Santo Domingo

[QUOTE=Pepsi411]I will ask the moderator of this board to remove my post about the hotel where I was robbed. I will be bringing legal action against this hotel and I have been informed that it is best that I not post anything. I have been informed of this by a person with knowledge of the Legal System in the Dominican Republic.[/QUOTE]

Do any of the credit cards you used have trip insurance? American Express and Citi have decent trip insurance built into their cards, if you use them for booking the trip in the first place. How about your homeowner's policy? Does it cover any personal items while you're away from home? Unfortunately at your expense, this is a good lesson for all of us. Sometimes going for the cheapest deal isn't always the best move you can make.

[QUOTE=Nixonbd]Do any of the credit cards you used have trip insurance? American Express and Citi have decent trip insurance built into their cards, if you use them for booking the trip in the first place. How about your homeowner's policy? Does it cover any personal items while you're away from home? Unfortunately at your expense, this is a good lesson for all of us. Sometimes going for the cheapest deal isn't always the best move you can make.[/QUOTE]If you look at the insurance policy for most credit cards it is clearly stated that primary insurance has to be exhausted. Primary insurance in this case is the insurance for that hotel. I have to show that all other remedies have been exhausted before I can use the insurance on the credit cards.

I would wish to visit Santo Domingo.

I would wish to have information about the best nightclubs to find good-looking
girls,strippers,dancers.

See you soon.

[QUOTE=Pepsi411]If you look at the insurance policy for most credit cards it is clearly stated that primary insurance has to be exhausted. Primary insurance in this case is the insurance for that hotel. I have to show that all other remedies have been exhausted before I can use the insurance on the credit cards.[/QUOTE]

Not sure I follow that. No hotel is going to insure you for your loss. That's why they say they are not responsible for your losses. Primary insurance for you would be trip insurance you've purchased or a homeowners policy.

[QUOTE=Nixonbd]Not sure I follow that. No hotel is going to insure you for your loss. That's why they say they are not responsible for your losses. Primary insurance for you would be trip insurance you've purchased or a homeowners policy.[/QUOTE]There is an implied warranty of habitability any time you rent a room. Do a google search for lack of security premises, you will find a bunch of cases where hotels and other buildings were liable for failure to provide adequate security. A hotel cannot disclaim a duty, just as a restaurant cannot disclaim a duty to serve you non-rancid food.

Once the hotel accepts a person's money they have a non-delegable, non waivable duty to provide a safe secure room free from dangerous defects. It is the law. Public policy dictates such implied warranties. If a restaurant serves you rancid food that makes you sick, then you can sue them. Doesn't matter if they post a disclaimer or not, public policy dictates that certain businesses have certain obligations, that can not be waived by posting a disclaimer. The hotel is making a profit off of the transaction, they have to provide something for that money and it is not just 4 walls and a bed.

[QUOTE=Londonsoul]Positives: Great rum, awesome music if you like merringue, bachata etc, generally a good vibe, . Did I mention the Rum? Negatives: Despite a large poor population many things are surprisingly expensive e. G toiletries, electrical products, souvenirs, shoes; many people want to rip you off, foreigners are seen as cash cows to be milked rather then fellow human beings, p4p nothing special from my experiences at least, many flaky chicks, a little dangerous on your own I’ve heard of many gringos who have been mugged so better not to go out on your own in certain areas, annoying touts, getting just a little too hot and sticky now, water supply & electricity problems (currently 3 days of complete water stoppage in zona colonial for repairs), food quality generally poor, . Did I mention the touts?[/QUOTE]I tend to agree with you. Mongering is fairly expensive in Santo Domingo. The few positives are greatly outweighed by the many negatives in Santo Domingo. I'll fly into Santo Domingo, because the flights are more numerous and usually cheaper. I have no desire for a lengthy trip to Santo Domingo. When I meet chicas online now and they tell me they live in Santo Domingo, I basically delete them. A person can have fun in Santo Domingo, but the constant barrage of people trying to extricate you from your money, really gets tiresome fast. The non-pro chicas I met, who live in Santo Domingo were nothing special. Many non-pro chicas are afraid to go out at night, probably for good reason. I found the people in Santiago to be more pleasant and the chicas less paranoid.

