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The current weather in Culebra

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Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeff Donatello (---.ne.client2.attbi.com)
Date:   12-14-04 14:25

I have been reading negative comments after inquiring about a reservation with Drusco. This is my polite response in cancelling the reservation.

Quote:


Drusco,
Please cancel our reservation for March (we have yet to send any money anyways). Just to let you know, you lost our business by not having a credit card system and the comments that were made on the web regarding some of the past experiences. You probably are a good businessman and these people are just digruntled but it is too big a risk to send money to you based on these comments. You may want to check it out.
Sorry


His response:

Quote:


Mr. Donatello, your reservation is canceled as requested. Hope you find the right place for your family. Please do not call for a reservation at our restaurant either, if you make it our way. We have been offering lodging since 1970 and there will always be a disgruntled client. But I must say that they remain in the low 2% of the total. You would probably be in that 2%, so we are very happy you are not staying with us and causing an unnecessary problem. The gentleman that runs the website you so much like is himself a disgruntled person ( a German national ) that spends some of his time here in Culebra illegally on his boat. We call people like that " boats" if they are American, ( people that have no roots anywhere ). But simply aliens if they are German. The truth is that he wanted me to put an add in his website and I told him "no way ". The internet is the most wonderful thing to use, and if what you want to find is trash, you will certainly find it.

Druso Daubon, Architect, Structural Engineer, Hotelier, Cook ,Fisherman, Ceramist, Aquarist, Farmer, 7th. generation Puerto Rican, father of 3 champion offspring's and cancer survivalist at 63 years old. Try and match that Jeff.



Wow, I guess I made the rigfht decision......3 champion offspring, what are you....a horse :)

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Re: Beware of Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Joe Ant (---.cs-server26.com)
Date:   12-14-04 16:00

I was wondering why there were so many different domain names out there for this guy Drusco:

When I was doing research for Culebra I found at least three websites that belonged to him - I guess he pretty much ruined the name 'Harbor View Villas' and needs new 'businesses' to fool naive gringos. Some of these names are culebrahotel.com, discoverculebra.com and of course, harbourviewvillas.com

I am in the website business and this seems very fishy to me.

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Re: Beware of Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Joe Ant (---.cs-server26.com)
Date:   12-14-04 16:05

oh and I forgot, he advertises with 'Culebra Island Villas' in Google ..

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Enjoyed Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Matt Walters (---.law.gwu.edu)
Date:   02-02-05 14:54

I feel compelled to write on behalf of people who stayed at the HVV with me last June. I've read these "stories" but, having stayed there, I want to set the record straight.

Don't be dissuaded by the unrealistic expectations of others. The mosquito nets are fine (if not unnecessary). The place, overall, is simple but clean. There is no animal poop (mentioned on some other thread) or any other stuff in the place and the bathroom is clean. The water needs to be heated by flipping a switch in the bathroom (don't let it warm for more than 5 minutes or it will be too hot), but everything else is provided nicely. Clean sheets, pillowcases, and blankets will be provided. There may be some mosquitos (not many), a few lizards, and maybe a dog or two that belongs to the owners outside your place.

- We stayed in a two bedroom unit (the center villa). It was clean and tidy, although best described as an open cabin due to the wood interior. It has a working fridge, a useable kitchen, a table, 2 decks, etc. Overall, it is not a Hilton, but nothing to be concerned about.

- We bought an "Off" candle and used some bug spray, but found that mosquitos weren't any more of a problem then they are in Northeastern suburbs. I think the wins coming in from the ocean ad the absence of any nearby "still water" keeps them away.

- We did not see any rats at all. We did, however see several harmless
geckos.

- Although we didn't meet Druso, we did meet his daughter Jennifer. She picked us up from the dock, showed us around the villa, gave us some advice on places to eat and buy food, and dropped us off at Jerry's Jeeps thereafter. She was very pleasant and hospitable.

Overall our trip was a great success. We were really relaxed and found the beaches beautiful (particularly the water at Flamanco and the privacy at Zoni). In fact, the rive to Zoni in and of itself is memorable.

As far as hot water is concerned, the water there is usually tepid, but a little chilly for a shower. There is a timer switch in the bathroom by the bathroom sink that turns the heater on while taking a shower. It is not marked and unless Jennifer remembers to tell you, you will be without hot water. I have read of people who have spent whole time there without hot water. However, don't leave it on too long (about 5 minutes should be good), because the water will be scalding hot!

The Villas themselves are clean, well-kept, and open to nature. If you go to
their website, which I included here http://www.harbourviewvillas.com/harbourview.htm that is exactly what it looks like. Except for the "fish-eye lens" on the one shot. The property is all on a hillside overlooking the town and the ferry dock and a superb view to the south east. The 3 cabins or villas are about 100-150 ft apart and totally isolated. They are fully equipped with kitchen, bath, living area, and sleeping area on top floor. We opened the doors and windows front and back and let the prevailing breezes blow through, and didn't have a single mosquito. A great experience. But if you don't want this kind of seclusion and privacy you may be disappointed. One person described it as "extreme luxury camping."

