My wife and I just returned from a trip to Riu Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Jan 28, 2005. This a new resort, very breath taking, 5 star, food was good but boring, mainly north American flare with little Mexican dishes. Good for some but I prefer some variety.
Rooms were nice but damp and moldy, not all were like that, but ours was. No air conditioning, it was broke. But other than for ventilation, not needed this time of year. The hotel was full so no chance of a room change. Beautiful sandy beach and nice pool and activities.
However, theft of articles and cash seemed to be rampid! Our friend in our group arrived and was told they did not have a lock for the safe in his room. He changed and left his pants over the chair, his pockets were picked in his room and when he returned $500.00 was gone.
As we were packing to go home we found a leather pouch and our MP3 player missing, Total value about $300.00, Stolen as well! The management was trying to appear genuinely sorry, but that was as far as it went. No help, no compensation. (However after 3 days of screaming at the management they did give him his $500.00. This would suggest that they knew there was a problem in the hotel. I heard from others in the hotel that in the course of 2 days, 10 to 15 rooms had been hit. (can’t confirm this, just hearsay)
Although it is basically our own fault for leaving these things out in our room, one still cannot help feel violated. In over the 10 years I have traveled, I have never had a problem like this.
So if you are planning a trip in the near future to this resort, make sure you lock everything up or take it with you.
Such a lousy way to end a vacation!
