Hotel threatening to sue us for bad review

[Itsalongwayto]

Unashamedly posting in AIBU for traffic. We stayed in a truly dreadful place over the August BH weekend. I wrote to the owner afterwards expressing our displeasure and with a long list of complaints including unsecure blind pulls, a trampoline with no safety net, water features with no warning, general filth and 1980s decor (I expect more at £300/night). Additionally one of the curtain poles fell down on my head. He wrote back ignoring most of my points but stating that he was disappointed that I hadn’t said thank you to them for fixing the curtain pole so quickly . I submitted a review on reevoo and Tripadvisor, neither of which have been published yet......but he has emailed threatening to sue us if we don’t take our review down (I’m assuming he has been sent a preview). We have photographs of everything except the awful smell.
I’m assuming it’s safe to just ignore and block? I’m not taking my review down.

😂

"Manageree"

@Krampusasbabysitter

Wow, the owner is a piece of work! He has even tried to sue his own brother who he employed to refurbish his hotel that he apparently overcharged for labour, bills for materials that he claimed where not received etc. The judge completely threw out his claim but instead upheld his brother’s counterclaim that he had not been paid and ordered the crazy hotel owner to pay half the defendant’s legal costs.

As for his financial advice company, a quick glance throws up complaints against him upheld by the Financial Ombudsman Service for giving unsuitable advice. And then there are his dodgy involvements with a village pub. I was really interested to see him appear on a Channel 4 Kitchen 999 show but I can’t find the episode online, the links I saw are expired.

Wow, this is amazing sleuthing. I was happy just to find the hotel on Tripadvisor and add a useful vote (genuinely useful to me, I am longing for a holiday in North Devon when things open up and now know where to avoid. Thank you OP). I'm wondering where Janie and her mutts come in, or perhaps what she stands to gain from her post. But perhaps she's genuine and telling the truth, in which case, Janie, let's see your pix of this beautiful place, please? Are you saying the OP photoshopped hers?

For the PP who said this is a witch hunt, isn't the point of those that people manufacture evidence against witches who are guilty of either nothing or being a bit different? Is that what you think is going on here?

I was screwed out of nearly 1k by an an unscrupulous, bullying SC owner in Cumbria because I didn't want the trouble of pursuing him for his batshit - regretted not having a backbone ever since. He's another one who has almost certainly threatened legal action against bad reviews. We opted not to stay and to let the money go. I am in awe of the OP here - thanks for all of us screwed over by men like this.

To the PP in Blackpool hotel industry, I am truly sorry for the arseholes this summer. Hopefully next will be better. I sense most of us on here are thoughtful guests who believe in fair play on both sides.

@janiesmutts yes we do all like different things but I've never yet come across someone who enjoys damp mould pits with cunty management skills

94 useful likes

This a my favourite one where he insinuates the guest has learning difficulties and drops hints about her first failed marriage and wishes her ill for her second marriage.

I would totally buy a book with collected responses of angry hotel owners.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Profile/Mattottoj?m=19905

I worked in hospitality for many, many years. I started aged 14 and was still doing bits and bones when I was 35, so God knows I've had my share of shitty behaviour from guests. I mean, the stories I could tell you! But, the thing is, if you can't keep yourself together enough not to write foul messages to people all over TripAdvisor, with respect, you're in the wrong line of business.

Not to say some guests don't deserve a piece of someone's mind. But you can't do it or dwell on it. Inward eye roll and move on.

Bits and bobs*

Not bones!

[quote scaryfrogfish]This a my favourite one where he insinuates the guest has learning difficulties and drops hints about her first failed marriage and wishes her ill for her second marriage.

I would totally buy a book with collected responses of angry hotel owners.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Profile/Mattottoj?m=19905[/quote]
Wow. So many personal attacks in that reply. But this bit: "I realise there are lots of arty-fairy alternative types living in your city and it seems to have gone to your heads!" He's basically accusing the reviewer of being unreasonable purely on the basis that he lives in Brighton. 😂

OMG we had a lucky escape - we looked at this hotel with a view to staying there for a wedding last year. Glad we decided to avoid.

The owner's grasp of language is ... interesting. His male arrogance is very 1970s, probably matching the decor of the place.

I agree with a PP who said that if an owner can't hold it together enough to reply reasonably, they are in the wrong business.

I have never been there but after reading this post it seems like Gordon Ramsey needs to put hotel nightmares back on the air and visit this one first jeez

He should direct more time and effort into maintaining the hotel, and less time writing snarky replies to reviews,

More than 100 have found it helpful.

I'll just leave this here

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/owner-foxhunters-inn-pub-devastated-4317280.amp

@janiesmutts. Do a sofa and chairs, bought in the 1980s (and never cleaned since) count as antiques in your world? Ditto the chipped pine table that hadn’t been Revarnished since it was bought in 1982. I did notice and older, possibly antique, dresser In the reception area, but please don’t try and make out that this place is furnished with beautiful and well cared for antiques, which just aren’t to my taste.
Since you are so convinced that Mr M is so lovely, please read some of his rude and patronising responses to previous visitors who have dared to post poor reviews, perhaps you’ll think he is less lovely after your read.

And we are all still waiting for your photos.....

Like I said I don't know how to put them on from yesterday otherwise I would, If you want to explain to me how to I will gladly pop them on.
I'm not here to cause trouble but freedom of speech & all that just like many of you have.
Now everyone is having a go at me? For what? Saying how I see it? That's not very fair & I have noticed that someone has now hunted me down online??? What is this #mumsnet.com a place to just vent nasty comments and make people feel bad or somewhere where we should find comfort and advice from one another?
I am sad you didn't enjoy your stay, I truly am but when we go there we see it in a different way.xxxx.

93 helpful votes

Cheeky bastards!

I will happily share my photos if someone explains to me how to do it? I don't know how to? 🙄😬🥺 Am very upset to wake up to some nasty messages from others, Thankyou for reading my comments for what they are MY experience.xxxx

Please don't start hunting me down, You will find nothing but an honest lady that fights her I'll health everyday.
Wants to be kind always.

@janiesmutts it is totally not on for anyone to ‘out’ you or send abusive messages.

To attach a photo, click on the paper clip icon. I’m on the mobile site and it appears beneath the typing box. I think there may be a restriction on new members putting photos up for a period though.

@janiesmutts Attaching pictures......Under the text box in comment there are 4 circles, the one on the right is a paper clip. Click on it (just like an email) and then attach all your lovely pictures ......

Pm ing janiesmutts is out of order.

Whoever janiesmutts is.

The thread will be deleted and therefore be of no use to anyone.

Ah, @mrsmummy1111 - ignore my PM - direct links to the hotel have now been posted (didn’t refresh before posting)

I think newly registered posters can’t post for an initial period

@Itsalongwayto - it’s probably time for this thread to go ...