Can anyone advise please

cosu01

Hi there. I am due to go to Cuba in October. I know it seems a way off yet, but it is not that long.

My problem is that the hotel I am due to go to Melia Cayo Santa Maria is closed at the moment, due to the water pipes in the whole complex being replaced, due to calcium build up also problems with the AC. They have tried to do fixes to this in April 2011 and also back in 2009. But they still have a problem with the water pressure and the fact it is cold most of the time.

The hotel was closed, and people were moved from the hotel to neighbouring hotels at the end of June, and for the time being Thomas Cook have told me they are closing new bookings till beginning of August,

My question is, what are my rights if I want to change hotels now. I do not want to live with the uncertainty of being moved to another hotel on the islands, (which are not the same quality) when I arrive in Cuba, that is what is happening at the moment with people travelling.

If I had wanted to book a last minute, do not know which hotel!, I would have booked that. But I would like to choose my hotel myself,, not have it chosen for me. There are a lot of poeple on the forums at Trip Advisor who are in contact with friends in Cuba who work at the hotel, and they are currently working at the neighbouring hotels, and they are saying they have been told it could be September/October before it is all sorted out, as it is a mammoth job.

I do not want to live with the uncertainty of the hotel not being open when I go, so would like to change now. Can you please advise me of my rights in this matter.

Nobjocki

cosu01 wrote: »

Hi there. I am due to go to Cuba in October. I know it seems a way off yet, but it is not that long.

My problem is that the hotel I am due to go to Melia Cayo Santa Maria is closed at the moment, due to the water pipes in the whole complex being replaced, due to calcium build up also problems with the AC. They have tried to do fixes to this in April 2011 and also back in 2009. But they still have a problem with the water pressure and the fact it is cold most of the time.

The hotel was closed, and people were moved from the hotel to neighbouring hotels at the end of June, and for the time being Thomas Cook have told me they are closing new bookings till beginning of August,

My question is, what are my rights if I want to change hotels now. I do not want to live with the uncertainty of being moved to another hotel on the islands, (which are not the same quality) when I arrive in Cuba, that is what is happening at the moment with people travelling.

If I had wanted to book a last minute, do not know which hotel!, I would have booked that. But I would like to choose my hotel myself,, not have it chosen for me. There are a lot of poeple on the forums at Trip Advisor who are in contact with friends in Cuba who work at the hotel, and they are currently working at the neighbouring hotels, and they are saying they have been told it could be September/October before it is all sorted out, as it is a mammoth job.

I do not want to live with the uncertainty of the hotel not being open when I go, so would like to change now. Can you please advise me of my rights in this matter.

Er ... have you asked Thomas Cook if you can change hotels ?

cosu01

they are saying wait and see what happens in August/September. Trouble is, I do not want to have the uncertainty, it has completely put me off the hotel, and I would like to change. I do not want to be walking into a building site, even if it has re-opened.

Trouble is, if it is left to the last minute, I may not be able to book another hotel, of my choosing, which is why I want to get it sorted sooner rather than later.

I just want to know if I can change hotel/destination without incurring any costs or get a refund.

thegirlintheattic

If Thomas Cook has not cancelled your holiday or offered alternative accommodation you will be very lucky to get your money back without penalty. Thomas Cook, if I remember rightly, will take away your deposit even if there is 3 months or more till your holiday.

Why not just wait to see what Thomas Cook says.

You may be able to claim off your insurance, although I'm not sure what the conditions are attached to it under these circumstances.