MISLEADING BROCHURE GUIDE (John Fowler Holiday Parks)

Member Name: Sheerien

Product:	John Fowler Holiday Parks
Date:	24/10/09 (47 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: NONE

Disadvantages: HILLY SITE AND A LONG WAY DOWN A STEEP HILL TO THE BEACH & TOWN

In summer 2008 my wife & I stayed in a "Gold" level caravan at the Brixham John Fowler Holiday Park last year with our grandchildren. We were very pleased both with the accomodation and the park. Based on that experience my wife and I booked a "Celandine" Chalet, described as a twin/double in the brochure, at the Ilfracombe Holiday Park from 26th September. We arrived after a 10 hour journey and within 5 minutes of seeing the place I wanted to go home! The contrast between the chalet and the Caravan of last year could not have been greater. In the bedroom there was only one small wardrobe and two bedside cabinets pushed together with a mirror on top in which to store clothes - not enough space for two people let alone 4 - my son & wife were to have joined us later in the week. There was one small heater in the living area in which, also, was the sofa bed. The bathroom was very basic. The "Kitchen" area had hardly any work-top space. The small freezer area of the refridgerator was choked up with ice and the door to it would not close. There was one electrical socket, part of the cooker switch, for the whole of the "chalet". We complained in reception and asked for an upgrade. This was not possible as they were full. When we complained that the chalet was not what we expected from the brochure description, the comment from the receptionist was that "it is budget accomodation, you know!" This is NOT what it says in the brochure!! We decided to spend one night there, which was cold as there is no heating in the bedroom or bathroom! We booked out the next day and after a visit to Tourist Information in Ilfracombe - who could not have been more helpful - we secured alternative self-catering accomodation at nearby Hele Bay Holiday Park which I cannot praise highly enough! We had such a good week there that we have booked again for next year! The receptionist there told us that they had had quite a few other people go there from John Fowler.
My wife wrote a long e-mail of complaint to the customer services manager to which we had no reply or acknowledgement - neither to a second e-mail sent a week later!
I agree with another writer - there should be either a "No Star" or - even better in this case - a "Minus Star" rating!

Summary: CUSTOMER SERVICE LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED!