Disappointed with hotel TUI

[DisappointedSoloTraveller]

I arrived at a hotel today - stayed here years ago and had a great time, came last year and had a great time. This year I’ve been given a room in a corner of the grounds with a cracked glass door, the door curtain won’t close and is broken on the runner so I couldn’t get an afternoon sleep after flying in the middle of the night. One of the plugs has bare wires showing and doesn’t work - it’s hanging off the wall. There is a rusty pull-out metal drier in a shady corner with four pegs. I kdon’t think anything is going to dry there.

The booking is with TUI and I will speak to the rep tomorrow morning. I’m so disappointed as I saved up for this holiday, paid almost £1000 as a solo woman traveller in my 50s and this room feels grotty. There are very few poor reviews on TripAdvisor but management have been rude and unapologetic in their responses to unhappy travellers.

This is only the second time I’ve used TUI because as a solo it’s almost as expensive for one as for a couple - probably the same for all package holidays. I think once I show the rep the room they will try to organise something else.

Be calm but clear you need a solution.

I will be calm. I just feel I can’t go home and leave a bad review without giving the hotel/TUI a chance to redeem my very hard-earned break. It was a totally different experience in a lovely room with a balcony last year.

I’ve just found the sleep mask I packed. Thank goodness for that.

Update: I went to reception after breakfast (too stressed to eat) and showed the photos. The man didn’t look very happy about it, but he gave me a new room.

Fantastic. Well done. Hope you have a brilliant rest of your holiday.

Fantastic - hope you really enjoy your holiday after a rocky start!

Well done . Is the new one better for you ?

Is the new room acceptable, though? You're not just taking what they've offered?

They often put solo travellers in below par rooms - dont accept it !

Do tell the rep too. The hotel needs to be allocating their customers the standard of room they expect.

It has everything to do with being a lone female I'm afraid.

They think we won't spend much or tip. Same as when they try and seat us in a restaurant next to the kitchen swing door.
Good for you standing your ground. They count on us not doing that.
Have a good holiday.

Well done OP

Well done OP! Is the new room significantly better?

Much better, similar to the one I had last year.

It’s fine, even down to the coat hangers - the ones in the first room looked like they’d been dragged out of a dirty tip. I’m really not fussy, often stay in YHAs. I’m not good at complaining and was almost in tears with anxiety at breakfast.

Well done! I would have been exactly the same but you’ve done the right thing!

Well done for dealing with it. Now put it behind you and have a lovely holiday.

Glad you got a better room. Please do practise standing up for yourself though and don't be afraid to be disagreeable.

Well done. It’s no mean feat to overcome feelings like that and stand up for yourself, but you did it so you should feel really proud of yourself. I hope you’re more comfortable in your new room and can enjoy the rest of your holiday.
If you felt up to it, I might still be inclined to tell the TUI rep about your experience just so they’re aware

Go to tui website, look at the room category you paid for. Id speak to the hotel reception and ask politely to move rooms. Detail your reasons. Then speak to the tui rep. If you get no joy, ask to speak to the hotel manager. Point out that you are a returning guest who was previously very happy with the hotel

The man on reception remembered me from last year when I complained about nothing. I was too busy moving rooms to see the rep but have made TUI aware.

Glad you were moved!

I am on a Facebook.group called solo travels for women over 50.. and it is something that has been observed before.. solo travellers being given substandard rooms..

Well done for asking to move..

This really annoys me, because they sell the room at the cost for one or two guests, the solo traveller pays the full rate and then they shove the solo into the worst room.

YES!!
go girl!
right so now chin up, shoulders back and enjoy your holiday. Do not let this wobble shake your entire holiday, it’s done with now.
I’ve had rooms changed before and of course it’s easier when you’re not solo to shake it off.
but shake it off now and ENJOY!!!!
proud of you x

Great, enjoy your holiday!