Surely though Sean if you read 277 negative reviews and only 56 good ones there's obviously something wrong. People have even taken photographs of blood stains on bedding and dirty bathrooms so is that misleading? Would you be happy to stay in a room like that?

No I wouldn't stay in a room like that, however the Pineta Park Deluxe does have 230 rooms, I would demand to be moved. If all the rooms really were like this do you think there would be any good reviews?

In terms of the reviews you mention, there are a lot of reviews on there that are quite obviously meant for the sister hotel (Pineta Park) which I have heard in the past is a pretty bad hotel.

Back to what I mentioned in the last post...have you ever been to a hotel that hasn't had negative reviews?

I used to work in retail. When we had complaints we used to look at trip advisor to see what the reviews were saying. I always reckon if there is a run of bad reviews there is a problem of some sort.
I post reviews - good or bad but I can honestly say I've never had a bad holiday. Maybe I'm just fortunate.

Yes the reviews for the Pineta Park were worse and that's where I saw the photographs, however, the deluxe after reading all the reviews has the problem with overbooking and one woman even had to sleep in the lobby on her first night because there were no rooms! No I haven't been to a hotel either with no bad reviews, but if the bad outnumber the good then there's no way I will go. I also write good reviews when I've been away, in fact I can't wait to do it when I've had such a good time and let everyone know what a brilliant place it was.

99% of the time the hotel is not at fault when there is an over-booking situation.

It is usually a mix up between the Tour Operator (T.Cook, Hotels4u, Jet2 Hols etc.) and the in resort supplier, whether it's the TO being greedy and accepting too many bookings, no payment being received by the supplier or any other reason that may be outwith the hotels control...)

The hotel can only do the best they can when this situation arises, and if it's smack bang in the middle of the School Holidays then it's often not a lot.

I quite agree that sleeping in the Lobby is totally unacceptable, however the Tour Operator/Rep should ensure this never happens.

Back to the original topic however - I would still go with an open mind, like the old saying goes, a holiday is what you make of it!

But what I mean is perhaps people are writing bad reviews for the "bad" hotel but posting them under the delux - a bit of name confusion! Im hoping that the bad reviews are for the bad hotel and the good reviews are for the good hotel!!!

Wishful thing?

Probably.

I guess the best thing to do is go with an open mind and you might be pleasantly surprised. Just remember to let us know when you come back if it was as bad as the reviews say.

But what I mean is perhaps people are writing bad reviews for the "bad" hotel but posting them under the delux - a bit of name confusion!

Leeh27
that was the point I was making here:

People who've stayed at the Delux seem to review that on there too so it's hard to be sure which hotel they are reviewing unless they mention it specifically.

I found this quote in the first line of one review:

this review is for pineta park deluxe not pineta park wich is over the road ,

which seems to add to the name confusion based on your quote:

the lesser rated hotel can be called Pineta Club or Pineta Hotel and the higher rated is known as the Pineta Park or Pineta Park Delux....I think...

Also, I did ask if you'd sorted the reviews by date order.
Sometimes (at least for me) they come up in another order.
You need to be sure you're reading the most recent reviews - and for your specific hotel, not the sister one.

That's why I was confused when you said:

in the first two pages I think I only saw 2 or 3 "ok" reviews...

as when I checked I found:

The latest review I mentioned in my earlier post (dated 13/8/2010) gave it (Delux) 4/5 and there's another on the first page (not sure if this is the Delux or the sister hotel) with 5/5.
Also one on page 2 (for the PP Delux) dated 10/8/2010 with 4/5.

I think there is some confusion on names - the lesser rated hotel can be called Pineta Club or Pineta Hotel and the higher rated is known as the Pineta Park or Pineta Park Delux....I think...but I'll check out the reviews again!

It's not uncommon for holidaymakers to spend 2 weeks in a hotel, have a really bad time and come back to complain about it - then realise they don't know the exact name of the hotel or resort they stayed in.

Now, if I was somewhere that was absolutely atrocious I'm sure it's name would be embedded in my brain after 14 nights!

It's highly possible the reviews have been posted on the incorrect hotel and it's often a problem where the hotels change their name or another chain/group take them over.

We're going to the Sofitel Winter Palace Pavillion hotel in Luxor in a few weeks time. I noticed there are no reviews for the New Winter Palace for a number of years (it was knocked down in 2007) and no reviews as yet for the new Pavillion hotel which is the one we're going to.

On Trip Advisor, the reviews are much more up to date with postings for August 2010 so it's better to search a few different websites and remember to read between the lines.

I recall reading one review a few years ago when there was a huge wedding taking place in a resort hotel. One evening was spoiled but every single room on the reservation wrote and reviewed with a complaint.

It made it look really bad when in fact - it wasn't. So always check the dates of stay in the reviews too.

Cyprus100 - would you pm me with the details of which hotel we have that was closed down & if we have the correct hotel now showing & I'll amend. Thanks.

My friends are staying at that hotel and fly out tomorrow I will no doubt here from them before you fly so will update you on here as soon as I hear from them.

