Problems with Air conditioning - what to do when it happens

blondee_yvr · 06-16-2004

We'll be travelling to PDC and staying at the Riu Playacar in September. I recently uncovered a LOT of information on mold and air conditioning problems with the rooms. Since I have some lung issues, I am wondering what can be done if the air conditioning isn't working right ie, too warm, too moldy, etc. I recall a few years ago in Cancun, we stayed at the Royal Solaris. The A/C was working mechanically, but it seemed like it was out of freon. Only warm air was being pumped out. Given that it was November and a cool November it didn't effect us too badly. However, the hotel never did fix the A/C while we were there and we asked repeatedly and nicely many times. They also never repaired the broken down elevator in the Caribe tower either <sigh>.

What would be our rights when the A/C isn't working right? What obligations does the hotel have to accomodate you? How should one complain?

Just wondering.

Thanks

**Shammy** · 06-16-2004

I'll just tell you this........

I was at the Playacar in early May. When we checked into our room, the A/C did not work. We went to the front desk and told them immediately and then headed to the beach. When we got back to the room, it was colder, but not nearly cold enough. We told them again on the way to dinner. We came back from dinner and there was no obvious difference. We then asked to change rooms, they told us "tomorrow". It wasn't very easy to sleep that night, it was pretty hot. The next morning, we asked about the room switch. They said "tomorrow" again.
Well we decided tomorrow would come elsewhere and transfered to another hotel!

That wasn't the only reason we left but it was a big part of it.

blondee_yvr · 06-17-2004

Shammy, that really frightens us. What you experienced seems to be a common stalling technique. Did you book through a tour operator? Did you end up going to another Riu hotel or just got the heck out of there? Have you formally complained to Riu management in Mexico and USA?

I don't know what we can do now? Perhaps we should lose our $600 deposit?

K and P · 06-17-2004

Hey I think I commented to you on the RIU board about the air not working. We were at the Tequila and same thing not blowing cold enough, the other couple we met had the same problem, but there friends had a room that it worked great. I have read reviews on lots of the RIU's and its commom at the ones in Dominican and Jamacia too. There was one guys review going to look for it on trip advisor, I ended up emailing him. He actually got really sick not sure if you saw his review. He liked the RIU's but was really mad at this problem.

K and P · 06-17-2004

Sorry guys I posted someone elses email address. I was just going to delete it but it has already been done. . I read his review before we went and ended up with a bum airconditioner luckly no infection and I have bad lungs.
This is where the review is , about the thrid one down by Doug Is this ok?
http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortrev...uplayacar.html
This was just one of quite a few of people that either had airconditioners that didnt work or ended up very sick. I ended up emailing the guy and he was very nice about any of my questions. My hubby and I like a cold room to sleep in and Barcelo sure has them, almost too cold

blondee_yvr · 06-17-2004

Thanks K and P. If the only problem is the mold, then cleaning the AC unit shouldnt be too much of an issue. One can easily ask or do it yourself to get it done. On the otherhand, if the unit simply isn't cooling enough then that's an even worse.

**Shammy** · 06-17-2004

But cleaning the mold out of an A/C unit isn't something you should be doing on vacation! Now I didn't see any mold but eee gads, the room smelled something terrible. I have heard this about the Playacar time and time again and fluffed it off to the topical weather, humidity, etc. ALL hotel rooms smell a little funky at first, but 99% of the time, once the air gets kicked on, it's unnoticable. Not here, well, since the air wasn't working, that's a no brainer but that was another reason we high tailed it out of there. My friend could not take that smell. I think she slept with a bag over her head that one night!

And yes, even though I am an agent, I did book with a tour operator (hey, they pay me so I should pay them too, right?

). The tour company rep is the one that was able to get us moved ASAP. Of course, he charged me AND wouldn't let me ride the bus to the new resort but whatever.

We did not go to another Riu, we went down to the Barcelo. Since I have stayed there before, I knew there would be no smelly, unairconditioned surprises waiting for us!

Just my opinion on the Riu mind you. SO many people love the place and that's great. I still book people there if they really want to go but the property just wasn't for me.

