Those who are travelling soon to this accommodation and who have been refused a change of accommodation should write to FC (sending it recorded delivery) stating that you are accepting this holiday under duress due to "insert list of concerns" and should these concerns mar your holiday you will be seeking compensation on your return.

Whilst in resort at the first sign of problems contact your rep in resort and insist on filling out a complaint form (this is very important towards any future complaint you may have as you must show that you gave the TO the opportunity to put things right in resort).

Take photographs of any problem areas.

Collect names and addresses of any other holidaymakers who also have complaints.

Before you travel you can call Ros Fernihough who is a travel law lawyer and often assists our members. Ros is very well know to the Tour Operators and regularly features in the media. Ros, or her PA, Pam will offer you free advice.

Ros/Pam can be reached on:-

The direct number to Ros's PA Pam is 01922 705134

If this line is busy switchboard number 01922 633214 or email travel@edmunds-co.com

Hi Brady5645 can I get a copy of that letter too please. The missus is freaking! Thanks

There is a really positive review from someone who is there now on Trip Advisor, rather than being on the review part it is part of the 130 page forum going on about this hotel.
Not sure how to post a link but if anyone has problems finding it just let me know
Anyway basicly says hotel fully open with no work going on bar the splash pool not working, great food, great location and the staff couldnt do more for the kids due the sp not working.
Also if you are wanting to change location this is deffintatley being offered by fc if SP not working by the time you go,
I know for this weekend there is nothing in the grand occ, or iberostar, but El Coz has been offered and this seems like a lovely hotel, all be it high rise.

having read all the info for the past few days , i must agree that something positive does seem to be happening, my only concern is that FC will not offer any get outs till the last minute it seems . i have been in travel agents 2hrs sat and an hr this eve asking for some sort of guarentee that all will be ok by 28th june ( my holiday departure selfish ) the latest info i have from FC is all is supposed to up and running or splashing by 25th may however should this not be the case those who are next to go out will be informed and offered what have u, I,m just appauled as im sure you all are that FC have not been big enough to hold there hands up give them selves enough time to get it right offer all those who have been or due to go in the next 2wks give them free holidays and have enough time to get it right without all this bad publicity.
It is my understanding now that only the splash area and the high wires that are not in place ,

would anybody who is at or just come back could you pls give me the lay out of the family rooms do they have bunk beds or not and are they seperated ?

hi stufer
i can send you a copy of that letter but would need somewhere to send it
i have posted it on this forum on page 8 i think. i will dig it out and post it again
but it really only relates to the people going out this week end and the one just gone

daz

HOLIDAY VILLAGE WHITE SANDS -CZM - BRIEF - 8.5.08

The Holiday Village White Sands received its first arrivals on 3 May 2008.

Unfortunately, today we have been advised that due to a delay in the delivery of hydraulic parts, the Family Splash Park will not be available for our customers to use. All other pools within the complex are fully operational. They include the Relaxation Pool and Activities Pool. Customers to be reassured there is no work taking place on the Family Splash Park.

In addition, due to a delay in the transportation of the High Ropes Apparatus, this facility will also not be available.

Therefore, all bookings travelling 10 and 11 May are to be advised.

10 May 41 bookings 127 customers

11 May 44 bookings 115 customers

All customers will be given the option to amend their holiday without incurring admin fees.
However, any difference in cost will need to be covered by them. Alternatively if the holiday cost is less, they will receive a refund of monies due.

Retention of bookings wherever possible is sought, however, a cancellation free of charge may be offered as final solution depending on the individual customers situation. The cancellation to be authorised by a team leader or manager based within Sales Support Department.

Customers and agents will be advised to contact 0844 800 3100 for amendments or cancellations.

just found this reveiw on TA

-- removed for copyright reasons --

hi daz matey,
seems all is getting better now trees are planted scorpions back in there home, paint dried, bar open, entertainment running, all we need now is good weather i recon.

hi lampard

yes its all looking better the a few days ago
staring to look forward again.

daz

name is alan missis calls me lampard not only cos she is a chelsea fan but fancies him just glad we won title and gonna give em another stuffin weds.weather on net says its rainin at mo im sure all will be brill for us mate

andyhamman
please check your pms

All,

For those of you who have sent me PM's, I am sending you pictures now. I have to be honest that in retrospect, they could have been better. I wish I had :

* Pictures of guys assembling the splash park / laying concrete.
* Pictures of my daughter (yes, she can claim to eb the first that fateful morning) covered in blue paint.
* Pictures of the rooms

If anyone has any, then please contact me. My e-mail with the pictures will show all interested parties e-mail addresses, so perhaps we can keep the updates going, particularly around FC's responses. Remember we expected 4 star and got somewhere between 2 and 3. FC are clearly moving people - does that not speak volumes ?

If things go nowhere, we should look to ABTA for arbitration or whoever does it nowadays.

Any new guests who wish to join this, do get in touch.

If anyone needs their email address passing on to andyhamman please post in this topic and myself or one of the other mods can PM anyone who has insufficient posts to send their own PMs.
You will be able to reply to a PM even with a low post count.

Please, no email addresses to be posted on the forum.

Thanks.

Pippy

Evening to you all
Can anyone give me some idea what Cozumel is like?
How far from hotel is it and is it safe to go outside of hotel complex.
I am trying to put a positive head on and hope that all the problems that have been experienced are teething and it will improve.
Will be grateful for any info.
Thanks.
Bumps

The hotel in in the middle of no where it is in the middle of a nature reserve so there is nowhere to walk to.

You can get a cab for $15 into town, best to go in the afternoon as the cruze ships are there in the morning so gets very busy. You can also get the ferry to Playacar from town for $10 which makes a nice day out.

Andyhamman......thanks for the photos

We are currently dealing with complaint via ABTA due to FC poor response.

Will let you know how we get on,

I Have Booked For Saturday And I Am Worried I Will Not Have A Good Time !!

Is It Possible To See The Letter ASAP Please !!!!!!!

Camila

Welcome to the forum!

The letter was posted in this thread a couple of days ago

Pippy

Camicamilla
I am in contact with people who are there now and please dont worry you will have a great time, all resturants all up and running, paint problem in pool now sorted, the only time bar is closed is between 7am and 9am

all landscaping now complete and no bulding work, all holes bar a few all filled in with palm trees, any others have been filled in with soil so no large holes.

Oh and not sure if you are traveling with kids but the only thing that the splash pool was waiting for was a pump that was stuck in customs, however talking to someone who is going on Saturday too have just had a phone call to say this will be operational by the weekend.

I have had updated pics of the resort now and it looks fantastic, have heard rooms are quite basic but I have been to Mexico a few times and other places like Dom Rep, Cuba etc and found this is the case in most places.