Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to complain about a large group taking over our swim-up pool?

180 replies

BottleJobs · 15/07/2026 06:44

On a much needed holiday nice resort booked a suite that has swim up pool to the 6 adjoining rooms. This is on a huge resort with 4 big pools this is a separate small pool just for these rooms but it’s perfect for us as our youngest is a nervous swimmer.
on Monday there were a few kids climbing over the wall we were on our balcony not using pool but could see this playing out. They all jumped in the pool, joined by 6 adults drinks in hand climbing over wall also (it’s a tiny wall to denote separation a foot or two high)
anyways someone in the downstairs room called reception someone came along to tell the 6 adults and 8 kids this is for these rooms only but you can stay an hour.
yest we were in the pool and they all rocked up again this time trying to take our sunbeds saying could we use these as your in pool as their numberous children starting jumping into pool. It was chaos, got dc out out and said to one of the women who could speak English - this pool is just a small pool for these few rooms only to which she said I’m staying in that one (pointed to a room she could or could not be staying in I haven’t seen anyone coming or going so not sure?!))
anyways I said well these rooms sleep four so the rest of these people aren’t staying here she was aggressive as were the rest and said it’s not up to you I paid for my room these are my guests. I said that’s not how it works this is rude a couple I wouldn’t mind but that many kids and adults just force’s everybody else who actually has a room there out.
didn’t call reception as dc were worried it would kick off if we saw them again but I’m pissed off so would it be unreasonable that If this large group do the same again today and the hotel won’t sort them out I arrange for all my guests (me gathering up everyone I’ve spoke to at the hotel to congregate here so there’s no room for the cheeky fuckers?! Or I’m open to other suggestions I’m not above tell youngest to dirty protest in the pool if needed 😂

OP posts:
BottleJobs · 15/07/2026 08:39

Again to clarify since my attempt at humour is failing there will be no dirty protests none at all I promise

OP posts:
luckylavender · 15/07/2026 08:39

BottleJobs · 15/07/2026 07:11

it was a joke I would not get my child to shit in the pool my kids would not comply anyway it would be more likely dh

Your suggestions are completely disgusting

BottleJobs · 15/07/2026 08:38

All sorted one way or another…
spoke to guest services manager who was horrified to be told that they were given an hours grace the other day and said they should have been removed immediately and that in the future that’s what they will do, told me not to engage with them just call guest services, I asked for security to check around 4pm which she agreed and I said if it happened again today I would progress with tui. However as I was leaving reception area who do I see arriving with suitcases in tow but the aggressive woman and her daughter do I can only assume she’s either checking out or moving rooms

OP posts:
luckylavender · 15/07/2026 08:37

Tontostitis · 15/07/2026 06:48

You lost me at dirty protest

Absolutely vile

PuggyPuggyPuggy · 15/07/2026 08:33

Complain to reception immediately, every time. Complain to management. ask for a refund as you have paid for something you are now not getting. Point out that you can't just crack on and use the pool whil these randoms are in there, because you have told them they can't use it so now they are being arsey with you and you feel int imidated. Come to thing of it, a refund isn't really enough, because now the hotel are allowing these people to bully you, you would like compensation.

Basically be more trouble to the staff than the other group, and they will pull their finger out and do something about it.

MaximumLeeway · 15/07/2026 08:26

Tui have pull since they control a big chunk of the bookings from UK and German guests. Contact Tui and be clear the hotel are not taking action to provide the service level expected and moreover you want a refund of the pool uplift.

LaliqueSaltGrinder · 15/07/2026 08:26

You obviously call reception every single time it happens and let them deal with it.

Thebinisrightthere · 15/07/2026 08:26

Cailin66 · 15/07/2026 07:30

You lost me when you suggested your child poo in the pool, you somewhat backtracked saying it was a joke, but now you’re confirming you and your husband are not nice people. Karma is what I say.

Karma doesn't exist

Didimum · 15/07/2026 08:19

You shouldn’t let your kids dictate whether you speak to reception or not. And forget reception, ask to speak to the hotel manager and be incredibly firm.

However, depending on what country you’re in, they may be pretty laissez-faire about it all, in which case you can only really write a bad review.