As far as losing your $600 deposit, can't you just switch resorts if you decide not to stay at the Riu? You DID take trip insurance, right? :p

blondee_yvr · 06-18-2004

Thanks Shammy...you sound a lot like me. So, it sounds like I may have problems too. I am not sure though, what did you mean when you say the tour operator "charged you"?

Did you ever complain to Riu's management about this? I called Riu todayand they assured me that all A/C issues from last month have now been rectified. But what else are they suppose to say?

**Shammy** · 06-18-2004

Well, I booked myself with Apple, hotel only as I got an agent rate for the airfare separately. When you get to a resort and want to change (and this is always possible ya know), they go by brochure rates. The Riu is normally priced higher than the Barcelo if you do it before you leave, but not in the brochure. They have the Barcelo priced higher. So I had to pay $155 more for 3 nights, going by brochure rates. No biggie, it was well worth it.
But if you want to change, try it BEFORE you go and see how much.

No, I didn't send any complaints off to Riu. Just don't have time and I was satisfied once I moved so all is well. I hear a lot of complaints about the A/C so I think it's a reoccurring problemo. But like I said, that wasn't the only reason we moved. We simply we not impressed with the hotel at all. But I DID like the little shopping center across the street!

blondee_yvr · 06-18-2004

I am one of those that if necessary, I would complain and speak out.
I am surprised that you didn't complain since as a travel agent, you would have at least "some" influence and definite credibility.

Unforunately, many people don't complain in situations such as this to the hotel chain. If more people would voice their concerns to the right people, then perhaps management will see that this is an ongoing rather intermittent issue and take corrective albeit costly action. Feedback is crucial to the hotel.

K and P · 06-18-2004

If I had been there in the hot humid time like now or September I would have asked them to find me a room with a good working air conditioner, im sure there not all like that. And if not I would have raised a stink if It wasnt fixed or I was moved. It wasnt that hot when we were there so we were ok. It was the beginning of March. I too ended up paying extra to go Back to Barcelo Maya . The RIU's are nice places just not my cup of tea. More room to roam

LIZLEWIS42 · 06-20-2004

We recently spent 10 days in a very well air-conditioned room at the Riu Playacar, Room 4119

...We frequently had to lower it for sleeping...We did notice however, that as they do at the Riu Palace, the housekeeper shuts off all the electricity in the room when she leaves...The switch is right next to the front door...So as most of us are out of the room for most of the day we come back to a warm room that takes a while to cool down...

We took a piece of adhesive tape from our first aid kit and lightly placed it over the switch.. We printed 'no, por favor. gracias' on it and it was never turned off again.

BTW, I have COPD and I was never affected by the room's atmosphere... Perhaps it's just of case of right room and right quest..By no means should you stay in a room that gives you comfort...Insist they change it or move on!! :p

blondee_yvr · 06-21-2004

LIZLEWIS42, thanks for the encouraging words. Did you request anything special with the hotel regarding preferences with the room that you got this room a strong air conditioning? What floor was your room on? What was your overall impression of the resort?

Thanks again.

ELECTRA · 06-22-2004

I realize that this is NOT a fix but rather a remedy. If the AC does not work, ask to have it fixed or get transfered. Both of these choices may end up being "delayed". If the room has a ceiling fan, use it with the windows open. If the room has no fan, ask for one. Bring it to the room by yourself if you have to! The positive side to this, is the FRESH(er), mold free air you'll get.

jobob · 06-22-2004

I know it wasn't as hot and humid as it is right now but when we were at the Riu Palace in December and it was 80-90 each day I don't think we used the air conditioner once. When we were in the room we just opened the patio doors and turned on the fan and it was great. But then we're not used to having air conditioning nor do we like it. A/C in our truck is roll down the windows and go as fast as you can. LOL

