Not much to report on what appears now to be the former Blue Seas. According to my sources it is indeed changing hands and will be called One Vallarta Resort and Spa.
The restaurant has been renamed Bite Me! and is being operated by two people who used to own Mama Dolores, Grant Hunermund and Kieran Justason.
Apparently the place still closes at 6:00 P.M., and they have a happy hour from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M.
The restaurant opens at 8:00 A.M. for breakfast and some of their menu items include a New Orleans style Shrimp Po' Boy sandwich, a Monte Cristo sandwich, a Ceasar salad topped with deep-fried calamari, and a trio of sliders (beef, chicken, and shrimp). Also a desert menu that includes frozen fudge brownies and key lime torts.
Friday, May 1st, they had Los Bambinos performing (no cover, just drinks) and the promise to have more events in the future.
I am still not sure what is happening at the resort itself or if Ken Molinaro is still involved. I don't even know if the same staff is there. I certainly hope so, because I always thought they did a very good job. I am talking about the front desk, security, maintenance, and maid service.
I do know that they have a whole new crew of time-share sales people on the premises, so we shall just have to wait to see how that all turns out.
I will keep you posted if I hear anything more, and if anyone reading this hears anything, be sure to either post a comment or send me an email.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
New Owners?
It appears that Blue Seas is soon to be under new management. One Beach Street, LLC is now advertising a Puerto Vallarta presence, One Puerto Vallarta, and the pictures are, drum roll, please, those of the Blue Seas.
You can check this out at:
http://www.onebeachstreet.com/obsteam.htm
If the pictures are a bit ambiguous, certainly this isn't:
http://onlyataoneclub.com/contactus.htm
That Puerto Vallarta address is, indeed, the address of the former Playa del Sol and now what looks to be the former Blue Seas.
Rumors had been flying for a few weeks that Blue Seas has been sold or leased, but of course everything was supposed to be hush hush. There is an "owners" meeting March 30th where, supposedly, everything shall be revealed. One Beach Street's website kind of gave the game away, though.
Interestingly, fractional owners are not permitted to attend this meeting. Only full owners and, I guess, whoever they decide they want to attend will be allowed. The fractional owners will be represented by someone from Bancomer, which holds our trusts.
When I find out more, hopefully soon after the March 30th meeting, I will post whatever I have learned.
Never a dull moment here in lovely Puerto Vallarta.
You can check this out at:
http://www.onebeachstreet.com/obsteam.htm
If the pictures are a bit ambiguous, certainly this isn't:
http://onlyataoneclub.com/contactus.htm
That Puerto Vallarta address is, indeed, the address of the former Playa del Sol and now what looks to be the former Blue Seas.
Rumors had been flying for a few weeks that Blue Seas has been sold or leased, but of course everything was supposed to be hush hush. There is an "owners" meeting March 30th where, supposedly, everything shall be revealed. One Beach Street's website kind of gave the game away, though.
Interestingly, fractional owners are not permitted to attend this meeting. Only full owners and, I guess, whoever they decide they want to attend will be allowed. The fractional owners will be represented by someone from Bancomer, which holds our trusts.
When I find out more, hopefully soon after the March 30th meeting, I will post whatever I have learned.
Never a dull moment here in lovely Puerto Vallarta.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Homophobia At Blue Seas Resort
As many of you who follow this post realize, there has been an ongoing conflict between longer term fractional owners of the once Playa del Sol and now Blue Seas Resorts and the owners and management. One of the bones of contention is the repostioning of Blue Seas Resorts as a primarily gay resort when most of those who originally bought here are not gay, are older, and often bring their children and grandchildren with them when they stay here.
In one of those things that make you scratch your head, Ken Molinaro, an owner of Blue Seas Resorts, brought in some kind of a communication guru to address these issues. As one might expect, given who hired him, one of his findings was:
Homophobia
A considerable amount of homophobia was expressed during the interviews and meeting amid the claims of heterophobia from Playa del Sol management to owners.
Much of the resistance to the rebrand appears directly related to homophobia amongst owners despite claims to the contrary.
I find this to be somewhat amusing given that a number of the fractional owners here are gay and we have always been a gay-friendly resort.
Also, what was ignored, was the shift from gay-friendly to an exclusively gay community, as is obvious from the language of the Blue Seas Resort website:
Blue Seas Resort and Spa is Puerto Vallarta´s first luxury beach-front Hotel and Beach Club dedicated to providing a unique and personalized holiday experience to the gay and lesbian community and our friends
And:
Exclusively for the discerning gay man, lesbian, and all our friends.
And:
Paradise for those seeking the intimacy and quality of an exclusive beach-club with the excitement and open social atmosphere of the traditional gay beach.
I don't think one has to be homophobic to surmise that there has been a shift from gay-friendly towards exclusively gay. At least in terms of marketing. You will note that their website features no pictures of heterosexual couples, nobody who is middle-aged, and cetainly no children.
Also impled was that because of the homophobia there was an undue concern with inappropriate behavior. Again, apparently ignored, was this statement on the Blue Seas Website:
We are committed to providing a truly unique and memorable experience for all our guests. So for the confirmed hedonists, we are creating an exclusive, luxury Spa with professionally-trained staff, private treatment facilities, steam room and a fully-equipped gym with state-of-the-art equipment.
Hmm, confirmed hedonists. Isn't a hedonist someone who subscribes to the ethical doctrine that only that which is pleasurable is intrinsically good? Now granted, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the philosophy of hedonism. But in the context of providing intimate settings and outdoor beds on the beach it does tend to blur a bit into licentiousness, the lacking of moral discipline or sexual restraint.
Things are pretty calm down here though. The Beach Club no longer enforces a minimum amount of purchases in order to be able to use their beach chairs, the bar and restaurant are virtually deserted except as a place for the timeshare salesmen to conduct business, the whole place shuts down at 6:00 P.M., and things are almost normal again.
In one of those things that make you scratch your head, Ken Molinaro, an owner of Blue Seas Resorts, brought in some kind of a communication guru to address these issues. As one might expect, given who hired him, one of his findings was:
Homophobia
A considerable amount of homophobia was expressed during the interviews and meeting amid the claims of heterophobia from Playa del Sol management to owners.
Much of the resistance to the rebrand appears directly related to homophobia amongst owners despite claims to the contrary.
I find this to be somewhat amusing given that a number of the fractional owners here are gay and we have always been a gay-friendly resort.
Also, what was ignored, was the shift from gay-friendly to an exclusively gay community, as is obvious from the language of the Blue Seas Resort website:
Blue Seas Resort and Spa is Puerto Vallarta´s first luxury beach-front Hotel and Beach Club dedicated to providing a unique and personalized holiday experience to the gay and lesbian community and our friends
And:
Exclusively for the discerning gay man, lesbian, and all our friends.
And:
Paradise for those seeking the intimacy and quality of an exclusive beach-club with the excitement and open social atmosphere of the traditional gay beach.
