Fuming family find £1,650 holiday resort CLOSED only to be given replacement hotel with ‘filthy pool and ex - The Sun

Posted: 28 Oct 2019 04:22 AM PDT

A FAMILY'S dream holiday to Turkey was ruined after arriving to find their luxury, five-star beach resort closed.

They were then moved to a replacement hotel - where they found "exposed wires" and a filthy green pool which gave their daughter an eye infection.

A family claimed their holiday was ruined after their resort was closed in TurkeyCredit: BPM Media

Rubeka Hussain, 35, had booked the £1,650 Teletext holiday with her partner, Wasim Khan and their two-year-old daughter Isla.

She booked an all-inclusive trip to Didum Beach Resort after losing their original flights with Thomas Cook in September.

Their seven-night trip was supposed to be an anniversary treat for herself and her husband, as well as the first holiday for their daughter.

It was set to be a dream experience away from their Small Heath, Birmingham home, with the advert boasting three restaurants, four bars, waterslides and a range of activities for families and children.

However, on arrival at the beach resort, the couple discovered it had closed for the season just a day earlier and they were instead shifted to another hotel.

Rubeka booked the £1,650 holiday to Turkey only to find their hotel was shutCredit: BPM Media

They booked the five star Didium Beach resort only to find it was closedCredit: .

They found broken flooring at the replacement hotel they were sent to insteadCredit: BPM Media

She claimed the replacement hotel was "two star" instead of the five star they bookedCredit: BPM Media

She told Birmingham Live: "When we arrived the taxi driver took us outside the hotel and the guard outside told him that this hotel is closed and we need to go next door.

"But when I booked, the agent told me everything will be open as I made it clear I want entertainment and amenities.

"We were robbed of our hard earned money. We booked for a five-star resort."

The family were moved to the Elegance Hotel, which they claim was a disastrous experience.

Rubeka continued: "This Elegance Hotel was not even a two star in my opinion, along with many holidaymakers that were in the same position as us."

Rubeka also found exposed wiring in the roomsCredit: BPM Media

She claims her daughter got an eye infection from the green poolCredit: BPM Media

The food was also awful at the new hotelCredit: BPM Media

The mum says she was horrified by the state of the hotel and said her daughter came home with an eye infection from the 'filthy' pool - which was bright green.

Claims of exposed wires, brown running water from taps, a smelly apartment and centipedes crawling on the bedroom floor were among complaints outlined by the family to Teletext Holidays.

Curtains hanging off the rails, a mattress marked with dirt and ripped wallpaper can also be seen in photos taken by the family.

They also said there was no entertainment as promised, difficulties getting hold of the reps and a fire exit blocked off by a trolley.

They were moved to the Elegance Hotel next doorCredit: .

Flies and bugs were spotted on the foodCredit: BPM Media

The fruit was also bruised and disgustingCredit: BPM Media

Rubeka said: "We booked all-inclusive so we wouldn't have to worry about going out to eat, but the food was inedible.

"Drinks were only fizzy so nothing for a young child.

"The pool was dirty, green and had loose wiring and caused my daughter to catch an eye infection. It was because they didn't clean it. I think the cleaning filter was off/ not working.

"They had two pools - and the second one was closed because a girl cut her foot on a cracked tile.

"They offered to change our hotel when we called to complain, but we just wanted to come back to the UK. We were lied to and given false promises.

"This was meant to be a holiday but I've been so stressed in Turkey and now that we are back the stress continues."

Crystal Sunset Luxury Resort and Spa in Turkey was reportedly 'disgusting, faeces was seen floating in the swimming pool'

She claims she has yet to receive compensation or a refund.

Teletext Holidays says it is investigating the complaints and apologised for the distressed caused to the family.

A spokesperson said: "Teletext Holidays prides itself on its high level of customer satisfaction, and are committed to putting clients first and making sure their needs are met.

"As such we were disappointed to hear that our client didn't enjoy her holiday.

"We do offer a fair and reasonable complaints policy, and the complaint which Miss Husain sent to our customer relations team today has been acknowledged and is now being thoroughly investigated.

"We extend our apologies for any inconvenience and distress caused."

A dad slammed a holiday booking website for not warning him their Turkish resort had banned alcohol and had single-sex swimming pools.

Families who had booked holidays to Turkey were left disappointed following the closure of Thomas Cook - only for replacement holidays also to cancel on them.

There are some great cheap holidays in Turkey, and we've rounded up the best deals in 2020.

