Some pictures of the damage
sent to me by Rmeistr.
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/76715/index.html
sent to me by Rmeistr.
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/76715/index.html
- Thread starter debj41
- Start date
secrets excellence
Thanks for the pics
Thank you so very much for linking us to the pics of the damage of secrets, I can't believe how amasing this site it...people really work together. God Bless you all. I'm not too sure what to make of the damage though, it really wasn't to the extent that I thought it was. For the people who are regular posters and know the area well, I pose a question to you. Do you think realistically this damage can be cleaned up by Oct 9th? They say they are planning to open on Sept 27th..that seems a bit close, but by the 9th do you think the majority of the damage will be repaired? I really appreciate all your honest answers...it looks like I most likely will be going on the 9th as I can't get out of it if the resort is accepting guests so I want to be reasonable in my expectations. Thanks a bunch.
Thank you so very much for linking us to the pics of the damage of secrets, I can't believe how amasing this site it...people really work together. God Bless you all. I'm not too sure what to make of the damage though, it really wasn't to the extent that I thought it was. For the people who are regular posters and know the area well, I pose a question to you. Do you think realistically this damage can be cleaned up by Oct 9th? They say they are planning to open on Sept 27th..that seems a bit close, but by the 9th do you think the majority of the damage will be repaired? I really appreciate all your honest answers...it looks like I most likely will be going on the 9th as I can't get out of it if the resort is accepting guests so I want to be reasonable in my expectations. Thanks a bunch.
to be honest, it doesn't look as bad as I thought. Depending on the crew that comes in and does the work, they can get that cleaned a lot quicker than you think. A good crew can take care of the main building in a few days. The most difficult or time-consuming job will be getting the pool cleaned. The rest just looks like minor repairs and clean up. I did a lot of contracting work & it's not as much work as it seems.Hlywud said:
thanks for all the updates!
thanks to everyone for all the Secrets Excellence updates. We've got a honeymoon planned there for October 25.
I'm reading really conflicting info all over the internet. A lady on TripAdvisor.com messageboard is claiming that Secrets and other properties in the area were totally devastated and heavily damaged. She puts her own estimate on total repair to 6 months or more!!! But the photos of Secrets linked above seem to show more minor to moderate damage, mainly to roofs and to the pool. And the official message from Secrets is that they will be open again on Monday Sept 27.
I second the question about whether the "official" announcement on the Secrets website is totally reliable, or whether they are just scrambling to hold onto bookings and reservations for the next few weeks and months?
Anyone with the real story on here?
Thanks.
thanks to everyone for all the Secrets Excellence updates. We've got a honeymoon planned there for October 25.
I'm reading really conflicting info all over the internet. A lady on TripAdvisor.com messageboard is claiming that Secrets and other properties in the area were totally devastated and heavily damaged. She puts her own estimate on total repair to 6 months or more!!! But the photos of Secrets linked above seem to show more minor to moderate damage, mainly to roofs and to the pool. And the official message from Secrets is that they will be open again on Monday Sept 27.
I second the question about whether the "official" announcement on the Secrets website is totally reliable, or whether they are just scrambling to hold onto bookings and reservations for the next few weeks and months?
Anyone with the real story on here?
Thanks.
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Update
Just read this on the secrets site....NOTE: The middle paragraph has changed from yesterday. Doesn't say anything about Secrets in particular but looks like there may be hope.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Storm Update:
First and foremost, the safety and security of our guests was paramount during the storm. In short, everything possible has been done to ensure and retain guest?s goodwill during and after the storm. We provided our guests with shelter, security, food and beverage and did everything possible under the circumstances to keep them comfortable. We are thankful that no one sustained injuries and there were no medical emergencies during the storm.
Phone lines and communications have been fully re-established; roads are being cleared of any debris, staffing is back to full strength, and we?re pleased to say that guests have arrived Sunday and today at both Sunscape Punta Cana Grand and Sunscape Casa del Mar. Both Sunscape Punta Cana Grand and Sunscape Casa del Mar are open and it?s business as usual!
Secrets Excellence Punta Cana will be reopening on Monday, September 27th. Due to the high expectations of our guests and in compliance with our Preferred Hotels & Resorts Standards of Excellence, we intend on reopening Secrets Excellence on this day. The resort sustained some damage and we are confident that it will return to its former splendor and our guests experience will, as usual, exceed expectations.
Another update will be posted on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2004
Just read this on the secrets site....NOTE: The middle paragraph has changed from yesterday. Doesn't say anything about Secrets in particular but looks like there may be hope.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Storm Update:
First and foremost, the safety and security of our guests was paramount during the storm. In short, everything possible has been done to ensure and retain guest?s goodwill during and after the storm. We provided our guests with shelter, security, food and beverage and did everything possible under the circumstances to keep them comfortable. We are thankful that no one sustained injuries and there were no medical emergencies during the storm.