I don't think one has to be homophobic to surmise that there has been a shift from gay-friendly towards exclusively gay. At least in terms of marketing. You will note that their website features no pictures of heterosexual couples, nobody who is middle-aged, and cetainly no children.
Also impled was that because of the homophobia there was an undue concern with inappropriate behavior. Again, apparently ignored, was this statement on the Blue Seas Website:
We are committed to providing a truly unique and memorable experience for all our guests. So for the confirmed hedonists, we are creating an exclusive, luxury Spa with professionally-trained staff, private treatment facilities, steam room and a fully-equipped gym with state-of-the-art equipment.
Hmm, confirmed hedonists. Isn't a hedonist someone who subscribes to the ethical doctrine that only that which is pleasurable is intrinsically good? Now granted, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the philosophy of hedonism. But in the context of providing intimate settings and outdoor beds on the beach it does tend to blur a bit into licentiousness, the lacking of moral discipline or sexual restraint.
Things are pretty calm down here though. The Beach Club no longer enforces a minimum amount of purchases in order to be able to use their beach chairs, the bar and restaurant are virtually deserted except as a place for the timeshare salesmen to conduct business, the whole place shuts down at 6:00 P.M., and things are almost normal again.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Pool Side
There have been a lot of pictures posted of the pool at Blue Seas, many of them of a different pool altogether. Here is an actual picture of the Blue Seas Pool taken just yesterday.
Blue Seas Pool
Although most of the advertisements for Blue Seas specify that there is a Jacuzzi, in reality this is what is in the pool.
Not A Jacuzzi
At one time there were jets of water that shot out and gave you a bit of a tingle. However, these have not worked for years. If you are told that they are just shut down for the day for maintenance, which I have heard timeshare people say, it is simply not true.
One improvement this year are new lounge chairs with cushions on the pool deck.
They Look Comfy
Of course, not all is good. They have added an extension behind and above the old Pirate Retaurant. Before you could kind of look through the open restaurant and see the beach. Now it is just solid white plaster. Also, they have added the actual sail on top of the restaurant which does a great job at blocking what was once a dynamite view. Before they just had the riggings so they didn't block the view.
The Remodeled Pirate Restaurant
It is this kind of stuff that just makes you scratch your head. Why, when a lovely view from the pool deck would be a great selling point, would you block it. And, of course, offend all of the current owners in the process.
By the way, the view from the pool itself isn't anything to write home about either.
Not Exactly An Infinity Pool
On the plus side, my unit had been well maintained. The walls had been freshly painted as had the railing on the small balconey. A new shower door and mirrors had been installed in the small, second bathroom and, maybe, in the large bathroom as well. I am not sure about that though because those weren't discolored like the other ones.
The slipcovers on the sofas had been washed and, I think, we have a different, if not a new, sofa. It doesn't seem to sag nearly as much. We also have a different television with a larger screen and it seems as though we have more channels available to us.
All and all I am still glad I own here. It is that just for the life of me I cannot understand why the owners continue to do things that seem to be counter-productive. And, just to be clear, I own a fraction via a bank trust which guarantees me the same unit for the same four week period each year. Between a good friend and me we own eight solid weeks here. People who purchased timeshares here have different stories altogether.
Blue Seas Pool
Although most of the advertisements for Blue Seas specify that there is a Jacuzzi, in reality this is what is in the pool.
Not A Jacuzzi
At one time there were jets of water that shot out and gave you a bit of a tingle. However, these have not worked for years. If you are told that they are just shut down for the day for maintenance, which I have heard timeshare people say, it is simply not true.
One improvement this year are new lounge chairs with cushions on the pool deck.
They Look Comfy
Of course, not all is good. They have added an extension behind and above the old Pirate Retaurant. Before you could kind of look through the open restaurant and see the beach. Now it is just solid white plaster. Also, they have added the actual sail on top of the restaurant which does a great job at blocking what was once a dynamite view. Before they just had the riggings so they didn't block the view.
The Remodeled Pirate Restaurant
It is this kind of stuff that just makes you scratch your head. Why, when a lovely view from the pool deck would be a great selling point, would you block it. And, of course, offend all of the current owners in the process.
By the way, the view from the pool itself isn't anything to write home about either.
Not Exactly An Infinity Pool
On the plus side, my unit had been well maintained. The walls had been freshly painted as had the railing on the small balconey. A new shower door and mirrors had been installed in the small, second bathroom and, maybe, in the large bathroom as well. I am not sure about that though because those weren't discolored like the other ones.
The slipcovers on the sofas had been washed and, I think, we have a different, if not a new, sofa. It doesn't seem to sag nearly as much. We also have a different television with a larger screen and it seems as though we have more channels available to us.
All and all I am still glad I own here. It is that just for the life of me I cannot understand why the owners continue to do things that seem to be counter-productive. And, just to be clear, I own a fraction via a bank trust which guarantees me the same unit for the same four week period each year. Between a good friend and me we own eight solid weeks here. People who purchased timeshares here have different stories altogether.
Monday, February 2, 2009
So Sad
After reading all of the hoopla about the new Beach Club, Bar, and Restaurant at Blue Seas I wasn't sure what to expect when I arrived. Well, I certainly didn't expect what I found. In the two days that I have been here I have seen absolutely no one in either the bar or restaurant other than timeshare salesmen and their perspective victims. I mean no one. I asked the bartender if they still had their weekly cabaret shows and he said no, that the bar and restaurant closed at 6:00 P.M.
Excuse me, you have a new and fairly fancy enclosed and air-conditioned restaurant and bar on the beach and you close before sunset? Does that make any sense at all? This place was set up to be a nightclub, not a casual place that you just wander into off of the beach, and they are closed for dinner?
Here are the pictures I took yesterday afternoon right about the time when everyone gathers to watch the beautiful sunsets that Puerto Vallarta is known for.
The Crowd On The Beach
People Sipping Cocktails On The Patio
Watching The Sunset From The Bar
Dinner At Sundown
Meanwhile, next door at the Blue Chairs, you know, the place Blue Seas was trying to somehow imitate, things were a bit livelier.
The Bar
The Beach
I don't know what happened at Blue Seas, but obviously people are staying away in droves. And this despite being a fairly fancy place, all glassed in, air-conditioned, and a dynamite location on the beach.
I have heard that there are flyers being distributed in many of the gay bars and clubs in Puerto Vallarta warning people away from Blue Seas. This seems to stem from people who were sold timeshares and told that they "owned" their time at the then Playa del Sol. Now that the ownership has changed they are being told that their time here is no good and they have to use it at the more distant Playa del Sol Grande out in Nuevo Vallarta. A lot of very unhappy people.
It seems Blue Seas has managed to offend everyone, fractional owners who, gay and straight, are boycotting the bar and restaurant, and the gay community to which they were trying to appeal.
