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Cancun Forum: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

Delran, New...
622 forum posts
 Le Blanc is about to get slammed 

Just returned from a 5 day stay at "all inclusive, adults-only" Le Blanc. Notice the quotes...

A group of 10 of us wanted to celebrate our 30th birthdays in style, so we booked Le Blanc way back in October. No long details yet, I'm about to go to bed.

But long story short, they cancelled reservations so that they could accomodate a group that booked the entire resort for the next 3 years during Passover/Pasach. The group, which includes hundreds of children, arrived on Sunday and apparently paid over $2.5 million to reserve the entire hotel. That cost included the price of new silverware, glasses, plates, cups, etc in order to transform Le Blanc into Kosher for Passover resort. It also included the cost of floating toys for kids, cotton candy makers, jugglers for lobby entertainment, and many other wonderful things.

Of course, this is wonderful if you're actually part of the group. I was not and neither were the other 9 of us. Upon checkin on Thursday, in order to get our room key, management insisted we accept a transfer to Sun Palace for Sunday, because they would be transforming Le Blanc into a Kosher, family resort without alcohol beginning on Monday. We quickly accepted because it was the only was to get our room keys. Negotiations on reduction of price, or spa credits, were fruitless. When the kids started pouring in on Sunday, we were screwed. We have kids ourselves, but there is a reason you book adults only. You pay $500+ per night so that you have premium alcohol available if you want it. You pay that much so that you have gourmet food available, which hopefully includes non-Kosher/Passover foods like bread, meat, seafood, and countless other items.

I'll post more details at a later date, but be forewarned that the negative reviews on TA are accurate regarding the management at Le Blanc. They are ruining a fabulous resort with their disgusting customer service. The real clincher for us was when we spoke with an on-site member of management, who I won't name at this point. We asked to be compensated for our inconvenience, similar to how HE COMPENSATED OTHER GUESTS. We had proof that he had done so..like a $600 spa credit for a couple. His reponse: "I have the power to do so, but I will not do anything for you". Can you be more of an arrogant, SOB than that?

The fact that they would boot couples from their hotel so that they take in a boatload of money from a group is bad enough. The fact that they offered to move us to a lesser hotel (Sun Palace) in order to call it even is even worse. Lastly, and unbelievably, that they would then lie to our faces about deals they struck with other groups is sickening.

Our group of ten has vowed to never attend another Palace Resort again. I would advise you and your friends and relatives to reconsider any future plans with them. And if you don't believe me for some reason, I am positive that you will find other reviews/posts in the coming days/weeks to substantiate what I've told you above.

ginao
134 forum posts
31. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

Amen1986,

please keep us posted!

Minnesota
714 forum posts
32. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

We are booked at LeBlanc in two weeks. Clearly they knew that guests were booked overlapping this group, with kids and specific meal and beverage change requirements, weeks before your arrival. Waiting until you arrive at the check in desk to inform you of this basically holds you hostage to their plan for you, rather than waht you paid for. This is unethical and one of the worst examples of poor management and business practices I have ever heard of. You should be compensated with a free week, not a lousy $600 for your inconvienance.

I like the ham in the pool idea myself. I wonder how long it takes to drain and refill all those pools. :-) Just a joke, it is really not the groups fault, this falls on LeBlanc managment.

Southern New...
190 forum posts
33. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

Exactly..

A transaction like this doesn't happen overnight and they had ample time to inform you and allow you the opportunity to make other arrangements at THEIR expense..

I still can't get over this. It completely blows my mind.

Denise

Saint Louis...
3,593 forum posts
34. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

You booked in October, I bet LeBlanc had already booked this other group with kids when they took your reservation. They totally screwed you. I'd insist on every penny refunded back to me, including air fare. If you paid on your credit card- dispute the charges.

tampa
1,553 forum posts
35. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

That is HORRIBLE!!

unfortunately, you really can not dispute the charge on your credit card. The bottom line is services were rendered. It's a possibility that you may be able to get some kind of refund for the last night but it will be dificult. I only say this because I worked for 2 years in the cc dispute department of a major credit card. You may want to try it but most likely your claim will be turned down.

Please keep us updated on the outcome. I'm planning to go to cancun in april 08 and was hoping to stay in a Palace Resort but if this is how they treat their clients, I might have to look elsewhere.

ginao
134 forum posts
36. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

Amen1986.........

Were you aware that LeBlanc and Palace Resorts refer to this website in their Vacation Club sales presentations?

Perhaps the best revenge is getting the word out to thousands of us who rely on tripadvisor and the forums for our vacation planning.

Sorry, but this is still terrible and ruined my day!!

Delran, New...
622 forum posts
37. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

I was not aware that they refer to this site, but I specifically said, "if you do not take care of us, we will go to Trip Advisor. Le Blanc is # 1, that is why I booked our vacation. Do you think you'll still be # 1 once this gets out?" Obviously, they've made their choice.

Myrtle...
839 forum posts
38. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

Amen,

Le Blanc made a major mistake messing with you.....I can tell...

Keep records of everything you write down here and emails.

Document everything.

Do not settle for anything less than a full refund.

I would request a rep from the company come on here and explain themselves.

Finally amen I can tell you are going to win this one. You have a lot of support here.

s

columbus ohio
4,330 forum posts
39. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

I am absolutely dumbfounded and as we say in England, "gob smacked" that this happened to you. I am a Palace member and IMO this is disgusting.

Three years ago, while staying at AventuraSpa Palace a similar thing happened. The were expecting a huge convention crowd coming in. This was going to be a first for this US company, and the advance team........about 200 people...... were going to be allowed to bring children with them. We were already booked to stay our second week at Sun Palace, so when an invitation to move was sent to everyone, we took it. We only lost one day at ASP and were given $200 pp to move. You should have at least have been given some incentive to move, plus the difference in your costs.

I don`t know if you have the owners names or not, but the Palace group is owned by two brothers..........Roberto and Loreno Chapur. They live in Cancun, maybe there is a way to contact them.

BTW Patrick used to manage the Sun Palace, and I can concur that he is obnoxious!!

Georgetown...
937 forum posts
40. Re: Le Blanc is about to get slammed

All I can say is WOW!! I can't believe that a resort, such as Le Blanc, would pull such a stunt!! My hubby and I are celebrating 25 years together, (since high school) and want an adults only vacation. We've never tried Cancun (only PDC) and guess which resort I've been researching??!! I've just changed my mind!!

Thanks Amen for the info, I truly hope you are compensated very well $$$$. Please keep us informed, I know I'm not the only TA poster who would like to see justice for you and your group!!!! Good luck.......Kim.