Review of Now Larimar Punta Cana Resorts & Spas | Salmonella & E. Coli after our Wedding Trip

3 years ago

Salmonella & E. Coli after our Wedding Trip

Salmonella & E. Coli after our Wedding Trip

We attended the Now Larimar resort for our March 2017 Wedding Ceremony, which we brought 30+ guests. We were excited to arrive to this resort but needless to say we left with a different view of the resort. Let me explain further.

1. Upon arrival to resort many of our guests had their rooms not ready and were forced to wait hours without a room.

2. We arrived to the resort with the assumption that we had everything setup for our wedding ceremony, that we would just relax and get married. NOT the case. After our initial visit to the wedding planners they wanted us to pay in excess of $1000 for our wedding ceremony that we were told prior to arrival would be free due to the amount of guests we brought. After much battle with the coordinator the manager finally intervened, and told us they would need to contact our travel agency. So we left for the next few days concerned we had this added expense prior to our wedding.. Nothing like stressing out the Bride & Groom prior to their wedding day right? Well to our surprise, they did get things figured out, thankfully.

3. This is the worst part of the trip, out of our 30 guests that went 7 of them came back to the US with extreme stomach pain and diarrhea. 2 of the guests including myself were diagnosed with E. Coli after the medical facilities ran stool samples & lab tests. I came back positive for E. Coli & Salmonella. Let me tell you, this is a horrible pain and I wish it upon no one. After the fact our travel agent reached back out to the resort to advise them of the issue, the GM of the resort Domenico Cacace responded back trying to pass the buck onto someone else. Claiming that in no way this sickness came from the resort. Well I'd like to clarify it so, he knows it did exactly come from the resort.

1. 7 Guests came back sick
2. 2 Guests confirmed of lab tests containing bacteria.
3. The 7 guests, returned back to the us on different departure dates but became sick within 1-2 days of return.
4. The 7 guests all live in different locations in the US, and took different airlines.
5. 1 Guest confirmed with E. Coli is battling cancer and never left the resort.
6. The remaining 6 guests DID NOT attend the same excursions together containing any food.
7. The 7 guests did however all attend evening planned group dinners on the resort.

So from these facts, I think it's clear to say that the culprit for the sickness is directly correlated to the NOW Larimar resort. Instead of taking the responsibility they immediately jump to blaming other people.

A little advise, if you attend this resort:
- DO NOT Eat any uncovered food that may be undercooked. Most importantly in the premier lounges.
- Make sure that any fruit you eat is being cut by employees in front of you, and they are wearing proper gloves.

An experience that should be a memorable one, definitely become one in the wrong reasons. 2 days away from work, and multiple medical bills later after arriving back is something I'll never forget. Thanks again NOW Larimar for making my wedding so memorable. NOT.