Way to go.
Excuse me, you have a new and fairly fancy enclosed and air-conditioned restaurant and bar on the beach and you close before sunset? Does that make any sense at all? This place was set up to be a nightclub, not a casual place that you just wander into off of the beach, and they are closed for dinner?
Here are the pictures I took yesterday afternoon right about the time when everyone gathers to watch the beautiful sunsets that Puerto Vallarta is known for.
The Crowd On The Beach
People Sipping Cocktails On The Patio
Watching The Sunset From The Bar
Dinner At Sundown
Meanwhile, next door at the Blue Chairs, you know, the place Blue Seas was trying to somehow imitate, things were a bit livelier.
The Bar
The Beach
I don't know what happened at Blue Seas, but obviously people are staying away in droves. And this despite being a fairly fancy place, all glassed in, air-conditioned, and a dynamite location on the beach.
I have heard that there are flyers being distributed in many of the gay bars and clubs in Puerto Vallarta warning people away from Blue Seas. This seems to stem from people who were sold timeshares and told that they "owned" their time at the then Playa del Sol. Now that the ownership has changed they are being told that their time here is no good and they have to use it at the more distant Playa del Sol Grande out in Nuevo Vallarta. A lot of very unhappy people.
It seems Blue Seas has managed to offend everyone, fractional owners who, gay and straight, are boycotting the bar and restaurant, and the gay community to which they were trying to appeal.
Way to go.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Too Funny - Blog Was Hacked
Someone managed to hack into my previous blog and replace the link to one for an advertisement for Blue Seas. I must be getting someone's attention.
Interestingly, the link that it was replaced with was to:
hotel-rates.com
If you go to the website and look at the pictures you may note that few, if any, are actually pictures of Blue Seas.
I have contacted blogspot about my blog being hacked and they assure me they take this very seriously. They may be able to trace the hack back to where it came from and if it was someone's personal PC or a business PC, as opposed to one in an internet cafe, they said they would take appropriate action.
Interestingly, the link that it was replaced with was to:
hotel-rates.com
If you go to the website and look at the pictures you may note that few, if any, are actually pictures of Blue Seas.
I have contacted blogspot about my blog being hacked and they assure me they take this very seriously. They may be able to trace the hack back to where it came from and if it was someone's personal PC or a business PC, as opposed to one in an internet cafe, they said they would take appropriate action.
Another Satisfied Customer
This posting is on the internet at:
www.blueseastimesharescam.com
and was sent to me by a Blue Seas fractional owner. The fractional owners are not affected by this, but if you had purchased a timeshare at Playa del Sol you would have been.
www.blueseastimesharescam.com
and was sent to me by a Blue Seas fractional owner. The fractional owners are not affected by this, but if you had purchased a timeshare at Playa del Sol you would have been.
How Blue Seas is trying to RIP OFF the Gay and Lesbian Community
Time shares were sold to the gay and Lesbian community starting in 2001 in Playa Del Sol, the original and legal name of the complex.
After 7 years those who bought were thrown out!
The seller formed a new company and sold the time share portion of the complex (about 50%) to a new company he and his wife now own.
He then threw out all of the people he had sold time shares to and is now selling that same space to you!
How long will it be until YOU are thrown out for a new group by another new corporation!
Don’t be fooled!
Stay away and save your money!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A Few Not So Favorable Comments
Here are a couple of comments that were posted on TripAdvisor from a couple of people who have stayed at Blue Seas within the past several weeks:
I just stayed there and it was a strange experience. The website was very misleading since this is not a gay hotel! The "club" they have created is gay friendly but they mostly just want your money. Every time you turn around they try to hit you with time-share sales. The pool is tiny and green with algae slime. It was gross and we won't be staying at this hotel again.
and:
To prevent confusion based on the last post, Blue Seas is NOT a hotel. If anyone is thinking of booking thinking this locale is similar to the mega resorts of Nuevo or the hotel zone you'll be sorely disappointed.
It's a condo complex (now in its umpteenth ownership and name change...I feel for original purchasers, you guys have seriously gotten screwed over!). A condo complex that has some amenities but they are smaller than an actual hotel.
Let's not confuse people any more than they already are about this place. And yes, they are avaricious about the timeshare selling right now so be careful...they're rivaling Mayan Palace, it's that bad.
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and depends upon whether you are actually staying at Blue Seas or just visiting the Beach Club or Restaurant.
I just stayed there and it was a strange experience. The website was very misleading since this is not a gay hotel! The "club" they have created is gay friendly but they mostly just want your money. Every time you turn around they try to hit you with time-share sales. The pool is tiny and green with algae slime. It was gross and we won't be staying at this hotel again.
and:
To prevent confusion based on the last post, Blue Seas is NOT a hotel. If anyone is thinking of booking thinking this locale is similar to the mega resorts of Nuevo or the hotel zone you'll be sorely disappointed.
It's a condo complex (now in its umpteenth ownership and name change...I feel for original purchasers, you guys have seriously gotten screwed over!). A condo complex that has some amenities but they are smaller than an actual hotel.
Let's not confuse people any more than they already are about this place. And yes, they are avaricious about the timeshare selling right now so be careful...they're rivaling Mayan Palace, it's that bad.
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and depends upon whether you are actually staying at Blue Seas or just visiting the Beach Club or Restaurant.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Another Favorable Comment
Again, in an effort to be fair I will post comments about Blue Seas that are favorable. And, until I get down there to see for myself what is going on I will refrain from posting too many of my personal opinions.
Mr. Beck, who owns and edits a restaurant guide, had this to say:
This 'new' resort is mixed and very comfortable for people of all walks. The lounges on the beach are top notch as is the attentive service!
I am looking forward to getting to Puerto Vallarta. Won't be long now, just a little over two weeks.
Mr. Beck, who owns and edits a restaurant guide, had this to say:
This 'new' resort is mixed and very comfortable for people of all walks. The lounges on the beach are top notch as is the attentive service!
I am looking forward to getting to Puerto Vallarta. Won't be long now, just a little over two weeks.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Truth In Advertising???
I just visited this website:
This was the picture they had posted for the pool at Blue Seas:
Now unless Blue Seas has done some pretty dramatic landscaping and have installed a significantly larger pool in the last week or so, these pictures are nothing like the pool you will actually find.
This Is What It Really Looks Like
Not quite the same, and this is a somewhat flattering view. That kind of horseshoe shaped thing at the end is the Jacuzzi that they advertise. There are some jets that, theoretically at least, could blow out streams of water. I have never actually seen it work though. When prospective timeshare purchasers ask about it they are told that it is just shut down for the day for maintenance.
To be honest, the above picture is the one from the actual Blue Seas website. The other is from a website that will book you rooms at the Blue Seas. They do say, however, that the accuracy of the pictures is the responsibility of the resort.