It is not wise to assume a room safe is full protection. It is foolish to think you are the only person who can get into a room safe just because your valuable happen to be in it. You would not be the first person to get that surprise. Your best options are:

- keep your valuables with you.

-don't bring so many that you can't carry themn with you.

-find a good hiding place, preferably outside your room.

-become a regular guest who is more valuable as a customer than a one time burglary victim.

-try not to make it obvious you have thousands of dollars of pawnable goods with you.

THe person who said they guy who got robbed is wasting his time with the courts is 100%. The truth is you have to post a cash bond deposit to sue someone if you are not a resident or citizen. The chance of collecting anything in the unlikely event you would win is maybe a little better than the chance of winning the lottery. Cut your losses, try to learn from the experience and move on. If you don't learn it will happen again.

[QUOTE=Nixonbd]Not sure I follow that. No hotel is going to insure you for your loss. That's why they say they are not responsible for your losses. Primary insurance for you would be trip insurance you've purchased or a homeowners policy.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Nixonbd]Not sure I follow that. No hotel is going to insure you for your loss. That's why they say they are not responsible for your losses. Primary insurance for you would be trip insurance you've purchased or a homeowners policy.[/QUOTE]

I thought I read somewhere that Pepsi411 was a lawyer in the states.

[QUOTE=Knowledge]It is not wise to assume a room safe is full protection. It is foolish to think you are the only person who can get into a room safe just because your valuable happen to be in it. You would not be the first person to get that surprise. Your best options are:

- keep your valuables with you.

-don't bring so many that you can't carry themn with you.

-find a good hiding place, preferably outside your room.

-become a regular guest who is more valuable as a customer than a one time burglary victim.

-try not to make it obvious you have thousands of dollars of pawnable goods with you.

THe person who said they guy who got robbed is wasting his time with the courts is 100%. The truth is you have to post a cash bond deposit to sue someone if you are not a resident or citizen. The chance of collecting anything in the unlikely event you would win is maybe a little better than the chance of winning the lottery. Cut your losses, try to learn from the experience and move on. If you don't learn it will happen again.[/QUOTE]If the hotels were not liable, then there would be much more thievery by maids and other service personnel in hotels. If hotels were not liable for losses then they wouldn't care if maids or other personnel entered rooms and stole property. The law in the Dominican Republic is that hotels are required to have insurance and are responsible for losses, if hotels were not liable, then why would they be required to have insurance? I am certain that most hotels put the fear of god into maids and other personnel not to steal, why would they do that if the hotel was not liable for losses? Hotels in the Dominican Republic know that they are liable for losses as a result of their negligence. If you believe that hotels are not liable, then you can forget about going to the Dominican Republic, what you seem to be suggesting is that you can be robbed in a hotel in Dominican Republic and have absolutely no recourse.

At the time of trial a person can ask for compensatory as well as punitive damages. If I was a hotel owner would I take that gamble of being hit by a large damage award? I have seen some negligence security cases against hotels here in the States go for more than ten million dollars.

You have been warned. I will try one last time. Your example of large claims against hotels in the United States does not apply in the Dominican Republic- because it is not the United States. It's obvious you don't have much knowledge of the country. Good luck to you. Everyone else, I recommend you weigh your risks and use your common sense. It does not boil down to a choice of trusting unknown hoteliers or never visiting the country. I gave some other options, none of which are likely to land you in court. Decide for yourself whether Jaososua's scenario is a more realistic or desireable way for your trip to play out. Don't set yourselves up to be professional victims.

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]If the hotels were not liable, then there would be much more thievery by maids and other service personnel in hotels. If hotels were not liable for losses then they wouldn't care if maids or other personnel entered rooms and stole property. The law in the Dominican Republic is that hotels are required to have insurance and are responsible for losses, if hotels were not liable, then why would they be required to have insurance? I am certain that most hotels put the fear of god into maids and other personnel not to steal, why would they do that if the hotel was not liable for losses? Hotels in the Dominican Republic know that they are liable for losses as a result of their negligence. If you believe that hotels are not liable, then you can forget about going to the Dominican Republic, what you seem to be suggesting is that you can be robbed in a hotel in Dominican Republic and have absolutely no recourse.

