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Top > Caribbean 
| Vacation Rental Complaints |
| 2. |
NIghtmare in VillasCaribe.com , LuxuryVillasIntl.com , SandCastles.com
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1. As part of the celebration of our 25th anniversary vacation we rented the villa Caribbean Dacha in Vieques through Caribbean Villas.
(Refer to Attachment I - Agreement of rent for 8 days.pdf)
2. The agency was asked to provide assurance that the villa would be in good conditions in more than one occasion, and they categorically assured that the villa was and I quote:
“Caribbean Dacha is one of our most sought after villas on Vieques…. The owner does take meticulous care of his villa and has a caretaker on island while he is away. The property will be cleaned and inspected prior to arrival.”
(Refer to Attachment II - Assurance of Cleanliness)
3. When we arrived at the villa, the villa was dirty, lacking paint and many areas looked simply abandoned. Two people were present at that time. After our inspection the man in charge concurred that the villa was no in conditions and much less in order to celebrate a 25 anniversary. The man called the owner but he was not available. The renting agency was called at 4:41 pm from the phone 787-644-8767 to the 404-815-9855 (Atlanta GA). No one answered either.
(Refer to Attachment III – Photos at arrival)
4. We were forced to move and search for a villa and late in the night a neighbor gave us the number of the owner of the villa Martineau Belle Playa. This was the only one available at that time. It cost us $1,000/night and only until the mourning of Thursday, because it was already rented for Thursday. So we paid the $5,000 and were forced to leave and cut short our 25 anniversary vacation. By the way, the celebration on the planed that next Saturday with family from the big Island was cancelled due to the situation with the villa Caribbean Dacha.
(Refer to attachment IV - $5000 Check)
Date Added: Nov 12, 2008
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| 3. |
Rhapsody in Blue villa
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1. All family members agreed that the mattresses on all the beds were very hard and uncomfortable, some sloping to the middle. All the mattresses in the entire villa need to be replaced. There was only one queen-sized bed and all the rest were doubles.
2. The acoustics in all areas of the villa are terrible. One can hear everything that is being said in any room of the house, whether the speaker is in the master bedroom in the back of the house or upstairs. It was impossible to sleep at any time during the day after anyone was awake, as the sound of preparing food in the kitchen, pulling out a chair to sit in, or even anyone speaking, echo and is maginified throughout the house and upstairs. None of the bedroom doors are solid-they are all louvered, which just makes the sound travel even more.
3. The light switch for the track lighting above the dining room table shocked two family members on two different occasions. One night when it was on, we all started to smell a strong odor of burning electrical parts coming from the track light--the only light in the living room. We quickly turned it off and luckily the villa didn't burn down during the night.
4. The upstairs bedroom had no door for privacy, which would not have been an issue if sound didn't magnify so loudly throughout the rest of the house to the upstairs. If the children were awake or the television on in the living room, it was impossible to go to bed upstairs. There were no blinds or draperies on the upstairs windows, which made sleeping impossible after it started getting light in the morning, about 6 a.m.
5. There were no towel racks in any of the bathrooms--just a couple of hooks on the walls that kept falling down.
6. The rust in the water ruined a load of light-colored laundry we washed. We are still trying various rust-remover treatments on the stained clothing, but so far nothing is working and it looks as if these items of clothing are all ruined permanently. Obviously, there is not water filtering or conditioning equipment, or it does not work properly.
7. The upstairs refrigerator never did get sufficiently cold, even after we had been there a couple days and were gone from the villa all day, nobody opening the refrigerator door. We had to dispose of a lot of expensive meat and dairy products a few days after we stocked up the refrigerator.
8. The gas range top in the upstairs kitchen would not heat hot enough to boil water for pasta. We had to use multiple pots and pans for everything we cooked so they would get hot enough to cook food. Not at all an adequate appliance for a villa that holds twelve people.
9. Nobody ever came to clean the pool. We fished the leaves and bugs out of it ourselves every day. The bottom of the pool was covered in sand during our entire stay.
10. Half way through our stay, we called the maintenance man to come pick up the trash because the can outside was full and we were stacking bags of trash on the ground. There are a lot of wild animals in the area and we didn't want to attract them. Someone came to pick up the trash a couple days after our call, but only took half of it. Bags of trash were still stacked on the ground outside the large trash can when we left.
11. The road to the villa became worse and worse as we climbed the hill until finally it was down to one lane so full of potholes and disintegrated asphalt that we could only drive about 10 MPH the last quarter mile. The brush growing into the roads was a bad sight-distance problem, also.
