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Holiday From Hell - Live

359 replies

Bartlebum · 15/03/2024 17:30

Please help!

It's my nan's 80th birthday and we have arranged for 29 of us to come to North Devon for a weekend to celebrate. Arrived at 3pm to boiler faults in our cottage, no heating and no hot water. Immediately reported and the owner did not reply.

We have seven cottages in total and as everyone arrived we realised all of them are out, so we checked the gas tanks for the whole property and they are empty.

I have been calling the booking agent we went through who said they won't deal with this guy anymore as he has had nothing but complaints, so have terminated the contract.

As we paid them I have asked them to sort it so they said they will do what they can to get in touch with him.

It's been 2.5 hours and no progress. 29 people, two elderly, 7 children and one with a disability. I have asked them to find alternative accomodation but they said its not on them, it's on the owner of the property who is not contactable.

I don't know what to do. There is no one on site as it was all done via key codes. The owner lives several hours away in London, we are freezing and can't begin celebrating my nan turning 80 on what should have been an amazing occasion. We literally stayed here two years ago and had the most amazing time but it's changed hands and not been maintained to any standard.

Anyone been in a similar situation? I've been nice to the agents and I don't want to kick off but I can't believe they won't help me.

OP posts:
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14
Devonn82 · 17/03/2024 08:26

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 17/03/2024 08:16

He's been ditched by most agents now, he was with 3 or 4. Trading standards have been involved, and environmental health because the place is a literal death trap - pool plant room and electrics accessable, piles of precariously balanced wood, shite and metal around the kids park, plus the owners dogs just roam free and crap everywhere/start fights with guest dogs.

There's some replies to complaints from the owner on trip advisor that really speak for themselves, the guy is utterly batshit. Have a look at this one...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g551660-d1828447-r879491045-Wheel_Cottages-Combe_Martin_Exmoor_National_Park_England.html

The whole thing is really sad, it's actually caused so much upset for my friends relative who found and booked it. She felt so responsible for ruining her family's holiday, and putting the kids in danger, and paying an absolute fortune for the privilege. She was treated like toss when she complained too. It's caused a bit of a rift within the family and it's really dented her confidence/made her fall into a bit of a depression.

Omg, he's totally taking the P with those replies. I did see some of his videos on the FB page too. All very bizarre...

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 17/03/2024 08:16

Devonn82 · 17/03/2024 07:48

So many shocking reviews! It looks like it use to be fabulous looking at the old pictures on the fb page.

How is the agent still promoting this for him? It must be a nightmare for them sorting out all the complaints if anything.....

He's been ditched by most agents now, he was with 3 or 4. Trading standards have been involved, and environmental health because the place is a literal death trap - pool plant room and electrics accessable, piles of precariously balanced wood, shite and metal around the kids park, plus the owners dogs just roam free and crap everywhere/start fights with guest dogs.

There's some replies to complaints from the owner on trip advisor that really speak for themselves, the guy is utterly batshit. Have a look at this one...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g551660-d1828447-r879491045-Wheel_Cottages-Combe_Martin_Exmoor_National_Park_England.html

The whole thing is really sad, it's actually caused so much upset for my friends relative who found and booked it. She felt so responsible for ruining her family's holiday, and putting the kids in danger, and paying an absolute fortune for the privilege. She was treated like toss when she complained too. It's caused a bit of a rift within the family and it's really dented her confidence/made her fall into a bit of a depression.

Devonn82 · 17/03/2024 07:50

I'm wondering if new property could be nearer SM....

Devonn82 · 17/03/2024 07:48

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 16/03/2024 23:16

I KNEW IT! Honestly they're absolute scum. The place is absolutely heinous, it's such a shame. Have you seen their trip advisor? The guy who bought it a few years ago has absolutely run the place into the ground.

The website is bloody beautiful, but if you sort trip advisor by most recent you can see it's absolute false advertising- lots of negative reviews peppered with some fake 5* ones he's done himself.... He's really good at that. You watch, if he realises he's been outed on here I bet there will be some "positive review" replies from first time posters!

My friends booked 4 cottages for a week with Sykes (big family of 20 or so), but didn't get a penny back. I'm glad you got out of there.

So many shocking reviews! It looks like it use to be fabulous looking at the old pictures on the fb page.

How is the agent still promoting this for him? It must be a nightmare for them sorting out all the complaints if anything.....

everlastingpanini · 17/03/2024 07:47

Wow- those reviews on trip advisor!

LunaTheCat · 17/03/2024 06:59

Enjoy the bath… have a wine…happy 80th to your Nan.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 17/03/2024 04:47

That sounds amazing! I’m super pleased for all of you!