Edenmum2 · 15/07/2026 08:15

ask to speak to the manager and say you will be wanting a refund if it happens again

Loulou4022 · 15/07/2026 08:12

I’m guessing you have paid extra for the privilege of a more private pool? Complain to the hotel that unless they sort this out you want a partial refund as you are not getting the private pool that you paid for!

TwoPintsOfCherryadeAndAPacketOfQuavers · 15/07/2026 08:11

Don’t be such a wimp. If they’re not in the rooms then they’re not entitled to be in the pool and they definitely can’t take the sunbeds, whether or not you’re using them. Just say no in the first instance and then
speak to staff to find out how they will ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.

IThrewASnakeAtPalomaFaithsFace · 15/07/2026 08:09

Cailin66 · 15/07/2026 07:30

You lost me when you suggested your child poo in the pool, you somewhat backtracked saying it was a joke, but now you’re confirming you and your husband are not nice people. Karma is what I say.

The dirty protest was so obviously a joke. Some people are so humourless.

Although it does highlight how conflict avoidant OP is that she would rather the idea of shitting in her own pool than actually complaining to hotel management.

Twiglets1 · 15/07/2026 08:06

It's very simple. Go to Reception in person, ask to speak to manager on duty and explain the whole problem. Tell them that you need them to sort it out or upgrade you and your family to better more expensive rooms.

An upgrade may be best to leave this problem behind you.

ChaToilLeam · 15/07/2026 07:58

Get onto the Reception, insist on speaking to a manager and have the manager turf them out. None of this "stay for an hour" business. Make it so that it is more trouble NOT to deal with the problem. Get other guests in those rooms to complain too, inform the travel company and talk loudly about reviews and refunds.

They'll get onto it if you're persistent enough.

MyDailyCake · 15/07/2026 07:57

What's a swim up pool?

Ibrox · 15/07/2026 07:54

'Dirty protest...' Oh, for God's Sake... Who do you think you are, Bobby Sands....?

MermaidMummy06 · 15/07/2026 07:53

You need a manager. And a firm complaint. When complaining, state how it has affected your holiday, what the booking for the room says you get, and what you expect in return. Don't be aggressive, but don't leave without them knowing you won't just slink away quietly.

I'd be expecting either an upgrade to a private pool suite (if available) or partial refund that covers at least the extra £700 you paid. They didn't deliver the facilities you paid for. And I'd be leaving a very poor review either way.

TheReflectiveQualityofGlass · 15/07/2026 07:47

If the hotel won’t sort it out then ask for the £700 back.

Blogswife · 15/07/2026 07:32

I would kick off Op. it’s not on , the hotel should have removed them immediately, not given them an hour .Ask Tui for your additional £700 back as you’ve not got the private pool that you’ve paid for .

Cailin66 · 15/07/2026 07:30

BottleJobs · 15/07/2026 07:11

it was a joke I would not get my child to shit in the pool my kids would not comply anyway it would be more likely dh

You lost me when you suggested your child poo in the pool, you somewhat backtracked saying it was a joke, but now you’re confirming you and your husband are not nice people. Karma is what I say.

RhiWrites · 15/07/2026 07:29

BottleJobs · 15/07/2026 06:51

In the name I am a bottle job and would chicken out of such tactics but it’s got me considering all kinds of crazy ideas. We have another week here just don’t want reception to again say move along but you can have a hour it’s no deterrent

Tell reception that it’s not acceptable for them to allow the invading group to stay. Insist they are removed every time and warn that unless this is handled you will be paying a review saying the private pool is not private and reception encourages others to use it.

RevengeOfTheDirtyLaundry · 15/07/2026 07:28

You're absolutely not being unreasonable. The hotel have handled this badly. Be very insistent on an immediate refund of the extra £700 you paid - money is the thing most likely to make them act.

Sunflowermoonbeam · 15/07/2026 07:25

Also threaten the hotel with a 1* Google and Trip Advisor review that will categorically advise everyone against swim up rooms as they are free for anyone to use and no one should pay the upgrade

Sunflowermoonbeam · 15/07/2026 07:23

Buy the biggest and best water pistols you can and get your DCs to spray that woman in particular in the face endlessly. She won't find your pool so fun then!