If you are looking for an all-inclusive resort, you will be disappointed with them (and the Island itself). Go into your trip with reasonable expectations... the people on Culebra live a simple life compared to your average American. Don't expect perfectly paved roads, antisceptic buildings, a wild nightlife, and people catering to your every need. Do expect stunning beaches, a friendly community, and a relaxed atmosphere. People seem to either love it or hate it. It is undeveloped and non-commercial. It appears a little shabby and run down, like a small mid western town of a couple 1000 people. There are roosters all over town and Jennifer's dogs followed is into town one day and must have spent the day lounging by the street.

Honestly, I took my girlfriend here, who has high "Boston" standards. She liked the accomodations. You will only be disappointed if you are expecting the Hilton, rather than the Culebra atmosphere. Druso may seem curt, but that's the attitude that many people on the island have. Don't look to be catered too. Culebra is a beautiful place where people accept travellers as locals and, although they do not tend to your every last need, as they do in places like Hawaii and the St. Thomas, they make you feel comfortable and provide you with everything you need for a pleasant and wonderful vacation.

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Re: Beware of Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeff Donatello (---.ne.client2.attbi.com)
Date:   02-03-05 12:45

I am curious as to what your motivation is to write such a detailed letter on this places behalf. Did you read the letter this guy wrote back to me? Why on earth would someone want to stay in a place like this when there are so many other great places to stay. Almost looks like you have an inside motivation to write what you wrote.

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Re: Beware of Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debalew (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   02-03-05 20:24

Nice response, Jeff.

Matt - not everyone is happy everywhere they go. Culebra is rustic, and Drusco is a little crusty. You're not giving him or his family a chance unless and until you meet them in person. Your loss, in my opinion. And since you won't be welcome at Jennifer's restaurant now, you are truly on the losing end of this argument. You could have just canceled your reservations and moved on, but you had to make a stink out of it with him. Where do you plan on staying that will be any better (for the same price) on the island? Just curious.

Debbie

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Re: Beware of Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debalew (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   02-03-05 20:26

Oops - sorry I mixed up the names of the posters. My apologies.

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Re: Beware of Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeff Donatello (---.ne.client2.attbi.com)
Date:   02-04-05 07:02

I will move on. It just seems to me after reading numerous posts that "crusty" is a massive euphenism when referring to this guy. While your island is infamous for being rustic and laid back (the way it should be) there is also the problem of certain hotel /villa owners ripping people off and false advertising without any repercussions at all. If that were to happen in our resort town here in New England there would be at least a police investigation but down there it looks as if the problems are just dismissed as "island life".

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Re: Beware of Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Matt Walters (---.arlngt01.va.comcast.net)
Date:   02-07-05 11:47

Jeff, my message was detailed because I included parts of an email that I sent to an individual who asked me about the Villas. He also ejoyed his stay at HVV.

I can certainly see your point of view, Jeff. However, I thought the purpose of forums such as these was to promote the free expression of ideas and opinions. Although you may not have had a good experience with Druso, I did. My "motivation" in posting was the same as yours... to let people know what they thought of their time in Culebra.

The more people who post on these forums, the more a first-time visitor to Culebra will know when they have in choose a place to stay.

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Re: Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Rami (---.wcb.state.ny.us)
Date:   02-09-05 12:27

I am going to be brief and hopefully fair.
My wife, myself and my 12 years old son stayed at HVV last April 04. We had identical experience as Matt, so no need to re write but I can say Matt was accurate in his writing and no I don't believe in conspiracy theories.
We came with no expectation and were totally blown away by the island.
We came back January 05 and stayed in Hammca down town.
We loved renting the oldest car Jerry Jeep could find us and drove in first gear for a week.

Rami

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Happy stay at Harbour View Villas
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Cheryl (---.modem.logical.net)
Date:   02-01-06 16:08

We stayed at Harbour View several years ago and were, overall, happy with our stay. We rented a one-bedroom villa at the end of the row -- closest to the village.

I would have to characterize the lodging as rustic and primitive -- but nobody claimed it was going to be "Beverly Hill!" (And thank goodness for that as that was NOT what we were looking for!)

As someone mentioned earlier, you have to have clear expectations and not expect to be catered to. That's the way Culebra is.

Although we did lose a portion of a loaf of bread to some "critter" there, I was not totally upset. We learned to keep perishables in the fridge or microwave -- end of problem.

Culebra has some of the most awesome snorkeling, is so-laid back and friendly, and tends to be somewhat less expensive than other Caribbean destinations -- that is what attracted us to it. Our son, who was in middle school at the time, was able to meet some great people and participate in the Leatherback Turtle project. It's an experience he will never forget!

Waking up in the morning to see wild horses, goats, and chickens and roosters having the "right of way" was quite a delight, too.

We do plan on going back again and will consider Harbour View, based on our previous experiences, as one of the places to look at when we choose accomodations.

I am not related to Druso, and have no ulterior motive for writing -- just stating my point of view!

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