wyatt.jamin
23rd November 2005, 08:35 AM
I'm a little concerned and hope you can give me some advice.
I contacted the Diamante K in Tulum a while back about reserving a cabana for two nights this holiday season, and after a slow-set of back and forth emails with a woman there named Maya (they're really slow in replying so it took a few weeks), was told that I have a reservation for a 4-star cabana. However, I was then told that to secure the reservation I would need to pay in full for both nights (not just a partial deposit, but actual full pre-payment). They (Maya) told me that if I did not pay by the first week in december my reservation would be cancelled. Maya gave me a bank account in Mexico, and I guess she expects me to send a wire of the money. They don't seem to accept credit cards or paypal, which makes this all very inconvenient. This whole thing seems a little fishy to me because A) I've never had another place demand full-prepayment, B) How do I know that this is not Maya or someone elses's personal bank account and that I won't arrive and they'll have no record I paid? And C) my bank will charge me $45 just to send the wire, which is a lot of money (almost as much as one of the nights).
So I'm wondering, is this what they do with everyone? Has anyone ever stayed at the Diamante K? What did they require you to do for the deposit? Did you prepay and everything worked out OK? Are they a reputable place?
I'm wondering if instead I might be able to mail an international money order or something to avoid the $45 charge.
Are perhaps I should just forget about the reservation and call around Tulum a bit after we arrive in Mexico (we're staying in Playa del Carmen for three days before-hand). I guess I just fear that if I wait until I arrive there won't be anything available in Tulum for the nights of the 28th and 29th. Even with contacting places in November, other than the Diamante K almost every place has either been full or wanted to charge over $100 per night.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks so much.
Ben
I contacted the Diamante K in Tulum a while back about reserving a cabana for two nights this holiday season, and after a slow-set of back and forth emails with a woman there named Maya (they're really slow in replying so it took a few weeks), was told that I have a reservation for a 4-star cabana. However, I was then told that to secure the reservation I would need to pay in full for both nights (not just a partial deposit, but actual full pre-payment). They (Maya) told me that if I did not pay by the first week in december my reservation would be cancelled. Maya gave me a bank account in Mexico, and I guess she expects me to send a wire of the money. They don't seem to accept credit cards or paypal, which makes this all very inconvenient. This whole thing seems a little fishy to me because A) I've never had another place demand full-prepayment, B) How do I know that this is not Maya or someone elses's personal bank account and that I won't arrive and they'll have no record I paid? And C) my bank will charge me $45 just to send the wire, which is a lot of money (almost as much as one of the nights).
So I'm wondering, is this what they do with everyone? Has anyone ever stayed at the Diamante K? What did they require you to do for the deposit? Did you prepay and everything worked out OK? Are they a reputable place?
I'm wondering if instead I might be able to mail an international money order or something to avoid the $45 charge.
Are perhaps I should just forget about the reservation and call around Tulum a bit after we arrive in Mexico (we're staying in Playa del Carmen for three days before-hand). I guess I just fear that if I wait until I arrive there won't be anything available in Tulum for the nights of the 28th and 29th. Even with contacting places in November, other than the Diamante K almost every place has either been full or wanted to charge over $100 per night.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks so much.
Ben