BEWARE OF MELIA MAYAN/CORP

[Dave Dillehay]

We have been providing shelter and an enjoyable honeymoon for a young couple who just escaped from Houston and the hurricane Harvey crap, yes, their new house got wet. The had to cancel their big wedding plans but they got married on Monday anyway. The Honeymoon was a different problem They had an Expedia package for The Melia/Paradisus Punta Cana in Dominican Republic which was long been known as the target of Hurricane Irma. Since she is a teacher she had to be back for school on Monday and anyone with a brain would know that being in the path of Irma would prevent that. So given their pains from Hurricane Harvey, it soon became clear that the pains would continue if they went ahead as Melia insisted..

Instead they applied for a refund and decided to come to Cozumel. Both United and Delta Airlines were understanding and cooperative, gave them flights to Cancun and Cozumel. The Melia/Paradisius basically said screw you and you can come back in November which is a completely impossible opportunity for a school teacher, even if her new husband could get off more time.

I have been listening to their pleas with the Melia Corpoaration but even though while I write this their hotel in Dominican Republic is being beat to hell, yet they refuse to issue a refund. That seems to me to be a completely irresponsible organization.

Therefore, I would advise anyone who is considering the Melia corporation for a long planned vacation, even here in Cozumel—consider what a crappy organization to get involved with. Melia—no matter how great the deal.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[flyboy08]

Maybe they should wait a week or two before asking for a refund as that island is getting hammered at this time?

 

[ReefHound]

It's not clear if their dates would have had them in DR during Irma or that their dates preceded Irma but they were worried about getting out in time. Was DR not under evacuation orders? Were they expecting guests to just "ride it out"?

They might dispute the charges with credit card and cite the hurricane.

This is an example where travel insurance would have been wise. Large non-refundable expenses and inflexibility in rescheduling.

 

[cicopo]

Where does Expedia stand on this? They should be offering help.

 

[Bubblesong]

Dan Insurance is not better in the face of hurricanes.
Dan Travel Insurance failed us again are there any better alternatives

 

[The Chairman]

So sad!

 

[gopbroek]

This is a very large international hotel corporation with extensive holdings in the caribbean. They should be able to react and cope with a hurricane, it goes with the territory.

 

[jonhall]

Therefore, I would advise anyone who is considering the Melia corporation for a long planned vacation, even here in Cozumel—consider what a crappy organization to get involved with. Melia—no matter how great the deal.

Sounds like a bad deal for them but have to say that sometimes you have to take what you can get. Being timeshare owners that exchange our week or get extra weeks through the timeshare, the Melia is a unit that is available much of the time in Coz. It's a great deal for us because it has a low value so I only pay $199-209 for a weeks stay plus the AI fee which is pretty cheap. Stayed there only once but I can't say anything bad about it. It's not as fancy as other resorts/hotels, it's small, its location on the northwest end of island seems distant from everything, and diving isn't happening there, but the food was good, the rooms clean, friendly/helpful staff, and the resort dive op (little shack on the beach which didn't dive from there) was the only op of the several I called that would provide transportation to get someplace to dive.

Maybe they should wait a week or two before asking for a refund as that island is getting hammered at this time?

I have a 2 week trip to St. Maarten coming up at end of the month. Looking at the pictures is so depressing and can't imagine how they will get things cleaned up. Where we hope to stay in Little Bay only lost their beach and a structure that was attached to their cafe and the airport had a lot of damage. Was glad for so few deaths/injuries across the islands that were affected. Figure they need time to figure things out before I start asking questions.

 

[mediumone]

Where does Expedia stand on this? They should be offering help.

They're worse. Much worse. Google Expedia horror stories, or Expedia rip-offs, or ........

Here's one from a small boutique hotel (former), owner in Playa.

Expedia: Bad for the Traveler, Bad for the Hotel

 

[ggunn]

They're worse. Much worse. Google Expedia horror stories, or Expedia rip-offs, or ........

Of course they are worse, and one should not expect otherwise. The thing is, outfits like Expedia can give such great deals because they play fast and loose and operate on very thin margins. That sword cuts both ways; it is unrealistic to think that they can take as good care of their customers when something goes awry as can other more traditional (more expensive) providers. As my dad always used to say, you pays your money and you takes your chances.