This guest nearly lost a limb, but Marriott says their warning in Spanish was enough. The hotel is now facing backlash for not providing adequate safety information to its guests.
This guest was on the verge of losing a limb, yet Marriott claims that their Spanish-language warning was sufficient.
on July 30, 2021 by Gary Leff
And you thought you’d been Bonvoyed? I’m not sure there have been many Marriott stays that have been worse.
A Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa visitor went for a “midnight swim” in the ocean. Nobody warned her that this might be risky.
A 12ft crocodile attacked and pulled a Bay Area youngster into the water while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta. This occurred at the Marriott hotel.
Kiana Hummel, thankfully, made it out alive. She is having surgery at Marin General Hospital right now. pic.twitter.com/jtEMHncaxY
July 27, 2021 — Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz)
She claims a crocodile “crawled onto the sand, grabbed her leg, and dragged her into the water.” “She was pulled beneath the water,” as she put it. After repeatedly striking her, it eventually let her go. It then pulled her back under the surface.
Another group of visitors eventually heard her cries and assisted her in breaking free. It took 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. She had to pay for therapy in cash up front. She holds the hotel responsible for neglecting to warn her that her late-night swim might be hazardous.
Kiana and a passerby who saw the assault were both interviewed. Both claim that no one at the @Marriott warned them of the crocodiles in the ocean.
They claim they didn’t realize there was a tiny warning sign until later, although it’s mainly in Spanish and isn’t lighted up at night. pic.twitter.com/I0wlypqdmC
July 27, 2021 — Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz)
The facility received a one-star rating from the lady who rescued her:
The crocodile assault at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta was reported as follows by a bystander: pic.twitter.com/StTjAh4KS1
July 27, 2021 — Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz)
Marriott claims that
Our visitors’ and colleagues’ safety and security are our top priorities, and we can confirm that adequate signs, night patrols, and red flags were and are in place.
Perhaps she should use the law firm of Green & Fazio (“Let’s be frank, what does a ‘No Trespassing’ sign mean when you’re as drunk as I was?”).
Is the hotel responsible for failing to advise a visitor of the risks of swimming in the ocean at midnight in a foreign language? Although Spanish is the official language in the area where the hotel is situated, Marriott is an American company with many American visitors. Or do you believe that getting into the ocean on your own in Mexico entails a certain degree of risk-taking?
(Thanks to Paul H. for the tip.)