12. The biggest disappointment of all about this villa was the separate, downstairs apartment. Again, there were no blinds or draperies on the two large, corner floor-to-ceiling living room windows that had a deck surrpounding them. The persons sleeping on the sofas in the living room had no privacy from the outside or room-darkening capability, making it difficult to sleep after 6 a.m. when the sun came up. The downstairs kitchen was unusable. It was not equipped with cooking utensils, or pot and pans. The range hood was at least 40 years old. The inside of the refrigerator was so nasty, we were afraid to put food or drinks in it. The downstairs wash machine was very old and completely rusted through on the top and on the inside. It should have been disposed of many years ago. The downstairs dryer barely worked. It took four cycles to get one load of clothes partially dry. Any time we tried to use one of these major appliances, the circuit breaker would blow and we would have to find it and reset it. We finally gave up trying to use the downstairs laundry facilities, which we really needed for our group. The downstairs television was approximately 15" and very ancient. It was not connected to cable or a dish and only got one channel some of the time. At one point it quit altogether for a couple days.
Luxury Retreats advertised this villa with separate living quarters and we feel it was badly misrepresented. All the downstairs apartment was good for was the use of two small bedrooms with bad beds and a sadly run down bathroom. We had planned for a family of five to have their own quarters and privacy, but it did not work out that way. The "downstairs family" had to cook, eat and wash clothes upstairs with all the rest of us, crowding everyone. There was no blanket for the rollaway bed and no spare blankets in the entire villa.
Before renting this villa, I called Luxury Retreats and asked if there was anything wrong with this villa and why it hadn't rented yet. I was assured that nothing was wrong with it and the rep I was speaking with called out to another rep working next to her, inquiring about Rhapsody in Blue. He assured us that nothing was wrong with this villa and they "used to list it", but that nobody had been out to inspect it recently. Obviously, it never was inspected.
The most frustrating part of this rental was not being able to get in touch with Luxury Retreats during our stay. I called them many times beginning the day after our arrival on December 28. I kept getting the message "we are all with other customers", but continued to try to get in touch with a live person for the next week. I finally began to leave messages on Kelly Pearson's extension 277 on January 3, 4 and 6 and calls were not returned to me until January 7, the day before our departure. I was assured by Emma Porteous that "she would send me an e-mail immediately, would look into all the issues we had with the rental and rectify the situation. Not to fear--she would take care of everything to my satisfaction. After I got home I e-mailed her all the above complaints, most of which she chose to ignore. She did offer me a 10% discount on a future rental with Luxury Retreats, but that is an insult to me, considering all the money I spent renting this villa and all the headaches and disappointment we had with it.
I personally called Luxury Retreats more than once inquiring about the layout, accommodations and condition of the villa before I rented it, so I feel I did my part in researching the villa. I was assured that they wouldn't have it in their inventory if it wasn't up to luxury standards. I feel that "Rhapsody in Blue" villa is misrepresented on the website and Luxury Retreats is negligent in not inspecting this property before renting it.
Date Added: Feb 19, 2009
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| 4. |
Sam's Guesthouse Warning
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This is a warning to anyone thinking of staying or has current reservations for Sam’s Guesthouse at 5 Alberto St POS,Trinidad. I stayed there with friends from February 20th-25th for Carnival week of 2009. We were robbed on Feb24th around 3AM in our room. We were woken up by someone shining flash lights in our eyes, swinging a machete and threatening to chop and butcher everyone if we screamed or looked at him. The thief gained access to our room by use of a KEY. YES! A KEY!!!!!! He stole everything from cameras, cell phones, a laptop, over $1000 USD and TT dollars. What was stolen does not amount to the traumatic experience we all suffered. Thinking your going to be murdered, rapped, kidnapped… the scenarios are endless. It was later discovered that the master keys were missing for sometime that day and no one thought i t was wise to change the locks or inform the guests that their safety might be in jeopardy. No one told me sorry, we were not compensated in anyway for what happened. They didn’t offer a refund, to change our rooms, to pay for our last night in another hotel where we would feel safe… absolutely nothing. They did absolutely nothing. They expected us to sleep there that same night and they didn’t even change the locks!!! Can you believe that thieves just entered your home with a key and robbed your guests you would go to bed the same night and not change the locks. I don’t care if its Carnival Tuesday or Christmas day.. You do what to have to do to find a locksmith and get those lock changed. You are suppose to go above and beyond to make your guests feel comfortable and safe and they certainly did not.