06-16-2004	#1 (permalink)
blondee_yvr toe in water Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 47	Problems with Air conditioning - what to do when it happens We'll be travelling to PDC and staying at the Riu Playacar in September. I recently uncovered a LOT of information on mold and air conditioning problems with the rooms. Since I have some lung issues, I am wondering what can be done if the air conditioning isn't working right ie, too warm, too moldy, etc. I recall a few years ago in Cancun, we stayed at the Royal Solaris. The A/C was working mechanically, but it seemed like it was out of freon. Only warm air was being pumped out. Given that it was November and a cool November it didn't effect us too badly. However, the hotel never did fix the A/C while we were there and we asked repeatedly and nicely many times. They also never repaired the broken down elevator in the Caribe tower either <sigh>. What would be our rights when the A/C isn't working right? What obligations does the hotel have to accomodate you? How should one complain? Just wondering. Thanks

06-17-2004	#3 (permalink)
blondee_yvr toe in water Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 47	Shammy, that really frightens us. What you experienced seems to be a common stalling technique. Did you book through a tour operator? Did you end up going to another Riu hotel or just got the heck out of there? Have you formally complained to Riu management in Mexico and USA? I don't know what we can do now? Perhaps we should lose our $600 deposit? Last edited by blondee_yvr : 06-17-2004 at 12:31 AM.

06-17-2004	#5 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 343	Sorry guys I posted someone elses email address. I was just going to delete it but it has already been done. . I read his review before we went and ended up with a bum airconditioner luckly no infection and I have bad lungs. This is where the review is , about the thrid one down by Doug Is this ok? http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortrev...uplayacar.html This was just one of quite a few of people that either had airconditioners that didnt work or ended up very sick. I ended up emailing the guy and he was very nice about any of my questions. My hubby and I like a cold room to sleep in and Barcelo sure has them, almost too cold Last edited by K and P : 06-17-2004 at 10:40 PM.

06-20-2004	#12 (permalink)
LIZLEWIS42 beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 260	Riu Playacar A/C We recently spent 10 days in a very well air-conditioned room at the Riu Playacar, Room 4119 ...We frequently had to lower it for sleeping...We did notice however, that as they do at the Riu Palace, the housekeeper shuts off all the electricity in the room when she leaves...The switch is right next to the front door...So as most of us are out of the room for most of the day we come back to a warm room that takes a while to cool down... We took a piece of adhesive tape from our first aid kit and lightly placed it over the switch.. We printed 'no, por favor. gracias' on it and it was never turned off again. BTW, I have COPD and I was never affected by the room's atmosphere... Perhaps it's just of case of right room and right quest..By no means should you stay in a room that gives you comfort...Insist they change it or move on!! :p

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06-16-2004	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,262	I'll just tell you this........ I was at the Playacar in early May. When we checked into our room, the A/C did not work. We went to the front desk and told them immediately and then headed to the beach. When we got back to the room, it was colder, but not nearly cold enough. We told them again on the way to dinner. We came back from dinner and there was no obvious difference. We then asked to change rooms, they told us "tomorrow". It wasn't very easy to sleep that night, it was pretty hot. The next morning, we asked about the room switch. They said "tomorrow" again. Well we decided tomorrow would come elsewhere and transfered to another hotel! That wasn't the only reason we left but it was a big part of it.

06-17-2004	#4 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 343	Hey I think I commented to you on the RIU board about the air not working. We were at the Tequila and same thing not blowing cold enough, the other couple we met had the same problem, but there friends had a room that it worked great. I have read reviews on lots of the RIU's and its commom at the ones in Dominican and Jamacia too. There was one guys review going to look for it on trip advisor, I ended up emailing him. He actually got really sick not sure if you saw his review. He liked the RIU's but was really mad at this problem.

06-17-2004	#6 (permalink)
blondee_yvr toe in water Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 47	Thanks K and P. If the only problem is the mold, then cleaning the AC unit shouldnt be too much of an issue. One can easily ask or do it yourself to get it done. On the otherhand, if the unit simply isn't cooling enough then that's an even worse.

