New Pool At Rex

[John Hill]

Hi

I have just received by letter and I quote.

In November we are closing the hotel to build a new larger swimming pool which will enhance the property and be ready for the New Year..

How’s about that the hotel sure needs a bigger pool. Good luck to the Rex Turtle Beach.

[Joanne]

My husband and I have booked to go to RTB in May 04 (with Virgin). I am really looking forward to this holiday, and am not an olympic swimmer, however, the pool did look rather small

How pleased I was to see your quote that a new larger pool is to be built.

Thanks to all who have posted reviews on RTB - Everyone seems to have had such a great time - I can't wait to get there

Just one question though (not about the pool). How strict is the evening dress code - Do men have to wear long trousers each night, or will 3/4 linen trousers and long shorts (smart ones) be okay?

[Nora]

Hi all, just to inform you that the rex is closed from november till dec 12 th due to extensive renevations. As such our holiday has been changed and we are now to stay in a sea view room at the tropkist. Looking at the mixed reviews i was a bit hesitant but i actually feel that the location may suit us better- being in close proximity to bars and eateries. Anyway im in tobago mode so what will be will be and i am determined to have an excellent holiday in tobago!

[Richard]

We have booked in at the Rex from 6th Dec and have heard nothing.

We are NOT willing to go else where though would go elsewhen.

[Richard]

'tis true. The Rex is closed 2 Nov to 12 Dec. Our holiday is postponed.

We just have to persude the holiday company that they need to help with the extra cost of going in Jan 2004. My little boy has a very good stare, I'll use him.

I would rather have expected a Caribbean Specialist company to know about this.

I phoned the travel agent yesterday, they didn't know (fair enough) but said they would phone travel company.

They did and travel company said they were specialists and the gent answering did all the Carib (Tobago) stuff and he knew the hotel was open. He checked and found out about the pool. Apols all round. We will get all our loot back.

[Glyn Kirpalani]

Hi Richard

Isn't it a bizarre kind of irony that on the one hand this excellent forum undoubtedly led to the Rex being shamed into building a bigger pool (since for 30 years previous to the internet criticism here it didn't bother), so in one way it could have spoiled your trip, but then the forum also rescued your trip totally by revealing the closure of the Rex to you where the agents failed?

Well done Steve again for running this forum - another hotel is having to pull its socks up due to you starting this chat-forum, plus another family has avoided a ruined trip (ie it seems they might have arrived with nowhere to sleep!).

January weather is usually nice anyway Richard so let's hope the agents do the decent thing and give you the same price for the Rex with bigger pool then - if they are ABTA registered then threaten them with a complaint under the ABTA arbitration scheme - ought to do the trick.

Glyn

[Richard]

We are trying to rebook in Jan but the Operators will not give us an even similar price. They want an extra £1200 since the original booking was a special autumn offer - really special, we'll sell you a holiday to a closed hotel.

We are now booking accomodation and flights separately since the best price we can get the op's can't upgrade the flight. This is now a couple of hundred more than the previous booking which probably is the difference in cost anyway. We wanted to get the booking made so we can get to Tobago and in now has to be Jan. (all to do with taking leave to the new year).

We will be contacting ABTA/ATOL, the consumer association and the operators MD. To say we are a little miffed is to put things mildly.

[Tim Green]

Richard,

Sorry to hear of your problems.

I obviously don't know what you were paying, but I recently booked to RTB for early Jan and paid , what I think to be, a very good price.

I would suggest giving Cosmos a call and you shouldn't pay anything over £2,500 (£1,250 per person) for 2 people, AI (all inclusive) for 14 nights. You could also try Tropical Places who should be able to beat that price.

I hope this helps... If not, I've paid over the odds!

Tim

[Richard]

We were quoted £2700 with Cosmos but they can't upgrade the flights for us. (We have a 9m baby with us so we want to be comfortable).

Our excellent travel agent (Toucan Travel) have found another way at £3000 including the upgrade providing they can get the rooms. We are hoping for this else we have to pay £3400.

We are just very disappointed with the operators who can't get their act together but are looking forward to being there. We will get there.

The first time we went I collapsed just after booking our honeymoon their. I collapsed again while there and we were flown to Miami for checks. OK now.

The second time I got an abscess on my back. Op in Basingstoke and my wife had to change dressing while there for the first week.

Now this...

[Tim Green]

Richard,

I would suggest contacting Tropical Places (0870 160 5017), they quoted (once I had already booked with Cosmos) £1179 per person, AI @ RTB, 14 nights departing 3rd Jan '04. That's before haggerling!

Let me know how you get on...

Best of Luck

Tim

[Richard]

Our brilliant travel agent (Sheila of Toucan Travel) has got us 14 days at the Rex from 17th Jan including the flight upgrade for just over £3100 for 2 adults and 1 infant.

This is somewhat less than the £3800 we were quoted without the upgrade.