Casa Magna - Squatter hotel??

[Jules]

Hello all,

My friend is possibly planning her wedding in Tulum and has been reading a lot of reviews trying to gather info. She came across this review on tripadvisor and I wondered if anyone here knows anything about these "squatter hotels"??? Sounds like a crazy story...hard to believe!

Review:
May 10, 2008
I was scared for my life. I booked a room at Casa Magna for a friends wedding weekend at the hotel and when I arrived May 1st was told that the "Mexican Mafia" had taken back the house. Apparently the hotel operator/owner never owned the hotel and was just "squatting on the property" fully aware that it would be taken back at some point by the rightful owners. How this can happen I have no idea. Regardless the rightful owners took back Casa Magna via armed men and helicopters on the beach in front of the hotel the weekend of my friend's wedding. The new owners allowed the guests to stay because they were Americans but the Mexican staff felt in danger and fled along with the supposed Casa Magna owner Melissa. Long story short, most people from the wedding either left or relocated - and everyone (including those who stayed with nowhere to go) got their money back by contacting their credit card companies and stopping the charge. So if you have booked a room at Casa Magna; You need to find another place and make sure it is legitimate. Also contact your credit card company and stop the charge because Casa Magna NO LONGER EXISTS! The owner is so shady she will most likely keep your money and never tell you. And FYI the owner is the same crazy Melissa who used to work at Amansala which is also a "squatter hotel" and could be taken back at any point by the rightful Mexican owners. Amansala has been warned that what happened at Casa Magna could too happen to them so if you have a reservation at Amansala I would rebook. If you must got to Tulum, go stay at Maya Tulum - Maya Tulum along with about five or six other hotels in Tulum are legitimate hotels on land that is rightfully owned by the hotel owners. I would ask around and do my research before booking anywhere in Tulum Mexico where "squatter hotels" are common. Good luck in Mexico, Godbless and whatever you do - do not book at Casa Magna because it is not a hotel anymore or at Amansala because it is about to be taken back and you could have the same nightmare we all suffered. It will be a very long time before I go back to Mexico or talk to my friend who got married there.

[John in DC]

This sounds conceivable, but I'm a little suspicious about the motives of such a posting.

Title to some of the property along the beach road has indeed been in dispute. It all centers on ejido land rights -- land that was theoretically deeded to local indigenous communities during the Mexican Revolution. It's kind of been a mess ever since, providing plenty of work for lawyers and keeping buyers and property owners on their toes to make dead-solid certain they actually own the land they occupy. This is why Suenos Tulum was closed down for a couple of years; it took that long for the owners to prove that they had actually legitimately bought the property.

My suspicions center around several things. First, this comes from TripAdvisor, source of many a disinformation campaign to discredit various hotels all over the world.;)

Second, this person seems to have learned an awful lot about this small corner of the world in what sounds like a very short visit. I sense a man on mission to discredit Casa Magna and Amansala.

Finally, unless I'm not recalling properly, Casa Magna was never owned by "the Mexican Mafia." I guess I wouldn't put it past him to be continuing the Medellin cartel from the great beyond, but I'm not sure Pablo Escobar -- the original owner -- left the house to his Mexican cholos.:rolleyes:

Maybe this is all on the up and up, by I have my doubts.

[Jules]

The bit about the helicopter is what made me suspicious about this writer. Sounds fishy to me.
Maybe we’ll get lucky that someone on this board was in Tulum during this time and saw those helicopters land!!

[PhyllisB]

And Melissa has been at Amansala for years. I generally thought that the folks who've been there longer must have the right relationships in place or are more likely to have the necessary legitimacy.


But otherwise it sounds like it could be an eijido issue, if it is true. And because of the way land ownership is managed, it is true that there is always a certain level of risk to booking hotels in Tulum, especially newer places.

[Gale in KY]

This is completely suspicious. Although there could be a land battle going on, I have serious doubts about a high profile and well known place like Amansala being involved without word getting out fast..not a word has been mentioned about this anywhere else to my knowledge.

I walked past Amansala on May 2nd and it was operating as usual, bikini boot camp was going on in a normal fashion.

I would email or call Amansala and find out "from the bikini's mouth", but ALWAYS take reviews on TA with a grain of salt.

[Margoinmexico]

I've been kind of waiting to see how long it would take for this to hit the forum, but i is true, Casa Magna was seized a couple of weeks ago by the feds while a big wedding was in residence, I heard 50 people were staying there and that they were absorbed by Melissas other 2 properties Amansala and casa de Miel.........It was a kind of hostile take over as I've heard it told...I heard from a very good source that it was a pretty high Mexican official that "bought" the rights out from under Melissa......not an American....There is a cover over the sign....and guards blocking the entrance. What a nightmare for the wedding party, her prices are HIGH, it must have cost a fortune for that many people to be there, and then to have it end that way...but what a story! Karma anyone?

