Damage to Iberostar Cozumel

[Go Bucky]

Good afternoon,

Has anyone heard about any specific damage to the Iberostar in Cozumel?  I hope everyone stayed safe through the ordeal. I was stranded in a hurricane during my honeymoon. Luckily it wasn't as big as Emily.

[Go Bucky]

It seems that it will be closed for a while. George, Thanks for the update!!!!!!

[maybelle76]

Hi, We talked to United (we booked our entire vacation through them) last night and they told us the resort is closed through December.  Must be some serious damage.

[sarsarne]

Super news!! I spoke to the hotel (Iberostar Cozumel) directly yesterday, and they resumed operation at noon on 7/18. That was very good news for me, since I am surprising my boyfriend with a trip there tomorrow!! They said all the phone lines are operational as well.  Good luck to anyone else going down there this week, hope to see you there!
 

[ewirtz]

There seems to be conflicting information here.  What/who is the source for George's information?  Our trip to IB Cozumel is still a few weeks away, but getting something accurate is important.

[anxious]

I am REALLY anxious to see what the damage is to the Iberostar Cozumel.  We are SUPPOSE to leave early next week!!!! HELP... need some accurate information!

[Go Bucky]

I just spoke to my travel agent and she reiterated that IB Cozumel is closed until October 31st at the earliest. It is my understanding that the Occidental Grand next door is closed as well. I can not fathom how a hotel with thatched roofs on their huts survived a direct hit from the eye of a class 3 hurricane. I'm not sure who Sarsarne spoke to but they aren't letting anyone in to the country until Thursday at the earliest. I hope Sarsarne was posting thier message on the wrong board, because the damage is pretty substantial. I hope everyone had insurance on their trip.  I also hope that the residents of Cozumel made it through the trip safely.

I would also like to say that everything George has posted on this web site about all of the IB hotels has been extremly accurate. He is an excellent resource to rely on!   

[hcarter]

I am scheduled to leave for Cozumel on Saturday, the 23rd, through FunJet Vacations.  I last spoke to my travel agent this morning, and she said we were still on go.  Flights were starting back after Wednesday.  Is it possible they wouild send us there with no place to stay, or even book us somewhere else without telling us?  Has anyone been to Ixtapa?  Thinking about rebooking.  I'd like to believe the good reports, but since the reports are so conflicting, my positive outlook probably isn't realistic.

[anxious]

How do we get a report from George on the damage at the Iberostar Cozumel?  Does anyone have any ideas for another destination IF Cozumel is out??

[Go Bucky]

Anxious,

If you go to the home page for this site and click on the Link entitled "news" you will find out the information that George has posted for all of the IB hotels in Cozumel and Riviera maya as well.

We were heading to Cozumel in Mid Aug so we're in the same boat as you. (We were spending 4 nights at IB Cozumel and 3 at Tucan Our travel agent advised us to sit tight for a few days and let Iberostar analyze their problems, because they told her that they would be looking at the possibility of moving people around. It sounds like you you may not have the luxury of time. However if you can get transferred to Tucan/Quetzel that would be my choice. They were the least damaged of the Iberostars in the area. They have 2 restaruants closed but the Buffet is still open, the roof of their theater was damaged and their beach took a pretty big hit as well. Good luck and please let me know what you decided to do

[MikeOKC]

According to FunJet Vacations:

IB* Cozumel Closed until at least Oct 31, 2005

IB* Tucan/Quetzal Sand/seawater and debris in pools.  Most cleanup in approximately 7-14 days.  Theater heavily damaged and repairs are estimated to take 2 months minimum.

IB* Playa Paraiso complex Sand/seawater/debris in pools.  Four restaurants not serviceable currently.  Unknown on when they will be back in service. 

All properties are very dirty and covered with debris.  IB* is working diligently to recover as soon as possible.

One thing to remember is that the time estimates are subject to change with the exception of the Cozumel property.  This is the information that was sent to my T/A by FunJet.

