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Marriott International Complaint - Rob at Marriott Ocean Club
Complaint
I have been loyal customers of Marriott Hotels, and 10 years as a Marriott Vacation Club owner. We enjoy the Ocean Club in Aruba, which we have enjoyed three of the past five years. Not only do we love this property and other Marriott Vacation Club locations as a whole, we also invite numerous friends and family to join us on our vacations, booking more rooms at these Marriott properties for these vacations.
Our most recent trip in Aruba was scheduled from October 9th-17th 2009, although this vacation came to a grinding halt on the evening of October 15, 2009, leading to our departure from the Ocean Club and Aruba a day earlier than originally planned.
I have been a guest of the Marriott Resort in Aruba for many years; in fact three of the past five years I’ve chosen to vacation at your resort. As I had mentioned, my most recent stay was over the past couple of weeks. Although previous vacations have been extremely enjoyable and employees of the Marriott Ocean Club have been attentive and helpful, I am unfortunately left with a sour taste after this past experience.
During this vacation we experience several issues – including one devastating issue, the theft of all our electronic equipment.
The events of this week are in chronological order:
On October 9, 2009, I checked into the Marriott Ocean Club Resort to find our room 5685/ 5684. We were unhappy with this room assignment since we had: requested a lower floor, and we were facing the Surf Club Resort, also contrary to our requests. Two days later, on October 11,2009, the Ocean Club front desk advised us that we could move to the first floor location, which in the past we have enjoyed many times, however we were still not facing the ocean or the pool. This time we were assigned to room was 5185/5184 that once again had lousy views, facing the Surf Club Resort. My wife wanted to change room again, but I advised against this, as we did not want to spend our vacation changing rooms. I feel after being a Marriott Vacation Club owner for over ten years and having just purchased another Marriott vacation week that I would at least have had the consideration of having minimally a pool view or ocean view room.
Prior to our arrival at the Ocean Club, I had sent an email to the Ocean Club requesting additional services we might need upon our arrival. We did request one addition, a full service cleaning to our suite to be done on the fifth day of our vacation. Every day when we went to our room for lunch, housekeeping was in our room. We asked on each occasion why they were there, as we had not requested daily service. Unfortunately, we never did get a straight answer from the staff until later. During this time, we always left our laptop out on the kitchen counter, thinking no one would be in our room during certain days. Similarly, other electronic devices were not concealed. We did not expect anyone in our room; therefore, we did not take steps to secure these belongings.
We were vandalized on the evening of October 15th 2009 sometime between 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM; apparently someone knew what was in our room and were watching us to see when we were leaving the premises for an evening out. Although there were no signs of forced entry, we know all security is not 100% secure. We were thankful, when we returned later that evening, that whoever had entered our room, invaded our privacy, and stole our property, were not still there when we walked into the room. At least we were not physically assaulted. Missing were many items, including all of our electronics, which will reach a value of close to $4000.00. We found left behind in the room an old paper towel with dirt or oil on it, and an un-used condom.
We called security, which came and were very helpful to us, followed by the Aruba police. They took pictures and told us they would be moving our room that evening so they can do more investigation that next morning. The night manager came down to our room and gave us our new room 5436/ 5437, which, incidentally, we wished we had been placed in that room at the start, as it was exactly what we had requested to begin with. The night manager indicated that we wanted housekeeping every day, to which I replied, “No, you need to review your emails.” She did, and we were given credit back for five days of housekeeping, leaving the charge for the one day we had requested. At this time we also indicated our vacation was over due to this traumatic occurrence, and requested the Marriott to assist us securing flights and paying any travel charges incurred to return home on October 16,2009. They told me I would need to do this the following morning.
During the time the police and security were in our room, we kept stressing to them that the exit doors at the end of our hallways, one going to the Surf Club area and other leading to the pool, were never locked or even shut on several occurrences, as we never once had to use the room key to get into the building. We were told no one had brought this issue to the resort’s attention. We informed them that we were bringing to their attention and requested to have it fixed, as this was another unsafe security breach.