This was the picture they had posted for the pool at Blue Seas:
Now unless Blue Seas has done some pretty dramatic landscaping and have installed a significantly larger pool in the last week or so, these pictures are nothing like the pool you will actually find.
This Is What It Really Looks Like
Not quite the same, and this is a somewhat flattering view. That kind of horseshoe shaped thing at the end is the Jacuzzi that they advertise. There are some jets that, theoretically at least, could blow out streams of water. I have never actually seen it work though. When prospective timeshare purchasers ask about it they are told that it is just shut down for the day for maintenance.
To be honest, the above picture is the one from the actual Blue Seas website. The other is from a website that will book you rooms at the Blue Seas. They do say, however, that the accuracy of the pictures is the responsibility of the resort.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
In The Spirit Of Fairness
Most of my comments on this blog have tended towards the negative, for a variety of reasons. Primarily is that over the years those of us who bought fractions at Playa del Sol have had certain things systematically changed on us, and not for the better.
First and foremost was the questionable changing of the by-laws to permit timeshares and timeshare sales on the premises. Secondly, not providing certain amenities that were promised to us, the Private Beach Club being one of them. And, of course, the changing of the name to Blue Seas and the repositioning as "Puerto Vallarta's newest and hottest gay resort."
But, to be fair, I did receive an email from someone who posted a comment on my previous blog. This individual spends time in both San Francisco and Puerto Vallarta and is the owner and publisher of a restaurant guide. He made the following observations:
I enjoy the Blue Seas. The open air bar seating is great, brisas and service. Inside is A/C, great when we partied in October. Have not dined there as they were still remodeling the old pirate into a full kitchen. Quite pretty a month ago.
I have my condo and no association with Blue Seas but have been treated so very well by the owners and managers that they gave me a lifetime member card.
So there you go. I look forward to getting down there at the end of the month and seeing for myself just what is going on.
First and foremost was the questionable changing of the by-laws to permit timeshares and timeshare sales on the premises. Secondly, not providing certain amenities that were promised to us, the Private Beach Club being one of them. And, of course, the changing of the name to Blue Seas and the repositioning as "Puerto Vallarta's newest and hottest gay resort."
But, to be fair, I did receive an email from someone who posted a comment on my previous blog. This individual spends time in both San Francisco and Puerto Vallarta and is the owner and publisher of a restaurant guide. He made the following observations:
I enjoy the Blue Seas. The open air bar seating is great, brisas and service. Inside is A/C, great when we partied in October. Have not dined there as they were still remodeling the old pirate into a full kitchen. Quite pretty a month ago.
I have my condo and no association with Blue Seas but have been treated so very well by the owners and managers that they gave me a lifetime member card.
So there you go. I look forward to getting down there at the end of the month and seeing for myself just what is going on.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Sage Advice?
Normally I wouldn't post someone's comments, but in this case I will make an exception.
The person making the comments, Hazen S. Colbert, lives in Mexico and Canada. He is Managing Director of HSC Financial (Canada) Inc., and its Mexican subsidiary, HSC & Associates. Mr. Hazen holds an MBA in Finance. His articles, opinions and commentary have appeared in The Globe & Mail, The Puerta Vallarta Tribune, NOW Magazine and others. He has been a contributor to The Canadian Press.
Although Mr. Hazen says Playa del Sol Costa Sur in his comments, he was actually talking about Playa del Sol Condominiums, the original Playa del Sol located on Los Muertos, also known as Playa del Sol Centro, and which is now Blue Seas. Mr. Hazen has verified to me that this is what he meant so I have changed the wording of his comments here to reflect that.
Playa del Sol Costa Sur, formerly Costa Vida, was a later addition to the Playa del Sol holdings which now include Playa del Sol Grande and Playa del Sol Los Cabos. As followers of this blog know, Mr. Molinaro just recently split Playa del Sol Condominiums from the larger group and renamed it Blue Seas. Whether this was done legally or not is still an open issue.
The Playa del Sol Condominiums is one of most bizzare legal arrangements I have ever seen in my business life. What people refer to as "fractionals" are not legal fractionals as we refer to them in Canada and the US. They are actually more like timeshares even though they are refered to as 'fractionals'. The original developer does have the legal right to make changes to "his" fractional and timeshare based real estate by changing the by-laws LEGALLY (if he can create quorum he can do it with limited support by the owners, but quorum requires rules and he didn't follow the rules), but I am mystified as to how he can rebrand the condo owners real estate, including the exclusive use common elements, under a new name. That requires more than just a change to the by-laws, it requires a change in the escritorio, and no change has occured. In addition, the developer appears to have transfered some condo common elements out of the Playa de Sol Condominiums legal structure to a new legal structure, something that is simply impossible to do because the developer does not have title to the original common elements, only the condo owners have such title.
As for the beach club, legally there is no private beach club. There may be a federal concession but that only refers to the actual business of operating the club, not allowing use of the beach. Anyone can occupy the beach using their own chairs, umbrellas etc. As for a federal concession, who owns it? First right of refusal has to go to the "owner" of the abutting property, whoever that might be.
This is going to be a long, drawn out battle. I think I would just sell out.
Well, selling out is not really an option I would like to pursue, but Mr. Hazen certainly does raise some interesting points and I appreciate him taking the time to make a comment on my blog.
The person making the comments, Hazen S. Colbert, lives in Mexico and Canada. He is Managing Director of HSC Financial (Canada) Inc., and its Mexican subsidiary, HSC & Associates. Mr. Hazen holds an MBA in Finance. His articles, opinions and commentary have appeared in The Globe & Mail, The Puerta Vallarta Tribune, NOW Magazine and others. He has been a contributor to The Canadian Press.
Although Mr. Hazen says Playa del Sol Costa Sur in his comments, he was actually talking about Playa del Sol Condominiums, the original Playa del Sol located on Los Muertos, also known as Playa del Sol Centro, and which is now Blue Seas. Mr. Hazen has verified to me that this is what he meant so I have changed the wording of his comments here to reflect that.
Playa del Sol Costa Sur, formerly Costa Vida, was a later addition to the Playa del Sol holdings which now include Playa del Sol Grande and Playa del Sol Los Cabos. As followers of this blog know, Mr. Molinaro just recently split Playa del Sol Condominiums from the larger group and renamed it Blue Seas. Whether this was done legally or not is still an open issue.
The Playa del Sol Condominiums is one of most bizzare legal arrangements I have ever seen in my business life. What people refer to as "fractionals" are not legal fractionals as we refer to them in Canada and the US. They are actually more like timeshares even though they are refered to as 'fractionals'. The original developer does have the legal right to make changes to "his" fractional and timeshare based real estate by changing the by-laws LEGALLY (if he can create quorum he can do it with limited support by the owners, but quorum requires rules and he didn't follow the rules), but I am mystified as to how he can rebrand the condo owners real estate, including the exclusive use common elements, under a new name. That requires more than just a change to the by-laws, it requires a change in the escritorio, and no change has occured. In addition, the developer appears to have transfered some condo common elements out of the Playa de Sol Condominiums legal structure to a new legal structure, something that is simply impossible to do because the developer does not have title to the original common elements, only the condo owners have such title.