That's the problem with eijido land...this kind of stuff can happen...Glad Xamach is titled land...from what I understand...most of the hotel zone land is eijido land....Melissa has a lot of resources, no telling what will happen..........send her good thoughts, this couldn't have made her day.....I know she had her long time manager at Amansala quit recently too....makes you wonder about karma.....:confused: Many people have opinions about her, but her properties are beautiful and successful but all of us have things that people can talk about.... It really is a small town! ;)

[Gale in KY]

Wow, Margo..I can't believe this! I know it's possible anywhere in the hotel zone..but Amansala has been around a long long time..I do feel badly for Melissa. I have never met her, but I know she has put her heart and soul into that place. Casa Magna was her dream.

Mexco should do someting about this type of thing legally. People, locals and others come in, take over a run down property and build it up..the ancestors sit back and wait for it to come to fruition and then swoop in and take it over? I know it's ancestral lands, but it's time for the legal channels to recognize the blood, sweat, tears and $$$ that are invested in these properties...there should be some type of compromise. We all know how long it takes for this type of thing to wind it's way thru the Mexico court system....there should be some recourse, even if it is a lease of the land for a period of time, reparation of $$$ spent on the dwellings..etc. Yes, the heritcal rights should be honored, but I know that nobody in their right mind would go into a piece of property, spend big $$$ developing it into a resort, without believing they will be able to remain there..it's just insane.

I think I will be happy to stay at Xamach Dos, where I don't have to worry about Uzi's and being tossed out in the middle of the night in a land squabble.

[wonting]

I don't know what to do now, I've booked a cabana at Casa de Miel, I'm leaving next Monday and the chances of getting a beach front cabana is slim by now. I was wondering why Melissa was not really responding to any of my emails even though the payments have to made! After writing them 4-5 times, my husband did hear from them today (don't know who wrote us) saying that we are all confirmed for those nights... I wish that I heard about the "takeover" sooner. Now the dilemma is to whether take a chance and just go or book another place! :(

[Margoinmexico]

Anyman and Joyinthesand are at Casa de Miel even as we speak as the reservations they had somewhere else got screwed up...(I'll let them tell that story)...they said that it is kind of a ghost town...not many staying there and just a kind of surfer kid manning the desk....it is a very new property, the sign just went up a little over a month ago...so it isn't that landscaped and finished yet....but that the cabanas are beautiful and a great beach......close to what they want to be close to...they had just checked in when I talked to them and they said most everything is being handled at Amansala reservation adn check in wise.........:sun:

[wonting]

Thank you so much Margo for the tip, I'm somewhat relieved to hear that it's still up and running.:crossfingers: I don't really mind if the place is a ghost town coz we don't want to around too many people anyway, and it's nice to know that the cabanas are beautiful and a great beach!

[Lynnette]

"Mexican Mafia takeover".......there might be some truth to that, too. I believe that Casa Magna was once owned by Pablo Escobar....notorious drug lord. It looks beautiful, but I wouldn't want to stay there anyway.....bad vibes from it's former life.

[pepper]

This is so unfortunate.

Melissa had said that this was an interesting deal she had made with the government to acquire the Casa Magna compound - told us over dinner last August. Sounds like some sort of Mex official insider info kind of thing.

I have to feel bad for Melissa - she there with her toddler son. She's trying hard to make it work. This girl is a fighter - I hope she comes out in victory. I know many terrible things have been said about her, but this type of hostile take-over is wrong in so many ways - nobody deserves this.

[wonting]

My husband and I are keeping our reservation at Casa de Miel and just hoping for the best, and I hope to return and write a positive report on the place.:crossfingers: The decision was made after my husband called the credit card company and was assured that a refund will be issued if the place no longer exists when we get there. We are also working on a back-up plan, but I'm still trying to stay positive about Casa de Miel.

Being from New York I believe in re-building a place, so the fact that a druglord used to live there does not bother me at all. (although I'll be staying at Casa de Miel which is not even close to Casa Magna) But I am concerned if Melissa still runs the place or the "rightful owners" took over the place now? And why are there so many Melissa bashings recently?

[pepper]

People have been bashing her for years - go to tripadvisor and read the reviews of Amansala and Casa Magna - it's nothing new. I think her New Yorkness puts-off alot of folks.

When I've met her, I've waited for the harshness that I've read about, but never received it - she was very courteous, imo, and hard working - taking orders in the restaurant, serving plates, etc.

I'm sure you'll be fine at Casa de Miel.

