Latest posts for the topic "Was about to book but this came to light......."

Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:59:03 GMT

Well, after much thinking, i had finally decided where we were going to go for New years week.
Montgenevre.
I had chosen a nice apartment, Le Hameau des Airelles, with Crystal and all looked well until i read few comments on trip advisor. People were saying that if you arrived before the check in time of 4pm you were required to pay 26 Euros to gain access to your room even if it was ready.
They seem quite happy for you to sit in reception with your bags until 4pm if you chose to to pay this fee.
I find this quite difficult to swallow so i wrote on Crystal Ski's Facebook for clarification....

Me

Hi Guys,

I am just about to book for Le Hameau des Airelles, Montgenevre for next season but am a little concerned about some of the reports i am reading.
Previous guests have stated that they had to pay a 26 Euro charge to get into their rooms before 4pm. Is this correct?
If you are flying/driving us into resort earlier than this i do not want to be left hanging around.
thanks

Crystal Ski

Hi Jon, I completely understand your concern. We've asked the team out in resort to look into your specific query and will come back to you as soon as we can.

Crystal Ski

Hi Jon, yes it is true that the operator of the apartments does charge a fee of 26 euros for early check-in, however it would depend on what time the you arrive as to exactly what happens. The reception is closed between 12pm and 3pm and any early check in can only be organised through reception. If you arrive after 12pm and before 3pm there is the option of using baggage storage which is available when you arrive.

Our brochure does state that check-in is not guaranteed until 5pm but we have made arrangements for the dropping off of baggage with this specific hotel given the period when the reception is closed.

After reception is open again after 3pm there might be the possibility of being able to check-in before 5pm but this will depend on whether your specific room has been cleaned and is ready for you. I would suggest this is seen as a bonus (if it were to happen) rather than an expectation.

I hope that goes some way to allay any concerns you may have but do please feel free to ask any further questions should you have any. Thanks.

Me

Thanks for the quick response but I have to say that I find that quite appalling. Closing a reception between 12-3 on transfer day is simply shocking and requesting an additional fee for check in before 4pm is scandalous. I have never heard of such a policy before and I shall not be booking on the strength of this.
I would suggest that it is in your interest to find other apartments for your clients as these are getting a really bad name.

What do you think to this????

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:10:07 GMT

Well done Snapzz.

The power of research, and someone who can ask the right questions after seeing something a bit puzzling.

I expect crystal just rely on travellers not reading the small print or assuming that it is one of those bits just to cover themselve.

I am really quite amazed that a reception shuts on transfer day at all. And, while I can understand the need to not guarantee occupancy - sods law the first arrival will be after someone left half an hour late with their apartment in a state and several things broken - I would have thought that getting punters in as quickley as possible would have been to everyones benefit.

On our journey to Serre Chevalier with Crystal we dropped some people of at these apartments and the rep left the bus here with them. Wonder if he knew there would be issues as we arrived there about 1.00pm?

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:13:03 GMT

BTW they have deleted my posts on their Facebook page.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:18:51 GMT

:(

What, the entire question? That's a bit out of order.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:21:28 GMT

Far Queue wrote: :(

What, the entire question? That's a bit out of order.

YEP, i guess they have something to hid or be ashamed of.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:23:10 GMT

Snapzzz, I just looked and I can see the entire question and answer sequence still on their page.

Are you sure you don't just have facebook to only display certain things on their page? You need to ensure the display posts from everyone option near the top is selected or you tend to only see the posts started by Crystal or the most recent posts.

I just liked your final comment to demonstrate.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:23:51 GMT

But they can't get the tripadvisor comments removed.

but after reading FQ's response maybe they aren't trying to hide this info.
After all - many people won't see any problem with this type of reception and room occupancy detail.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:26:39 GMT

Far Queue wrote:Snapzzz, I just looked and I can see the entire question and answer sequence still on their page.