This place has absolutely no security in place to protect its guests. There is no way to deadbolt the door from the inside. There is no security guard on the grounds. All doors are left open throughout the day and night. Any and everybody is free to roam in and out regardless of if you are a guest or not. Upon arrival we were not told of an alarm that was our room(who knows if it really works), we had no idea which room the owner of the guesthouse stayed in incase of an emergency. We were not told where and even if there was an emergency phone on the premises. My gut told me when I first walk into that room it was not a safe place and I should have listened. I hope anyone contemplating staying here listens to me. PLEASE DO NOT STAY HERE!!! Spend the extra money to stay in a secure hotel and more than likely the hotel will be cheaper because we paid $1500 and honestly was wasn’t worth half of that. Please protect yourself and your family and friends.
I REPEAT DO NOT STAY IN SAM’S GUESTHOUSE ON 5 ALBERTO STREET, POS IN TRINDAD.
Date Added: Mar 1, 2009
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| 6. |
False Advertisement in Puerto Rico Condominium
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The owner of the premises was extremely rude, did not show up for final inspection (noone did), later sent awful emails making false accusations and charging fees that do not appear on the written contract, refuses to return my cash deposit. Ms. Lopategui also makes false adverisements saying on her website that it is new, remodeled, and is a luxury stay. It is false. The air conditioning was weak, the walls were not painted as in the pictures, the electricity went out twice and noone would come after several requests for assistance, the cold water was out, the dryer did not work as well as other appliances. The owner would not come in to fix any problems. She was very rude. Overall, an awful vacation.
Date Added: Jul 12, 2009
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| 8. |
Unclean Vacation Home San Salvador-Bahamas
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Don’t be fooled about all the great reviews. I had a very different experience with this rental house. During the last years in the Bahamas we’ve recognized, that for $ 2,500 a week for 4-5 people, we could be sure, that the rental homes were clean and well maintained. This house (Blue House, San Salvador, Bahamas) was just disgusting. The owner told us that she is very picky to whom she rent her house. The important information’s were held back.
When we arrived at the airport the housekeeper didn’t pick us up as promised by the owner.
The house was a shock. The pictures on the home page are probably years old.
Dirt (months old), dead insects, spider webs, lacking paint and many areas looked simply abandoned, the second refrigerator was so nasty and damaged, we were afraid to put food or drinks in it, stained and soiled pillows, unusable cooking pots, the roof having large gaps (easy entrance for a lot of bugs), a leaking AC in one of the rooms upstairs where 2 teen boys were sleeping (only room upstairs with AC, the leakage couldn’t be fixed within our 2 weeks vacation), ants in the bed of my younger son and the upper area looking like a construction site. Not enough we had to clean the house every day twice. Once in the morning and once in the evening due to the damaged roof. We had to deal with hundreds of mosquitoes on the floor, couch, living room tables and furniture, stairs and the open upper area. Not removing the mosquitoes (broom and swap the floor) means that we would sit and step on them, giving a lot of bloody spots. We left a message with the owner. He called back 3 days later and wouldn’t believe it (even if he was there 2 weeks before). We agreed to send a DVD with the picture we made and asked for a refund. We’ve got an unfriendly email back. No explanation or excuses about the problems with the house and the daily cleaning we had to do.
The Blue House ruined our vacation.
San Salvador is a very small island, the opportunity to move to a other house for 5 people was not possible. We couldn’t afford to cancel a $ 10,000 trip.
DO NOT BOOK THIS HOUSE FOR THIS PRICE.
Because of:
- disgusting cooking pods
- stained/spilled pillows
- cockroach/spider webs in the kitchen
- leaking and very loud AC
- no updated pictures available
- loose toilet seat in one of the bath rooms (not even this could be fixed)
- partially construction side upstairs
- overall non-cleanliness’
- no outlets in the lower, small bath room (very complicated to use a hair dryer), you need an extension cord.
- mosquitoes inside (every day removal) due to large roof gaps
- The housekeeper stays in the house. Nothing personal, but her balcony in the upper level overlooking the deck I can’t call this privacy.
There are other nice homes available on the Bahamas owned by people that tell what you need to know about their home.
