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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To NOT go on holiday following bad reviews

37 replies

haveaword · 05/10/2025 20:38

Due to go on holiday for half term. All paid for via large travel company.

Recent review with pics has posted unsafe sockets (off wall with exposed wires), broken raised tiles, dirty shower on arrival and pool left unclean with drifts of leaves. Review also describes an awful blocked toilet situation that was badly handled.

This review was not there when I booked, though one negative from 2023. With hindsight it is a red flag there are no other reviews.

DH who is stressed and exhausted said he is not going, rather stay at home. I feel stupid for not checking more on this property before booking. DH has also said it shares some blame as he shouldn’t leave these things to me all the time.

We are within 14days of departure and contractually not entitled to to change anything - it would be 100% cancellation.

The money has gone regardless of whether we go or not. We can use the spending money plus a few hundred to book another holiday if we want (shorter)

YABU to just stay away from this based on one review and pics?

YANBU to stay away and NOT go

OP posts:
inamo · 05/10/2025 21:02

FuzzyWolf · 05/10/2025 20:59

I’d just go and make the most of it.

I agree and take the chance. Those pics could be from anywhere anyway, unless you are 100% certain they were taken in that hotel. Are you certain?

FuzzyWolf · 05/10/2025 20:59

I’d just go and make the most of it.

FettleOfKish · 05/10/2025 20:59

I wouldn’t cancel based on one review. I work in travel and have at times received awful feedback from a hotel that other clients have absolutely praised. People are far more inclined to go have a moan if they’ve had a bad time than to review if they’ve had a great time. I’ve become pretty good at reading between the lines of online reviews, and look at the averages rather than individual reviews where people often have an axe to grind, or as often happens these days unfortunately is entirely false.

Original poster
haveaword · 05/10/2025 20:59

mumofoneAloneandwell · 05/10/2025 20:48

Do you have travel insurance which could help with cancellation?

It seems you booked through somewhere like bookings.com. could the bookings company help with sorting a refund? Maybe your credit csrd company could help?

If money isnt an issue then it doesnt matter really but if it is, I think yabu a bit xx

No unfortunately no insurance was arranged - we were doing everything today booking stuff online check in….

Again thanks for issues paid direct via debit card - another leaning point to take away.

Money not really issue we could afford to book another package for same price. We have also had a lovely holiday abroad earlier in the year and two UK breaks over the summer. So it’s not our main holiday.

I guess I’m thinking we being too fussy and we should make do but urgh the thought of those pics….

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 05/10/2025 20:57

Do you have travel insurance which could help with cancellation?

Travel insurance doesn't cover changing your mind.

pictoosh · 05/10/2025 20:57

I'd not cancel a holiday based on a bad review, no.

Just getting away is brilliant. If the money has already been spent then it's mad not to go imo.

Coulddowithanap · 05/10/2025 20:57

Just because someone had a bad experience doesn't mean you will.

Remember people are more likely to review something when it's bad. I've never come home from a good/amazing holiday and felt like leaving a review, whereas I have to leave a bad one.

SundayFundayz · 05/10/2025 20:56

No reviews since 2023? That seems really odd if it’s a hotel - are you looking on tripadvisor?

Original poster
haveaword · 05/10/2025 20:53

AllPaws4 · 05/10/2025 20:48

Get in touch with the holiday company asap and see whether you can be moved elsewhere before you get there.

Have done that - and spoke to two staff members today and both said different things and second one gave illogical advice - we could complain about the call handling as an issue in its own right

Thank you for the encouragement.

OP posts:
inamo · 05/10/2025 20:53

Explore all avenues before cancelling, such as a different resort/area but same flight.

I'm often sceptical of reviews TBH. How sure are you that any review is truthful anyway. A disgruntled guest (for any reason) can get revenge with a bad review.

Why not post a question on Tripadvisor, not mentioning the review but asking if anyone had stayed there and what did they think. Start with that anyway.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 05/10/2025 20:48

Do you have travel insurance which could help with cancellation?

It seems you booked through somewhere like bookings.com. could the bookings company help with sorting a refund? Maybe your credit csrd company could help?

If money isnt an issue then it doesnt matter really but if it is, I think yabu a bit xx

AllPaws4 · 05/10/2025 20:48

Get in touch with the holiday company asap and see whether you can be moved elsewhere before you get there.