Mendoza - Wine Lodges robberies
 

Reading about a group of commando-style robbers who hit remote, expensive wine lodges in the Mendoza area. Guests are tied up in their beds, beaten and robbed. Even the diners at the famous Francis Mallmann Restaurant, right downtown, has been victim of this group several times! Any thoughts on this?

Where do I find this info, stilltravelingat62?

We will be staying at the Villa Mansa wine lodge in March. I watch reviews on TripAdvisor and saw a post describing a robbery. So then searched and found this article: http://newworldreview.com/2010/02/co...are-occasions/
Appears to be uncommon but there is a pattern. The issues the writer in the article makes some good points that these upscale, remote lodges need to take steps to secure the protection of their guests. We have eaten at the Mallmann Restaurant. We had to check in with a security guard at the gateway; how does this happen and apparently more than once!
While we still will go, this is worrisome.

Thank you very much, st@62!

Two comments: the article is from five years ago (things may be better or worse now)and one TA review http://tinyurl.com/mzmbt6q is from a one-time poster (which makes it suspect), while the other one http://tinyurl.com/p4rdp8w got a good reply from Villa Mansa.

Trying to help: I have always suggested leaving expensive watches and such at home.

While I advise bringing quite a bit of cash, to take advantage of the "blue" rate of exchange, thereby saving about one third on anything which can be paid with a CC, I also suggest getting rid of said cash as soon as possible, by, in your case, paying for your hotel stay in advance as soon as you arrive.

I see you are a return visitor to Argentina and I have answered your questions before. You can contact me at albertovgalloATyahoo.com if you feel I can do anything for you.

Have a great time in my country.

Thank you avrooster for settling my mind a little. When I saw the English post on TripAdvisor, I was suspicious. I always look at these reviews for a trend rather than just one post. But since this was backed up by the article, I worried. I translated the post you offered and it appears to me to be the same incident. Possibly this person is looking for some money. We love your country and will still go to Mendoza, but I have written to the two wine lodges we will be staying at to ask what security measures they have for our protection. Yes, I never travel with good jewelry. I am more concerned with my personal safety. If they want to rob me, they can have whatever I have -- just leave me alone! Sadly, economic conditions is the driving force behind these incidents. And while I have your attention, did you see my recent post? We are looking for a driver while we are there. Can you recommend anyone?

Yes, st@62, I saw you didn't get a reply for that post, but I don't know anyone I can recommend, or I would have done so.

I'll ask top independent local travel agent Isabel (research her with TA's search feature). She should know of someone reliable.

Top independent local travel agent Isabel mentioned Marcelo Villegas.

I suggest you research him with TA's search feature and, if he seems to be the kind of guy you want, we can ask Isabel for his contact info.

Have a great time in my country.

Thank you again, avrooster. Yes, I have seen posts about Marcelo and a contact email is given. I will contact him. Your response supported my intuition that the April Honeymoon person is after money, but even more I appreciate seeing the response from Villa Mansa. I worried when I saw no response from them.

Well, ST@62, I'm sure glad I helped you with the matter of "settling my mind a little".

Further questions are welcome and contact me if you wish to meet with other TA and Fodor's members who will be in BA in March.

Have a great time in my country.

AV:

send current email address. I see yours has changed a bit. Are you dodging Christina?
best,
tptr

Corky: my e-mail address is unchanged. See my post above of Jan 17, 15 at 3:21pm

Our dearest president, if there is any justice in our country (unlikely) will be on the run to a country without an extradition treaty, instead of chasing me.

Best.

AV

Corky: I correct myself. Both the one you have and the one I posted above are correct e-mail addresses.

You can go on writing to me to the one you have.

Best.

AV