MikeOKC

[Sister]

 
We just returned last night. The Iberostar did a wonderful job of keeping us safe and taking care of us. Funjet left us stranded. The only reason we made it home was by ignoring the LOmas people and going to the airport on our own and talking to the airlines. They said they didn't know why Lomas was telling us that the flight was full, because there was plenty of room. When we got on our flight there were at least 40 empty seats and we can't imagine why Lomas/FunJet isn't helping people get in these empty seats. The Iberstar Employs and the locals in Cozumel did everything they possibly could to keep us safe. If this ever happens again to anyone anywhere I hope that Funjet sends a rep from state wide to help organize Lomas and get people out before or immediatly after. It broke my heart to know that people where still in that convention center being told that there are no flights. If Funjet tells you that cozumel is ready for tourists or that Iberostar is ready for guests they are not being honest.

[ritchiecee]

Although we fell in love with the people of Cozumel and Iberostar once again... frankly the best thing that could have happened to the long term viability of the Iberostar Cozumel would be for it to close for a few (or more) months.  

I do grieve for their wonderful people though and hope everyone is well and that Iberostar can find places for them while the resort re-builds and re-furbishes.  

I owe everyone a trip report, but I'm letting a little water go under the bridge first.

Knowing how this resort was barely meeting the needs of the vacationing public prior to the storm (we were there 10 days and just left 7/15), I can't imagine them being able to sustain the hit they took from Emily and be even remotely capable to serve the public.

[fw_ruck]

We just returned Monday from a 7 day stay.  Our checkout was Sunday morning, and we made it to the airport to find our flight cancelled.

Iberostar took my family into the shelter even though we were no longer guests.  They did an outstanding job with sheltering and taking care of everyone, and I could not say enough wonderful things about the management and people of Iberostar.  We spoke with guests from other resorts on the way out, and our shelter experience seemed to be one of the nicest.

According to the Iberostar employees at the shelter who had gone back to see, the lobby and main building was completely demolished, and most of the restaurants were also badly damaged.  They were told it was estimated at least 3 months for repairs before they could open again, so the October date I saw here is probably correct.

We had a wonderful stay up until the storm, and I hope Iberostar takes care of their employees during the closure, as they definitely make the difference. 

The only complaint with handling of the storm is that we couldn't get any information on it in the days prior -'No Hay Problemo', and the travel people wouldn't help us try.

As for Funjet & Lomas - I'm sure there will be enough flames showing up here without my 2 cents worth.  Funjet actually flew 40 new people in Monday morning, who got to stay for about an hour (just to drive to the resorts that could not take them) before trying to find their way home.

[rtd4ever]

We were there for the hurricane.  Iberostar staff was amazing!  Not only did they shelter us, but saw as best as possible to our comfort by serving hot meals to over 1100 guests in the shelter, keeping the bathrooms clean with a staff member posted in the rr the whole time, provided movies, games, nachos, drinks etc.  Any bad stuff like no electricy or a/c they had no control over, but they passed out wet cold towels all night.  Every single employee had a great attitude, rarely sat down, went probabaly over 24 hours without sleep and were pleasant to everyone, even the ignorant people who had the audacity to complain.  We were told the complex was pretty much destroyed and it would take 3 months to rebuild.  Their reopen date is schedule for November is what I read on the funjet site.  We did however have to leave without our luggage and I'm not sure we'll ever see it again - still trying to figure out how to get it back if it survived. My only problem is that when I call Iberostar in the U.S. they have no one to assist us here in the states with matters such as our luggage.  I was told I have to call Iberostar Cozumel to get help - I think they should have someone in their office here to help facilitate this.  I agree with the comments about Funjet/Lomas.  We got out Monday by taking a chance and going to the airport.  We couldn't get to Dallas, but got to Houston and drove home.  The plane was only half full and I know many people would have been happy and willing to pay to get back to Texas regardless of their final destination, but were told, as we were, not to go to the airport.  Funjet could have managed that much better and seen to it that plane was full.  I would be interested to see some pictures of the damage if anyone comes across any on the internet or otherwise.