Best Amazon Prime Day deals: Mumsnet favourites

Best Amazon Prime Day deals:
Mumsnet favourites

Shop now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Holiday room mess up!

236 replies

MummyChocolateMonster · 10/07/2025 17:20

On holiday in Greece with DH and our teens DD18 and DS17. When we booked we specifically searched for a place with 2 separate bedrooms. We found a self catering hotel apartment - 2 bedrooms (1 x twin, 1 x double) with a separate living room/kitchenette.
On arrival we were told we’d been “upgraded” only to be dropped at the room and find it’s 1 bedroom with 2 single sofa beds in the living room/kitchenette.
We went back to reception to be told the new room is superior and newer. We specifically wanted 2 bedrooms with the separate living room/kitchenette so we asked to have what we booked. Apparently there is not one available.
It seems they overbook the 2 bedrooms then try to “upgrade” you to a 1 bedroom with put you ups.
The head receptionist isn’t here until 9pm but we’ve been told there’s not a 2 bedroom to move us to. It’s a small hotel.
We booked with a reputable well known tour operator. They’re investigating but have also been told by hotel no one available to speak until 9pm.
I don’t want to overreact but we have no separate living areas. The teens and their luggage are in the living room. DD has ADHD and doesn’t sleep great so we won’t be able to get a cup of tea/breakfast etc until they’re awake each day.
I don’t even know what option we have but to put up with it! Had a horrible few months and I know there’s worse things and that this is minor for 14 days.
Realistically what can the tour operator do when in reality we have enough beds to sleep on and the hotel is saying they don’t have a spare 2 bedroom for us? I just feel what we have is not what we paid for. I’m not after money.
I think I just needed to vent a bit. I’m probably tired, up since 2.30am. I’m irritated too that they tried to tell us it was an upgrade!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Imaybeoldbutstillrandy · 11/07/2025 15:16

It's terrible when you spend ages doing your research &, through no fault of your own, it goes pear-shaped. I tend to book all our holidays & get terribly anxious beforehand wondering if the hotel will suit DH, if I've managed to book the trains, dog kennels, the B&B close to the airport will suit DH etc etc. I find it very stressful.

MummyChocolateMonster · 11/07/2025 15:25

MiseryIn · 11/07/2025 14:53

That actually looks perfect for what we need. Find it so hard to get a hotel with proper 2 bed apartments.
can I ask which hotel? (I’d be sure to specify that I DO NOT WANT AN UPGRADE lol).

It’s Ourania Apartments in Gouves, Crete. I’m not sure how certain you could be that you wouldn’t get upgraded though! I’m pretty sure they’ve got form.

OP posts:
LancashireButterPie · 11/07/2025 15:32

Wow, I'm stunned that the Ourania treated you so badly. We go there we go there most years and have recommended it to many people.
I hope things settle down for you and that you enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Tennislives · 11/07/2025 16:02

Well done OP.
Yanbu to have stuck to your guns.
Sleeping on sofa beds in the living is not a holiday.

Keepingoin · 11/07/2025 16:47

I'd contact the travel company immediately & demand they find alternative accommodation if the hotel you are in doesn't have the accommodation you booked & paid for. This is their problem so they should fix it for you.

Just saw update. Well done 😁

FreddysFingers · 11/07/2025 17:08

Sorry, edited as saw you've sorted it - happy holidays OP 😊

PerfectlyNormalOwlFreeMorning · 11/07/2025 17:15

I will do a factual review after we’re back as it’s important people know they might get the upgrade

Please do this. Someone had left a similar review where we were staying earlier in the year. It said if you book two separate rooms as one family you often get upgraded to the beach bungalows - which are a actual upgrade for most people as they have two bedrooms, are bigger, newer and on the beach. But I book two rooms so we can have two toilets, DD and I do not wish to share with teenage DS's.

VickyEadieofThigh · 11/07/2025 17:17

MummyChocolateMonster · 11/07/2025 15:25

It’s Ourania Apartments in Gouves, Crete. I’m not sure how certain you could be that you wouldn’t get upgraded though! I’m pretty sure they’ve got form.

