A New Zealand couple have been left distraught after they were promised a five-star luxury holiday but ended up with a hotel room looking out onto a car park.
Bex Rowling and Stu Koch purchased a $1,500 Air New Zealand Mystery trip in June and were promised a ‘great New Zealand destination’ for three nights in ‘deluxe’ four to five star accommodation.
But what was to unfold turned into the holiday from hell for the Hamilton couple.
Bex Rowling (left) and Stu Koch (right) purchased an Air New Zealand Mystery trip in June and were promised a ‘great New Zealand destination’ for three nights in ‘deluxe’ four to five star accommodation
The pair splashed out nearly $1,500 on the holiday but were disappointed with the mediocre aspects of their hotel and destination
The first disappointment was their destination – New Zealand’s most southern town, Invercargill.
‘I said to Stu ‘What the F is this?’ Ms Rowling told Stuff, revealing her conversation with her partner when arriving in the city.
‘I actually burst into tears because I’d been looking forward to [the holiday] since June. Then we got to the accommodation and, looking it from the outside, I said “oh my God”,’ she said.
She was distraught with the basic nature of the room, especially after taking a well-earned rest from her duties caring for her disabled son.
The pair took photos of their room detailing its bland and basic decor and also showed off their bedroom view – several industrial buildings and a car park.
Having expected views of rolling hills and spa-like pampering, they immediately called Air New Zealand but said their response was in tune with the mediocre service they had endured with the holiday.
The couple were left distraught after they were promised a five-star luxury holiday but ended up with a hotel room looking out onto a car park (pictured)
In their efforts to make it up to the fed up couple, the airline asked the hotel to upgrade them to another room, but were unable to satisfy their desires
In their efforts to make it up to the fed up couple, the airline asked the hotel to upgrade them to another room, but were unable to satisfy their desires.
The couple packed their bags and instead drove to Queenstown and shelled out a further $210 on another hotel.
‘I don’t think anybody should be ripped off like that,’ Rowling said.
‘We could have flown to the Pacific Islands for that price or straight to Queenstown and chosen our own accommodation. The whole thing was a major disappointment.’
A spokeswoman for Air New Zealand said their full payment had been reimbursed following their less than satisfactory trip.
‘We’re really sorry this Mystery Break didn’t meet the customer’s expectations and have offered a full refund as a gesture of goodwill,’ she said.
A spokeswoman for Air New Zealand said their full payment had been reimbursed following their less than satisfactory trip