Last week I wrote about the dangers of DIY holidays. To be completely frank I can understand why over 20 million consumers want to go it alone and organise and book their own holiday. Last week I received a few complaints about agencies that charge for sea views which are not guaranteed.

One consumer booked to stay in the Rafalet apartments in Menorca with Travel Republic, they wanted sea views so paid the extra £140. When they arrived at the hotel all of the rooms with sea views were booked and the hotel confirmed that they do not charge, it’s first come, first served.

Travel Republic dealt with the complaint quickly and professionally but the consumer only received a part refund. How annoying though – if you pay for sea views then you should receive exactly that and the agent should check availability before you pay.

Another consumer booked a hotel in Benidorm through You Travel paid £250 for sea views, on arrival the hotel informed them that they were no rooms available with sea view. On the invoice it did not state that they have paid for sea views even though the extra payment has been added in to the amount paid.

Holiday advice

My advice is if you have paid for sea views make sure that it’ is itemised on your invoice, and take the invoice with you on holiday. If the hotel cannot give what you have paid for, then make sure you get a letter from them confirming this and make sure you apply for a full refund.

I’d be interested to hear from any consumers who have come up against the same problems.

• Outrageous hotel room service rates
• Hotel pricing error – should the hotel honour the price?
• Hotel booking agents not responsible for Hotel mistakes
• Families hit by Holiday Price Extras
• Frustrated by the lack of consumer friendliness in Travel

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