Phone lines and communications have been fully re-established; roads are being cleared of any debris, staffing is back to full strength, and we?re pleased to say that guests have arrived Sunday and today at both Sunscape Punta Cana Grand and Sunscape Casa del Mar. Both Sunscape Punta Cana Grand and Sunscape Casa del Mar are open and it?s business as usual!
Secrets Excellence Punta Cana will be reopening on Monday, September 27th. Due to the high expectations of our guests and in compliance with our Preferred Hotels & Resorts Standards of Excellence, we intend on reopening Secrets Excellence on this day. The resort sustained some damage and we are confident that it will return to its former splendor and our guests experience will, as usual, exceed expectations.
Another update will be posted on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2004
we moved to Mexico!
Hi all. I am DebJ41 who started this thread, and just want to say that we have been pulling our hair out over the last few days trying to get the "real" story on Secrets. We did get an e-mail back from "Melissa" at Secrets who repeated the PR story that they will open on the 27th.
However, we have been tussling with our tour company to give us options, and today they finally accomodated our wishes and agreed to transfer our reservation to Secrets Capri on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico, also a glorious resort. same room type, ocean view, deluxe.
So, we are happy and looking forward to escaping the downer that has become Punta Cana. We are still interested in going there, to Secrets, but that will wait now.
Good luck to all, and to the people who live in the DR! We will see you some time!
Hi all. I am DebJ41 who started this thread, and just want to say that we have been pulling our hair out over the last few days trying to get the "real" story on Secrets. We did get an e-mail back from "Melissa" at Secrets who repeated the PR story that they will open on the 27th.
However, we have been tussling with our tour company to give us options, and today they finally accomodated our wishes and agreed to transfer our reservation to Secrets Capri on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico, also a glorious resort. same room type, ocean view, deluxe.
So, we are happy and looking forward to escaping the downer that has become Punta Cana. We are still interested in going there, to Secrets, but that will wait now.
Good luck to all, and to the people who live in the DR! We will see you some time!
pics aren't that bad
I agree with Big City. From the pictures it's mostly minor, fixable in hurry type damage. You'd be amazed how fast a roof can be repaired. But did the rooms flood? And how much water damage occurred? That could take some time if it was to all the buildings. I really am looking forward to my trip there, but I'd like it to make sure I have the 5 star accommodations I'm paying for. Otherwise I'd like to move to the Riviera Maya also. So does anyone know the extent of the water damage?
I agree with Big City. From the pictures it's mostly minor, fixable in hurry type damage. You'd be amazed how fast a roof can be repaired. But did the rooms flood? And how much water damage occurred? That could take some time if it was to all the buildings. I really am looking forward to my trip there, but I'd like it to make sure I have the 5 star accommodations I'm paying for. Otherwise I'd like to move to the Riviera Maya also. So does anyone know the extent of the water damage?
process
we simply spoke with our travel agent, a sweetie who works hard for us, and we gave her printouts of all the various comments on this site, and the photos, and she faxed them to the regional rep for our tour company (Vacances Air Transat) who seemed to not know anything. We kept pushing more and more info about the resort to them, and 20 minutes after they received the photos, they called our agent back saying that their "big boss" saw them and quickly agreed to accomodate us in any way we wanted since they wanted us to buy from them next year as well. So we told them our options, and that we prefered to stay with Secrets. Luckily they handle both resorts, so it was no problem.
Good luck to you.
anggallie said:
we simply spoke with our travel agent, a sweetie who works hard for us, and we gave her printouts of all the various comments on this site, and the photos, and she faxed them to the regional rep for our tour company (Vacances Air Transat) who seemed to not know anything. We kept pushing more and more info about the resort to them, and 20 minutes after they received the photos, they called our agent back saying that their "big boss" saw them and quickly agreed to accomodate us in any way we wanted since they wanted us to buy from them next year as well. So we told them our options, and that we prefered to stay with Secrets. Luckily they handle both resorts, so it was no problem.
Good luck to you.
Also moved to Mexico
Our travel agent at Liberty Travel received an email stating that Secrets Capri in Mexico would honor the reservations at Punta Cana, so we also have re-booked to go to Capri. Just a warning, Capri was already sold out for our original travel dates, so we had to push our flight back a few days, which caused the fare to go up $125.
Our travel agent at Liberty Travel received an email stating that Secrets Capri in Mexico would honor the reservations at Punta Cana, so we also have re-booked to go to Capri. Just a warning, Capri was already sold out for our original travel dates, so we had to push our flight back a few days, which caused the fare to go up $125.
debj41 said:
Opening or nor opening ??
Have booked at the Secrets Resorts from Oktober 9.
Who has any reliable information ?
They say re-opening FULLY operational Oktober 1.
I have to come along way (9 hour flying from Europe) and spend a
lot of money on this trip.
Hoping to hear from you all soon!
Thanks in advance and greetings from Antwerp, Belgium, Europe
Have booked at the Secrets Resorts from Oktober 9.
Who has any reliable information ?
They say re-opening FULLY operational Oktober 1.
I have to come along way (9 hour flying from Europe) and spend a
lot of money on this trip.
Hoping to hear from you all soon!
