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The current weather in Culebra

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Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Ingo Fast (---.cable.mindspring.com)
Date:   12-06-04 00:45

On January 01, 2003, two friends of mine and I arrived in Dewey, Culebra and proceeded to Mamacitas where we had a credit card confirmed reservation for about 4 or 5 nights. When we entered the reservations office, we received a cold attitude from the lady who, I believe, runs respectively owns the place, and were told that there's no room for us available, only perhaps in a few days. When we asked why, we were first told that there is a plumbing problem in the room we had reserved, but when we insisted to at least see the room (because we indeed wanted to move in as soon as the problem was fixed), the lady admitted in an unfriendly manner that we can't see the room because other people have occupied it and have their stuff in it. The deal was that she would transfer us now to another place called "Ocean View", up the hill, for the same price, and she acted as if she would even do us a favor. This guest house, where we were forced to stay for 2 nights (before we found something nicer) was quite unsatisfactory in our view: rooms without windows, shabby bathrooms, and little to no ocean view at all, while it was far away from the center of town. (The only nice aspect there was a tiny, authentic Puerto Rican home cooking place, run by the parents of the guest house's owner, who serve delicous typical meals!) Well, anyway, when it turned out that the owner of Ocean View is actually a former employee of Mamacitas who still has business relations with Mamacitas' owner (he offers boat rides originating at the pier next to Mamacitas, and that we were not the only ones who had reservations with Mamacitas but were also bumped to Ocean View, we felt severely cheated. We believe that this is an ongoing scam to squeeze higher rates out of tourists who book a room at Mamacitas (which has a strong internet presence on Culebra searches and must certainly generate many inquiries) but then get bumped to a place which is not worth the price, while the persons involved probably happily share the extra profit. So beware! I've been to Puerto Rico many times, and on Culebra alone probably 5 or 6 times, always had pleasant experiences, but something like this never happened to me before. I used to like Mamacitas which is a pretty place but after this experience I will avoid it. Good luck!

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Nelida Dooreman (63.175.186.---)
Date:   12-08-04 14:22

Mr. Ingo,
We are sorry that you had a bad experience with your reservation at Mamacitas Guest House. At that time we were sold out, and the Island was also very busy. We were lucky to find you a place at Ocean View. There is no Scam, Mamacitas is a very serious bussines to us. We would do our best to provide good service, however, in this occacion we were not able to accommodate you.

Thank you,
Nelly Dooreman

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debalew (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   12-08-04 20:47

The fellow has a credit-card confirmed reservation, and you are unable to accommodate him? I don't know about it being a scam, but it sure is unbelievable that you didn't honor his reservation.

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: luis grundler (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date:   12-08-04 21:38

Hi, Mr Ingo I feel very bad for you bad experience at Ocean View
I try all the time to help you .. I remember you and your friends.
The only room i had available was for you room believe me .
Mr. Ingo in Culebra we are frienly people and good people.
if go to a business and the business dont have the thing you looking
the people send you to other business . we are small island
I dont give money or commision to nobody...........
In Culebra Island we dont need that .
You can see my rooms i my rate www.culebraoceanview.com

sorry for my english and sorry again for you bad time.



atte. Luis Grundler

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: luis grundler (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date:   12-09-04 04:59

Estimado Sr. Ingo lamento mucho su experiencia hacia Ocean View.
En todo momento yo personalmente trate de ayudarlo , me recuerdo de usted y de sus amigos. dejeme decirle que la habitacion que usted ocupo
era la unica Habitacion disponible creamelo y usted sabe que es verdad.
Usted lamentablemente vino en una temporada mala , porque no se consigues habitaciones en Culebra .....
Aqui en Culebra tratamos de ayudar a los turistas , si usted va a un negocio o comercio y no tiene lo que busca lo envian a otro ha si es
como se trabaja aqui sin tener que sacar ventaja de nada.
Si usted llama para una reservacion y no tienen disponible lo primero
que pregunta el cliente es si sabe quien tenga habitaciones........
Sr. Ingo Yo Luis Grundler nunca he dado dinero ni comiciones en Mamacitas
yo brindo un servicio desde Mamacitas que es el Water Taxi.............
Recuerde que Culebra es una isla no es una ciudad por eso es que la
gente nos visita no tenemos grandes hoteles hasta ahora pero cuando
usted compare precios se dara de cuenta.....