We love Crete. If you haven't done these before (and if they suit you and your children - given your DD's needs, etc), we recommend these trips:

  1. Spinalonga boat trip with swimming and lunch
  2. The Greek folklore evening in the mountains - you go to an outdoor restaurant (escorted coach travel), have a massive dinner with wine and the food and wine keep on coming (soft drinks also), there's live music and Greek dancing.
MummyChocolateMonster · 11/07/2025 17:22

LancashireButterPie · 11/07/2025 15:32

Wow, I'm stunned that the Ourania treated you so badly. We go there we go there most years and have recommended it to many people.
I hope things settle down for you and that you enjoy the rest of your holiday.

I wasn’t expecting it. I read the reviews and the general theme was they can’t do enough for you. However, clearly they overbooked the 2 bedroom apartments and we were the unlucky ones to get the upgrade. Certainly today it was sorted well and we’re happy - yesterday the receptionist was in a mood about it for sure!
As for the rest of it, we really like it. And we have the rooms we booked too now which we’re more than happy with.
Hopefully just a very unfortunate blip.

OP posts:
MummyChocolateMonster · 11/07/2025 17:27

VickyEadieofThigh · 11/07/2025 17:17

We love Crete. If you haven't done these before (and if they suit you and your children - given your DD's needs, etc), we recommend these trips:

  1. Spinalonga boat trip with swimming and lunch
  2. The Greek folklore evening in the mountains - you go to an outdoor restaurant (escorted coach travel), have a massive dinner with wine and the food and wine keep on coming (soft drinks also), there's live music and Greek dancing.

We’ve booked Spinalonga for Monday. It’s a lot of why we’re here - I read The Island several years back. Really looking forward to it.
I didn’t mean to mislead - DD has ADHD but it’s very well managed. She takes meds on college days but other than that melatonin every night as she struggles to switch off.
We’ll work out other trips v soon - the folklore evening sounds lovely but it’s not on our list of available trips that I can see.

OP posts:
Britneyfan · 11/07/2025 18:36

OP, I’m so glad you got it sorted! Well done for standing your ground and not allowing yourself to be gaslit by the receptionist. I also have a teen and totally understand why the difference in the room configuration would matter. I guess for some families with younger kids it’s perhaps less of an issue. Anyway it’s brilliant you got it sorted and can enjoy your holiday now.

EdithBond · 11/07/2025 19:33

@MummyChocolateMonster - so pleased they’ve sorted it!

And that you’re all happily settled in what you booked and paid for, after a great deal of research.

It’s awful when they make you feel like the demanding, unreasonable one 🤬. But so important to calmly stand your ground. TUI really need to be aware of the Equality Act when it comes to booking families with neurodivergence. They need to realise it takes it great deal of research to find somewhere suitable for the whole family to feel comfortable and relaxed. So, it’s not good enough to allow their hotels and other accommodation providers to switch it without checking first.

Wishing you all a relaxing and fun break ❤️

snowmichael · 11/07/2025 20:21

Go online and find accommodation available that meets your needs
Tell the hotel receptionist and your courier that you are moving in to that, and that they will be responsible for the extra cost
I bet you'll find, amazingly, there is a two-bedroom apartment available after all

snowmichael · 11/07/2025 20:24

MummyChocolateMonster · 10/07/2025 17:42

Thank you everyone, really appreciate it. I spend ages researching holidays and this place seemed ideal. We will have to stick it for tonight but we’ve made it clear we want to be moved to what we booked. We’re not unpacking in optimism but it’s unsettling.
We like the hotel but also now feel like the awkward customers!
I do feel very upset but don’t want to let it overshadow things but it is!

You are in no way being awkward customers expecting to get what you booked and paid for

ChaliceinWonderland · 11/07/2025 20:38

Wow, well firstly leave the hotel a shit review the day you get back. Mention her by name. Where is the tui rep? Get them on the phone ASAP.
How much did you pay BTW?
Never use tui again!

