Holiday Horror - Help!!

tlc1809

I went on an all inclusive holiday booked with Thomsons online, to Benidorm with my partner and 3 children.

1st night at 4.30am my little boy started to cry as I awoke and found a man by my bed, he ran out the front door with my handbag and contents, money, phone, camera etc. He had managed to open the safe but was disturbed.

The CCTV was not working neither was night security

Thomsons came out immediately helped replace medical items stolen and moved us the following day.

The man had come in through the front door which was locked, looking on trip advisor many people have been broke into the same way, although these reviews are mainly after our holiday date not before.

My children and i have been deeply traumatised and we all slept in three beds pushed together in one room at the new hotel. He could so easily of taken my son and we wouldn't of known till the morning.

The new hotel was full board and not all inclusive as there was nothing suitable but the new hotel was clearly a higher rating. We lost two days of our holiday moving and making statements to the police and again meeting reps to fill out forms

I complained when I got home and Thomsons wrote and told me they did not cover acts of crime.

Surely I have a case?? Help please

pennylane99

have you spoken to your travel insurance company

thegirlintheattic

That's dreadful.

Always remember to put your deadlock on the door before sleeping.

ponymad_3

What a scary story... You must be in deep shock and thinking what if... However you need to think thank god someone was watching over us and it was ok.
Re Thomson complaint, think they cannot be held responsible for crime . However could not have expected you to stay in same hotel... I would have thought should offer you some vouchers for additional costs.

What about the hotel... surely the fact their security or lack of is an issue for Thomson? Did you question this specifically. I would expect that they check these facilities are working when they agree to buy rooms in hotels... Just to say not working that night suggest that it could be an inside job. Thomson must have a duty of care to you in soem respect.

I turned down rep offered compensation to now be left with no compensation so I would nt hold my breath

stormbreaker

You and your family have been through a 'nightmare' and what you thought would be fun times and relaxation have been fouled by some low life ....but

A 'case' for what? You have been the victim of a crime. You could have a case against the perpetrator if he was ever caught but this would have to be pursued in Spain? The reps have acted from what you say almost immediately.
If you incurred extra expenditure then you may have a claim but I expect they would look for receipts.

You are home safe and well. Be thankful that it did not happen within the family home.

Enterprise_1701C

It might be worth mentioning the name of the hotel on here so others can be forewarned.

You're shaken now, but it is probably best to focus on the fact that no real harm was done, he did not take your son, he did not physically injure anyone. Things can be replaced.

Sounds like Thompsons did what they could, but security is more down to the hotel than the travel company. Anything that was lost can be claimed through your insurance company, it will need the crime number but you will have all the info you need from the police on any documents they gave you.

If I were in your shoes I would plaster any review sites with the fact that someone seems to be breaking into the rooms of the hotel, whilst thanking your lucky stars that you and your family are all home in one piece.

Just one other point, not trying to be alarmist, but did they get hold of your keys with your home address? If they did it might be worth changing your locks, not trying to be alarmist but you might wake up in the middle of the night and suddenly realise they had your details and your keys, my son had his keys pinched while on holiday (in Benidorm!!!) so we had the locks changed just in case.

Don't let it put you off travelling, we have stayed in all sorts of hotels and have never been broken into yet (touch wood!!).

tlc1809

pennylane99 wrote: »

have you spoken to your travel insurance company

I have, they paid up for the camera and phone and some of the money less excesses.

tlc1809

Jane_Blackford wrote: »

It might be worth mentioning the name of the hotel on here so others can be forewarned.

You're shaken now, but it is probably best to focus on the fact that no real harm was done, he did not take your son, he did not physically injure anyone. Things can be replaced.

Sounds like Thompsons did what they could, but security is more down to the hotel than the travel company. Anything that was lost can be claimed through your insurance company, it will need the crime number but you will have all the info you need from the police on any documents they gave you.

If I were in your shoes I would plaster any review sites with the fact that someone seems to be breaking into the rooms of the hotel, whilst thanking your lucky stars that you and your family are all home in one piece.

Just one other point, not trying to be alarmist, but did they get hold of your keys with your home address? If they did it might be worth changing your locks, not trying to be alarmist but you might wake up in the middle of the night and suddenly realise they had your details and your keys, my son had his keys pinched while on holiday (in Benidorm!!!) so we had the locks changed just in case.

Don't let it put you off travelling, we have stayed in all sorts of hotels and have never been broken into yet (touch wood!!).

I have put reviews on tripadvisor, holiday watchdog and holidays uncovered, the hotel 'Levante Beach Apartments' also commented with utter lies to cover themselves, this comment was removed by tripadvisor. The Hotel has has so many break-ins according to tripadvisor that I am surprised that Thomsons endorse it still.

spender

When I travel I now take a normal rubber doorstop and jam it in the door when we go to sleep. Surprisingly it is very effective at stopping the door being opened. I was so upset for the poster and her family as this was a terrible thing to happen.

welshmoneylover

I always move a chair behind the door and put a couple in front of patio doors.

Still, what an awful experience.

gfplux

Hello tlc1809,
Just been on trip adviser and can not find your review of 'Levante Beach Apartments. Is this the correct name?
Can you post a link to it and the other reviews you have made about this,
Thanks