First Choice Holiday Disaster - Egypt.

sbfido

Recently took part of my family to Egypt with First choice and Thomson as a package.

Landed at Sharm to be put in a queue for Visa $15. Sign above, these were agents of Thomson travel and coach company used to shuttle us.

They charged an extra $8 dollars per person after and 20 minute wait. Thomson state nothing to do with them!.

Got to rooms and one of the children didn't have a bed. Another mess about to sort it.

Hotel - Holiday Village. One of our party got electric shock from wardrobe light fitting, photo taken and reported to reps. Several sockets looses in room all reported and eventually repaired. Not so safe for the kids.

Wife also tore dress on oversize screws that came out of wardrobe holding hinges on. eventually filed some and removed others.

Balcony rail loose, raw chicken and children's club that stated my sons of 2 years age gap could go to together to then be turned away.

Not such great service in this respect and the accommodation was poor.

Toilets in the two room broke daily, but temp repaired rather than fixed.

Hotel taxi, one driver stated to meet him at his friends shop. oh boy if i hadn't been here before, it was a demand for payment for looking after us. Reported to reps as was intimidating.

So got reply from after sales saying we never made a complaint or raised it. (repairs were by magic then). They never filled in report. All issues were raised with reps. :money:

The finish of the hotel was awful. Mosquito hiding heaven. Dirty Lamp shades and not a holiday I would have paid over 5K for.

So they are not prepared to follow this up anymore.............

Not letting this go.......

I did take before and after pictures.
To add to this we had cancellation charges - our small baby was seriously ill and had been for 9 months in hospital. The decision to go was based on family support and our other children needing a break. I won't tell you how this has added to the stress.


Your thoughts on best way to proceed would be welcome. :money:

balletshoes

What result are you looking for and is it a realistic result? what issues were not resolved while you were at the hotel?

jillie1974

Have you got the written report from the rep? This should have been completed if you raised the issues with them rather than the hotel itself.

You can go to ABTA there is a small charge and they will ask that you have fully exhausted things with First Choice. They will look at both sides and make a judgement.

Not sure what the cancellation charges bit has to do with your complaint with the holiday.

MrsE_2

The visa thing really is nothing to do with first choice or thompson.
What hotel was this? Sounds grim.

pattycake

There is tons of stuff on Trip Advisor regarding the purchase of visas. If you go to Sharm and intend to stay in resort, you do not need one. Hurghada you do need a visa but should buy it from the bank kiosks at face value. Avoid the "reps" pretending to be from your tour operator.

I cannot comment on the rest of your complaints but I always do my research before travelling to any destination. Has anyone been as unhappy as you at Holiday Village? Again Trip Advisor is your friend.