At the time of trial a person can ask for compensatory as well as punitive damages. If I was a hotel owner would I take that gamble of being hit by a large damage award? I have seen some negligence security cases against hotels here in the States go for more than ten million dollars.[/QUOTE]

The owner at Jaguar uses a txi driver named Luis who is about 6ft, good english and great fast talkin scammer type. This guy is a ex-con deport from NY who has scammed many, and some very serious ones I have heard through a friend. Sounds like he is being actively pursued by some, so be alert!

[QUOTE=Joe Roma]Thankyou for this report. I have paid up until Saturday for my current apart-hotel and I was thinking of trying Casona Dorado hotel at least for a couple of nights next week so I could check out that Av Independencia area properly, but I will not now stay there now, I'll have to find another visitor friendly hotel on budget or I'll stay where I am.

What about your passport, they didnt take that? In my apartment in zona colonial I dont have a safe either, I worry most that if I have a break in and lose the passport I'd have a lot of hassle, I've taken out insurance for my electronic items anyway.

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I have stayed at Cosona Dorada 3 times for about 5 days each time, I never had any problems and the staff has always been nice to me. I will be back again on April 24th -29th but, after reading about the break in and how he was treated, I will stay at the Jaguar Hotel (not Casino) The guy who runs the Jaguar speaks English and is very helpful. The Jag is only one block away from the Cosona Dorada and every room has a safe. $60 a night. I will be there with 2 amigos, if anyone wants to meet up let me know.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Expat13]The owner at Jaguar uses a txi driver named Luis who is about 6ft, good english and great fast talkin scammer type. This guy is a ex-con deport from NY who has scammed many, and some very serious ones I have heard through a friend. Sounds like he is being actively pursued by some, so be alert![/QUOTE]

Luis is the main reason of my comment on last sentence on post 1693, the other bad thing about this hotel is that they let in anybody, no id check, nothing, which is good but can also be very bad.

[QUOTE=BoricuaOnline]Luis is the main reason of my comment on last sentence on post 1693, the other bad thing about this hotel is that they let in anybody, no id check, nothing, which is good but can also be very bad.[/QUOTE]
I am a regular at Jaguar and they still ask for the chica's cedula.

I was at Jaguar two weeks ago and left some stuff in my room when I checked out. I called Rafeal from the airport and told him I needed a cab driver to bring my stuff to the airport. He replied his "regular driver" he does not use anymore. I don't know if this means Luis. I will be back in the DR in two weeks and will report if Luis is still associated with Jaguar/Rafeal.

I am sure if Luis is scamming you dudes that his association with Jaguar will be no more. Rafeal tries too hard to keep his clients happy.

Other than Luis, has anyone had problems with Jaguar?

I live in Miami and am in La Capital almost monthly. I just got back from 6 days in La Republica and spent 4 different nights at the Jaguar. They have always asked for a cedula from my chicas with the exception of my novia who they know from our numerous times together there.
Rafael is an excellent host, knowledgable and accomodating. The rooms are comfortable, secure, hot water, cable and internet. And the location can't be beat. Walking distance to Girl's House, Sky Bar, La Parada and Lapsus (or whatever the hell it is called). You can walk to Jaragua casino/disco and Coppa in Sol Melia.
Personally, I like to walk to El Conde during the day to change money at Frank's or chica watch at Paco's.
Finally, the price is right.

[QUOTE=Koki9290]I live in Miami and am in La Capital almost monthly. I just got back from 6 days in La Republica and spent 4 different nights at the Jaguar. They have always asked for a cedula from my chicas with the exception of my novia who they know from our numerous times together there.
Rafael is an excellent host, knowledgable and accomodating. The rooms are comfortable, secure, hot water, cable and internet. And the location can't be beat. Walking distance to Girl's House, Sky Bar, La Parada and Lapsus (or whatever the hell it is called). You can walk to Jaragua casino/disco and Coppa in Sol Melia.
Personally, I like to walk to El Conde during the day to change money at Frank's or chica watch at Paco's.
Finally, the price is right.[/QUOTE]

I agree with the good comments about the hotel but I stayed there in October and my girls id were never been checked or verified by anybody. It is good to know that safety measures are better now.

Franks is the best money exchange house , if you are in the malecon area by night and need to exchange some money El Melia has the best exchange rate of all major hotels. BTW I am going to be in Santo Domingo May 21-25.