As for the beach club, legally there is no private beach club. There may be a federal concession but that only refers to the actual business of operating the club, not allowing use of the beach. Anyone can occupy the beach using their own chairs, umbrellas etc. As for a federal concession, who owns it? First right of refusal has to go to the "owner" of the abutting property, whoever that might be.
This is going to be a long, drawn out battle. I think I would just sell out.
Well, selling out is not really an option I would like to pursue, but Mr. Hazen certainly does raise some interesting points and I appreciate him taking the time to make a comment on my blog.
Monday, January 5, 2009
More Letters To The Editor
The following letters, one by an owner of several fractions at Playa del Sol/Blue seas and a rejoinder by Ken Molinaro, the developer and primary owner of the resort, were the first ones published in the PVMirror that addressed the ongoing saga of the Blue Seas.
Dear Editor,
In 1998, we purchased a 4-week Fractional ownership at Playa del Sol on Los Muertos Beach. We were told that only 4-week Fractions and full time ownership would be sold, and never time share (According to Article 23 item XII). In 2000, Ken Molinaro decided, without the legally required 75% homeowners’ approval, to change a by-law, that he was going to sell timeshares at Playa del Sol. This was the beginning of darker things to come. Time share buyers were told that they would have deeded ownership to their time. How can you have a deeded timeshare when you don’t physically have a permanent unit as do Fractional owners? The Playa Del Sol sales people were making illegal promises and misrepresenting the facts to timeshare buyers to justify Ken Molinaro’s greed. In 2007, the owners of the time shares in Playa del Sol on Los Muertos were told that starting in 2008, they would no longer be able to use the time they had planned and paid for, and that they had to use units in Playa del Sol Grand, and Playa del Sol Costa Sur. In August 2008, the name of Playa del Sol was changed to “The Blue Seas Resort“ at a meeting that several attorneys in Puerto Vallarta said was illegally called and held. This meeting was held on August 1, 2008, and even though the law calls for meetings to be held on the premises, the meeting was held in Ken Molinaro’s office and fractional owners were not permitted to attend. Once again, Ken is selling time shares, this time to a totally new group of clients. Another tactic that Ken employs is not sharing independently audited financial information with the homeowners or their board. He causes us to believe that he is commingling all of his corporations’ records. Additionally, there is currently a lawsuit in the courts, sponsored by over 130 fractional and full time owners, seeking to stop the sale of time shares at Playa del Sol Los Muertos. We feel that Ken Molinaro has grossly mismanaged our investment. This man has to be exposed as a large fraud.
Respectfully,
Owners of Fractions 11, 12 and 13.
Ken's rejoinder:
Dear Editor,
I do not believe in fighting one’s battles in the “letter to the editor” section of any publication, but feel that I must make at least a brief reply to the letter from “Owners of fractions 11,12 and 13”. Due to on-going legal disputes with these owners, I have been cautioned by my counsel not to go into any specifics, but to respond only in general. That being said, I would like to state unequivocally that what was said about me and my company in that letter was inaccurate, erroneous and downright libelous. The owners of Playa del Sol Los Muertos were guaranteed certain things contractually and they have been given those things from the opening of the project up to and including now. I have never cheated them, stolen from them or defrauded them in any way. I do not manage their “investment” for them, so I have no way of mismanaging that investment. “Grossly mismanaged, illegal promises, misrepresenting, greed, and fraud are all strong words, easily said; what is not so easy is the ability to back them up with facts.
Ken Molinaro
I can hardly wait to get down to my little paradise in the sun.
Just a personal comment. What Ken says about the owners getting everything they were promised in their purchase agreement from the opening of the project is not true.
Case in point, we were promised a gymnasium and it was several years before Ken, under pressure from the owners, finally installed a small one behind the reception area.
We were promised a pool with a Jacuzzi. The pool has a small whirlpool thing at one end that has never worked, to my knowledge.
We were told we would have a private, members only, beach club. Ken claimed that the two lavatories, used by restaurant customers and staff as well as owners, satisfied that promise.
Our by-laws specifically forbade the sale of timeshares at Playa del Sol and that was one of the big inducements to buy. It certainly played a large part in my decision to buy. Ken, somehow, managed to change the by-laws to permit timeshares. His reason for doing so was that he was unable to sell fractions during the summer months. Yet when I tried to buy a summer fraction I was told they were all sold. That Mexicans liked to take their summer vacations in Puerto Vallarta and had bought them all. The truth was that the fractions were never put on the market so that Ken could retain a majority ownership and could have inventory when he began selling timeshares. Something he had planned to do from the beginning.
Dear Editor,
In 1998, we purchased a 4-week Fractional ownership at Playa del Sol on Los Muertos Beach. We were told that only 4-week Fractions and full time ownership would be sold, and never time share (According to Article 23 item XII). In 2000, Ken Molinaro decided, without the legally required 75% homeowners’ approval, to change a by-law, that he was going to sell timeshares at Playa del Sol. This was the beginning of darker things to come. Time share buyers were told that they would have deeded ownership to their time. How can you have a deeded timeshare when you don’t physically have a permanent unit as do Fractional owners? The Playa Del Sol sales people were making illegal promises and misrepresenting the facts to timeshare buyers to justify Ken Molinaro’s greed. In 2007, the owners of the time shares in Playa del Sol on Los Muertos were told that starting in 2008, they would no longer be able to use the time they had planned and paid for, and that they had to use units in Playa del Sol Grand, and Playa del Sol Costa Sur. In August 2008, the name of Playa del Sol was changed to “The Blue Seas Resort“ at a meeting that several attorneys in Puerto Vallarta said was illegally called and held. This meeting was held on August 1, 2008, and even though the law calls for meetings to be held on the premises, the meeting was held in Ken Molinaro’s office and fractional owners were not permitted to attend. Once again, Ken is selling time shares, this time to a totally new group of clients. Another tactic that Ken employs is not sharing independently audited financial information with the homeowners or their board. He causes us to believe that he is commingling all of his corporations’ records. Additionally, there is currently a lawsuit in the courts, sponsored by over 130 fractional and full time owners, seeking to stop the sale of time shares at Playa del Sol Los Muertos. We feel that Ken Molinaro has grossly mismanaged our investment. This man has to be exposed as a large fraud.
Respectfully,
Owners of Fractions 11, 12 and 13.