The next morning we walked over to the former room, 5185/5186, to make sure that we had removed all our personal items from that room as we were in no condition to do so the previous evening due to the stress of the situation. We also wanted to see if the police had come back as promised. We were shocked to find both exit doors at the end of the hallway open, with still no need to use room key, and to find a maintenance man in the room, watching TV. The room had already been cleaned, and housekeeping advised us some items had been sent to lost and found. The following concerned us: why had the issue with the doors remained unresolved, why was someone watching TV in the room, and, more importantly, why had the room been cleaned prior to police arrival, as potential evidence was in that room. I would hope that the Marriott would not let another family stay in that location until the police and security investigation were both closed.
We spoke to the manager in charge that day, and discovered nothing could be done to reimburse us until the investigation closes. This meant that neither our room bill could not be credited nor our difference in airline tickets. Our vacation was cut short, as we were originally scheduled to leave the resort on Saturday October 17, 2009. We always travel with a large group of people, and this particular vacation we were accompanied by ten of our friends and family. All of our traveling companions have been shocked and surprised by Marriott for attempting to handle this devastating situation without any type of compensation offered to us.
After a month now of our return and many calls to marriott, vacation club, Ocean Club, etc.......we have gotten no place except that they said it is handed over to their insurance company, however their insurance company only handles the actual items stolen and only if Marriott is at fault which Housekeeping does not fall under Marriott. Explain that one!! Plus in speaking with the higher management at marriott Ocean Club the deny all that was said and promise to us. And Aruban Police will not return calls or Emails.
So end result Marriott does not stand behind their name and do not care about personal safety or satisfaction from their customers.......and Aruba has now become a very unsafe island, while we were there a man got mugged in front of La Cabana and was fighting for his life.
Think twice before going to Aruba, especially Marriott properties and actually think about ever using Marriott again
Our most recent trip in Aruba was scheduled from October 9th-17th 2009, although this vacation came to a grinding halt on the evening of October 15, 2009, leading to our departure from the Ocean Club and Aruba a day earlier than originally planned.
I have been a guest of the Marriott Resort in Aruba for many years; in fact three of the past five years I’ve chosen to vacation at your resort. As I had mentioned, my most recent stay was over the past couple of weeks. Although previous vacations have been extremely enjoyable and employees of the Marriott Ocean Club have been attentive and helpful, I am unfortunately left with a sour taste after this past experience.
During this vacation we experience several issues – including one devastating issue, the theft of all our electronic equipment.
The events of this week are in chronological order:
On October 9, 2009, I checked into the Marriott Ocean Club Resort to find our room 5685/ 5684. We were unhappy with this room assignment since we had: requested a lower floor, and we were facing the Surf Club Resort, also contrary to our requests. Two days later, on October 11,2009, the Ocean Club front desk advised us that we could move to the first floor location, which in the past we have enjoyed many times, however we were still not facing the ocean or the pool. This time we were assigned to room was 5185/5184 that once again had lousy views, facing the Surf Club Resort. My wife wanted to change room again, but I advised against this, as we did not want to spend our vacation changing rooms. I feel after being a Marriott Vacation Club owner for over ten years and having just purchased another Marriott vacation week that I would at least have had the consideration of having minimally a pool view or ocean view room.
Prior to our arrival at the Ocean Club, I had sent an email to the Ocean Club requesting additional services we might need upon our arrival. We did request one addition, a full service cleaning to our suite to be done on the fifth day of our vacation. Every day when we went to our room for lunch, housekeeping was in our room. We asked on each occasion why they were there, as we had not requested daily service. Unfortunately, we never did get a straight answer from the staff until later. During this time, we always left our laptop out on the kitchen counter, thinking no one would be in our room during certain days. Similarly, other electronic devices were not concealed. We did not expect anyone in our room; therefore, we did not take steps to secure these belongings.
We were vandalized on the evening of October 15th 2009 sometime between 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM; apparently someone knew what was in our room and were watching us to see when we were leaving the premises for an evening out. Although there were no signs of forced entry, we know all security is not 100% secure. We were thankful, when we returned later that evening, that whoever had entered our room, invaded our privacy, and stole our property, were not still there when we walked into the room. At least we were not physically assaulted. Missing were many items, including all of our electronics, which will reach a value of close to $4000.00. We found left behind in the room an old paper towel with dirt or oil on it, and an un-used condom.
