IberoStar

My family, extended family, and friends have all stayed with Iberostar several times over the years, and we had all been big fans of their resorts. We also became members of Star Prestige last year along with my relatives.

This week, my family (2 adults and 2 children) stayed for five nights at Iberostar's Paradiso Lindo near Cancun. We presented all of our passports with all of our ages upon checking in to the resort. The Star Prestige staff facilitated the check in for us.

On our last full day in the resort, someone from Paradiso Lindo called my wife and told her that because our children were 3 years old and not 2 that we would have to pay them an extra $857. They threatened that this would be our "only chance" to take care of this charge. I'm aware of some of the fraud and corruption that takes place in this area of the world and did not want the hotel involving the police or law enforcement. In short, it felt like extortion. After arguing with the hotel and the "Star Prestige" club for the final 24 hours of my visit, they agreed to reduce the charge to $500.

This experience ruined what had been a great vacation for us. I never agreed to this extra $500 fee as part of a meaningful buying experience with Iberostar. My family would have stayed someplace cheaper if we knew that we were going to be charged $100 per day for two 3-year olds. Moreover, I felt coerced into paying this charge after reading recent accounts where Mexican law enforcement were called on people not paying an exorbitant or fraudulent bill.

My family is home now in the States, but as an attorney, I do intend on pursuing this through the proper channels to make this situation right.