Family Cancels Holiday After Bad Hotel Reviews
- Family decides to cancel holiday due to negative hotel reviews.
- The family was looking forward to a luxurious week in Tunisia.
- Decision to lose £1,200 rather than go on the holiday.
Kieran Ockenden and his family were excited about their upcoming stay at the TUI Blue Manar hotel in Tunisia, but their enthusiasm waned after reading alarming reviews about the hotel. Shortly after booking, they received a notification from TUI indicating that the hotel had been downgraded. As the reopening approached, reports of severe sickness and diarrhoea among guests began to surface on the TUI BLUE app, raising concerns for the Ockenden family. Despite initial reassurances from TUI that there had been no reported illnesses since August 4, Kieran noted a growing number of complaints from other guests. Among those affected were Bunty and Panna Shah, who experienced ongoing symptoms after their July stay. Bunty, who suffers from Crohn's disease, expressed frustration over the lack of accountability and the impact on their health and holiday experience. Faced with mounting evidence of illness and the potential risk to his family's health, Kieran ultimately decided to cancel their trip. He emphasized the importance of safety, particularly given his wife's health condition, which could lead to serious complications. Kieran's decision reflects a broader concern among travelers regarding health standards at the hotel. TUI has stated that customers with serious underlying health issues can change their bookings without fees if illness is reported at their destination. The company continues to monitor the situation and is open to hearing from other guests who may have experienced similar issues during their stay.