Hi all,
Here goes, I booked a honeymoon to the Domican in September of last year (2005) and we are due to start this holiday in two weeks.
I have just received a letter from our travel company, First Choice, telling me that due to beach restoration work, the beach outside our hotel will not be available for the whole of September.
They have also stated that they have made arrangements for us to use a nearby beach and that they will provide a half hourly shuttle bus to transport us to this nearby beach. The bus starts at 9.00am and finishes at 5.00pm.
I am deeply disappointed by this as we booked this hotel because it was situated on the beach.
I do appreciate that beach restoration work is not the fault of First Choice but they must have known that this work was due to take place. In my opinion they should have let me know about this work much sooner in order that I could make alternative arrangements.
I have had three letters before this letter and non of them have mentioned any forthcoming work on the beach outside my hotel.
Can you advise me what rights I have at this late stage. Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Should I cancel and ask First Choice to find me a suitable alternative honeymoon?
Should I take the holiday and write to them before I go to tell them that the holiday is not what I have paid for?
I really do not want to start looking for, or researching a new hotel at this late stage, I am getting married two days before we take our honeymoon.
Help please
poisondwarf
You mention that you don't want to look at alternative hotels - but what out come are you looking for from First Choice?
They may well offer you a refund if you are unhappy but this may not help your situation and you will be left to find an alternative holiday within a short time before you are due to go. I think you really need to think about what you want and then put those options to First Choice. If you do not think the alternative bus service to a nearby beach is going to work for you then perhaps look through their brochure an pick out an alternative and suggest to FC that you would like if possible to move there. Or perhaps state that you will accept the original holiday but reserve the right to request a move to an alternative hotel on the island of the same or a higher standard if when you get there if the work is more disruptive than you were expecting. Perhaps also suggest that as this is your honeymoon and this notification of the work comes at a very stressful time as you are planning your wedding, that they might like to offer you and your partner an upgrade on the outbound flight, or airport lounge access, or a free excursion in resort. Think about what you want and politely but it to them. You might come off better than you think!
Hope you find an outcome that you are happy with and that you have a great honeymoon.
If you have to catch a bus to a local beach, you will have to take more care of your accoutrements and will also have to come back to the hotel for a quick coke or orange. You will not be able to leave your stuff unattended etc.
I know that the beaches are public, but we have been lucky in that the hotels have provided unobtrusive security and staff in the 2 hotels we stayed at, admittedly they were out in the sticks a bit.
We stayed at the IHD on the South of the DR last year and the Playa Pesquero in Cuba this year. Being beach people rather than pool people, I must admit that both holidays would have been much less enjoyable without the immediate beach access.
On the other hand I don't think the "pool people" even knew there was a beach at either hotel and so would not have been bothered by any beach closure.
Decide what you want, although you will have to bear in mind that without the beach there will be a lot more contention poolside, and then you will be prepared with arguments pro and con.
We went with FC but although they would be a great alternative I think the hotels we went to are different days and probably fully booked. I can't comment on any other hotels.
Good Luck and enjoy yourselves wherever you end up.
Why don't you give Ros Fernihough, Travel Law Solicitor a ring to we where you legally stand with this.
I would ask for further details - specifically are you going to be using another hotel's beach area.
I know it's not what you booked, but this needn't be the huge problem that you think.
Many thanks for all your offerings
Kath HT admin,
Thanks for advising me to telephone Ros. I did so today and the office is closed till next Monday, (4 September 2006).
I will try to speak to Ros next Monday but I wouldn't mind betting that they will be very busy.
Anyway, no matter what advice I am given it will all be a bit too late because we are due to fly on the 11th.
It certainly looks like I will have to take the holiday/honeymoon, and bite the bullet.
Thanks to the other posters as well.
I will certainly try to enjoy my honeymoon but there will always be that nagging feeling that I am not getting the holiday that I paid for.
I am going to the Costa Dorada, in the North of the Dom Rep
poisondwarf
IMO FC should have offered you the option to cancel this holiday or at least move you to an alternative hotel.
I would write to FC sending it recorded delivery stating that you are taking this holiday 'under duress and reserving the right to pursue the matter on your return should your holiday be marred in anyway by this beach restoration work'
Still telephone Ros on Monday she will be pleased to assist you and will be able to inform you of exactly what your rights are
I don't know if this helps but the Grand Ventana Beach in Playa Dorada is showing availability with FC for that date both from Gatwick and Manchester, there is no mention of beach disruptions when you get to the booking stage, could this be a suitable alternative?
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