I recently returned from a trip to Jamaica with 5 other girls and my boyfriend. We stayed at the White Sands Villa and were not only robbed while we slept but were treated horribly by the manager afterwards .. I am attaching a copy of the e-mail ( that was never responded to ) so you can understand what transpired .. We had an amazing trip once we moved to Travelers on the beach and are still trying to recover some of our losses .. Neither the White Sands owner or Erica Earle from the department or tourism has given us the courtesy of a reply. The manager requested that I write a detailed account of what happened for review by the owner and that was over a month ago. I have made several attempts via e-mail and telephone and no one will respond. I have spoken to erika personally and she has had ZERO follow thru. Once we left ( thankfully not hurt ) our attempts have been totally ignored .. You are not safe at the White Sands and for your own saftey consider alternate lodging .. If their security is involved as was stated by their OWN staff there is no way your personal safety or property can be assured .. Jamaica is a beautiful place with wonderfully welcoming people. We are shocked and extremely dissapointed by our encounter with the White Sands and their staff.
November 10, 2007

Mr. Henry Moo Young,

This e-mail is in reference to an incident that happened on the 5th of November 2007 in the villa at the White Sands Hotel.

Let me begin by saying I am very sorry you were not present at the time as I am certain the situation would have been handled much differently had you been on the property at the time of the unfortunate incident.

Myself and 6 of my friends checked in to your hotel on Friday the 2nd of November with a projected check out date of Wednesday the 7th. I booked the villa due to the number of people in our party and all seemed wonderful. Henry walked us to our villa and we settled in without any mention from your front desk or staff that we should take any extra precautions concerning our safety while staying specifically at the villa.

We spent one evening without incident and packed up a few personal belongings the morning of the 3rd and set out for an overnight trip to a small village outside Mandeville. Before leaving I personally checked all doors and windows as I was the one with the room keys and locked up accordingly due to the majority of our belongings being left behind during our overnight stay elsewhere. There was no money or electronics left during our absence.


We returned the evening of the 4th and went to dinner at Travelers on the beach. We collectively noted there was no guard at the entrance of the White Sands upon our arrival from dinner. We locked the doors and went to bed at approx 11pm that evening. I felt no need to check the windows as I had done so prior to leaving for Mandeville.

Ancel Thompson ( who is a Canadian citizen ) awoke early the morning of the 5th as he had business in Kingston and had intended to set out early for a day trip. After showering he entered our bedroom and noted his pants that had been placed over a chair the evening prior were missing. He asked me if I had moved his belongings and that is when we realized someone had been in our room while we were sleeping. He found his belonging in the living room, and we promptly awoke the other guests to first and foremost ensure their safety. I cannot express the utter sense of panic I felt realizing the other girls in our party could have potentially come to harm during the evening. Thank God everyone was well, but extremely shaken to realize someone had been in their rooms while they slept. This was obvious by the bedroom doors being open and the loss of items that were behind their shut, presumably safe doors the evening prior. We convened in the living room and noted a previously locked window was wide open.

We took inventory and found many of our items spread out in the kitchen. In all Mr. Thompson lost 1000.00 US, 20 euro, 2 Cayman, 2
Singapore, 10 Malaysan, and 12,000 Jamaican dollars. I lost my 300.00 cell phone and my 187.00 camera that was purchased two days prior to my trip to Jamaica. Rhiannon Smith lost 300 US dollars and Sarah Madrietta lost 200 US dollars. The key to our rental van was also stolen. We promptly called the police and then Mr. Thompson and myself walked down to the office to report the break in to your Manager.

I assumed that the staff .. especially your entrusted Manager .. would take this matter very seriously and make every effort to assist and comfort us in this very stressful and trying time in an unfamiliar country with unfamiliar policies. Unfortunately that was not the case, as he at no time personally came to the villa to check on us or offer any assistance what so ever. I had to make four trips to the office to emplore him for help. He initially said he had no authority to “make things right” with us and would have to call the other partner/owner. He then offered ( after much pressure from me ) to refund only the remaining days stay. He then, after some phone calls, relented and refunded the entire rental price of the villa as we were moving elsewhere. I had to ask him for breakfast as we could not leave due to our rental van key being stolen. The rental car company charged Mr. Thompson 562.77 for the towing fee and rekey for the van. I informed him that I was a Customer Service Manager for Southwest Airlines and was absolutely shocked and totally disappointed at his presumed lack of compassion or concern to us considering the situation. He simply apologized and went about his business. I have never been treated with less professionalism by a hotel manager or any representative of a business until I encountered this gentleman. We were also informed by hotel staff that this same situation had occurred one week prior and that it was “coming from security.” I presented this
information to the Manager and he indicated it was true with an averted look and a nod.

We gave this information to Detective Goodin ( 398-6391 ) of the Westmoreland parish police department and they concurred there was no forced entry to the window. They of course were hesitant to presume someone from your staff had unlocked the window for the person who entered unlawfully, but would absolutely agree they did not force their way in.

Mr. Young I ask you .. what are we to presume??? We came to Jamaica with an open mind and an open heart only to be welcomed by your hotel with potential physical harm, the theft of our money and belongings and absolute indifference by your representative. This situation could have been handled in so many different ways .. Mr. Thompson moved us to another hotel where we were welcomed and felt our safety was a priority. I would very much like to put this unfortunate situation behind us, and in order to do so I would like to be reimbursed for our losses.





No one is attempting to make a profit, we are simply asking for what was taken from us under extremely suspicious circumstances. What I am asking for is as follows:
Mr. Ancel Thompson

1000.00 US for his cash
12,000 Jamaican for his cash
562.77 US for the towing and re-keying fee for rental van ( Budget )

Miss. Charlene Swinney

187.00 US for camera
50.00 US for insurance deductable to replace cell phone

Miss. Rhiannon Smith

300.00 US for her cash

Miss. Sarah Madrietta

200.00 US for her cash

As you can see, I am in no way attempting to be unreasonable but feel the White Sands in good faith should be held responsible for the loss of our cash and personal items. I am also forwarding a copy of this e-mail to Erica Earle with the Department of Jamaican Tourism.

Mr. Young I am very sorry this matter has to be brought to your attention, however I am looking forward to hearing from you concerning
this very important matter. Please feel free to e-mail me or contact me via telephone.

Respectfully,

Charlene Swinney
208-880-7807

I know this e-mail is long .. but I really felt travelers should be informed .. thanks for listening

Charlene