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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I'm on holiday, it's not going well, aibu?

69 replies

Doodledum · 21/04/2014 20:35

As a very special treat we are in a 5* hotel on a Greek Island for a week. We booked it as it had a lovely website detailing lots of kids facilities and activities and a long list of restaurants and a huge spa so we could just chill out here.

It turns out none of this stuff is here, it's all at the sister hotel which we can be transferred to by car, about 5 mins drive. You could walk but there's no pavement & it's a bit far for our little kids. I asked about car seats for the kids but the hotel & club staff said that a car seat is a special request so they would need advance notice to sort it out. They also said with much condescension that generally guests are happy to sit their kids on their knee in the car & not make a fuss.

Worse for us, our kids are under 5 so to use any of the facilities we must pay extra for 'crèche' sessions and must hand them over to the staff there. We aren't allowed to use the facilities with our kids, like the playground, trampoline etc as parents aren't allowed to stay there.

The spa & most of the other restaurants are at the sister hotel too. As the sister hotel is not open for the season we obviously can't use the restaurants that were advertised on our hotel website! The spa is open though & they can drive us there.

I'm a bit hacked off & complained that the website was v misleading. They agreed but said 'it's just words it means nothing' and said there is nothing they can do. I asked for the manager but he won't speak to us & says send an email.

The website also advertised gift bags, little slippers & robes, early dinners, & other wonderful things for the kids which don't appear to exist.

They reckon I'm unreasonable not to be happy to send my kids to a club in a different hotel and leave them there. They also don't see it's reasonable that I might want to use the playgrounds etc with my kids as advertised on their website.

So Aibu? What would you do?

OP posts:
Toofattorun · 21/04/2014 23:44

There is a consumer helpline tel. 1520.
The exact name is the General Secretariat for Consumers.

You never know, they may be able to get an English speaker on the phone.

If you say, "mila-ee kapeeos Agglika? (Does someone speak
Greek?) it may get you somewhere. It's worth a go.

Coconutty · 22/04/2014 07:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Doodledum · 22/04/2014 07:53

Thanks Designjunkie it's great to know a bit more about the crèche. Unfortunately the sister hotel is shut so we can't spend the day at the beach there. We have to drop the kids off & then drive back here.

Bit more cross today, terrible beds!! Going to have breakfast and make sure I'm following the official channels of complaint.

There's at least 3 hotels advertising the same facilities but it doesn't say where they are. It implies they are at the hotels they are advertising. How is that possible? It's like advertising a pool at the hotel and having a lovely picture of it but then when you get there the pool is in the next town but it's all ok as we can drive you there!!

Grr.

OP posts:
Trillions · 22/04/2014 08:08

Ugh this sounds shit! Do you have your own laptop with you? You should save screenshots of the website.

Booboostoo · 22/04/2014 08:10

I knew it would be that hotel! We looked into going there and it took us ages to figure out that the child friendly facilities were only specific to one hotel (and still didn't notice the creche problem you're having!). We only realised this because we are Greek (live abroad) and managed to speak to someone on the phone about the details of what was available.

You might also want to try the Greek tourism agency EOT:
www.gnto.gov.gr/el/%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%AF%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%81%CE%AF%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%BB%CF%89%CF%84%CE%AE

Their contact details are at the bottom of the page. The whole thing is in Greek with no option to translate (!!!) which doesn't bode well but you never know.

pudcat · 22/04/2014 08:18

The whole thing is in Greek with no option to translate
google will translate

Driveway · 22/04/2014 08:18

Con artists! I hope you get your money back.

Trillions · 22/04/2014 09:00

Google translation of the page linked by Booboostoo (if you're using Google Chrome you can get this directly):

Protection tourist-consumer
When traveling to Greece is useful to know the following:

As a consumer, you are protected by the Greek consumer protection law, for all transactions you make while traveling the country.

All businesses tourist or not, are required to issue written receipts for the full amount received. The evidence discloses the consumer to any claim - dispute with business. Foreign visitors should be to make insurance before traveling.

During your stay in accommodation that has the specific function of the EOT signal the following apply:
The hotelier is obliged to rent the vacant rooms to customers and provide all advertised amenities.
The hotelier is obliged to respond in writing within three days to accept or not any inquiry for a room that has been submitted by any means (telephone, in writing or email), stating the details of the lease (room type, length of stay, price). The written response protects the customer and the hotelier.
The deposit for the reservation can not exceed 25% of the total accommodation cost can not be less than one day's rent.
In case of cancellation by the customer is made 21 days before the agreed arrival the hotelier is obliged to refund the deposit and if cancellation is made within 21 days, the customer must pay the hotelier half the total amount of the canceled booking.
If the innkeeper fails to provide rooms that subscribes to allocate to clients, is required to ensure staying in alternative accommodation of at least the same class in the same city, which offers the same amenities and services as those advertised by own property.
The hotelier is liable only for precious or valuable items and money delivered by the customer, giving proof.
Keeping in the hotel pets of any kind is prohibited unless the hotel provides for this area. In any case a prior arrangement between the hotelier and tourist consumer on this issue.

