Harley Smith and Clint Parkhouse had planned a peaceful family getaway at the Littlesea Haven Holiday Park in Weymouth, Dorset. However, their stay turned into a nightmare after their caravan was infested with bugs, including mosquitos, flies, and wasps. The bugs covered their bedding and swarmed around the lights, making it impossible for them to stay.
Harley noticed a few bugs flying around the caravan when she started to tidy up while her husband was out with their two eldest children. Initially, she tried to shoo them out, but within minutes, the living room was filled with hundreds of flies. Concerned about the safety and hygiene of her family, Harley requested that the caravan be burned down due to the severity of the infestation.
Despite lodging a complaint with the park staff, Harley was only offered alternative, budget accommodation, which she found unsuitable. Frustrated and disappointed, the family decided to cut short their holiday and drove back home during the night, arriving at 1 am. This unexpected turn of events not only ruined their vacation but also cost Harley around £100 in non-refundable day trip expenses.
In response to the incident, Haven Holiday Park issued a full refund to the family and assured that the issue with the caravan was resolved by their maintenance team. They acknowledged that the accommodation did not meet their usual standards of cleanliness and apologised for the inconvenience caused to the guests.
Family Fund, the organisation that provided the grant for the family’s holiday, expressed regret over the unpleasant experience and confirmed that a full refund was promptly processed for the grant. They assured that the family could use the grant to rebook their holiday at a more suitable time and offered their support to address any concerns the family may have.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high cleanliness standards in holiday accommodations to ensure the safety and well-being of guests. It also highlights the need for effective communication and prompt resolution of issues to prevent such situations from escalating. As families look forward to relaxing breaks and memorable experiences, it is essential for holiday providers to uphold their commitments and deliver on their promises to create a positive and enjoyable stay for all guests.
