Following the hours of queueing, waiting, flying and coach transfers that are normal on the day travelling to the destination, the hotel finally came into view through the front windscreen of the bus. Check-in went smoothly and a map was provided showing where the room was located.
After man-handling two large bags across half of the vast estate that comprised the hotel complex, opening the door to the room resulted in major disappointment. Rather than a junior suite, the room turned out to be a normal double with none of the extras that had specifically been requested when booking. This was not what was expected after what was already a long and tiresome journey.
No attempt was made to even open the luggage and a swift return to the reception area, booking documents in hand, followed. This time, the Privilege check-in desk was found and a complaint was made to the hotel. It appeared that the situation had arisen because First Choice had not paid the hotel the additional money for the options booked. Until such time as this money was paid, there was no way the hotel would give us a junior suite.
Being a Sunday and "airport" day, no First Choice representatives could be contacted. After lunch, some additional negotiation and the production of a credit card to guarantee any additional expenditure, a junior suite was secured. Hotel transport was provided back to the original room to collect the luggage and deliver it to the new room. This turned out to be massive with all the expected optional extras and enough space to accommodate many more than was actually necessary.
Holiday welcome meetings are not usually high on the priority list on the first day of a holiday. However, in this case it was essential. After sitting through the usual information and advertising of outings, the time came to talk to the representative. To give him his due, the situation had already been explained to him by First Choice and he made assurances that all would be resolved without incurring any additional cost.
Following a further two days of cajoling, the credit card impression taken as a guarantee was returned and the remainder of the holiday could be enjoyed with no fear of receiving a large bill at the end of the stay.