,summer will be a big test