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It’s too bloody hot today.
What are my air cooling options, better than a regular fan but cheaper than an actual a/c unit?
Someone was going on about a tower fan that uses ice packs and a tank of cold water. Sounded a bit gimmicky to me
Hi all,
Looking for some advice on whether I should accept a partial refund from Agoda or proceed with a chargeback via Amex.Stayed 2 nights at Atlantis Royal in Dubai, booked via Agoda on a rate advertised as dinner included.
It was an awful stay due to a number of issues:
•At check-in another customer swore at me for pointing out that there was a queue. Reported immediately to management but guest allowed to stay and no meaningful action taken.
•Leak from shower tray pooling water into the room –Reported multiple times over 2 days but not properly resolved.
•The “dinner included” rate turned out to be £60pp which barely covered a main course at most of the restaurants.
• Hotel offered to change the restaurant for the second night to the buffet restaurant which was not on included list of restaurants after I complained. Hotel provided a sweets amenity and drop off to my next hotel for the other issues. Small token gestures not much in value.I tried checking out early on the day i checked in due to the issues and bumping into the other guest who swore at me. Hotel refused Agoda to let me checkout early.
Agoda offered a compensation of 20% of the total stay. I pushed back to get the first night refunded but they have refused.
Has anyone here had success going the chargeback route for service issues like this or is it better to take Agoda’s refund and move on?
Thanks!
@Rpat1 – from the description you give, I don’t think you have real grounds to ask for a refund of as much as one night and you have no grounds at all for a chargeback as you received the accommodation service you paid for (Visa already blocks these sorts of claims entirely) even if you were dissatisfied. Any s75 claim is complicated by the fact that you booked via an agent, thus breaking the debtor-creditor link.
You can’t really blame the hotel for the conduct of other guests – I’m afraid swearing is pretty common and I don’t know what sanction you seriously expected the hotel to impose on the swearer based on your complaint alone. It is totally standard for half board rates (although here was it not actually a “dinner credit” rather than HB?) to have some sort of spend cap or special set menu rather than offer a free run of the à la carte offer and is something you could have ascertained up front. The leaking shower tray obviously shouldn’t happen but isn’t so dramatic; could you not have moved rooms?
It’s too bloody hot today.
What are my air cooling options, better than a regular fan but cheaper than an actual a/c unit?
Someone was going on about a tower fan that uses ice packs and a tank of cold water. Sounded a bit gimmicky to me
Personally I think those air cooler fans with ice pack are a waste of time. They don’t really do much more than just an ordinary fan. Mobile aircon works better but isn’t that cheap
@JDB I understand swearing isn’t an uncommon thing, but it’s actually illegal in the UAE and results in jail time/fines. I didn’t expect the guest to be arrested but some basic safeguarding or consideration from such a luxury hotel was expected.
Changing rooms due to the leaking shower tray wasn’t an option. After informing housekeeping and 2 duty managers, 7 hours later someone came to sort the issue. I was checking out the following morning but the issue was still persistent.
Half board credit – My issue on this was with Agoda as there was no mention of credit. It was sold as dinner included but the restaurants (all Michelin star) could not offer a full meal in the credit limit. A set menu for those on half board is acceptable as I have seen this done many times before, however this was not the case. Upon checking the hotel website, they make it clear they offer and dining credit not half board or dinner included. Agoda should do the same so that guests are aware and not mislead.
It sounds as though the Atlantis is rather overpriced, even for Dubai, as well as attracting an uncouth clientele! We had a similar package at Grosvenor House where it was a choice of set menu or a credit towards a la carte in several restaurants. The set menus were great value, however, and included plenty of options which were also on the a la carte.
Sadly it seems to be very common these days for people to resort to personal abuse in response to any kind of challenge. In which language were you sworn at? I’m just wondering if Dubai law only covers Arabic swear words!
I agree that Agoda should make this clear and would probably push for them to clarify this. I think the 20& offer is worth accepting though.
I’ve just had a quick look on Agoda, out of interest, and Atlantis the Royal isn’t even coming up as an option.
It’s too bloody hot today.
What are my air cooling options, better than a regular fan but cheaper than an actual a/c unit?
Someone was going on about a tower fan that uses ice packs and a tank of cold water. Sounded a bit gimmicky to me
Just bite the bullet and get proper integrated a/c units in all bedrooms in your home. You will not regret it.
We use it more and more every year.@NorthernLass seems like the hotel has been removed in the last few hours. I checked Agoda this morning to recheck how the packages are stated and it was still clearly labelled as dinner included. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are making no the wording more clear and make it available again.
@NorthernLass The clientele at the Atlantis Royal were shocking. I only stayed a couple of nights for the experience but it was probably one of the worst decisions I’ve made. I think I’ll stick with Jumeirah and St Regis Downtown in the future.
Is it still full of influencers and entitled morons, years later?
@Stu_N thank you! Brilliant so far and the weather is ideal – sunny and 19, so great for walking around. We flew into Seattle on Friday morning and had two nights there then caught the Clipper to Victoria yesterday morning. What’s your trip itinerary? We were in Vancouver for three nights in January 2024 but aren’t going there on this trip. We’re on VI until Saturday then flying to Calgary to visit Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff and finish in Calgary for the Stampede, 2.5 weeks in total.
One night in Vancouver when we arrive, then pick up a car following afternoon. Heading to Whistler for a couple of days then onto Vancouver Island. 3 nights in Victoria, 3 nights further north (somewhere past Naniamo). Back to mainland and long drive to Okanagan Lake for a week, then back to Vancouver for one night before flight home. Temperatures around the ocean sound about ideal, might be a bit hot inland….
Saving Rockies proper for another trip, assuming we like it of course. LOL!
I have a fan that looks like a solid pair of headphones. You sling it round your neck and it pumps out cool air. Recharges rather than batteries. Cost about £16 from Amazon. It really does work and leaves your hands free.
Is it still full of influencers and entitled morons, years later?
It absolutely is, you walk in and it’s full of the influencers and wannabes. Worst kind of crowd to run into in Dubai!
What are my air cooling options, better than a regular fan but cheaper than an actual a/c unit?
There’s nothing in between. But the type and size of fan can make a difference – a ceiling fan directly above your bed will cool what it’s pointed at by about 4 degrees relative to the room temperature. They also don’t need to be stored anywhere or take up floor space, and there are some decent looking designs out there.
If you are thinking of installing an a/c unit, consider where it will be placed and where you will need the cooling (bedroom? Hallway? Landing? Lounge area?) – you may decide that one a/c unit will be pointless for your home and that you may need two or more.
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