I have advised them to go on very first impressions and to get a hold of the rep straight away and demand to be moved no later than the first day there for any hope of getting moved in peak season as if you leave it much later they deem you as accepting the accomodation(been there done that got the tee-shirt). I sadly can't see how you can really go out with a positive attitude with such bad reviews and if I were you being prepared with ammunition to get moved would be my main concern. When we had problems a few years back there was so many unhappy customers the rep used to hide from us, we were all financially compensated but no-one got moved as there was no-where to move us to. It was a slightly different scenario where Thomas Cook changed our hotels at the last minute, the hotel was thankfully clean and everything but other than that totally unsuitable for our families needs.

I have got to be honest and say that the reviews are totally shocking(on a few sites), yes I know we all have different opinions but so many reports saying that it's a total sh** hole have got to have some truth in them. The reviews have not been good for the last year or so in my opinion but are diabolical now. The reviews are indeed confusing but the basics are the Pineta hotel is a total dump and the deluxe one is not much better.

I read on another site last night that the owners of the hotel have gone bankrupt hence the huge decline, I also cannot now find availability for either Pineta hotel on the Thomas Cook website for next year so assume that they have pulled out.

Thank you again for your comments!

PPC - I think the reviews you have found are the only ones I found - like Stardust, I also checked a few sites, although I notices the same review pasted it to a few sites - so either someone felt bad enough about it to post it everywhere or they have a grudge perhaps!

Also Stardust, I have registered my concerns at the travel agent - but they didnt record anything - should I ask them too? Also, if TC have pulled out of the hotel, am I entitled to a reason, and would this be a way of changing hotels for free?

Very confused and concerned now!

Hi again,

I post my reviews on a few sites good or bad so would not look too much into it, I just do in for a better coverage to help others out.

I am not sure if getting anything logged at the actual travel agents would help as they always dismiss negative reviews anyway. The important one is the complaints form that you get from the Thomas Cook rep in resort also note that you can get this form from any rep not just the one in your hotel and the form must be filled in and signed. It also does not have to be the actual hotel reps signature either as we got the transfer rep to sign ours when we were going home.

They could use any excuse in the book for not using the hotel next year, the hotels cancelled the contract themselves etc and I doubt that they would admit that it's because of ongoing customer complaints(if that is indeed the case). I am of course not 100% sure that they have pulled out but I have booked Turkey myself for next year and being a miser I always check what the prices are doing I happened to search last night and neither of the Pineta hotels were coming up so I changed departure dates and still nothing.

I do tend to think that TC are fully aware of the problems at this hotel as there are so many complaints(another two on Trip advisor today) but I doubt they will do anything before departure. There would be no harm in grilling them further maybe play them at their own game and say you have a friend who has stayed there recently and also ask them why it appears they you can't book there for next year.

Cyprus100 - would you pm me with the details of which hotel we have that was closed down & if we have the correct hotel now showing & I'll amend. Thanks.

Done!

Shell
Limassol, Cyprus

Hi

You can go back to your travel agent and demand to see their Gazeteer (usually kept under the counter but every travel agent has one, so don't let them tell you otherwise).

It's the "bible" for every travel agent and reviews all hotels by destination.

If that backs up your concerns, put them down on paper and let them know you will be looking for any problems to be rectified on the spot by the tour operator or their representative.

Most tour operators now offer the right to return if they cannot resolve any issues inside 24hrs these days. If all else fails, take it....

But, I would also consider looking at nearby hotels independently - just in case. If necessary, demand to be relocated but bear in mind they will try first to switch you to hotels within their allocation before they used hotels that they do not contract.

It may not be as bad as it's painted - but, it's much better to have a "plan" up your sleeve in case it's all as written.

Shell
Limassol, Cyprus.

Why dont you print of some of the reviews take then to your travel agent and show them whats been said about hotel .Tell them that if its as bad as people say it is then you will take pics etc and be staright back in when you return home .Or asked to be moved again as your very stressed reading the reviews mazza

Hi there
I've already done that - they showed me the gazeteer - which I not wholly convinced contains ALL the truths...afterall, if the bad reviews are for the delux hotel, then how can sooo many be soo damning? I've already told them the actions I will take but all they could offer was a different hotel IF we paid the full cancellation fee! We have 2 kids and saved up 2 years to go and to read these reviews now is soo dissapointing! I thought about contacting The Secret Tourist, Watchdog, Abta - anyone that will listen really but then I think I need to be positive as my fears may be unfounded... If it is that bad rest assured you will hear about it from somewhere, as I won't be prepared to let it lie! You think a big company like Thomas Cook wouldn't have this going on this day and age, but then they do still sell the Pineta Club - and there is no doubt how bad that one is!

Im snookered!

Lee, whilst you may have concerns about what people have read, you may find that your holiday will be fine because you are going with your eyes open and are capable of making your own judgements about what you accept or like or not.

Do try to go with a positive attitude ... there is more to a successful holiday than a hotel (though I won't underestimate that a hotel can make or mar a holiday), so enjoy time with your wife and family and don't expect trouble ... it can happen all too easily on its own! Make your priorities your own good times, and let the hotel and its facilities take supporting roles and not the spotlight. All good wishes and hope that you DO have a great time despite your concerns.

Thank you Alsacienne, wise words indeed! I certainly will try to have an open mind, afterall, I have no other choice, if nothing else I would not want to disapoint my children, who of course will no nothing about any issues, should there be any that is!

I will update you all on my return!

Thanks again for all you comments