06-17-2004	#7 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,262	But cleaning the mold out of an A/C unit isn't something you should be doing on vacation! Now I didn't see any mold but eee gads, the room smelled something terrible. I have heard this about the Playacar time and time again and fluffed it off to the topical weather, humidity, etc. ALL hotel rooms smell a little funky at first, but 99% of the time, once the air gets kicked on, it's unnoticable. Not here, well, since the air wasn't working, that's a no brainer but that was another reason we high tailed it out of there. My friend could not take that smell. I think she slept with a bag over her head that one night! And yes, even though I am an agent, I did book with a tour operator (hey, they pay me so I should pay them too, right? ). The tour company rep is the one that was able to get us moved ASAP. Of course, he charged me AND wouldn't let me ride the bus to the new resort but whatever. We did not go to another Riu, we went down to the Barcelo. Since I have stayed there before, I knew there would be no smelly, unairconditioned surprises waiting for us! Just my opinion on the Riu mind you. SO many people love the place and that's great. I still book people there if they really want to go but the property just wasn't for me. As far as losing your $600 deposit, can't you just switch resorts if you decide not to stay at the Riu? You DID take trip insurance, right? :p

06-18-2004	#8 (permalink)
blondee_yvr toe in water Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 47	Thanks Shammy...you sound a lot like me. So, it sounds like I may have problems too. I am not sure though, what did you mean when you say the tour operator "charged you"? Did you ever complain to Riu's management about this? I called Riu todayand they assured me that all A/C issues from last month have now been rectified. But what else are they suppose to say?

06-18-2004	#9 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,262	Well, I booked myself with Apple, hotel only as I got an agent rate for the airfare separately. When you get to a resort and want to change (and this is always possible ya know), they go by brochure rates. The Riu is normally priced higher than the Barcelo if you do it before you leave, but not in the brochure. They have the Barcelo priced higher. So I had to pay $155 more for 3 nights, going by brochure rates. No biggie, it was well worth it. But if you want to change, try it BEFORE you go and see how much. No, I didn't send any complaints off to Riu. Just don't have time and I was satisfied once I moved so all is well. I hear a lot of complaints about the A/C so I think it's a reoccurring problemo. But like I said, that wasn't the only reason we moved. We simply we not impressed with the hotel at all. But I DID like the little shopping center across the street!

06-18-2004	#10 (permalink)
blondee_yvr toe in water Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 47	I am one of those that if necessary, I would complain and speak out. I am surprised that you didn't complain since as a travel agent, you would have at least "some" influence and definite credibility. Unforunately, many people don't complain in situations such as this to the hotel chain. If more people would voice their concerns to the right people, then perhaps management will see that this is an ongoing rather intermittent issue and take corrective albeit costly action. Feedback is crucial to the hotel.

06-18-2004	#11 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 343	If I had been there in the hot humid time like now or September I would have asked them to find me a room with a good working air conditioner, im sure there not all like that. And if not I would have raised a stink if It wasnt fixed or I was moved. It wasnt that hot when we were there so we were ok. It was the beginning of March. I too ended up paying extra to go Back to Barcelo Maya . The RIU's are nice places just not my cup of tea. More room to roam

06-21-2004	#13 (permalink)
blondee_yvr toe in water Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 47	LIZLEWIS42, thanks for the encouraging words. Did you request anything special with the hotel regarding preferences with the room that you got this room a strong air conditioning? What floor was your room on? What was your overall impression of the resort? Thanks again.

06-22-2004	#14 (permalink)
ELECTRA life=playa Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA (unfortunately) Posts: 979	I realize that this is NOT a fix but rather a remedy. If the AC does not work, ask to have it fixed or get transfered. Both of these choices may end up being "delayed". If the room has a ceiling fan, use it with the windows open. If the room has no fan, ask for one. Bring it to the room by yourself if you have to! The positive side to this, is the FRESH(er), mold free air you'll get.

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06-22-2004	#15 (permalink)
jobob life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: B.C., Canada EH! Posts: 574	I know it wasn't as hot and humid as it is right now but when we were at the Riu Palace in December and it was 80-90 each day I don't think we used the air conditioner once. When we were in the room we just opened the patio doors and turned on the fan and it was great. But then we're not used to having air conditioning nor do we like it. A/C in our truck is roll down the windows and go as fast as you can. LOL