Did you pay a supplement for an ocean view room? If so, I would expect them to refund it to you immediately.

I may be in a minority of one, but I think that it is not really 'downgrading' to have your room changed for this reason - hoteliers do tend to maintain their property even during the season and would not necessarily have planned this so far ahead that your TO would have known when you made the booking. At least you have been told before travelling (!) and your children will not have to deal with paint fumes which could affect them badly, especially if they sleep erratically due to the time changes. Also at least they will have easy access to the garden, and might go and play in the vicinity of your room when you want to snooze in, and of course you have the whole garden as the extension of your balcony for your romantic drinks in the evening ..................

Don't let what is unfortunately a common occurrance spoil what looks like a wonderful holiday - you might like to ask them to comp you a bottle of champagne in the way of going towards soothing your disappointment!

Have a lovely holiday regardless, and do tell us what it was like when you return.

We paid £560 extra for the room, so I will be insisting on a refund before we travel.

I can understand why you'd like a refund on the supplement - I would too - but given that you are due to go in 5 weeks time, I would suggest that you don't threaten to cancel unless you really would prefer to do that rather than accept the standard room plus a refund in any difference in supplements. What will you do if they call your bluff and say OK we'll cancel? Even if they give you a full refund for the whole holiday, will you be able to get something better at this sort of notice in Barbados? I don't know whether you will or not but I think that you do need to know before cancelling in a fit of pique.

SM

What hotel are you staying at?

Mark

The Almond Casuarina, which I believe is still being built!!

We are going there in August as well (can't wait ) Friends visited shortly after the hotel re-opened in May and said it was great (despite poor reviews on Trip Advisor). They were really impressed with the refurbishments and their comments encouraged us to book at the Almond Casarina rather than the Almond Beach Village where we had previously stayed.

My understanding is that the hotel has been asked by Virgin to improve the safety of the balconies in some of the rooms as they (Virgin) did not feel that they met the Virgin safety levels/standards. Apparently the balconies were constructed at the wrong height or had gaps in which they thought children could climb through (Ocean view ones were mentioned, which seems to hold true from what you are reporting and also your comment that the downgrade followed some involvement from health & safety).

I'm sure Virgin Holidays will refund the supplement you paid for an Ocean View room. Did they not state this when they contacted you?

If the comments that the receptionist told my friend is correct I think it is actually a very sensible and caution approach that Virgin and the Casuarina management are making. If there are problems with the balconies they need to be corrected and in the meantime not allocating those rooms to families with children would seem to be the right thing to do.

Get a refund on the ocean view supplement but don't let this spoil your holiday. Just think - only five weeks to go before being in Barbados

thanks for that traveller, I'm over the rant now...
Virgin aren't playing ball with the refund until after the holiday?
Might see you there? 22nd to 1st Sept

rachie-m,

We're there 12th - 20th so will just miss you.

I'll set a drink up for you behind the bar - on me