The flight to Malta was smooth. We left Manchester on time and arrived at Luqa on a warm, velvety evening. The baggage was on the carousel when we arrived in the hall and in no time we were dispersing to our various destinations. There were 3 of us for the Riu Seabank, me and a couple. Having stayed there before and knowing my way around I strode, confidently, up to the reception desk.
I knew by his face that all was not well. The young man at the desk frowned and tapped away at his computer keyboard then he gulped and said, ''I'm sorry, Madam, there is a problem. The hotel is overbooked and you are booked into the Riviera for one night. You should have been told at the airport.'' I felt my blood pressure rising. ''I'm not going anywhere'', I said. ''I made this booking 6 months ago and I have been travelling for 7 hours. I am not travelling any further''. I knew the Riviera, a very nice hotel, was only 3 miles away but I was damned if I was getting in yet another minibus. He did a lot more tapping and he consulted his colleague. Finally, he said, ''We have a farmhouse at the back of the hotel. There is a room free there which you may have for the night. We will move you to your proper room tomorrow.'' Reluctantly, I agreed but I let it be known, very firmly, that I was far from pleased.
I spent the first night in the farmhouse, large but sparse, at least the bed was comfortable but the TV didn't work. Next morning I walked the 100 yards to the hotel and had breakfast; fresh fruit, bacon, egg and sausages, crusty rolls and butter and a large pot of coffee. They told me my room would be ready at 12. At 12 on the dot I went to reception and got my new key. My room, on the 2nd floor overlooking the pool, was lovely, got the sun on the balcony all day and had a kingsized bed. At 12.10 my bags were brought to my room and I was home at last. I quickly unpacked, donned a bikini, lathered myself with sun-cream and pushed my bed to the open patio door. By 12.45 I was snoozing, happily, in the Maltese sunshine.
Later that day the travel company rep, Stefan, asked to see me. He apologised profusely for the débacle of the previous night, which he blamed on the hotel, and gave me £25 compensation for the inconvenience. I was satisfied.
I knew by his face that all was not well. The young man at the desk frowned and tapped away at his computer keyboard then he gulped and said, ''I'm sorry, Madam, there is a problem. The hotel is overbooked and you are booked into the Riviera for one night. You should have been told at the airport.'' I felt my blood pressure rising. ''I'm not going anywhere'', I said. ''I made this booking 6 months ago and I have been travelling for 7 hours. I am not travelling any further''. I knew the Riviera, a very nice hotel, was only 3 miles away but I was damned if I was getting in yet another minibus. He did a lot more tapping and he consulted his colleague. Finally, he said, ''We have a farmhouse at the back of the hotel. There is a room free there which you may have for the night. We will move you to your proper room tomorrow.'' Reluctantly, I agreed but I let it be known, very firmly, that I was far from pleased.
I spent the first night in the farmhouse, large but sparse, at least the bed was comfortable but the TV didn't work. Next morning I walked the 100 yards to the hotel and had breakfast; fresh fruit, bacon, egg and sausages, crusty rolls and butter and a large pot of coffee. They told me my room would be ready at 12. At 12 on the dot I went to reception and got my new key. My room, on the 2nd floor overlooking the pool, was lovely, got the sun on the balcony all day and had a kingsized bed. At 12.10 my bags were brought to my room and I was home at last. I quickly unpacked, donned a bikini, lathered myself with sun-cream and pushed my bed to the open patio door. By 12.45 I was snoozing, happily, in the Maltese sunshine.
Later that day the travel company rep, Stefan, asked to see me. He apologised profusely for the débacle of the previous night, which he blamed on the hotel, and gave me £25 compensation for the inconvenience. I was satisfied.