When dealing with travel agencies that have operating signal EOT following apply:
The tourist office is liable to the consumer for all the services they sold him for even those produced by third parties. (Hotels, malls catering, car hire etc), except that the liability of the consumer, third party or force majeure.
In any case, the customers of a tourist office and car rental agency must have written information about the terms of the provision of products and services before making a purchase.

Especially for the Tours , (Presidential Decree 339/96) which according to law is pre-arranged combination of at least two of the following, namely transport, accommodation or other services (participation in professional, cultural or artistic event or meeting, etc.) is mandatory relevant contract, stating:
terms of the services included in this contract, (price, category of accommodation)
means of transportation, meals included, itinerary, information on passports and necessary visas, cancellation policy, guided tours, entry to archaeological sites and museums, other recreational services, etc.).
An insurance policy which expressly states that in case of insolvency or bankruptcy of the tourist office by the consumer in addition to other claims entitled to reimbursement of paid and immediate payment of repatriation expenses.

In each case the tourist consumer
For your convenience, must always informed about the use of public transport at their destination, especially with respect to the path cost, power and cancel the ticket, arrival times before starting.
When using taxis should be aware that the drivers when asked to issue official receipts for the full amount to which the vehicle's registration number and the name of the owner.
In the event of failure or contravention of the above you can file a complaint ( Complaint Form ) and complaints to the Greek National Tourism Organization with email [email protected]
Also for Tourist information email: [email protected] or by phone: 210 3310392, 210 3310716.
Other useful telephone numbers to call in case of emergency:
First aid : 166
Duty hospitals , clinics, doctors and pharmacies : 1434
Immediate action: 100
Police Station : 1033
SOS Doctors : 1016
Tourist Police : 1571
List of Departments & Tourism Police Station in Greece

O Hellenic Organization of Tourism hopes to discover the beauties of Greece and live in our country a true experience!

ENJOY YOUR STAY!

Catsize · 22/04/2014 12:18

Poor you OP. The attitude of the staff would annoy me more than anything! Hope you manage to create some good memories too.

longjane · 22/04/2014 15:30

I am sorry but after just a quick look at web site it says kids ark is next to golf course and when you check where golf course is it says it is 30mins away .

girlwhowearsglasses · 22/04/2014 15:44

Can someone take screenshots of the website for the OP? I would but am on mobile. You best do this before complain or they will change it...

Doodledum · 22/04/2014 19:29

The kids are off to bed so I'm going to gather all my evidence!! I finally have a meeting with the manager tomorrow morning so I hope to get a bit further with it all then. It's reassuring to see that even if you can speak the language it's bloody confusing Booboostoo !!!

Thanks for the translation Trillions it's very helpful. It's got a bit worse here to be honest, there is supposed to be a choice of 8 restaurants, however tonight there was only one open. None of the staff had heard of the kids dining from 6 which was on their website.

Despite this the waiting on staff generally have been really nice to us, and we have spent a nice day with the kids at the beach. They have started doing the turn down service which we didn't have for the first 2 nights and the pool is starting to warm up a bit!!

Thanks longjane but that's not correct. The ark isn't 30 minutes away, that's a different golf course they are talking about in a different hotel. There is a smaller golf course which is 5 minutes away by car which is what that refers to. Confusing isn't it!!

Thanks so much for trying to organise screen shots. I have my ipad so I can do it now but really appreciate the thought!

Hope to sort it tomorrow, and be done with it so I can just get on with the holiday. If nothing else I am going to insist they do something about their website. It's not fair to think people are coming based on the details there which clearly don't reflect what you get.

OP posts:
NurseyWursey · 22/04/2014 19:54

This is bloody awful. You poor things. I hope something gets sorted

Taz1212 · 22/04/2014 20:49

I've been reading some of the "poor" reviews on Trip Advisor and you should have a look at the one by DaneinFrance from July 2011. In the hotel's response they actually agree that the website is not clear about the location of the kids' club and say that they are going to rectify this asap on the website. The mind boggles that nearly 4 years on is clearly not "as soon as possible"!

TwelveLeggedWalk · 22/04/2014 20:57

Sounds like the Greek hotel doesn't give a stuff. Bet Relais & Chateaux do though.

This is their twitter:
twitter.com/RelaisChateaux
@RelaisChateaux

I believe this is their UK communications director:
Nicola Liddiard: [email protected]

Taz1212 · 22/04/2014 20:58

Phhhhht, nearly 3 years on not 4, but still.

Rosa · 22/04/2014 21:22

My guess is that the manager is just that a manager - not the owner so he will be lretty powerless to do much. i also agree relais and chataux is a good route they have a reputation to uphold.... also tell the manager you have contacted them and will be taking it further with them .

Nerf · 22/04/2014 21:31

Having looked at the website I think it's clear that the Kids Ark means leaving the children under five with staff and not staying with them. It does say that the children use the stuff under the supervision of experienced staff or something.
The spa also says it's a couple of minutes away and serves several of the hotels.
Not sure about the other complaints.

shinybaubles · 23/04/2014 19:35

Any update op, hope things are improving there.

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