Date Added: Aug 30, 2009
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| 9. |
CAUTION: ISLA VERDE P.R. VACATION CONDO "On the Beach"
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Rented 12th floor condo overlooking ocean for 3rd time December 2008, for two weeks. When I arrived I was immediately aware of construction in the unit next door. Cleaning lady was present and heard the earsplitting noise, consisting of jackhammers and hi-speed ceramic saws (for cutting floor tile). Hallway covered with dust and debris which entered apt. Work started each day inc. Sat. at 9, stopped at 6, 7 or 8 p.m. I phoned the condo owner several times. "Nothing I can do, why not speak to head of condo board?" I did; she spoke to owners of nextdoor unit (work was supposed to stop at 5 p.m.). Turns out owner of condo unit did not have permission to rent it out. I was forced to vacate the unit, unable to work on a writing project (on unit laptop which did not work until owner came over on 3rd day), during the daytime hours because of the noise-which could be heard all over the neighborhood. My Christmas Eve and Day plans were ruined-workers were next door till 7 on the eve, arrived at 9 CHRISTMAS DAY. I decided to vacate the unit, having suffered through 7 days of hell. I did so on Xmas afternoon. What a disaster.
I had pre-paid the entire stay. As a previous guest (I had even donated a new rug and a lamp to the space, which is poorly decorated, i.e. not at all, and badly needs painting) I requested a refund of at least $500 of the $700 for the remaining time. Not even the entire amount. Unable to find lawyer to help me with this there. Owner C Cutz simply refuses to make any sort of refund. He did finally offer to give me "several free nights" if I booked for two weeks.
Needless to say, I am not going back there. The owner failed to abide by his own rental contract (Providing safe, clean and quiet lodgings etc.), and then got me, the renter, to get involved with the condo board. Unless I can find an abogado (lawyer) in San Juan I am out $700.
Date Added: Nov 10, 2009
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| 10. |
Best Beach Rental
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I would like to tell everyone of my neagative experience with the Floridian company - Best Beach Rental (www.bestbeachrental.com), and its owner Mr. Adrian Corbuleanu (phone number 305-788-2364).
I booked a vacation online for January 2nd, 2009 through January 10th, 2009. I paid $1,800$ through my credit card for a two floored two bedroom and two bathroom apartment on 5445 Collins Ave. Miami, FL. Due to sickness in the family, this vacation was cancelled. However, the cancellation policy of Best Beach Rental was that there are no refunds; however the vacation could be rebooked within one year. This was confirmed with Adrian Corbuleanu.
When we had already planned our previously cancelled vacation, I contacted Adrian to give him the new date which was from August 4th, 2009, through August 12th, 2009. Adrian promised me that during these dates there would be an available two-floored, two bedroom and two bathroom apartment. Through our telephone conversation, Adrian assured me that the keys from this apartment would be waiting to be picked up from the security desk of the front building.
When we had arrived to our destination, there were no keys waiting for us at the front desk. I phoned Adrian; he told me he would arrive there in fifteen minutes. When he had arrived, he had informed us that he did not have a two bedroom apartment, and he would make up for it by giving us two separate apartments since we had a party of seven (four adults, three children). He assured us that these two apartments will be as beautiful and comfortable as the original apartment. Right after assuring us this, he left.
When he had arrived into our apartments, they were unfit for a rat to live in. We were promised a fully equipped kitchen, and a washer and dryer. The only thing in the kitchen was one rusty microwave, there wasn’t even a stove. There was no silverware, and there were no dishes cups or anything of the sort. There was also a leak from the roof. This was nothing compared to what I had seen on the bestbeachrental.com’s site and paid $1,800 for.
I instantly called Adrian and informed him that this wasn’t what I had paid for and I kindly asked him to find us the apartment he had promised us. His response was that he had nothing else and he hanged up. After this, I had tried to contact him several times and he had not picked up his phone at all. We were left in a situation where four adults and three children (4, 5, 7 and 8 years-old) did not have a place to stay. We were forced to find another apartment to live in, even though this one had been paid in full. We did not spend a single minute (other than our initial inspection) in these two apartments – this could be confirmed by the folks in the lobby.
Luckily, the security officer (who is actually a Miami police officer, working there off-hours) at the front desk helped us find a new apartment, which we ended up paying for with $1,800.
Our numerous calls to Mr. Adrian Corbuleanu remain unanswered – he either picks up a phone and immediately hangs up or never returns the messages.
Would you please intervene and help us resolve this injustice as I feel I should not end up paying $1,800 for an apartment in which my party did not stay in. In addition, in my opinion, I feel that you will be doing a great help to the state of Florida by eliminating the state from a “realtor” whose idea of making money is to take advantage of tourists.
Date Added: May 12, 2010
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