Ken's rejoinder:
Dear Editor,
I do not believe in fighting one’s battles in the “letter to the editor” section of any publication, but feel that I must make at least a brief reply to the letter from “Owners of fractions 11,12 and 13”. Due to on-going legal disputes with these owners, I have been cautioned by my counsel not to go into any specifics, but to respond only in general. That being said, I would like to state unequivocally that what was said about me and my company in that letter was inaccurate, erroneous and downright libelous. The owners of Playa del Sol Los Muertos were guaranteed certain things contractually and they have been given those things from the opening of the project up to and including now. I have never cheated them, stolen from them or defrauded them in any way. I do not manage their “investment” for them, so I have no way of mismanaging that investment. “Grossly mismanaged, illegal promises, misrepresenting, greed, and fraud are all strong words, easily said; what is not so easy is the ability to back them up with facts.
Ken Molinaro
I can hardly wait to get down to my little paradise in the sun.
Just a personal comment. What Ken says about the owners getting everything they were promised in their purchase agreement from the opening of the project is not true.
Case in point, we were promised a gymnasium and it was several years before Ken, under pressure from the owners, finally installed a small one behind the reception area.
We were promised a pool with a Jacuzzi. The pool has a small whirlpool thing at one end that has never worked, to my knowledge.
We were told we would have a private, members only, beach club. Ken claimed that the two lavatories, used by restaurant customers and staff as well as owners, satisfied that promise.
Our by-laws specifically forbade the sale of timeshares at Playa del Sol and that was one of the big inducements to buy. It certainly played a large part in my decision to buy. Ken, somehow, managed to change the by-laws to permit timeshares. His reason for doing so was that he was unable to sell fractions during the summer months. Yet when I tried to buy a summer fraction I was told they were all sold. That Mexicans liked to take their summer vacations in Puerto Vallarta and had bought them all. The truth was that the fractions were never put on the market so that Ken could retain a majority ownership and could have inventory when he began selling timeshares. Something he had planned to do from the beginning.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
A Death At Blue Seas?
I just received an email from a friend of mine who is currently at Blue Seas. He is a long-time fractional owner so, although I haven't been able to independently verify this, I have no reason to believe it isn't true:
"This morning they hauled a gringo young man from condo #500 to the MORGUE. Another national in the same condo to the hospital --overdosed on something. Apparently the other 3-4 fellows in there were still functioning. (That's a one bedroom by the way!)"
I will post more if I get additional details.
"This morning they hauled a gringo young man from condo #500 to the MORGUE. Another national in the same condo to the hospital --overdosed on something. Apparently the other 3-4 fellows in there were still functioning. (That's a one bedroom by the way!)"
I will post more if I get additional details.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Blue Seas, Making The Papers
Ah, the saga at Blue Seas continues. Recently there have been several letters published in the local English language weekly, the PVMirror. Here are several of them and you can see the general theme is who has the rights to used the beach in front of the resort. Keep in mind that last year this area was open and primarily used by the fractional owners at Playa del Sol and was an amenity we all thought was included with our purchase. Also, beach chairs (paid for with our maintenance fees) were provided for free Now the area has been taken over by the Beach Club/Restaurant and you are requiring you to either pay $20 or purchase drinks or food for the right to sit there.
Dear Editor,
It is with interest that I have been reading
about the Playa del Sol saga now renamed
the Blue Seas by Ken Molinaro.
The last writer explained what the laws
of Puerto Vallarta (concessions) and the
national law of free beach are. However,
any law or regulation, if it is to work,
takes enforcement by the local officials,
and they have not seen fit to do this. The
Blue Seas are clearly way beyond their
‘legal limit’ in putting chairs clear down
to where the waves come up under the
chairs, making it uncomfortable if not
impossible to walk the beach, let alone
place your chairs there.
Today, the owners at Playa del Sol took
matters in their own hands and placed
their chairs and towels in the ‘national
free beach’ area, much to the consternation
of the restaurant. They, in turn, proceeded to
move their chairs and umbrellas up to
and touching and leaning on and over
the ‘owners’.
Unfortunately, I see this ending badly,
with tempers flaring & possibly someone
getting hurt. If nothing else, it sure hurts
the ambiance of the area and discourages
one from encouraging family and friends
from visiting Puerto Vallarta.
I’m wondering if this is what the “City
Fathers’ really want representing their city.
The ball is certainly in their court.
A Watcher
The letter that "A Watcher" was referring to was written by Germán Estrada Navarro , the author of a popular book, Mexico Magico, that tells you everything you need to know about Mexico.
Dear Editor,
In the last few editions of the PV Mirror, I
read several letters complaining about issues
in which Mr. Ken Molinaro is involved, as
well as his answers to those complaints. To
this I can only remember that old Mexican
saying that goes… “cuando el río suena, es
por que agua lleva” (when the river sounds,
is because it’s carrying water).
But in his “arguments” about the facts,
he states, and I quote… “The beach area
is ‘privately owned’…” And here, it seems
that el Señor Molinaro either does not
know anything about what the Mexican
Constitution says about the Federal Zone
regarding the beach, or he is simply lying
and trying to mislead your readers.
The area in which PV is located is within
what is known as the Restricted Zone. And
concerning the beach, up to twenty meters
(20) from the highest tide (preamar = in
normal conditions), it is Federal Zone that
“belongs” to the Nation. That means that
NOBODY, Mexicans or foreigners, can own
privately any centimeter within that area.
As we all well know, many hotels and
condominiums, as well as private residences,
have “invaded” that area and, for many, many
years, had free use of it. However, sometime
ago the federal and local governments
decided to put an end to this “free for all”,
and began collecting the fees due for the use
of the area that was invaded, and issuing
the corresponding concessions or permits
to those who paid.
It’s true that there are still many people,
especially in condominium buildings, hotels,
and developing areas, who have abused
-and keep doing it!- who put aside the law,
basing themselves on their experience …
the fact that the local authorities exercise
NO supervision whatsoever over what goes
on, and who is doing what with the beach
inside the Federal Zone, allowing them to
block the “Derecho de Paso para peatones”
(the right of passage for pedestrians.. (an
outright and flagrant violation of the law),
using as “excuse” the permit that was given
to them for the use of the Federal Zone where
their properties have been already built. In
other words, they just “extend” –using only
words— these Permits to cover whatever
purpose they want to use them for.
They all base their violations of the
law, in their belief, and almost certainty,
-which is not totally wrong- that most
Mexicans and tourists who go to the
beaches, do not know anything about the
law and, consequently, they operate as if
they “owned” the beaches in front of their
properties, or had the “right permit” to do
whatever they please.
I may add that some of these people do
obtain certain “concessions” (as may be
the case of the “beach-beds”), but one
would have to read each “permit”, for each
case, in order to be sure what is covered,
and what is not.
But, as another old Mexican saying goes,
“no tiene la culpa el indio, sino quien lo
hizo compadre” (in this case… let’s not
blame the abusers, but those who allow
them to do what they wish).