[PhyllisB]

I'm with you pepper, it's really dreadful. Hopefully she'll come out on top, like Suenos did, but it'll probably be a long hard fight.

[mariposa]

hmmm..this is all very odd to me, especially the part about Casa de Miel being only opened for a month not very landscaped etc..We stayed there in early march and found it to be beautiful (though definitely in progress..I think at that point they truly had just opened only weeks before..) I'm sure that the reports about the place being manned by a "surfer dude" are referring Tommy..he was also there when we were there.

I'd be very interested to see what's happening at Casa Magna.

We did hear many rumors and unverified talk about Melissa when we told people we were staying at her property. I don't know, she was cool with us
and part of me wonders how much of it might be envy (she really is very successful, has great sophisticated taste and seems to be acquiring alot of properties in Tulum) I don't know..I'm sure we don't know the whole story,
but I don't like the idea of anything like this happening in Tulum, to anyone..

[Gale in KY]

Casa Magna is indeed part of a land dispute. Melissa responds to the "review" on TA:

Management Response
missyglee, owner
(Management representative)
May 14, 2008
Casa Magna is involved in a land dispute and we are working to resolve the problem and hopefully reopen in August.

Living and working in Mexico is very challenging and there are many land disputes that arise, and unfortunately we fell victim to a very complicated situation.

As far as this reviewer referring to me as "crazy Melissa" and being the same one who used to run Amansala which is also on squatted land, he knows nothing about what is talking about. For one I am not exactly crazy...well maybe to be living here so long, however, Amansala is not in any danger and is very stable and the legalities of how one acquires land in this area are too complex to explain in a review or in a response form.

I am sorry he will not talk to his "friend" whos' wedding he attended, for a very long time as obviously she had no way to predict the situation nor did we so place blame on her is a bit bizarre.

It is a very stressful very sad time for me and all of my staff who have put very long hard hours of heart and soul into making Casa Magna what it is, and we are working to resolve the situation.

We will update when we have a confirmation of the situation to share.

I feel really badly for this lady, have never met her, but she has created her own place along the Tulum beachroad and to have it taken right out from under her is just sad. You gotta wonder if the descendants who lay claim to the land are related to Pablo Escobar?

Casa Magna was listed with LG last year..so I am really confused about the "only recently opened" part myself. As far as I know, they have been available to the public for quite awhile..we had a review here last year from someone, can't remember who...who couldn't take the sound of the waves at Hamaca Loca and relocated to Casa Magna. This place was in ruins when Melissa took over, so I know it will probably be a "work in progress" for quite awhile. To rehab this place has to be an overwhelming job from the state it was in when she aquired it.

At any rate, I wish Melissa only the best...and I hope this is resolved quickly and in her favor.

[Lynnette]

Gale, wasn't Amansala closed down for awhile a few years back, also?? I feel so very bad for Melissa and hopefully this dispute doesn't drag on. It's interesting that these "ejidos" arise AFTER a property has been built or improved.

[Gale in KY]

I don't recall them being closed, but it's always a possibility. It's really a no win situation..for those who take over these properties, improve them, spend BIG money to do so, only to have them taken over and be tossed out...by descendants who don't appear to me to have any interest in the property until AFTER it is improved..and the law is on their side, long drawn out court battles, leaving the properties to fall into shambles and disrepair.

It actually makes one a bit leary of staying anywhere that Ejido land is involved as this is happening with more frequency. It isn't only Tulum either, it has taken place recently in Playa as well. Perhaps those who lay claim should give some thought to what their actions are doing to the ones who make these places a success..that would be US..the people who frequent and spend our $$$ there. I personally will NEVER spend one peso in any of these places until the laws are changed and legal actions are applied in a more fair manner for all parties involved.

In this particular case, there was no interest in CM, it had been sitting in ruin for 20 years..I can only imagine what it looked like the first time Melissa stepped inside..abandoned for that long a period of time..the pictures I have seen of the interior are absolutely beautiful, she has given her sense of style to these places in a BIG way..and all of sudden they are more interesting and desirable to those who can lay a claim...but when that happens, as with Suenos..we see what happens to the properties..abandoned again to deteriorate. I know the value is in the land, but why are those who can make a claim waiting until they are rehabbed and operational..why not just claim them in their original state..if you are going to let them fall apart during a lengthy legal action?

[petecat]

Casa Magna had a few rooms open in July 2007 and was under heavy renovations at that time, last November 2007 it looked very much open and had some minor work taking place. As far as Amansala goes I have not seen it closed at any time in the last 6 years while we were staying in Tulum.

