Just throwing this out there to get some thoughts.
We booked a VERY expensive holiday villa through a travel agent. It was a huge treat, kids finished exams and family coming from overseas to have a big blow out holiday together, our treat.
We looked at hundreds of villas but didn't want to be stuck up on a cliff with no access to the sea. Eventually we found one that was elevated but that had 200 steps to a swimming platform that we could use to swim and sunbathe/watch the sunsets etc. Perfect - steps not a problem. The description featured the swimming platform heavily, talking about relaxing on the sun beds there with a cocktail and watching sunsets etc.
We have paddle boards that we were bringing and were really excited about the trip.
I asked several specific questions about the swimming platform in the run up to our stay and was sent photos of the one for next door's villa as an example as our villa's platform apparently wasn't currently in place. Apparently owners take them down for the winter and put them back up for the summer months. I asked if it was for our exclusive use and was assured it was. All good.
When we arrived we were told there is no platform. There are steps (260 of them down to the sea) but the platform was never built because the planning permission came too late. At no point was there ever going to be a swimming platform for our trip.
We went down the steps and tried to see if we could access the sea anyway but it was too dangerous. Sharp rocks, loose moving algae covered rocks and choppy waves made it just too treacherous.
I was gutted and rang our travel agent. They were also horrified and reiterated that this was NOT what was advertised or sold. The company running the villas just didn't actually bother to check if there was a swim platform or not. The owner of the managing company here has apologised and confirmed they are at fault. They did offer to move us but it was to a smaller villa (ie. less bedrooms) with unsuitable sleeping arrangements and was only for 5 days before we would have to pack up again and move back to the first villa. We refused as we didn't want to lose days of our trip packing and unpacking just to move to a smaller property for a few days.
I have all the emails and conversations showing that they are clearly in breach of contract.
In the interim, a person working for the owner of the villa (not the managing company) felt so sorry for us that she spoke to next door's owner and he agreed we could use their platform BUT only with prior permission each day, ideally not using the sundeck (only the metal steps built into the rocks) and never after 5pm. On our first visit the other family there made it very clear they were not particularly happy with the arrangement (why would they be) so our kids have been very uncomfortable about going back. We have to check nobody is there before they go down.
We have made the best of it but it is clearly NOT the holiday we envisaged or paid for. So I'm wondering what is the compensation we ask for?
This trip cost us a huge amount but we would NEVER have booked this place if we had known there was no swimming platform or indeed any safe access to the sea. It was right at the top end of our budget so we could have got any number of very similar places for a lot less. But other than bitter disappointment and pain in the arse trips back and forth in the car to get the kids & family to beaches to access the sea we don't have specific "expenses" to claim back?
We've got photos and video footage of everything and everyone has agreed that the description was totally inaccurate and "a conversation about compensation needs to be had" but I'm slightly rudderless about the amount. DH thinks at least 20-30% of the cost of the villa as a starting point.
Appreciate it's a 1st world problem etc. and we are grateful to have been away but would be grateful for any thoughts.