Costco Vacations Can Save You on Cruises, Rental Cars, Resorts, and Theme Park Tickets — Here's How - Yahoo Lifestyle

Posted: 29 Oct 2017 12:00 AM PDT

Costco Vacations Can Save You on Cruises, Rental Cars, Resorts, and Theme Park Tickets — Here's How

Everyone has a favorite Costco purchase: maybe it's lobster tails, a sheet cake, or a box of chocolate-covered potato chips — but the deals don't stop in the stores. The well-informed traveler knows that a Costco membership is also the key to fantastic vacations around the world.

Beyond the shelves of bulk food, the wholesale grocery store offers members some stellar vacation packages with Costco Travel. This "section" operates under the same concept as Costco's more familiar offerings; the company buys vacation packages in bulk and then passes along that price to its members. Members can use this bulk discount to save on car rentals, hotels, airfare, cruises, and more.

Costco membership starts at $60 per year and goes up to $120 for an executive-level membership (with which you can earn a two percent reward back on Costco purchases). It's entirely likely that your membership could pay for itself when you book your first trip.

Costco Travel's packages are available to purchase online. Or you can call the Costco travel hotline if you've got questions and wish to speak to a travel specialist. Be sure to check out the Buyer's Choice Vacations for the deals that even Costco travel buyers can't believe are real. There's even an entire section of vacations available for less than $499.

Once your vacation is booked, head back to Costco and start picking up supplies for your trip. Luggage, cameras, and travel accessories are all available on the store's shelves.

Disney

Costco members can book vacation packages at Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts. Some trips include tickets to the theme parks and Costco's vacation packages often offer steep discounts at a variety of hotels throughout the park.

For Disneyland packages, most discounts start on hotel stays that are two nights or longer and include a free gift card (starting at $185) to use at the theme park.

All-inclusive vacations

One of Costco's main travel partners is Palace Resorts, that offers discounts at its all-inclusive tropical resorts — including spots in Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Costco's packages include unlimited meals, wine and spirits, 24-hour room service, and of course, beach access. You may also get a resort credit (starting at $500) that increases based on the length of your stay.

Travelers can also book one-offs at all-inclusive resorts around the Caribbean, including rooms in the Bahamas, Aruba, and the Dominican Republic. You can save even more if you tack on airfare.

Try searching for packages with "Included Extras" on the Costco travel site for deals that may include potential upgrades or benefits.

Hawaii

Travel to the 50th state with Costco and explore the islands with little hassle. Costco's Hawaii offerings include options as varied as an all-inclusive resort or a free upgrade at a deluxe hotel in bustling Waikiki.

Perks included in a Costco Hawaii trip range from a resort credit (starting at $150), discounted spa treatments, or a free rental car to get around the island. Costco has hotel partners on Hawaii, Kauai, Oahu, and Maui.

Hawaii vacations are available from around $729 to $1,189, depending on time and length of stay.

Mexico

Costco's Mexico vacations include the country's most popular tourist destinations. You can book an all-inclusive hotel in Los Cabos, explore the hubbub of the capital city, or hike around ancient ruins on the Riviera Maya.

There are options for families — where kids stay free — or kid-free romantic retreats for couples. In addition to a large selection, Costco's Mexico vacations are some of the most affordable on the site, with some four-night vacations starting at only $399.

Europe

Planning a multi-leg journey to Europe can be a daunting endeavor. Costco has packages that will take care of the hard parts: getting you from city to city and securing you a place to stay once you arrive.

These vacations are some of Costco's more flexible offerings, allowing travelers to see Europe "Your Way." Breakfast and tour credits are often included, but travelers will be able to spend their days however they please — soaking up the culture of these European cities.

You can jaunt along the English Channel, with discounted stays at luxury hotels in London and Paris, or road-trip through the Irish countryside (rental car and hotels included). For a sunny holiday, hop across the Greek islands, with hotels, meals, and transportation all pre-arranged.

Costa Rica

Costco travelers to Costa Rica can choose from a variety of experiences — from kicking back at an all-inclusive resort to jumping between boutique hotels to partaking in a private surf lesson.

Costco vacation package benefits may include guided hikes, spa treatment coupons, or a cash card to use at Costco to help you stock up on supplies for your trip.

Costco Travel reviews

In the reviews of Costco Travel people often note that Costco bundles luxury experiences to make them more affordable and accessible. In addition, most itineraries are pre-planned, making them an excellent option for people who don't have time to plan a full vacation.

"For a vacation, it's good to kind of turn your brain off for a while and not have to worry," said travel blogger Ginka Poole. "You pick your destination, and there aren't too many other choices you need to make."

Costco Travel users also recommend springing for the travel insurance. If something happens during your trip, travel insurance and the Costco Travel hotline will be there to offer support.

However, while Costco is known for its low prices, don't automatically assume that the price can't be beaten elsewhere. Before confirming and booking your trip, be sure to shop around and compare prices with other travel booking sites, particularly for add-ons like airfare.

Search This Blog

BC Tourism