As long as Mexicans and foreign residents
and tourists alike, as long as nobody
complains to the so-called authorities,
they will not move a single finger to
correct …anything! They are all involved
in their grand “Macro Plans” –whatever
that means, forgetting that the “microproblems”,
the daily-ones, are those that,
if not solved, will prevent them from
carrying out their “dreams”…and, sooner
or later, will cause them problems.
Supposedly, they all want to bring more
tourists to PV, but none of them take the
necessary steps to protect them from the
always present bunch of vultures that will
surround them once they arrive here.
Germán Estrada Navarro
And, finally, the exchange of letters that Mr. Navarro was referring to:
Dear Editor,
To the government, citizens
and tourists of Puerto Vallarta:
GIVE BACK THE BEACH!
The mayor’s office should quickly
investigate and rule on recent developments
at the south end of Playa Los Muertos. Most
residents and visitors in Puerto Vallarta
are probably aware of the existence of a
popular gay resort and beach area known
as The Blue Chairs which is located near
the south edge of Playa Los Muertos.
Recently, the developer and current
presumed owner of what has been known
as Playa del Sol Centro has converted
his building into a second gay resort and
has renamed the building The Blue Seas.
He has also appointed an individual to
manage a restaurant and beach area also
known as The Blue Seas.
While the BlueChairs Resort has a clientele
that is almost exclusively gay, approximately
70% of The Blue Seas owners are heterosexuals.
The gay and straight residents of Playa
del Sol have lived side by side, socialized
together and built friendships for almost ten
years. This relationship is now threatened
by the recent actions of the building owner
and restaurant manager. This past year
both gays and straights were affected
when the beach palapas and much of the
other beach equipment paid for with the
maintenance fees of both gay and straight
residents was removed to make way for
the new Blue Seas beach area. However,
straight owners were affected even more
when they began arriving for the new
season and were told by the manager of
The Blue Seas Restaurant and Spa that
their presence on his beach would be
considered “offensive “ to his gay patrons,
and that the beach was now a “gay beach”.
He did state, however, that we could sit in
his chairs for a $20 fee or food order, or
sit in a separate small location designated
for straights only. The contradiction did
not seem to bother him nor did the obvious
use of discrimination. Gays are not
strangers to discrimination, so why would
they now choose to practice it? One has to
wonder what Puerto Vallarta would be like
if gays had been told their presence was
“offensive” when they first started coming
to Vallarta or if establishmentsin town
began to designate their establishments as
straight only.
The issue here is notone of gay versus straight.
Itis a question of managementversus owners
of apartmentsin The Blue Seas. It is also an
issue of who should controlone of the most
popularbeaches in all of Puerto Vallarta.
Businesses have aright to obtain a concession
from the city governmen but the government
has an obligation to insure that allpeople have
a right to use the beach. Over the past few
years the Blue Chairs Resort and now the Blue Seas,
andperhaps others, have pushed their areas to the
point wherethe beach drops into the sea, denying
use of the beach infront of their concession areas
by others.
Mexican nationalshave been effectively denied
the use of much of their ownbeach. While the
Blue Chairs has always been recognized as
a gay resort, no one has ever heard them say
that straights were not allowed or were
unwelcome there. In thatregard, The Blue Seas
has set a new standard. They have also set a new
standard for questionable moralityby renting
out curtainedbeds on Playa Los Muertos.
Morality, also, is not a gay versus straight issue,
and the use of beds on the beach forquestionable
activities shouldbe condemned by both gays
and straights.
Denying others the use ofa public beach
involves theissue of fairness for everyone.
People can choose to patronizeor not patronize
The Blue Seas using their own conscience.
Discrimination, however,cannot be justified
under any circumstances.
And, Ken Molinaro's response (Mr. Molinaro is the primary owner of Blue Seas and with his wife owns the Beach Club and Restaurant).
Dear Editor,
Once again I find myself
having to “argue” the facts
in your publication.
I will keep this short: There
is now and never has been
any “discrimination against
straights” or gays or nationals
or anybody else by either
Blue Seas or the previous
owner, Playa del Sol.
The area set aside for
owners is for all Playa del
Sol (now Blue Seas) condo
owners, straight and gay, who
do not wish to consume a
minimum amount at the new
beach club.
The beach area is privately
owned, is not a part of the
condominiums and is used
by the condo owners under
contract between the HOA
and the owners of Blue Seas.
As to the “beach beds”: over
the last several years, the
concept has become quite
popular and can be seen on
beaches and by pools in most
likely hundreds of resorts
worldwide.
Once again, I ask your
readers to remember that just
because something is written
as fact (and this should apply
to both sides of any argument)
doesn’t necessarily make it
accurate or true.
Ken Molinaro
There are a few more letters on this topic that have been published and I will post them in a few days. For those of you interested in the goings on a Blue Seas, these will give you some idea.
I will say this though, Ken's statement "There is now and never has been any discrimination against straights or gays or nationals or anybody else by either Blue Seas or the previous owner, Playa del Sol." seems a bit misleading when you consider the following quote from their website:
"Exclusively for gay men, women, and their friends"
Dear Editor,
It is with interest that I have been reading
about the Playa del Sol saga now renamed
the Blue Seas by Ken Molinaro.
The last writer explained what the laws
of Puerto Vallarta (concessions) and the
national law of free beach are. However,
any law or regulation, if it is to work,
takes enforcement by the local officials,
and they have not seen fit to do this. The
Blue Seas are clearly way beyond their
‘legal limit’ in putting chairs clear down
to where the waves come up under the
chairs, making it uncomfortable if not
impossible to walk the beach, let alone
place your chairs there.
Today, the owners at Playa del Sol took
matters in their own hands and placed
their chairs and towels in the ‘national
free beach’ area, much to the consternation
of the restaurant. They, in turn, proceeded to
move their chairs and umbrellas up to
and touching and leaning on and over
the ‘owners’.
Unfortunately, I see this ending badly,
with tempers flaring & possibly someone
getting hurt. If nothing else, it sure hurts
the ambiance of the area and discourages
one from encouraging family and friends
from visiting Puerto Vallarta.
I’m wondering if this is what the “City
Fathers’ really want representing their city.
The ball is certainly in their court.
A Watcher
The letter that "A Watcher" was referring to was written by Germán Estrada Navarro , the author of a popular book, Mexico Magico, that tells you everything you need to know about Mexico.
Dear Editor,
In the last few editions of the PV Mirror, I
read several letters complaining about issues
in which Mr. Ken Molinaro is involved, as
well as his answers to those complaints. To
this I can only remember that old Mexican
saying that goes… “cuando el río suena, es
por que agua lleva” (when the river sounds,
is because it’s carrying water).
But in his “arguments” about the facts,
he states, and I quote… “The beach area
is ‘privately owned’…” And here, it seems
that el Señor Molinaro either does not
know anything about what the Mexican
Constitution says about the Federal Zone
regarding the beach, or he is simply lying
and trying to mislead your readers.