[Lynnette]

I think I had Amansala mixed up with Coqui Coqui. :p

[beachreader]

You guys do know that Pablo Escobar was Columbian, right? Not Mexican?

Casa de Miel is a really beautiful place (see my report as well as Mariposa's from March), I'm sure the person going there will have a lovely time. It's also in a great location.

I don't know Melissa personally (I met her very briefly), but the woman has amazing taste. Her properties are really beautiful--I think Casa Magna could be my dream house, if I could afford it. I'm really sorry she's lost possession after all the great work she's done there, and I hope she can work something out. When I was at Miel in March, I met a realtor who said that Casa Magna (both houses and beachfront) was for sale for $22 million US. I wonder if that has anything to do with this current problem?

[petecat]

Going back a few years Pablo's compond was deserted and for at least three years alot of the mexican military would stay in there until the time that Melissa took over and started to renovate it. Pablo had alot of things done to that compound which inculded an electric service line that ran thru the jungle from Tulum Pueblo, if the government housed some of the military in there and made a deal with Melissa I would not be surprised that she may now be having trouble, if they found a way or buyer to make a bigger buck I am sure they would do it.

[wonting]

Oh yeah beachreader I read your review and great pics before I booked Casa de Miel, my best friend also recommended the place so I have good faith in it, but I can't deny I'm a bit concerned that the "incident" at Casa Magna could possibly affect Miel as well as Amansala. Melissa has been really good with answering my husband's emails and yesterday she wrote to assure us that we will be fine at Miel. Will let you guys know about my trip when I get back!

[mgsipa]

You guys do know that Pablo Escobar was Columbian, right? Not Mexican?

..... and that he's dead? Yea, I don't think good old Pablo had a hand in this one.

[Lynnette]

..... and that he's dead? Yea, I don't think good old Pablo had a hand in this one.

Soooo, after Pablo was killed, who owned his compound in Tulum? Since he wasn't Mexican, then the ejido issue wouldn't apply.

[AnyMan]

Joyinthesand and I stayed at Casa de Miel for a couple of nights last week. The rooms are beautiful and it is right on the beach. There is a little turtle grass but not too bad. You can move down the beach 40 yards if you want to swim without the grass.

There was some cockroach activity in our room but they were fumigating the other rooms (and presumably ours) the day we left.

Service was fairly non-existant. There is not restaurant or bar. There was a cleaning crew but nobody spoke english (i know it is Mexico, but you would expect someone on the property to speak english). We never saw the surfer kid after we checked in so our only contact was with the non-english speaking cleaning crew. They were nice enough to open my beer with a giant knife though.

[wonting]

Anyman- where did you get your beer from?

I don't mind the lack of service at Miel but I do hope that there's at least a juice stand or something like beachreader mentioned.:crossfingers:

[beachreader]

I heard that Matt has moved on to another property, and the juice stand thing was his personal gig. I'm guessing they haven't continued that at Miel, unless someone knows otherwise.

I'd stick with the cooler/own bebidas thing if you want drinks during the day. Of course, there's the Ana y Jose beach club just next door if you want something special made!

[AnyMan]

When I say no services, I truly mean no services other that cleaning your room. To get beer (highly important) you need to bring your own or you need to go to one of the nearby properties. There is a small bar on the deck in from of Meil, but it is not staffed nor stocked.

I failed to mention in my last post that they do not have 24 hour power. There are currently running off a generator - I did not see any solar panels or wind turbines. When the generator is not running (most of the day) you will not have power. Luckily at night the surf is loud enough you will not notice the generator.

[eae]

I worked as the assistant wedding coordinator during the wedding that person is speaking of. Casa Magna was taken over by'new owners' while we were there. We don't really know for sure who these guys were and we don't know for sure about Melissa's ownership etc. The part about the helicopter is true. I know there were some guests who were upset and obviously that was one of them. The staff did not run in fear but were asked to leave along with Melissa. This is the short story. I don't know if Melissa will get the place back or not.

[petecat]

Soooo, after Pablo was killed, who owned his compound in Tulum? Since he wasn't Mexican, then the ejido issue wouldn't apply.

I do not think its an Ejido issue as much as an issue with the government who confiscated the land after Pablo died, they had government troops that stayed in the compound for many years. Some political person probably found a better deal or wanted to put a relative in there and just moved in on Casa Magna, I am pretty sure it was rented or leased to Casa Magna not actually sold, but time will tell us.

[wonting]

:sun: Well I'm glad to report that everything went well and I enjoyed Casa de Miel very much! Matt and Tommy were super nice, and we met Melissa briefly and she was cordial to us. The rooms are huge and so chic! We had the beach to ourselves most of the time and it was so relaxing! I'm not good at writing trip reports but will definitely post some pics.