Newlywed Brits say they had the honeymoon from hell after their five-star hotel was a ‘construction site’ with machinery whizzing between sunbeds and the sound of drilling echoing across the resort.
Phil and Hannah Perkins got married on May 9th and were excited to jet off to Rhodes, Greece, for their holiday two days later.
But, their romantic getaway soon took a turn for the worse when they arrived to find the hotel ‘in shambles’.
The couple claim they sat down by the poolside on the first morning of their trip, hoping to relax, but were shocked to hear a ‘deafening’ noise from building works taking place.
Phil, 56, said he could hear drilling and banging all day long for the duration of their £1,080 holiday, while the noise was so bad it drowned out the music from the bar.
Builders reportedly worked in between the sunbeds with trucks and machines, leaving guests having to move their chairs out of the way while they installed glass panels on balconies above the pool.
The father claims he and his wife were unable to take any romantic photos due to the hotel being covered in concrete, leaving them feeling like they have not had a honeymoon.
While Phil says he tried to get in touch with the holiday rep, he reportedly never received a call back.
Phil, from Newport, Wales, said: ‘We didn’t really expect any problems with it being a five-star resort. When we got there, everything looked nice, on the coast, it was a big place.
‘After breakfast, I could hear this constant noise, we had a wander about and there was some building work going on but it was right by the pool, which was called a “relax” pool.
‘You had trucks coming through with cement and you had to move your beds to make way.
‘I had it for a day and went to see the rep but was told they didn’t when she would be back. I gave them my number but she never came back to me.
‘It was constant, I watched them put some glass railings above the relax pool and there were people in the pool while they were putting the glass panels in.
‘I thought this is not right. There was concrete everywhere. It was just in shambles.
‘It was constant drilling, banging. I told my wife, “let’s go to the bar and leave this relaxed nonsense”, there was a bit of music and we wanted to chill, we thought the music would drown that out, but we could hear no music.
‘It was all day every day, it was unbelievable, I’ve never experienced anything like that. It was a proper building site.
‘I wouldn’t expect all the building work, they could’ve told us before we went, and they’re still not advertising it. It ruined our honeymoon.
‘We didn’t even take one honeymoon photograph, looking around it was so dirty. It was ridiculous, crazy.’
But Phil claims the problems had started when the couple first entered their swim-out room and saw the ‘brown’ sunbeds, leaving them unable to use the pool.
After arriving home, the couple complained to EasyJet who reportedly offered them a £281 refund, which the couple initially refused, until it was increased to £381.
Phil said: ‘We booked a swim-out room, for a little bit of extra. When we got to the room, I opened the curtain to see the swim-out area, and the beds were really grimy and dirty.
‘I understand people use tan lotions but it was just brown, they were full of marks we didn’t really want to see. It needed a good clean up, hence why we didn’t go in there.
‘I did go back and asked if there’s any chance I could have another room, I wasn’t really happy with what I could see. He pretty much said no.
‘I get things can go wrong and you can’t please everybody but I’m easily pleased.
‘We went down to see if there was any evening entertainment, there might have been karaoke but there was nothing happening to be honest.
‘I complained to EasyJet and a couple of weeks later they apologised £280, the holiday cost us £1,080.
‘EasyJet then came back and said they’d offer £380. I just want to forget about it.
‘My wife is really down about it; it’s like we haven’t had a honeymoon. We didn’t even take a [honeymoon] photograph. It wasn’t right at all.’
Phil posted footage from his holiday on social media.
One comment on the post said: ‘They owe you a free holiday at the very least.’
Another said: ‘B***** nightmare!!!!!’
Another said: ‘That’s f******* terrible. Like hell could I stay there another day. I’ve gone fishing and had better holiday than that buddy and didn’t catch a thing.’
An easyJet holidays spokesman said: ‘We’re really sorry to hear that Mr Perkins was unhappy with his experience, especially on such a special holiday.
‘Once Mr Perkins returned home and got in touch with us, we immediately offered a partial refund. Our team has since been back in touch with Mr Perkins to apologise for his experience and offer a further refund, which was accepted.’