The area in which PV is located is within
what is known as the Restricted Zone. And
concerning the beach, up to twenty meters
(20) from the highest tide (preamar = in
normal conditions), it is Federal Zone that
“belongs” to the Nation. That means that
NOBODY, Mexicans or foreigners, can own
privately any centimeter within that area.
As we all well know, many hotels and
condominiums, as well as private residences,
have “invaded” that area and, for many, many
years, had free use of it. However, sometime
ago the federal and local governments
decided to put an end to this “free for all”,
and began collecting the fees due for the use
of the area that was invaded, and issuing
the corresponding concessions or permits
to those who paid.
It’s true that there are still many people,
especially in condominium buildings, hotels,
and developing areas, who have abused
-and keep doing it!- who put aside the law,
basing themselves on their experience …
the fact that the local authorities exercise
NO supervision whatsoever over what goes
on, and who is doing what with the beach
inside the Federal Zone, allowing them to
block the “Derecho de Paso para peatones”
(the right of passage for pedestrians.. (an
outright and flagrant violation of the law),
using as “excuse” the permit that was given
to them for the use of the Federal Zone where
their properties have been already built. In
other words, they just “extend” –using only
words— these Permits to cover whatever
purpose they want to use them for.
They all base their violations of the
law, in their belief, and almost certainty,
-which is not totally wrong- that most
Mexicans and tourists who go to the
beaches, do not know anything about the
law and, consequently, they operate as if
they “owned” the beaches in front of their
properties, or had the “right permit” to do
whatever they please.
I may add that some of these people do
obtain certain “concessions” (as may be
the case of the “beach-beds”), but one
would have to read each “permit”, for each
case, in order to be sure what is covered,
and what is not.
But, as another old Mexican saying goes,
“no tiene la culpa el indio, sino quien lo
hizo compadre” (in this case… let’s not
blame the abusers, but those who allow
them to do what they wish).
As long as Mexicans and foreign residents
and tourists alike, as long as nobody
complains to the so-called authorities,
they will not move a single finger to
correct …anything! They are all involved
in their grand “Macro Plans” –whatever
that means, forgetting that the “microproblems”,
the daily-ones, are those that,
if not solved, will prevent them from
carrying out their “dreams”…and, sooner
or later, will cause them problems.
Supposedly, they all want to bring more
tourists to PV, but none of them take the
necessary steps to protect them from the
always present bunch of vultures that will
surround them once they arrive here.
Germán Estrada Navarro
And, finally, the exchange of letters that Mr. Navarro was referring to:
Dear Editor,
To the government, citizens
and tourists of Puerto Vallarta:
GIVE BACK THE BEACH!
The mayor’s office should quickly
investigate and rule on recent developments
at the south end of Playa Los Muertos. Most
residents and visitors in Puerto Vallarta
are probably aware of the existence of a
popular gay resort and beach area known
as The Blue Chairs which is located near
the south edge of Playa Los Muertos.
Recently, the developer and current
presumed owner of what has been known
as Playa del Sol Centro has converted
his building into a second gay resort and
has renamed the building The Blue Seas.
He has also appointed an individual to
manage a restaurant and beach area also
known as The Blue Seas.
While the BlueChairs Resort has a clientele
that is almost exclusively gay, approximately
70% of The Blue Seas owners are heterosexuals.
The gay and straight residents of Playa
del Sol have lived side by side, socialized
together and built friendships for almost ten
years. This relationship is now threatened
by the recent actions of the building owner
and restaurant manager. This past year
both gays and straights were affected
when the beach palapas and much of the
other beach equipment paid for with the
maintenance fees of both gay and straight
residents was removed to make way for
the new Blue Seas beach area. However,
straight owners were affected even more
when they began arriving for the new
season and were told by the manager of
The Blue Seas Restaurant and Spa that
their presence on his beach would be
considered “offensive “ to his gay patrons,
and that the beach was now a “gay beach”.
He did state, however, that we could sit in
his chairs for a $20 fee or food order, or
sit in a separate small location designated
for straights only. The contradiction did
not seem to bother him nor did the obvious
use of discrimination. Gays are not
strangers to discrimination, so why would
they now choose to practice it? One has to
wonder what Puerto Vallarta would be like
if gays had been told their presence was
“offensive” when they first started coming
to Vallarta or if establishmentsin town
began to designate their establishments as
straight only.
The issue here is notone of gay versus straight.
Itis a question of managementversus owners
of apartmentsin The Blue Seas. It is also an
issue of who should controlone of the most
popularbeaches in all of Puerto Vallarta.
Businesses have aright to obtain a concession
from the city governmen but the government
has an obligation to insure that allpeople have
a right to use the beach. Over the past few
years the Blue Chairs Resort and now the Blue Seas,
andperhaps others, have pushed their areas to the
point wherethe beach drops into the sea, denying
use of the beach infront of their concession areas
by others.
Mexican nationalshave been effectively denied
the use of much of their ownbeach. While the
Blue Chairs has always been recognized as
a gay resort, no one has ever heard them say
that straights were not allowed or were
unwelcome there. In thatregard, The Blue Seas
has set a new standard. They have also set a new
standard for questionable moralityby renting
out curtainedbeds on Playa Los Muertos.
Morality, also, is not a gay versus straight issue,
and the use of beds on the beach forquestionable
activities shouldbe condemned by both gays
and straights.
Denying others the use ofa public beach
involves theissue of fairness for everyone.
People can choose to patronizeor not patronize
The Blue Seas using their own conscience.
Discrimination, however,cannot be justified
under any circumstances.
And, Ken Molinaro's response (Mr. Molinaro is the primary owner of Blue Seas and with his wife owns the Beach Club and Restaurant).
Dear Editor,
Once again I find myself
having to “argue” the facts
in your publication.
I will keep this short: There
is now and never has been
any “discrimination against
straights” or gays or nationals
or anybody else by either
Blue Seas or the previous
owner, Playa del Sol.
The area set aside for
owners is for all Playa del
Sol (now Blue Seas) condo
owners, straight and gay, who
do not wish to consume a
minimum amount at the new
beach club.
The beach area is privately
owned, is not a part of the
condominiums and is used
by the condo owners under
contract between the HOA
and the owners of Blue Seas.
As to the “beach beds”: over
the last several years, the
concept has become quite
popular and can be seen on
beaches and by pools in most
likely hundreds of resorts
worldwide.
Once again, I ask your
readers to remember that just
because something is written
as fact (and this should apply
to both sides of any argument)
doesn’t necessarily make it
accurate or true.
Ken Molinaro
There are a few more letters on this topic that have been published and I will post them in a few days. For those of you interested in the goings on a Blue Seas, these will give you some idea.
I will say this though, Ken's statement "There is now and never has been any discrimination against straights or gays or nationals or anybody else by either Blue Seas or the previous owner, Playa del Sol." seems a bit misleading when you consider the following quote from their website:
"Exclusively for gay men, women, and their friends"
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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