[size=55:llc6hx9z]Manchester Evening News 07 October 2010

Couple's Romantic Break in Bulgaria Became a Hell Holiday

A couple say their romantic holiday was ruined after they fell ill at a hotel.

Colin Carey and Vicki Fleming, from Warrington, say that First Choice were aware that the Royal Park Hotel in Bulgaria had a history of illness but told them any problems would be sorted out before they arrived.

The pair are among 276 customers seeking compensation from travel company First Choice, after suffering symptoms such as vomiting and stomach cramps.

Vicki, 23, a support worker for people with learning difficulties, booked the £900-a-head two-week break in September 2008 as a surprise for van driver partner Colin Carey, 44.

But the couple fell ill, and said they were left fuming by alleged bad food and poor hygiene at the hotel.

Vicki said: "
On the first night we went down to the hotel restaurant. The meat was pink and undercooked and they put new on top of old food. The plates, cutlery and cups were dirty.

"
The hotel and rooms were beautiful, but cleanliness wasn't great.

"
Drinks were being served in plastic glasses, like a child's beaker, which weren't washed properly."
The couple claim they contacted First Choice before setting off – after hearing reports about people falling ill at the hotel but were 'fobbed off'.

She said she contacted the company to complain after returning home but didn't get a reply.

First Choice paid out compensation to customers who fell ill at the Royal Park, in the resort of Elenite, in 2004, 2005 and 2007, and has removed the hotel from its brochures.

The company said it had been liaising with other customers who were seeking compensation 'with a view to reaching an amicable agreement'.

It added: "
As our dialogue is ongoing, we do not feel that it would be appropriate on our part to comment any further on this particular case."

Admin wrote:

[size=55:1et3wr3r]Manchester Evening News 07 October 2010

Couple's Romantic Break in Bulgaria Became a Hell Holiday

A couple say their romantic holiday was ruined after they fell ill at a hotel.

Colin Carey and Vicki Fleming, from Warrington, say that First Choice were aware that the Royal Park Hotel in Bulgaria had a history of illness but told them any problems would be sorted out before they arrived.

The pair are among 276 customers seeking compensation from travel company First Choice, after suffering symptoms such as vomiting and stomach cramps.

Vicki, 23, a support worker for people with learning difficulties, booked the £900-a-head two-week break in September 2008 as a surprise for van driver partner Colin Carey, 44.

But the couple fell ill, and said they were left fuming by alleged bad food and poor hygiene at the hotel.

Vicki said: "
On the first night we went down to the hotel restaurant. The meat was pink and undercooked and they put new on top of old food. The plates, cutlery and cups were dirty.

"
The hotel and rooms were beautiful, but cleanliness wasn't great.

"
Drinks were being served in plastic glasses, like a child's beaker, which weren't washed properly."
The couple claim they contacted First Choice before setting off – after hearing reports about people falling ill at the hotel but were 'fobbed off'.

She said she contacted the company to complain after returning home but didn't get a reply.

First Choice paid out compensation to customers who fell ill at the Royal Park, in the resort of Elenite, in 2004, 2005 and 2007, and has removed the hotel from its brochures.

The company said it had been liaising with other customers who were seeking compensation 'with a view to reaching an amicable agreement'.

It added: "
As our dialogue is ongoing, we do not feel that it would be appropriate on our part to comment any further on this particular case."

This is precisely why the Bulgarian tourist industry is in the state it finds itself. What a disgrace.

No change here I see

Maybe there is, Davshaz - but all for the worse - have you seen this:

Taken from another forum:

Today we heard that the Bulgarian government recently passed a law which means that the price of all electricity supplied for commercial purposes will increase by 20% from November 1st.

Some people, but not everybody, will have received a letter to this effect.

A native Bulgarian speaker rang EON for clarification and was told yes, if your property is owned by a company then your electric will increase by 20%, and this applies whether or not you received a letter

We really can't see how EON or any of the other electric companies would know if your house was owned by a company or not BUT it could mean that if your electricity account is in your company name you will be subject to the increase, as this can more easily be identified.

According to EON the only way round this is to go to a notary and get a notarised declaration that your electric is used for domestic/residential purposes only, and to take the declaration to your EON )or whatever) office. Of course you must also get a notarised translation of the document signed by a certified legal translator, so more expense.

We have, as usual, informed the British consul (he must be sick of us);
by chance he has a meeting with the Energy Minister soon and will take it up with him.

As usual, watch this space.

l thought that since Bulgaria is in the E.U,then surely they should follow the E.U policies in health and safety.Haven't they any hygiene inspectors to check out public places.
They should be closed down if they do not come up to scratch at a certian date.And the guests should be fully compensated.
British hotels would've been closed down immediately until the place has been up to the ideal standard for the E.U's policies.So why not Bulgaria.

This is outrageous

snail wrote:

l thought that since Bulgaria is in the E.U,then surely they should follow the E.U policies in health and safety.Haven't they any hygiene inspectors to check out public places.
They should be closed down if they do not come up to scratch at a certian date.And the guests should be fully compensated.
British hotels would've been closed down immediately until the place has been up to the ideal standard for the E.U's policies.So why not Bulgaria.

This is outrageous

Welcome to Bulgaria