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Original poster

So disappointed in Corfu holiday

63 replies

Hotchpotch6 · 27/05/2023 01:59

Arrived yesterday at a hotel in Sidari, Corfu. I’m so disappointed. I just feel miserable that we’re here. It cost a lot of money for a week with husband and 3 children. The hotel is tired, I’m sleeping in a basement room that feels like a cell with one child, whilst my husband sleeps upstairs with my son. We’ve got a duplex apartment and the stairs are horrendous. They are really steep and the treads are really narrow in places. It’s just not safe or easy to get up and down (one of my ds has autism and a LD and with that is very wobbly). The showers are just a trickle. The hotel is full of sunburnt elderly folk, there aren’t any other families and I hate Sidari itself. I’ve been all over Greece but Sidari just isn’t nice and it’s not really been helped by how bad the hotel is. Our 16 year old is with us too and is also disappointed. We’ve complained to TUI about the stairs but they aren’t being helpful. The hotel are saying they can’t see what our problem is. They haven’t other rooms to change to. How am I going to turn this holiday around? Despite getting up at 1.30 last night to fly here I’m lying awake now listening to the mozzies over my head wondering how we’re going to turn this around. I left my lovely comfortable home, spent a load of money for somewhere I just want to get out of 🙈.

OP posts:
lakesummer · 27/05/2023 02:07

My first instinct would be to be really clear that you have a child with disabilities and need to be in a safer environment with the travel agency.
I would push the h&s and child disability angle. Keep asking to speak to a more senior decision maker.

RenoDakota · 27/05/2023 02:23

You are right about Sidari. It is a shit hole.
I went on a 'Durrells' trip while there, to relieve the gloom, and that was shit too.
Hope things improve for you, OP.

Batbatbatty · 27/05/2023 02:47

Sorry that you're not happy, OP. Corfu is absolutely stunning, really an emerald island with the most beautiful areas. Why on earth did you pick Sidari?! (I know that question doesn't help but did you not research it before, or look at pics? It's a British-pub-filled shithole and doesn't compare to the rest of the gorgeous island!)

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Holidays
PawSoft · 27/05/2023 02:49

I once arrived at a hotel and was very disappointed. Rang the travel agents, said I wasnt happy, and was prepared to pay for an upgrade. We did pay extra, not much, and it was 100 x better. (Not saying you should pay extra btw). A decent hotel at least might salvage your holiday.

It’s one reason why I don’t really like package holidays anymore that are longer than a few nights, as you can get stuck in places you don’t like and it costs a fortune. However I appreciate it’s different when you are on holiday with children and need one place.

The worst trips at least have made me appreciate my home.

I hope you find some resolution with Tui soon. @lakesummer gives some good advice.

Original poster
Hotchpotch6 · 27/05/2023 02:52

@Batbatbatty i went with Sidari thinking it was in the north which seemed like the better end of the island, we’ve hired a car to explore. We live very rurally so naively thought a bit going on would be good, especially for our eldest. This will sound snobby but the reviews seem to be written by the type of person who likes Sidari, so a overall positive. Where would you recommend to go to?

OP posts:
PawSoft · 27/05/2023 02:53

For clarity, it was an upgrade to a 5 hotel from a 4 that was more like a 3*. For an extra £100 each the difference was like night and day. I can’t believe Tui can’t find you another hotel in the whole island.

ZuliKyanLarsFoz · 27/05/2023 02:59

Ive been to Corfu a lot as we have relatives that live there. I'd get in the car and head to Paleokastrisa (sp??) which is a lovely bay. Stop at some of the places on the way as they are lovely. Corfu town is nice to walk around and there is a nice area by the cricket pitches to get lunch. Pelekas is also a lovely village but inland...great place to watch the sunset with a beer at the restaurant at the top of the hill. I hope this gets better for you.

Batbatbatty · 27/05/2023 03:00

Hotchpotch6 · 27/05/2023 02:52

@Batbatbatty i went with Sidari thinking it was in the north which seemed like the better end of the island, we’ve hired a car to explore. We live very rurally so naively thought a bit going on would be good, especially for our eldest. This will sound snobby but the reviews seem to be written by the type of person who likes Sidari, so a overall positive. Where would you recommend to go to?

Yeah, the people who enjoy the Sidari type places would love it I'm sure.

Paleokastritsa, Ermones, Agios Georgios, Kassiopi

But they are all much quieter areas so it depends what you need for your sons.

rainydaysandtuesday · 27/05/2023 03:07

Do you think you just need a good
Sleep and chance to unwind and relax?

A day of chiilling could help?

FfoxRedN · 27/05/2023 03:10

Definitely get back on to TUI and request a change of hotel. There will be somewhere else they can place you! Do not accept anything less, but this does mean sticking my your guns and over exaggerating. If the hotel you're in have no other room types this also helps your case massively. x

Casilero · 27/05/2023 03:15

Oh fuck, I've booked to go to Sidari in August! I thought it looked lovely with the beaches. Didn't research it much beyond looking at pictures of the beaches, and thinking I like Greece tbh.

