Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road
Name and Shame in Spain - HOTEL ARTE VIDA Name and Shame in Spain - HOTEL ARTE VIDA
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 May 2008
kentfallen's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bexhill, East Sussex, England, UK
Posts: 673
Perhaps he needs a hand from us?
Thanks for telling us about this story...

If you post their (the hotels) email address on here I'm sure a few of us would email the hotel to complain and support you...

If this sounds a good idea then post a letter on here giving dates etc.... (be careful not to provide anything which is security sensitive though). All we have to do is cut and paste the letter and send it onwards to those gits at the hotel.

I will send em 2 every day if it helps?

Together we stand divided we fall.

YES this is clearly THEFT and the authorities can act. The language barrier isn't going to help though. I'm surprised your credit card company have declined to cover the costs bearing in mind the circumstances. Maybe a stern letter to them is in order.
__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 May 2008
Guest2
Guest
  
Posts: n/a
Can I just qualify how much are you talking about.

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 May 2008
Riq Riq is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 246
Where is your signature
If it were me I would be asking the credit card company for a copy of the signed credit card receipt to show that I had made or authourized the charge.

While the criminal action was taken by the hotel the CC company has a responsability to only pay legitimate and authorized bills.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Shropshire, Blighty
Posts: 346
This was the hotel employee, not the hotel. This is no crummy establishment:

Hotel Tarifa - Beach Hotel ARTE VIDA TARIFA - hotel y alojamiento en Tarifa

The transaction was authorised, by chip and PIN.

I've already offered to write a letter in Spanish. What more can one do?
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 3 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Just to add a point about using CCs
Quote:
Originally Posted by MostlyHarmless View Post
This is a legitimate credit card transaction - chip and pin, so there is no disputing that. What I do dispute though is (a) that I was told that the transaction didn't go through and/or (b) that I didn't receive the goods and services for the transaction - I am not sure where the law stands on that one?

Noel.
I have on occasions had a cc transaction "not go through" - I don't know the reason, nor do I care particularly - that's technology for you.
In every case, the operator of the cc machine has run the card through the machine again to show a negative "cancellation" transaction for the same amount of currency.

Yes, they do negative as well as positive transactions.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Jul 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Costa Rica
Posts: 9
Travelling, cash and cards
When I read the account of a decent guy being embezzled by an moron in a hotel in Spain, there are a few things that come to mind.
To carry around big amounts of cash is dumb and asking for trouble. To try to pay everything with a card is also not convenient. The best is to check before hand, and I am pretty sure the owner of the hotel in question is not happy with this. The answer is not to be an easy victim, and it all comes down to who outsmarts who. Never trust anyone. Of cause it helps to speak the language. When I came to Las Palmas, Islas Canarias, for a shipping company, the food at the hotel was below standards, and among the crew of five or six I was the only one fluent in Spanish, so I let out a few less civilized remarks. Next we got permission to eat somewhere else. What I mean to say is that they will try to see if you are soft enough to screw you. Be nice, be civil, but don´t be a pushover.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kingsbury / London
Posts: 26
A happy ending....
An update to the folks who have been following this thread... Thanks to help from StretcherMonkey from the HUBB who has very kindly translated letters from me into Spanish, and replies from Hotel Arte Vida into English, the hotel management have been in discussions with their bank and agreed that a transaction could show up as failed on their machine if the connection to the bank is lost at a critical point in time, yet the transaction at the bank side can be completed as successful - they assume that this must be what has happened and offered their apologies and refunded accordingly. So the power of the HUBB has I am sure not for the first time been excercised - many many thanks to StretcherMonkey for his time and effort and apolgies to Hotel Arte Vida for shaming them where it appears that I have jumped to the wrong conclusions too soon...

Happy Travels, Noel.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2 Sep 2008
Stephano's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
Quote:
Originally Posted by MostlyHarmless View Post
An update to the folks who have been following this thread...
Good result, Noel. It pays to persevere!
Stephan
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: kernow,UK
Posts: 11
hotel arte vida
only just seen this thread, but i know the owner of this hotel [he does in fact, own a number of hotels and properties in tarifa] and he is a particularly fair and very accomodating guy.
i know i'm new on here, so none of you know me, but when i say this hotel and its reputation is top drawer, then believe me, it is respected as one of the top hotels in tarifa.
i am sorry to hear that you had problems with the hotel, but also glad you got it sorted in the end. i deal with hotels alot in tarifa for very large group bookings and know only too well, how easy it is for mistakes to be made. perhaps, it would be better to discuss things with the owner directly, rather than naming and shaming, before and dialogue has been entered into??
always a shame for the customer to get hard done by, but equally unfair to tarnish a reputation without opportunity to compensate...
my 2 cents... hope your experiences dont put you off going back to tarifa, as it is a fantastic place to spend a few days!
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bolivia, La Paz - Hotel Werner Zwick Sleep and Eat, South America 7 3 Dec 2017 22:11
GPS Hotel in Marrakesh? Hindu1936 North Africa 11 25 Oct 2007 01:13
Bolivia, La Paz - Hotel Werner Zwick Sleep and Eat, South America 0 11 Nov 2000 06:19

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:44.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top