Thanks in advance and greetings from Antwerp, Belgium, Europe
October 4th Wedding at Secrets!
I have planned for quite some time to be married at Secrets Excellence Punta Cana and I have no intention of changing my plans. I am confident that if they say the resort will be open that they will do everything they can to make it a positive experience for everyone. They need our business now more than ever and I hope to see everyone there. My plane lands at 11:30am October 1st. I have seen the pictures of the damages and it is still breathtakingly beautiful!
nsalt said:
I have planned for quite some time to be married at Secrets Excellence Punta Cana and I have no intention of changing my plans. I am confident that if they say the resort will be open that they will do everything they can to make it a positive experience for everyone. They need our business now more than ever and I hope to see everyone there. My plane lands at 11:30am October 1st. I have seen the pictures of the damages and it is still breathtakingly beautiful!
psm44064,
I agree with you that Secrets is not going to outright lie when they say they will be open and operational by next week or so. I'm not saying they aren't hiding some of the extent of the damage to their resort, but I find it hard to believe that they would mislead future customers by saying that the resort is not in that bad of shape when in reality it is in really, really bad shape.
Certainly they must know that if we are disappointed in the condition of the resort and don't feel we get our money's worth that we will let others know, let our travel agents know to steer people away from Secrets, and let the world know on messageboards like this one.
Please be sure to let us know your impressions after you return from your trip to Secrets....I'll be going there in late October myself
I agree with you that Secrets is not going to outright lie when they say they will be open and operational by next week or so. I'm not saying they aren't hiding some of the extent of the damage to their resort, but I find it hard to believe that they would mislead future customers by saying that the resort is not in that bad of shape when in reality it is in really, really bad shape.
Certainly they must know that if we are disappointed in the condition of the resort and don't feel we get our money's worth that we will let others know, let our travel agents know to steer people away from Secrets, and let the world know on messageboards like this one.
Please be sure to let us know your impressions after you return from your trip to Secrets....I'll be going there in late October myself
It's Closed
I really don't think they r gonna be abble to re-open on Oct 1st, no way the country is running out on suplies + we have to import most of the damaged equipment from Miami.
Re-book to Mexico!
I really don't think they r gonna be abble to re-open on Oct 1st, no way the country is running out on suplies + we have to import most of the damaged equipment from Miami.
Re-book to Mexico!
JanD said:
The current position of Secrets is that the are re-opening on Sept 27. Likely there will be some lack of services and facilities, but no one knows. Look at the damage photos earlier on this site, and make your own judgement.
We moved to Mexico just in case, this year. By Oct 9th, it could be OK, but write in and let us know on this site.
Good luck.
Secrets website update
Just found this on the secrets website this morning:
Wednesday September 22, 2004
Weather Update:
We are very pleased to announce that Secrets Excellence Punta Cana will reopen as scheduled on Monday, September 27th. After a lengthy clean-up and putting the sand back on the beach where it belongs, the resort is once again ready for our guests. We look forward to welcoming you and invite you to experience the beauty of Secrets Excellence soon!
What do you think? Anyone travelling their in the next week if you would be so kind to post when you get home so we know what to expect. Thanks a bunch
Ang
Just found this on the secrets website this morning:
Wednesday September 22, 2004
Weather Update:
We are very pleased to announce that Secrets Excellence Punta Cana will reopen as scheduled on Monday, September 27th. After a lengthy clean-up and putting the sand back on the beach where it belongs, the resort is once again ready for our guests. We look forward to welcoming you and invite you to experience the beauty of Secrets Excellence soon!
What do you think? Anyone travelling their in the next week if you would be so kind to post when you get home so we know what to expect. Thanks a bunch
Ang
secrets is perfect!
Just got back from Secrets Excellence Punta Cana last night and I wanted to assure everyone that it is wonderful. Everything looks perfect, you would never know they had a hurricane. I arrived there 10/01/04 to find it perfect, although not many other guests. By the time we left yesterday, there were hundreds of happy guests. I hated to leave. All restuarants are open and the food is excellent. The French restaurant is the best. Hope you all have a great time. Don't worry about a thing. You're going to love it!
Just got back from Secrets Excellence Punta Cana last night and I wanted to assure everyone that it is wonderful. Everything looks perfect, you would never know they had a hurricane. I arrived there 10/01/04 to find it perfect, although not many other guests. By the time we left yesterday, there were hundreds of happy guests. I hated to leave. All restuarants are open and the food is excellent. The French restaurant is the best. Hope you all have a great time. Don't worry about a thing. You're going to love it!
Transportation ???
It's good to hear that everything is back in order at Secrets.
We will be arriving on October 28, 2004.
I have one question, we did not book through a travel agent and have no bus to take us from the airport to the resort. Is there any one who can advise us how to best get to secrets are there taxi's (Cost?).
It's good to hear that everything is back in order at Secrets.
We will be arriving on October 28, 2004.
I have one question, we did not book through a travel agent and have no bus to take us from the airport to the resort. Is there any one who can advise us how to best get to secrets are there taxi's (Cost?).