**Couple’s Luxurious Holiday Resort Turns into Nightmare Experience**
A couple’s dream holiday to a luxury resort in Egypt, meant to celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary, turned into a nightmare when they found the accommodation more reminiscent of a war-torn area than a four-star hotel. Robbie and Dawn Bennett, along with two friends, had spent £3,700 on an all-inclusive two-week trip to the Paradise Abu Soma Resort in Safaga through the travel retailer On the Beach. However, upon arrival, the Bennetts were met with disappointment as the resort bore little resemblance to the pictures promoted online.
Robbie and Dawn Bennett were dismayed to find the resort in a dilapidated state, with facilities such as tennis and basketball courts covered in rubble and unusable. The couple described the scene as resembling a warzone, rather than the promised luxury retreat. Photos shared by the holidaymakers showed their supposed ‘sports facilities’ in a state of disrepair, highlighting the stark contrast between expectations and reality. Additionally, the couple endured a power cut during dinner, leaving them in darkness with only their phone lights.
The accommodation provided to the couple was also a letdown, as they discovered their room to be outdated and unclean, with inadequate bedding and minimal amenities. Robbie expressed his disappointment, noting the substandard conditions of the room, including the presence of hairs in the bed and the lack of proper bedding. Following their complaints, the hotel offered the Bennetts an alternative room, which the guests humorously referred to as the ‘prison block’.
Robbie Bennett, speaking on behalf of the group, lamented the misrepresented nature of their holiday experience, pointing out the stark difference between the advertised four-star luxury and the actual conditions they encountered. The couple voiced their dissatisfaction with the lack of customer support from On the Beach, the travel retailer through which they had booked their trip. Dawn Bennett was particularly disheartened as she had arranged the holiday, only to face such disappointment upon arrival.
Despite being offered £700 by On the Beach to secure alternative accommodation nearby, the Bennetts were disheartened by the overall experience and felt that their expectations had been gravely misled. The couple expressed their desire for compensation, highlighting the significant impact the holiday had on their long-anticipated anniversary celebration. In response, an On the Beach spokesperson expressed regret over the Bennetts’ experience and stated that they were offered a refund to reflect their dissatisfaction.
As the couple sought resolution and redress for their holiday ordeal, the Paradise Abu Soma Resort, where they had planned to spend their special occasion, did not provide immediate comment on the situation. The Bennetts’ story serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of accurate representation in the travel industry and the need for transparent and reliable customer service to address unforeseen challenges faced by holidaymakers.