Two Saskatchewan families claim they were pressured to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) by staff at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun resort in Mexico when they fell severely ill during their Christmas vacation.
Jesslyn Schigol, her husband, and their two sons traveled from Yorkton, Sask., to the resort. On Christmas morning, Schigol sought medical help for her husband, who was vomiting uncontrollably. She was told by the front desk that she had to sign an NDA before a doctor would be sent to assist her husband. Schigol refused to sign, stating that the NDA would prevent them from speaking out or taking legal action against the hotel.
Allison Field, her husband, and their four-year-old son also fell ill at the same resort. Field decided to check out and take her son to the hospital when he became very ill. She reported that resort staff were unhelpful and insisted she sign an NDA before leaving.
Both families refused to sign the NDAs, but they know other guests who did. They reported that compensation offers ranged from $500 to $1,000. The families want their experiences to serve as a warning to other travelers.
Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun is owned by Blue Diamond Resorts and is part of Marriott’s “Autograph Collection.” Blue Diamond Resorts confirmed they are investigating the claims and emphasized their commitment to addressing the matter with care.
Wayne Smith, director of the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Research at Toronto Metropolitan University, noted that the use of NDAs at resorts is increasingly common but criticized the practice for poor customer relations. He suggested travelers buy travel insurance and be cautious of food handling practices at resorts.
Field’s son was hospitalized for 16 hours due to dehydration. She has been in contact with other guests who fell ill around the same time. Both families observed poor food handling techniques during their stay and felt that the resort staff’s actions hindered their access to medical care.
Source: CBC
