Hotel with cryptosporidium

London50

Nick_C wrote: »

According to the article in The Sun;

- the outbreak occurred because of guests defecating in the pool.

- the pools have been closed

- chemical treatment is underway

- the local authorities are involved in an investigation

- health experts are testing the water

- compensation is being paid for guests affected by the pool closure

- people are being bussed to other hotels or the beach and given packed lunches

It sounds to me like the tour operator and the hotel are doing everything possible, and it is likely to be back to normal by 2 December, so I'm not surprised Thomson won't let you cancel.

While I agree with what you are saying to some extent having this happen to an adult is bad enough but for children it is so much worse as not only does the child suffer but the parents do as well. We pay a lot these days for time away and for the hotel/TO to brush it off by suggesting ways to avoid it does not help overall if/when the next outbreak happens.
While you and others that have replied to the OP have a good standard of hygiene it seems that the hotel in question or some of the people staying there do not and that IMO should cause the TO to remove themselves from it and not just keep sending more and more hoping that it does not happen again.
Perhaps with hindsight the OP should have done a little more research before booking but most times it is only by a long checking list do things like this come to light and most people believe that if a quality TO has a hotel on their books the right checks are in place to stop these things happening, yet as this has proved it is not the case and they just wash their hands of the problem when it arises leaving the people with a ruined holiday and possible med/long term problems.

Nick_C

Unfortunately it can happen anywhere.

There were 223 cases in the south west of England this year, some linked to a Local Authority leisure centre. Local Authorities are of course responsible for public health!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37189213

London50

As that is the first I have heard about that it proves the point that checking and checking again before you book, as you say it can happen anywhere but if the public are not informed or research is not done it is too easy to mfall into the trap :0(

angelique17

Thomson are not doing all they can, they keep sending guests to this hotel even though there is a health risk. Even now if you go on their website the Be Live Costa Los Gigantes comes top as a "Thomson recommended " 4* hotel.
I had done some research before booking this hotel and mainly found great reviews. Of course there were a few bad one, but not many, and at the time none mentioning cryptosporidium. I have now found out from previous customers that they did write a bad review on Tripadvisor but as soon as they word Cryptosporidium was mentionned, the hotel managed to have the review removed from the Tripadvisor site.

leylandsunaddict

It happens is quite a few places unfortunately. Sharm is another destination that has had problems in the past.

'Logging' is not new, but it can be quickly and effectively dealt with.

There is no reason for a tour operator to let you cancel or change. It's 2 weeks before you go and the problem will have been dealt with prior to your arrival.

but I am mainly concerned because it shows the lack of hygiene accross the entire hotel.
Also I have found out that this hotel had problems with Cryptosporidium in the past, so it clearly is not a one off, which will be sorted in 2 weeks time.

It does not show a lack of hygiene across the entire hotel. It shows a complete lack of respect and hygiene by one/some of the disgusting guests staying at that time.

In Sharm it was the Red Sea HV that had a major problem a couple of years ago. Again, down to the guests that stayed there. First Choice sent a letter around the guests saying that anyone found to have done this, along with their families would have their contract cancelled and they would be evicted from the hotel. They would also be prosecuted and fined before leaving the island.

I have now found out from previous customers that they did write a bad review on Tripadvisor but as soon as they word Cryptosporidium was mentionned, the hotel managed to have the review removed from the Tripadvisor site.

Hotels cannot have reviews removed just because they don't like them. There are guidelines though as to what can and can't be written. If a review breaches those guidelines anyone can request it be removed. TA staff will then assess it. It no breach it stays, no matter what the hotel says.

London50

angelique17 wrote: »

Thomson are not doing all they can, they keep sending guests to this hotel even though there is a health risk. Even now if you go on their website the Be Live Costa Los Gigantes comes top as a "Thomson recommended " 4* hotel.
I had done some research before booking this hotel and mainly found great reviews. Of course there were a few bad one, but not many, and at the time none mentioning cryptosporidium. I have now found out from previous customers that they did write a bad review on Tripadvisor but as soon as they word Cryptosporidium was mentionned, the hotel managed to have the review removed from the Tripadvisor site.

It is always the same with Trip Advisor {I know as I used to be a destination expert for the north of Tenerife}. I am not saying that you have done anything wrong when you booked your holiday and I can quite understand your fears going to a place that could cause illness to you or your family but it seems to me that TO/hotels do everything they can to brush off ANY problems that arise and still expect people to book with them.
Both Cryptosporidium and Norovirus is known by many that stay in the south at that hotel but as Norovirus is normally only around in that hotel during the winter it is just pushed aside, IMO THAT IS WRONG.
We are lucky as we stay in the north and at the same hotel each time and have not had any problems summer or winter,but as I stated in my first reply to you if Thompson will not budge I cannot see what else you can do with it being this close to your holiday.
I do feel for you, holidays are not cheap and you work long and hard for them and too be refused help under the situation you have just shows how uncaring the company is :0(

angelique17

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

Hotels cannot have reviews removed just because they don't like them. There are guidelines though as to what can and can't be written. If a review breaches those guidelines anyone can request it be removed. TA staff will then assess it. It no breach it stays, no matter what the hotel says.

Trust me hotels can remove reviews from Tripadvisor. I know I work in a hotel and have seen it happen.

worried_jim

I read the post's title "Hotel with cryptosporidium" and thought it was a spa treatment- didn't realise it was someone shatting in the pool. pmsl.

budgetflyer

In any pool,hot tub or whirlpool, water quality is essential and correct Chlorine/PH levels are important to help protect your health. Although it wouldn't help in the above instance,"test strips" such as these

may be useful b4 you take a dip as "over dosing " to kill bacteria can be harmfull too.

DomRavioli

angelique17 wrote: »

Thomson are not doing all they can, they keep sending guests to this hotel even though there is a health risk. Even now if you go on their website the Be Live Costa Los Gigantes comes top as a "Thomson recommended " 4* hotel.
I had done some research before booking this hotel and mainly found great reviews. Of course there were a few bad one, but not many, and at the time none mentioning cryptosporidium. I have now found out from previous customers that they did write a bad review on Tripadvisor but as soon as they word Cryptosporidium was mentionned, the hotel managed to have the review removed from the Tripadvisor site.

Thomson are doing all they can. They do not own the hotel, so not sure exactly what you expect them to do. The hotel have put in place all measures needed to get rid of this, and you seem not to accept that. Thomson can also not be held responsible for a guest sharting in the pool.

Thomson will NOT change your holiday, as there is simply nothing they can do, and as stated above should be good by the 2nd of December. If you choose not to go, you will lose your entire holiday and any money paid. I am also pretty confident that as the hotel are doing everything they can to alleviate the issue so that would mean you won't be able to claim on any insurance.

Surely if they have all those safeguards in place, to go 4 days after a full deep clean would be the optimum time to go, as it will be being closely monitored at such a time?