Wrong Villa Location facing..not sure where we stand

nellyc

Hi there,
Im looking for some advice tbh from others who may have been in the same situation or who can give us some advice as to where we stand.

We booked a villa in Florida which was titled as 'Luxury Villa with South Facing Pool' and in the description said how they have a south facing pool which gets sun all day long etc.
When we first arrived it was very dark and the following day we were straight out all day and didn't get back until late again.
However the following day we realised something wasn't right and then found that the villa's pool is actually facing north and getting barely any sun on it during the day.

We contacted the owners who emailed us 2 days later saying they'd never had a complaint previously and they've been renting it out for 13 years. They never commented on the actual question we posed to them that why are they advertising it as a villa with a south facing pool when actually its north facing?
There have been a few emails gone back n forth and they have actually changed their wording in the long description on their website to say a 'South facing villa' but the title still says 'Luxury villa with south facing pool'.

The owner then contacted us today and said they are processing $300 back on our credit card but were still persistent how no-one has complained before etc.

We're not actually sure what to do as the one main boxes we wanted ticked and have every time we've been to florida, is a south facing pool. If the villa was advertised as it is with a north facing pool, we'd never have considered it.
We feel really let down and done by as we have barely used the pool and outside area due to it always being in the shade, and it has affected our holiday.

Can anyone shed some advice on where we stand with this situation please?

Many thanks

Westin

It sounds like a private let or rental rather than a booking you have made from a holiday company. Is that right?

If as I suspect a private rental direct from the owner then I think you are on slightly difficult ground. Depending on where they are based (UK or another location) there might be options to make a claim for some type of false representation, but that could mean you going down a legal route with a private court case. The cost could be high and the outcome small. I think you will quickly find that this isn't worth it.

If you booked this with a tour operator then you will have better grounds for complaint and might have an option to move to an alternative villa. I suspect however you have DIYed this trip.

Best to try and seek some settlement from the owners. It sounds like that they have offered you something back ($300). That could be fair, or you may consider this not. We don't know what the villa rental was in total. You will have to negotiate with them if you want more but for loss of enjoyment on just one (small) element of the rental then this amount offered might be reasonable. If you are hankering after a full refund I really don't think that's realistic.

Whilst disappointing, I am sure you are out and about most of the day at the parks. It might be something to put down as a poor experience but don't let it stop your enjoyment of the holiday in Florida.

Laz123

I'll tell you where you stand. Are you standing? It's North.

PeacefulWaters

It then boils down to what is this misdescription worth.

And $300 sounds reasonable to me.

I'd take the cash, and let Trip Advisor know the truth.

agrinnall

I'd keep quiet in case they decide not to refund the $300, I doubt if you'll get a better offer without taking them to court (in the USA if that's where they live, and legislation allows you to take action).

glentoran99

Stand at edge of pool. turn 180 degress, its now a south facing pool.


If your back is now at the pool try again from the other side

Gloomendoom

A bit late now, but I always check the location of places I rent on Google satellite view before I sign on the dotted line. If Streetview is available, even better.

nellyc

Thanks for your replies. We obviously don't and wouldnt expect a full refund, at the end of the day we have used the villa for 2 weeks.
We paid around £1900 i think it was, and we booked through a website called 'Home Away' although we then booked through Core Property team its called.
Your right in what the sensible people who have posted, I've no inclination on taking it further with legal action, just not worth it but i did want to find out other peoples thoughts on where we stand.
I will post on trip advisor and their own website under reviews too.

Archergirl

We once went on a river cruise in Oz that was totally different to what was said on the info for it, when I took it up with the operators they said they changed it 3 yrs ago and no one has ever mentioned it before...( although people were moaning on the boat about it). They did refund us though as it was the bits they didn't do that made us book.