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Original poster

Oh F**K - going away with parents on holiday and have just seen reviews on TripAdvisor

38 replies

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/10/2010 14:27

Lovely parents (both pensioners) are paying for us all to go away to a 'country club' resort for a few days. I've just been onto Trip Advisor and was shocked at many of the comments, so rang place with some (very polite, honestly) questions. Am now reeling at the attitude of the recpetionist (ob. the same receptionist mentioned on TA).

Parents are on their way there - they have further to travel, so are staying overnight somewhere else tonight. Dad is bipolar, difficult character at the best of times, and am now terrified at what's ahead of us. Do I phone and warn them, or just grin and bear it? What they think they've booked (at great expense) and what we appears to be in store are 2 very different things.

So upset Sad Sad

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Tootlesmummy · 15/10/2010 14:28

How bad was it on trip advisor?

MNTotoro · 15/10/2010 14:29

It's too late to cancel so just make the best of it. Better not to tell them in advance as it could cloud all of your opinions.

Where is it? Could you check out some other local hotels in case you need to find alternative accomodation?

furryfungus · 15/10/2010 14:33

I find that comments on Trip Advisor are so subjective. I've seen as many positive comments as negative ones....some people just like to moan about anything.

Many posters contradict each other or whine about things that cannot necessarily be changed.

Just go with an open mind (and a camera Wink) and have a good time.

Original poster
Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/10/2010 14:33

It was mixed. Some of the posts raved about it, but there were an equal number who had hideous experiences. Perhaps my phone call to the place has clouded my judgment, but OMG the receptionist should be fired as of now, given that phone call. Unfortunately, the attitude of staff at all levels was one of the common complaints.

Oh shit - parents will be devastated. This is going to be Not Good, I can feel it in me water.

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KenDoddsDadsZombieDogsNotDead · 15/10/2010 14:35

Where is it? Maybe someone has been and can set your mind at rest.
The place I went to on holiday was superb and some of the reports on trip advisor were horrific (but so were the manners of some of the guests)
It's very subjective. Trip advisor is the equivalent of googling a minor ailment and diagnosing yourself with a brain tumour.

msrisotto · 15/10/2010 14:36

People go onto these places to rant about their bad experiences, people rarely go on to say it was all fine. Tripadvisor is full of negative comments but it doesn't necessarily mean it will be bad. they can't please everyone all of the time but those who aren't happy, will broadcast it.

FimboBBINGFORAPPLES · 15/10/2010 14:39

Tell us where it is, maybe someone has been there as KenDodd says.

rookiemater · 15/10/2010 14:39

I shouldn't worry too much, we went somewhere where Tripadvisor warned of the front desk lady with hideous attitude, she was absolutely fine with us, no problem at all. It could be worse though if people were complaining about state of the rooms or the resort.

If its any help we are in a similar position off tomorrow to v. expensive ( DH'S idea) resort abroad and tripadvisor reviews all go on about how time share is touted all the time and it isn't as good as the brochure. Such is life fingers crossed we get good weather.

Original poster
Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/10/2010 14:44

The thing is, the complaints seem to be along similar lines - poor facilities, dated decor, overpriced, nothing working, rude staff, vastly overpriced electricity, etc from somewhere that purports to be an 'exclusive country club'. To be fair, there are good comments, but the not great ones are pretty damning.

Link to TripAdvisor here - if you can be bothered, go beyond the first few comments - it makes for interesting reading.

Or maybe my earlier conversation with them has clouded my judgement...

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rookiemater · 15/10/2010 14:46

I have to say I don't like the two good reviews from people that have no other reviews, that is a bit suspicious.

KenDoddsDadsZombieDogsNotDead · 15/10/2010 14:46

Just had a quick look - the traveller photos on there make it look really nice. And the people on the pictures look happy enough!

furryfungus · 15/10/2010 14:48

Most of the poor reviews are from US visitors....different expectations no doubt.

rookiemater · 15/10/2010 14:50

Lots of reviews from Americans, they have very different ideas about things and expect better service. I wouldn't stress it's your parents who have booked and chosen it, I'm sure it will be fine.

