US hotel closure mars couple’s anniversary trip

A couple who planned a dream holiday to America to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary say it turned sour when they arrived to find their hotel had closed.

Mr Mick Cassidy, 65, and Mrs Gloria Cassidy, 60, of Bridge Court, Balderton, booked the £1,800 fortnight holiday through Ilkeston Co-Operative Travel.

Because it was a special anniversary they paid for an upgraded room with a kingsize double bed and whirlpool bath at the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites, Orlando.

When they arrived in the USA they sought out a travel rep, only to be told their hotel was no longer open.

It took four hours for them to be found an alternative hotel by which time their booked transfer travel had gone and they had to pay $80 for a taxi ride.

“I couldn’t stop crying,” said Mrs Cassidy.

“We were tired and just wanted to go to the hotel room that we had been looking forward to.”

Their problems continued the next day when they were told the alternative hotel had only been booked for them for one night and they needed to find another one for the rest of their holiday.

The hotel staff persuaded them to go out while they tried to resolve the situation, but Mrs Cassidy said they could not enjoy themselves because of the worry.

They were finally found another hotel but the couple said the room was basic and nothing like the one they were looking forward to.

“We did make the best of it because it was a special anniversary but we ended up in a small motel room,” Mrs Cassidy said.

On their return the couple complained to Co-Op Holidays.

They were sent a letter of apology and a £240 travel voucher in compensation.

Mr and Mrs Cassidy said they were unhappy because they were told their taxi fare would be refunded, and they had hoped to receive cash compensation for the difference between the hotel room they booked and the one they ended up in.

A spokesman for Ilkeston Co-Operative Travel said the refund had been made in holiday vouchers initially to ensure security through the post and in line with standard practice.

She said they were happy to arrange a cash payment as requested by the couple.

She said: “We are sorry that Mr and Mrs Cassidy suffered disruption to the start of their holiday. By way of an apology we have refunded the cost for two nights’ accommodation and offered an additional payment as a gesture of goodwill.”