Couple’s dream Jamaica holiday turned into nightmare after hotel became a building site
David Charlton and Shona Guthrie scrimped to fund their first holiday together to have it 'ruined' by hotel maintenance work
A COUPLE who dreamt their first holiday together would see them relaxing in luxurious surroundings has said hotel construction work made the reality like having "road works outside your front door".
David Charlton and Shona Guthrie, who have been a couple for four years, scrimped and saved to fund their first holiday together in Jamaica.
They planned a luxurious two week break at Thomson’s platinum Club Hotel RIU Ocho Rios, which is set in tropical gardens next to beautiful beaches.
But five days into their getaway loud drilling began as maintenance work was carried out on a pool under their balcony.
David, 32, said: "Our room was directly above the pool so we could not use the balcony.
"The drilling was so loud you had to go 200m down the beach to escape the noise."
David claimed that reps played loud music to mask the sound of drilling, making it impossible for him to find peace and quiet.
The window cleaner from Mansfield added: "It was like road works outside your front door. It was going on from 6.30am to dinner time.
"We had paid £2,500 for a relaxing nice holiday and I would not say it was that. It was a bit of a nightmare."
Shona 28 added: "I tried really hard not to let it consume me and ruin the whole holiday but there were times when I was close to tears.
"It was horrendous trying to have the holiday we had been looking forward to for so long."
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The couple said that although the hotel had another pool it was not big enough to accommodate all the guests, restricting their holiday activities.
David said he has asked travel operator Thomson Holidays to provide compensation for the "ruined" break.
But he claims all they have received is an upgrade to use an airport lounge when leaving the resort.
The couple are not the first to complain about deafening maintenance work at the resort.
Phil and Linda Coupe claimed the noise turned their dream holiday into a trip from hell.
Linda said: “We could hear the drilling everywhere.
“Even at night when it stopped we weren’t sure it had because the sound was ringing in our ears.
“We could still hear it when we got back home.”
In relation to Phil and Linda's complaint Thomson said “We’re sorry to hear of the inconvenience caused as a result of emergency maintenance works on the pool at the RIU Ochos Rios and the impact this had" and refunded half the cost of their holiday.
Thomson were contacted for comment in relation to David and Shona's holiday.
They said: "We're sorry to hear of Mr Charlton and Ms Gothrie’s experience. We will look in to this and get in direct contact to resolve the issue."