Original poster
Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/10/2010 14:51

Photos do look nice...but also feel the management has perhaps been busy on Trip Advisor given the first 2 comments. Also feel they are suspicious.

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Original poster
Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/10/2010 14:53

Got to take the guinea pig to our friend's house now - at least he knows what he's going to Grin. You could be right re the Americans, they do tend to have different expectations.

Will check this thread when I get back..Smile

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DeadlyNightShadeofViolet · 15/10/2010 14:57

I always find Trip Advisor to be very negative - and you do get lots of hotel owners complaining about rivals.

FakePlasticTrees · 15/10/2010 14:57

erm, those comments were from trips a long time ago! That some people had a bad experience in 2006 doesn't mean it won't be good now! You were looking on the US trip advisor site, why not have a quick look on the UK based one? You're more likely to get more recent reviews - and from people from the UK going for a couple of days rather than from the US making a 'big' holiday (and therefore having greater expectations)

Don't say anything to your Dad, it's too late now and you'll only upset him.

PoorlyConstructed · 15/10/2010 14:58

It sounds pretty grim, but I think the fools tourists who turned up for a holiday in rural fife without a car were being a little bit silly.

I trust you are driving?

BeGoneFoulBeast · 15/10/2010 15:02

I've stayed in a couple of really, really lovely places. If you looked said places up on Trip Advisor, you'd think they were dens of iniquity where the waiter rested his penis on your table while spitting into your open mouth. No offence if you purposely visit places that offer this service but Trip Advisor's reviews do not at all match up with the reality ime.

And, a holiday is what you make it. If you want time together and to enjoy each other's company then I'm sure you will. Of course if you've paid a premium you also want something for that money but please try and go into it looking forward to it. I think some people want to go along to a place and moan. You can always find things to moan about. Be super nice to the miserable receptionist. They hate that.

IrmaGhostSlayer · 15/10/2010 15:06

I would try and find a nearby alternative. I booked a twixmas break at a hotel walked in then walked out it was a nightmare.

How annoyed do you think you would be after knowing these problems for them to become true!

I stayed at a posh hotel in the lakes the trip advisor warned about small meal portion and i mean tiny and latness.

If anything the reality was worse than the reviews. So sometimes real reviews are given for a reason.

rookiemater · 15/10/2010 15:15

PMSL at Begonefoulbeast and the penis resting waiter.

frenchfancy · 15/10/2010 16:53

TBH I don't think the reviews are that bad, in so much as alot of the complaints are about the rural nature of the place, the fact that the reception closes at 10pm etc. It sounds to me like alot of the guests had thought they had booked a hotel, but it is in fact self catering. As long as you go into it knowing that you should be fine.

There are also alot of very good reviews, which I wouldn't expect if it was really that bad.

Take a box of basic provisions with you and enjoy yourself.

jumpingjackhash · 15/10/2010 17:00

Just remember that people often put more effort into complaining that commending, so I wouldn't take these not-so-good reviews too seriously. There are some very good ones there too!

If you look at the overall ratings at the top, more liked it that didn't.

Relax and enjoy your holiday!

Original poster
Maisiethemorningsidecat · 15/10/2010 17:32

Just back from dropping off the guinea pig - thanks all for your help in putting this into perspective for me!

We are driving (we're not far from Fife, and wouldn't even think of using public transport to get there!) and are doing a big shop before we go, so will have all our provisions with us. BeGone is right - it's a chance to spend some much needed time together, and providing dad's bipolar is under control and the waiter doesn't try and put his penis on the table, it should be OK! Grin

If all else fails, we'll spend our time off site and eat chips from the (award winning, no less) Anstruther fish bar on the beach. Sounds more promising as I write. I'll also be super nice to the miserable cow on the front desk receptionist - they do hate that, don't they Grin

Will post my own review when I get back Wink

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