Can you hire a car? I've been to Corfu a couple of times before and I enjoyed boat trips as well as Corfu town

Bronzestar · 27/05/2023 03:27

Find out what other properties TUI have on Corfu, hire a car and check some out in the nicer areas. Go in and ask the front desk if they have availability of anywhere you like. If you find something you are much happier with call TUI and insist you are moved due to child’s disabilities. Don’t be apologetic, tell them exactly where you want to stay and that they have availability. Insist to talk to a manager. If you are very clear about what you want it’s easier for them and prevents you being moved to another property you don’t like.

MagnoliatheMagnificent · 27/05/2023 03:28

We've stayed in Glyfada a few times. The Grand Louis hotel which used to be Tui but I'm not sure it is anymore. Beautiful there though and they run a shuttle bus into Corfu town a few times a day. It's worth a few hours there. There is a great water park too between Glyfada and Corfu town. Lots of slides etc Maybe called Aqualand?? It's been a while!

Ilikewinter · 27/05/2023 05:20

Did you book a duplex apartment?, if not then complain back to TUI. If yes then you must have known it included stairs.

Longwhiskers · 27/05/2023 05:44

Sidari is a bit but that’s great you have a car to explore. Get on Google and start planning! My sister took her three teens to Corfu last summer and they have an amazing time exploring, swimming abs did some cliff jumping and hired a boat etc

Doingmybest12 · 27/05/2023 06:11

I'm pretty bad for thinking 'is this it?' when I arrive on holiday. It takes time for me to adjust my expectations to the reality. More people have more comfortable homes and so holiday accommodation has a lot to live up to. But you should feel the apartment is safe and meets your needs so I hope you get that sorted. Get in the car and go out and about.

fungibletoken · 27/05/2023 07:01

Have you got the TUI app? When we were away with them recently there was an option on it to switch hotels with an indication of the price difference (if any). I didn't look into it so I don't know if there's a big fee to change or any other restrictions but I'd try having a quick look on there. As you say you have a car you might be able to expand the choices beyond Sidari (or otherwise find a haven within Sidari and just excursion from there each day). Hope it all brightens up soon. We used to stay in Paleokastritsa but found it easy enough to get across the island, including to the north, so your car should open things up for you.

sHREDDIES19 · 27/05/2023 07:13

Wow that takes me back. Had an amazing holiday with DH there back in 2009. However that was towards the tail end of our party days and I probably wouldn’t go there as a family now. Having said that, we hired a car and exploredsome truly amazing places on the island so all is not lost. Some nice walks nearby also. I think you should progress the room switch as others have suggested due to H&S concerns but otherwise get out in the car and see this beautiful island.

LlynTegid · 27/05/2023 07:20

The car you have to explore is your best way of having an interesting time away from the hotel as much as possible.

mollibu · 27/05/2023 07:20

I went to Sidari in September and absolutely loved it i am so excited to go back!

Where abouts are you staying OP? Maybe some of us have been to the same resort and can give to advice of what's around?

Fluffyfluffs · 27/05/2023 07:38

If you’ve got a car op, definitely use it.
Theres a lovely little village called Afionas not far from you, at the far end of Agios Georgios, it’s very pretty with a beautiful sunset view.

Kassiopi is about a 20 minute drive from where you are and that’s also a pretty place.

We used to go to Agios Georgios annually to stay with friends, there’s not much there but there is a lovely beach and some nice small restaurants. My husbands friend owns Katoi right on the sea front.

Makrades is also a pretty little village.

If you want to go for a day trip somewhere, take your car to Paleokastritsas. It’s gorgeous, there’s a little place called Bella Vista with a cafe and the most gorgeous view over Paleo, it’s before you head down into the bay. Paleo is my favourite place. We took the children last year and we had a lovely little boat ride and it wasn’t too expensive.

Sidari isn’t great, full of loud Brits in vests. But it’s ok for a base. Just take your car out and explore. It’s a beautiful island x

Boysmum92 · 27/05/2023 07:44

I went 10 years ago at 19, i remember the hotel being tired but we wernt in there much so it didnt really matter, go to the beach, youll find some beautiful little restaurants, rent a car or quad bike and explore the island, now your there you may as well make the best of it, corfus beautiful!

Barleymilk · 27/05/2023 07:46

I stayed in Sidari last year with my son and elderly mother. Also in 2019. Both times with Tui.
I absolutely love Corfu and how unspoilt it is. But a week in Sidari would get boring so we booked Theos boat trip( coach down to Corfu town port and then a boat mainland Greece to a 'lagoon' with bbq laid on and water sports) beauty spots of he north which we visited paleokastritsa and inland leather market and a trip in the eve to Corfu town.
At the north of sidari you can swim through the rock formations and we took a pedalo out.Some amazing places to eat. The strip a few times week for a cocktail and to see Adele and Robbie William inpersonators! Or a whole load tavernas away from there( but actually the 18 to 30lot go to kavos so it's just families and couples we foun in August).
Hope you sort your accommodation and enjoy.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 27/05/2023 07:48

Hopefully things will seem better after a good night's sleep. Speak to TUI over the steps and see if you can move to a more disability friendly room. I actually loved Sidari. The scenery was picturesque, the food was amazing, wasn't full of loud lager louts. I found it very peaceful and lovely. I appreciate that's not everyone's taste though. We got plenty of bus trips across the rest of the island too was gorgeous and wouldn't hesitate to go back.

Barleymilk · 27/05/2023 07:53

I agree with the above,never saw a larger lout and all so peaceful.

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