When we stayed at Mata Chica this past month Fox was at the resort negotiating for a Temptation 2 in five different languages. It would be filmed over a five month timeframe. Word I heard was that Morgans signed up and Mata Chica Was driving a hard bargain. They would take the entire resort for the 5 months. Don't know when they will start but thought it was this summer.

[This message has been edited by Joe Jr (edited 04-16-2001).]

well, my first inclination is to go down there and chase them away!!! i've got plenty of ideas on how to do that but, if it's what the locals want as far as $$ wise, then i have no biz butting in; i just hate to see this place that i've come to love (yet not visited yet) become another landing for commercialism..... yet, win me the lottery, and i'm there baby!!!!

NO!!! I have reservations for JULY...please tell me this is not true!!!!

dedl
I am only posting what I was told when I was there. The owners have fox over the barrel as they say with Morgans signed up and I'm sure fox wants the same resorts as previous edition of Temptation. July is part of their slow season and the owner was weighing the pro's and cons of essentially shutting down for the 5 months to outside tourism. It gave them essentially months off to travel and only leaving the cleaning / restaurant staff to cater to the fox people. The reservation / tour arrangements would not be required as the guests will be working and only need a clean room and chow. The negatives are a possible loss of customers when the resort is "off limits" for the 5 months, which would probably not exist and probably make the resort more desiraBLE WITH THE FREE ADVERTISING. The money they will be getting for the 14 units ( average of 350 - 400 US ) for the period plus the lost future business will result in a paycheck in excess of 1M US in my opinion. Tough to turn down when a four month vacation is thrown in for the owners! As one employee said, they will say make me an offer I can't refuse and then refuse it twice. Sorry about your plans but I would try to nail them down on the status of the show and not be left dissapointed. How you can get any guaranteed reservations is beyond me, but I'm simply posting what I heard during my stay. Beware.

Say it ain't so!!!! Why can't they be like "Survivor" and go to a different place each season? I too, have devloped a fond affection for this unique place, but I fear that it will soon become "Aspenized". After reading the post about the condition of the reef, and now this, one has to wonder, is ruining the island worth the $$$? I don't begrudge the locals for trying to cash in, but I hope they can take a look at how over-commercialization can hurt this beautiful place in the long run.

[This message has been edited by Over_40_Pirate (edited 04-17-2001).]

I have emailed the reservation desk and asked the status of the my room...I have already sent them money and gotten a confirmation, so I have specifically asked if I will be "bumped" to a new hotel. I will keep you posted.

Be careful. When the resort was shut down during last hurricane and guests were forced to go elsewhere i heard of one in particular who was sent to a resort in Placencia we stayed at ( a really great place with excellent owners and staff) had one hell of a time getting his deposit back. Seems crazy but from what i was told this doctor raised hell and finally got his deposit refunded. Not without a battle though. Again, only what i heard, take it for what its worth and do your own homework to protect yourself

[This message has been edited by Joe Jr (edited 04-17-2001).]

Captain Morgan's Retreat has NOT signed any deal with Fox for Temptation Island 2. Fox is considering the property for their European version of the show, but they are also considering several properties inland as well as different countries. If Fox does select CMR, it will be closed for the filming of the series, but CMR will NOT be closed for 5 months. If Fox does select CMR, we will notify our guests and offer them a choice of different lodging or a refund of deposit. Despite what Joe Jr. has written, no one has had 'one hell of a time' receiving a refund due to relocation whether it was due to a hurricane or filming a TV show.

If there are questions or concerns, please call 888-653-9090.

Me and the kids will post a trip report soon. As a family i can say we were all wooed by AC. My son wants a vacation home there, my daughter fell in love with the overall friendliness and charm of the Belizeian children, my wife loved the laid back, no shoes atmosphere and I loved everything about the country. In my 43 years on this planet I can say I've never met a more friendly group of citizens than the people of Belize. I think if I had to put my finger on the allure of Belize it is in their people. Friendly, sincere, appreciative etc.,etc,etc.! Forget about the children, they warmed my heart so many times I cant tell. I also realized I cant change poverty with my token gifts. God, I wanted to help so many of those children, but after a period of time I began to realize the real problems of poverty and a third world country. But I was charmed by a boy i picked up hitching in Placencia on my way to fish.Ended up giving him seveal lures with a promise to bring my family and fish from his pier the next day. The kids were wonderful and enjoyed our visit, ended up leaving more lures and my fishing pole. Still feel a little sad I couldn't help more though. Stayed at the Mata Chica 7 days, the room was awesome, could eat off the floor every day after maid service. Restaurant was excellent, pricey with two kids and no childrens menu but the food and staff were wonderful. There are other reasons i wouldn't return to Mata but a return trip to AC is high on my entire family's list. The resort is beautiful and would recommend to all couples or families with unlimited budgets. I found it too expensive round trip to AC on the taxi. On vacation you want to go places on your time and trying to catch the Mata boat sometimes resulted in alot of standing around waiting. Parents with 11 and 13 year olds will understand. Next time well stay in town. The snorkeling, Lamania and Placencia were awesome, to a person we thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Post a detailed report soon.

Don't do it #!**@#!