Advice please

[HDID Kenny]

4 of us booked a golf holiday via one of the specialist to the Algarve in May this year, deal was 7 night AI 5 star hotel 5 round of golf on 3 different courses (all owned by hotel chain). All was good until we got an email advising 1 of the courses the Morgado was no longer available as the Portugese Open had just been anounced for the week that we are there, we had 2 rounds booked there, we were now being told we would get an extra round on the other 2 courses.
Now we booked this holiday after a lot of research on the courses and the Morgado was the stand out course having hosted the PO previously. We contacted operator advising we were not happy could they arrange for us to play another course of equal quality? As it was a package hotel chain etc we were advised no. We then asked if they would throw in buggies as a token gesture to help lift the disappointment? This is where the trouble lies, tour operator has asked hotel they have said no, operator says its out with their control and nothing to do with them so they won't foot the bill either. 2 things about this a) we pay the operator so our contact is with them. b) the hotel chain took our booking (Aug 16) knowing they were in negotiations with ET to host PO, these things don't happen overnight.
All flight were booked and paid for separately so we cannot change dates.

Are we being unreasonable?

If those that booked to do Turnberry next March were told after booking the the Ailsa was no longer available and you were playing the Kintyre twice, not as a dramatic scenario however same idea.
This has put a dampner on what should be a great 50th celebration for my mate.

Any advice appreciated?

 

[ScienceBoy]

Celebrate the man, not the course.

Give your mate the best 50th you can despite the situation.

 

[HDID Kenny]

Celebrate the man, not the course.

Give your mate the best 50th you can despite the situation.

No need to worry about that, we will make the most of it.

Cheers

 

[Beezerk]

Can you maybe book another course yourself as a surprise for him?
It may not sit well but I'd be trying to make the best out of the situation. Maybe go and watch the Portugese Open on one day as well.

 

[Copernicus]

Technically a breach of contract unless the small print allows them to do this so check that carefully. Because of the open you are not going to get a remedy of specific performance (i.e. getting you want) so only option would be monetary damages for breach. As it's a holiday the rule against no compensation for loss of enjoyment would not apply. So if negotiations are not working it's a small claim for a small sum. Probably not worth the aggro.

 

[Tashyboy]

First and foremost, thanks for letting us know of your bad experience. Would be nice to know who you booked with coz if you get no satisfaction with them, let us know coz there's no way I would book with them in future. Also if you get no joy, tell them you will let everyone know the outcome on here ( whatever the outcome ) if they do come good again I would want to know.
Had a quick look where Morgado is and it is not a million miles away from Palmares GC. Palmares is just stunning and I mean stunning. Contact the operator and try to get them to book that at mates rates for your pals birthday. If you don't enjoy that al pay for your round myself. The best course I have played up to yet on the algarve.

 

[Hobbit]

Technically a breach of contract unless the small print allows them to do this so check that carefully. Because of the open you are not going to get a remedy of specific performance (i.e. getting you want) so only option would be monetary damages for breach. As it's a holiday the rule against no compensation for loss of enjoyment would not apply. So if negotiations are not working it's a small claim for a small sum. Probably not worth the aggro.

And a typical get out by tour companies is they are often 'agents' acting on your behalf. Your contract isn't with them, as they were doing the work for you. The breach is with the hotel.

Sorry, but having had a similar experience I'd also say it's an uphill battle for little reward, if you're lucky.

I'd take Beezerk's advice and just book another course yourself.

 

[Simbo]

Nope your not being unreasonable, it's infuriating when things like that happen, sadly there's probably not much you can do about it except spat them on their Facebook page or something. The small print will have their bums well covered I'd imagine. They will just pass you from pillar to post until you become totally fed up and give up.
Refusing you the buggies is pathetic though.

 

[HDID Kenny]

Thanks to all advise so far, I have today sent a further email to Golfbreaks (oops did I say that out loud) I will keep all up to date with outcome.

Regards Kenny

 

[Owen_Thomas_14]

I booked with Golfbreaks in October to go to Turnberry this February. I was told that 1 in 8 goes free so I got all the deposits and booked up. After a bit of math I realised they were trying to charge us for the 8 places and not the 7. I phoned them up and they tried to say that the deal only started in November not October... 🤔.

In the end I got the 1 place free but that was after a bit of persuasion. Always double check because they will try to screw you over 😡

 

[MadAdey]

As people have already said, these tour operators always have a fine print to cover their ass when things like this happen. Look into the course Tashboy mentioned. See if you can get them to sort you out with some preferential rates, maybe even throw in a free round for your friend.

Apart from that I don't think you are going to get much joy out of them. :angry:

 

[HDID Kenny]

Thanks to all advise so far, I have today sent a further email to Golfbreaks (oops did I say that out loud) I will keep all up to date with outcome.

Regards Kenny

One week has now passed since I sent my email to golf breaks with no responce, I sent a 2nd email yesterday asking for an update and acknowledge of my 1st email, no responce to that either. If I don't receive anything but Wednesday things will need to be escalated.