Lilactimes · 11/07/2025 20:53

MummyChocolateMonster · 10/07/2025 17:20

On holiday in Greece with DH and our teens DD18 and DS17. When we booked we specifically searched for a place with 2 separate bedrooms. We found a self catering hotel apartment - 2 bedrooms (1 x twin, 1 x double) with a separate living room/kitchenette.
On arrival we were told we’d been “upgraded” only to be dropped at the room and find it’s 1 bedroom with 2 single sofa beds in the living room/kitchenette.
We went back to reception to be told the new room is superior and newer. We specifically wanted 2 bedrooms with the separate living room/kitchenette so we asked to have what we booked. Apparently there is not one available.
It seems they overbook the 2 bedrooms then try to “upgrade” you to a 1 bedroom with put you ups.
The head receptionist isn’t here until 9pm but we’ve been told there’s not a 2 bedroom to move us to. It’s a small hotel.
We booked with a reputable well known tour operator. They’re investigating but have also been told by hotel no one available to speak until 9pm.
I don’t want to overreact but we have no separate living areas. The teens and their luggage are in the living room. DD has ADHD and doesn’t sleep great so we won’t be able to get a cup of tea/breakfast etc until they’re awake each day.
I don’t even know what option we have but to put up with it! Had a horrible few months and I know there’s worse things and that this is minor for 14 days.
Realistically what can the tour operator do when in reality we have enough beds to sleep on and the hotel is saying they don’t have a spare 2 bedroom for us? I just feel what we have is not what we paid for. I’m not after money.
I think I just needed to vent a bit. I’m probably tired, up since 2.30am. I’m irritated too that they tried to tell us it was an upgrade!

You definitley should get what you paid for - and you aren’t being unreasonable.
I can totally understand at that age - you want some space x

MummyChocolateMonster · 11/07/2025 21:05

ChaliceinWonderland · 11/07/2025 20:38

Wow, well firstly leave the hotel a shit review the day you get back. Mention her by name. Where is the tui rep? Get them on the phone ASAP.
How much did you pay BTW?
Never use tui again!

It’s all sorted - posted earlier about getting sorted.
£4,250 for the 4 of us - self catering but inc breakfast which we added. Booked July 2024.

OP posts:
dynamiccactus · 11/07/2025 21:36

You are in no way being awkward customers expecting to get what you booked and paid for

Exactly.

I had this with a hire car. Booked six months before. Told they didn't have the (small) car. They did offer us a "better" one but it was much bigger than I wanted. They managed to find a medium sized one. But it's ridiculous when you have booked so far in advance and the OP booked a year ago!

VickyEadieofThigh · 11/07/2025 21:46

MummyChocolateMonster · 11/07/2025 17:27

We’ve booked Spinalonga for Monday. It’s a lot of why we’re here - I read The Island several years back. Really looking forward to it.
I didn’t mean to mislead - DD has ADHD but it’s very well managed. She takes meds on college days but other than that melatonin every night as she struggles to switch off.
We’ll work out other trips v soon - the folklore evening sounds lovely but it’s not on our list of available trips that I can see.

Edited

We booked our trips via local travel agents.

I hope you enjoy Spinalonga - we had wanted to go for years and finally got there last year. Loved it!

menopausalfart · 11/07/2025 22:45

This happened to us in the US. I refused to budge from reception. They had no choice but to put us in a sister hotel, which ended up being nicer.

Keepingoin · 12/07/2025 00:01

Spinalonga OP

You will love it 😀

ImGoneUnderground · 12/07/2025 00:08

Plonk yourselves down right in the reception area, spread out, with luggage, unfortunately have to suggest 'phone filming on' - record & keep every 'intervention' - & talk / explain to anyone else 'checking in' - most would surely be sympathetic (we would ) - & pretty sure they may come up with an 'alternative' - ie - what you booked & paid for. Politely request complimentary food & drinks while waiting for your 'upgrade' / alternative or better hotel. (Guess the actual staff who work there will be 'on your side' if this is a regular occurrence). Good luck x

MummyChocolateMonster · 12/07/2025 06:31

Keepingoin · 12/07/2025 00:01

Spinalonga OP

You will love it 😀

Booked for Monday! I’ve read The Island!
First night in the correct room was perfect and I’m again first up but no worries about disturbing sleeping teens in the kitchen now.

OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 12/07/2025 08:07

ImGoneUnderground · 12/07/2025 00:08

Plonk yourselves down right in the reception area, spread out, with luggage, unfortunately have to suggest 'phone filming on' - record & keep every 'intervention' - & talk / explain to anyone else 'checking in' - most would surely be sympathetic (we would ) - & pretty sure they may come up with an 'alternative' - ie - what you booked & paid for. Politely request complimentary food & drinks while waiting for your 'upgrade' / alternative or better hotel. (Guess the actual staff who work there will be 'on your side' if this is a regular occurrence). Good luck x

Read the op’s updates 🙄

Lilactimes · 12/07/2025 08:19

Have a wonderful time - bloody love Crete!