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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:
Pixie18 · 27/05/2023 10:34

I wouldn’t waste any more of your holiday time complaining to tui. They are awful and wont do a thing. Once they have your money they are no longer interested. Just take your car and get out of the area . I discovered paleokastritsa by mistake one year - 10 years later and its my annual holiday destination. Its beautiful along with agni beach and lots of other places already mentioned in this thread . Remember the hotel is just a base for sleeping, you’ll hardly be there and im sure you have lovely weather by now. Have a lovely time x

Livelovebehappy · 27/05/2023 11:15

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.

I would say though that the issues around disabilties should have been flagged when booking the holiday. Most hotels are pretty accommodating if you make specific requests prior to arrival. If the hotel is full, its hardly fair or reasonable to expect someone else to swap with you.

Prettypaisleyslippers · 27/05/2023 11:43

Get plug ins to repel mosquitoes, did you book a duplex? Was it in description? If not really kick off about health and safety

Interested in this thread?

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Holidays
Corfuholidays · 27/05/2023 12:52

https://www.elaionprivatetours.com/ is a fab tour and Jonathan who runs it is fab with children (personally I love Roda but not keen on Sidari although the Chinese restaurant is fab!).

North Corfu olive oil tour

North Corfu olive oil tour

https://www.elaionprivatetours.com

7eleven · 27/05/2023 13:39

Thank goodness you’ve got a car. Get out exploring. Corfu is one of my favourite places on earth.

CandyLips · 27/05/2023 13:45

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.

Have to agree with you on that especially in hot Europe - no coverings on floors, minimal furnishings, showers etc.

Amuseaboosh · 27/05/2023 13:57

OP, I feel for you. We stayed at the Ikos resort in Corfu April just gone and it was a stunning space with exceptional service. I absolutely think my experience would have been very different if I hadn't have been staying in such a beautiful hotel.

We did drive through Sidari, it wasn't terrible. I agree with PP's, day trips, as much as you can manage. I really hope things improve for you all.

I'm attaching a couple of pictures of a little beach walk we found 5 minutes from Sidari. It really was the most stunning view.

So disappointed in Corfu holiday
So disappointed in Corfu holiday
Original poster
Hotchpotch6 · 27/05/2023 13:58

Thanks all for your supportive messages and tips on where to go. Like some said I do feel a little better about things today. TUI are being quite hard work. I did know it was a duplex but they don’t tell you that the stairs only have 4ft head room where it twists sharply and the tread goes to almost nothing and there isn’t a banister. I don’t think it’s even a disability issue though that does exaggerate the problem. Tui rep just said things like it’ll be very difficult, it will take time, is there a sign saying mind your head (there would have to be a sign saying mind your head and chest 🤪) I wouldn’t return to Sidari but we’ve had a nice meal here today and maybe families will come as HT kicks in. Went to Agios Georgios (sp?) earlier and loved it. Went into the TUI hotels there but no availability. Nothing in San Stephanos either.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hotchpotch6 · 27/05/2023 14:06

we have offered to pay more to upgrade too

OP posts:
RHOShitVille · 27/05/2023 14:09

Kassiopi is lovely, as is kaminaki, and definitely go to vitamins taverna in Nissaki.

EpicDay · 27/05/2023 14:34

Is there something specific you can point to as a breach of contract eg.
you booked “interconnecting family rooms” which these arguably aren’t? I would be emailing customer service at TUI with a statement that you will be bringing a claim for breach of contract etc.

EpicDay · 27/05/2023 14:35

Sorry just saw that you knew it was a duplex, however there must be an implied term of safety and accessibility. At the very least you should be claiming quite a lot of your money back if they can’t find you another hotel.

Dvaid · 31/07/2025 13:40

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 🙈.

I was there traveling round on a bicycle and a sleeping bag in the early 1970s sometimes I had a whole sandy beach to myself and there were few cars. I can't remember ever seeing a sunbed exvept at ine of the HANDFUL of big hotels on the island. The town got busy with cruise trips and tourists but most of Corfu was undeveloped and rustic and unmotorised. I WOULD NEVER GO BACK BECAUSE IT WOULD BREAK MY HEART TO SEE WHAT GREEKS HAVE DONE TO PARADISE ON EARTH - ALL FOR MONEY.

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