We called security, which came and were very helpful to us, followed by the Aruba police. They took pictures and told us they would be moving our room that evening so they can do more investigation that next morning. The night manager came down to our room and gave us our new room 5436/ 5437, which, incidentally, we wished we had been placed in that room at the start, as it was exactly what we had requested to begin with. The night manager indicated that we wanted housekeeping every day, to which I replied, “No, you need to review your emails.” She did, and we were given credit back for five days of housekeeping, leaving the charge for the one day we had requested. At this time we also indicated our vacation was over due to this traumatic occurrence, and requested the Marriott to assist us securing flights and paying any travel charges incurred to return home on October 16,2009. They told me I would need to do this the following morning.
During the time the police and security were in our room, we kept stressing to them that the exit doors at the end of our hallways, one going to the Surf Club area and other leading to the pool, were never locked or even shut on several occurrences, as we never once had to use the room key to get into the building. We were told no one had brought this issue to the resort’s attention. We informed them that we were bringing to their attention and requested to have it fixed, as this was another unsafe security breach.
The next morning we walked over to the former room, 5185/5186, to make sure that we had removed all our personal items from that room as we were in no condition to do so the previous evening due to the stress of the situation. We also wanted to see if the police had come back as promised. We were shocked to find both exit doors at the end of the hallway open, with still no need to use room key, and to find a maintenance man in the room, watching TV. The room had already been cleaned, and housekeeping advised us some items had been sent to lost and found. The following concerned us: why had the issue with the doors remained unresolved, why was someone watching TV in the room, and, more importantly, why had the room been cleaned prior to police arrival, as potential evidence was in that room. I would hope that the Marriott would not let another family stay in that location until the police and security investigation were both closed.
We spoke to the manager in charge that day, and discovered nothing could be done to reimburse us until the investigation closes. This meant that neither our room bill could not be credited nor our difference in airline tickets. Our vacation was cut short, as we were originally scheduled to leave the resort on Saturday October 17, 2009. We always travel with a large group of people, and this particular vacation we were accompanied by ten of our friends and family. All of our traveling companions have been shocked and surprised by Marriott for attempting to handle this devastating situation without any type of compensation offered to us.
After a month now of our return and many calls to marriott, vacation club, Ocean Club, etc.......we have gotten no place except that they said it is handed over to their insurance company, however their insurance company only handles the actual items stolen and only if Marriott is at fault which Housekeeping does not fall under Marriott. Explain that one!! Plus in speaking with the higher management at marriott Ocean Club the deny all that was said and promise to us. And Aruban Police will not return calls or Emails.
So end result Marriott does not stand behind their name and do not care about personal safety or satisfaction from their customers.......and Aruba has now become a very unsafe island, while we were there a man got mugged in front of La Cabana and was fighting for his life.
Think twice before going to Aruba, especially Marriott properties and actually think about ever using Marriott again
Comments:
Posted by goduke on 2009-11-10:
So am I reading this right that the assertion is that the housekeeping folks are the ones who broke into the room and took the stuff?
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-11-10:
It seems that what goes to Aruba, STAYS in Aruba.
Posted by JR in Orlando on 2009-11-10:
An investigation was done at a major hotel in Orlando some years back and over 700 incidents were reported in a two year period, everything from stolen towels to people sneaking into rooms at night to steal wallets. All kinds of people have access to rooms at a large resort hotel. Your room is not a safe place to keep things. Keep it in your car if you have one, in the room safe, or check it with the front desk. Also, limit what you take on vacation.
You and your wife were not mugged or hurt. It was your decision to come back early. If your house was robbed would you move? Complaints about the doors are irrelevant. This is a resort. People are always going to prop those doors open, etc. If someone could get in your room by use of a key card or whatever, couldn't they get through these doors anyway.
You and your wife were not mugged or hurt. It was your decision to come back early. If your house was robbed would you move? Complaints about the doors are irrelevant. This is a resort. People are always going to prop those doors open, etc. If someone could get in your room by use of a key card or whatever, couldn't they get through these doors anyway.
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