Puede ver nuestros cuartos en www.culebraoceanview.com algunos
con vista y otros no lamentablemente.


Lamento mucho lo que le sucedio .


atte. Luis Grundler

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Nelida Dooreman (63.175.186.---)
Date:   12-09-04 17:13

Hello Debby,
I had one room out of service, sold out, it seems that the only logic thing to do was to find the guest a room in another hotel. We deeply regret the fact that we could not accommodate Mr. Ingo at that time.

Thank you,
Nelly Dooreman

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Ingo Fast (---.cable.mindspring.com)
Date:   12-09-04 21:18

... we were no the only tourists that were bumped from Mamacitas to Ocean View, there was at least one other group or couple that stayed at Ocean View whose reservation at Mamacitas was not honored, and that was in a very short time period only. Besides, like I described in the forum, we got conflicting information as to why we couldn't have the room: first Nelly told us that there was a plumbing problem, then she said the room was occupied.

I also want to say that Luis treated us very well at Ocean View, and he is a sympathetic host who runs a decent guest house (with, like I mentioned before, a great little gem of an authentic roof top restaurant run by his parents) - although we still feel that we paid Mamacitas rates for windowless Ocean View rooms which we felt at the time were not in the same tier. But I want to make clear that our criticizm and disappointment is mainly directed toward the owner of Mamacitas who confronted us with a very unfriendly and disrespectful attitude, and was dishonest to us as to the reasons why she couldn't honor our reservation without any remorse - until now!

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Carolyn Vizcarrondo (63.175.186.---)
Date:   12-10-04 07:03

Mr. Ingo:

Hi. What took you so long to complaint?I'm sorry you dissapoinment with Mamacitas Guest House and the overbooking that we had for those days.
First the lady that works in the reservation office is neither the owner or the manager. I can't be pleased with her attitude, but I apologize the inconvience created to you and your guests. If you want to have a new experience at Mamacitas Guest House give me a call. My name is Carolyn and I'm Mamacitas Manager and were are here to serve you and every tourist that comes to Culebra. Happy Holidays.

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: luz meneses (---.se.client2.attbi.com)
Date:   12-17-04 21:38

Mr. Ingo:

I read your e-mail about Mamasitas and Ocean View,probably you had an isolated bad experience that week in Culebra. I stay in Ocean View many times even before Capt. Luis took over that place and I never had any problem with them, I have not idea wich room you ocupied that week but last time i was there I stay on room #10 wich is small but it have I belive one of the best view, you can see the bay almost compleatly. I stayed in other rooms down stairs of course is not te same view because their are lower but they were very nice and clean. If there is somthing tat I agree with you is abut the food prepare by his mother in te little restaurant they have over there.
I hope that incident don't make you change your mind about Culebra and the beautifull people that lives in there waiting for us (visitors) to get back every year and make us feel like in paradise.
I like to send a happy Hollydays to all the residents of Culebra in especial to Margarita (we love her Mofongos). Luis keep going with the good job you are doing on the Island and i will see you soon.

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: David Avery (---.nyc.rr.com)
Date:   12-23-04 12:48

Hmmmmmmmm that's always a traveler's nightmare. I've got a reservation at Mamacita's in January - and I've just emailed them to confirm that everything is in order. This'll be my first time in Culebra, so here's hoping that everything will work out. I guess it's always a good idea of confirm, confirm, confirm...

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Joe Ant (---.cs-server26.com)
Date:   12-23-04 15:21

David, did you make that reservation directly at Mamacita's? Or did you use an online booking system?

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: David Avery (---.nyc.rr.com)
Date:   01-04-05 15:00

Joe, I made it directly with Mamacita's by phone, and they've happily and curteously confirmed it with me twice now by email. I think I'm all set! Thanks :)

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nyc.rr.com)
Date:   01-04-05 15:11

You should be all set!

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Mamacitas scam
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Tameka Ramsey (67.153.101.---)
Date:   01-12-05 12:36

I'm headed to Culebra at the end of Jan. and have change my reservation at the last minute (work demands) 3 TIMES. The manager has been nothing but accomadating and friendly even though according to policy I should have lost my deposit.

If the inn is as good as the service, I'll be back many times to come!

Tameka

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