I hope you’ll have a wonderful weekend

Wendysfriend · 17/03/2024 03:04

So glad you got sorted with what sounds like a brilliant place, the stress of all of this isn't good. You go on holiday/breaks to relax. You were lucky to have got sorted, of course you shouldn't have had to experience what you did and reading the reviews on TripAdvisor 😲😲😲😲😲 omg and the pictures 😳😳😳😳 you really wouldn't expect a place to deteriorate that much in 2 years.

Bartlebum · 17/03/2024 00:53

It was my grandfather who sorted it out for everyone when we left after our stay two years ago. Yes it changed hands in that time and I didn't really think about it until I looked up the address for the sat nav. You just don't keep tabs on something that was so great before.

I was so shocked to see what people were saying but it wasn't my booking and at the point everyone was travelling down there all I could do was hope for the best and that it had improved somehow since the last review in December. The anxiety and anticipation of what we might face on arrival made me unwell. I think I've been in flight or fight mode since. Just trying to relax now and hope I feel more chilled tomorrow.

OP posts:
HateMyselfToo · 17/03/2024 00:43

I don't think I've ever seen so many damning trip advisor reviews and photos!

Jenkin6786 · 17/03/2024 00:32

sorry to hear about this. If you paid by credit card I would personally have emailed to cancel with the agents and requested a refund you should be able to claim back on credit card insurance if you paid via credit card if nothing comes from agents. You’re not getting the service you have paid for. And if you have the immediate budget find somewhere else to book. You may want to speak to a legal adviser or financial expert however as I am not legally or financially trained but have used my credit card company to claim back on botched holidays before.

Candleabra · 16/03/2024 23:56

I see what you mean about the recent 5 star trip advisor reviews from people with just one contribution to the website… very sneaky

Glad you’re enjoying your weekend now.

wasieverreallyhere · 16/03/2024 23:38

Book hotel next time rentals are mainly money grabbers not in the hospitality trade don't care unless getting the money or they would rent out the house permanently

EeesandWhizz · 16/03/2024 23:38

I'm really hoping that you're in River Hall, but i think that is further than the 'next town'.

WorkingFromHomeShite · 16/03/2024 23:32

Interesting reviews. You can see clearly when they passed to new owners in spring 2022 and the reviews fall off a cliff.

Edited - are we allowed to post the link? Who knows. I deleted it anyway.

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 16/03/2024 23:16

I KNEW IT! Honestly they're absolute scum. The place is absolutely heinous, it's such a shame. Have you seen their trip advisor? The guy who bought it a few years ago has absolutely run the place into the ground.

The website is bloody beautiful, but if you sort trip advisor by most recent you can see it's absolute false advertising- lots of negative reviews peppered with some fake 5* ones he's done himself.... He's really good at that. You watch, if he realises he's been outed on here I bet there will be some "positive review" replies from first time posters!

My friends booked 4 cottages for a week with Sykes (big family of 20 or so), but didn't get a penny back. I'm glad you got out of there.

Bartlebum · 16/03/2024 23:10

I wasn't going to share the details until the weekend was over but I will do once we are out of here.

The agents and the new owners have been great so I will make sure I leave them sparkling reviews. The old place, I have added to the pile of one stars on Google... It was in Coombe Martin x

OP posts:
Bartlebum · 16/03/2024 23:06

I'm sitting in a roll top bath enjoying a nice break from all the partying as I was still feeling stressed today despite it all working out. It's so much better now, i wish this weekend was longer!

OP posts:
Bartlebum · 16/03/2024 23:02

@Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie

BINGO!

OP posts:
Truecrime · 16/03/2024 22:34

Oh wow so glad they came through for you in the end . Have a great stay .
From South Devon !

ScierraDoll · 16/03/2024 22:32

If it's Sykes you can kiss your money goodbye.
They are awful, they accept no responsibility.
So sorry for you, our wedding anniversary was ruined at a place in the Lakes. We had to go home early, I suggest you do the same and sadly write it off to experience

MissingMoominMamma · 16/03/2024 22:19

So glad you’ve had a result- the new place sounds amazing!! Have a wonderful time!!

AnaMaeve · 16/03/2024 22:13

Mama1209 · 16/03/2024 21:42

I’d definitely try and find a solution now. Ie buying your own gas or heaters I’d even break the lock for the logs, then deal with getting your money back later. Definitely take it to an ombudsman etc etc you should get a full refund

Still not reading the thread or even just the OP updates.

It is 28 hours since the OP posted, do you not think that she maybe sorted by now!

Uzi999 · 16/03/2024 22:12

If the company is in a trade association such as ABTA, the TTA or the Global Travel Group you should contact them for advice. If not you should contact Citizens Advice online or by phone on 08454 040506.

Citizens Advice

Online free advice from Citizens Advice to help you find a way forward, whatever the problem. Our research enables us to campaign on issues affecting people's lives.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/

89086d · 16/03/2024 22:06

Take pictures video footage take court when back get money back. Write down all do

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