Are you sure you don't just have facebook to only display certain things on their page? You need to ensure the display posts from everyone option near the top is selected or you tend to only see the posts started by Crystal or the most recent posts.

I just liked your final comment to demonstrate.

Arrrrrrrrr.....ooops....sorry guys, my mistake.....wrong settings on the Facebook page......its still there.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:13:11 GMT

It's very interesting building up a total cost for a holiday, especially one that involves skiing and everything that goes with it.

We've just booked our first catered chalet for new year. It's not exactly cheap but they are very happy for people to check in early (even including breakfast!) and leave their bags in the chalet to allow skiing that day. On the last day, again we can leave our bags in the chalet and ski until 4pm and may even be allowed to have a shower before heading off.

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of tour operator holidays but can see the benefit that it is a "one stop shop" exercise.

I did briefly entertain a Nielson holiday last year but was most unimpressed when I was told that the weekly cost was circa GBP150 more pp than the brochure stated.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:33:10 GMT

Snapzzz,
The agency that we use for our cottages here in the U.K. has a policy of not letting holidaymakers into the cottages before 3 p.m. In fact, it's usually quite a rush to get them ready in time.

But if holidaymakers turn up early I allow them to leave their luggage, and in exceptional circumstances (like if they're elderly or it's bucketing down rain or something) to wait in the cottage whilst I clean around them.

However, I do think it's very bad that Crystal don't make it clear in their brochure or on the web that the apartment you wanted to book isn't normally ready before 5 p.m. or that the reception shuts at midday and doesn't open until 3 p.m.

It would have been awful if you'd turned up early and everything was shut. I have found that if you book the apartment directly yourself with P&V they will send you this sort of information in their pack - but only after you've booked. Whereas when we booked through Igluski they didn't tell us any of this vital information, even when I phoned to ask.

When we went to Val Thorens we discovered that on Saturdays the sports hall becomes a huge left luggage centre, and they let you use the toilets etc. so we could leave our luggage there whilst we skied.

And when we were in Courchevel 1550 the manager of the residence let us leave our baggage on the balcony.

But the apartment block Les Ravines where we last stayed in Meribel was the best for this. They had a huge left luggage room with shower and toilets handy by so that people could leave their luggage there either when they arrived early or if they skied the final Saturday. And there was no charge for this.

Incidentally, we stayed in a Mercure in Bristol and they had a similar policy with regard to paying extra for early check-in (or late checking-out).

If you e-mailed the tourist board there might be somewhere you could leave your luggage in Montgenevre, like in Val Thorens, with changing facilities.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:03:46 GMT

I have vowed never to book a holiday with Crystal again, after an incident with them a few years back. Similar small print situation. Argument with them at airport ended up with rep threatening to call Security. So I'm not a great fan and not surprised they've removed your post.
Conversely, the reps and hotel owners with Neilson went way beyond what you'd expect when my son was hospitalised after a ski accident in Italy. They went out of their way to visit him, be available as interpreters, and help with the return home.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:18:50 GMT

Crystal don't seem to have the best reputation? Tony also says their chalet food is pants!

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 05:47:38 GMT

No its not pants, its straight out of a rubbish bin. Pants would be quite tasty compared to their efforts.

I have to say Crystal are NOT gaining a great reputation for ski holidays. I'm sure plenty of people have had good ones, but they cannot deal with things when people complain or don't like it.

I had awful trouble getting them to acknowledge there was even an issue at all when I wrote to them after out experience of their chalet in Mayrhofen. They refused to accept the staff were an issue, or that the bedroom was dirty, even after I photographed dead insects under the bed.

As for this issue with apartments, nothing surprises me about France in this way. We had a similar experience in VT after travelling all night by train. Got there at 8am and could not get to rooms until 3pm and they would not guarantee security for leaving bags so someone had to stay with them all the time. This was a P&V run property so maybe its actually not a Crystal issue here?

But you'd expect Crystal to make sure someone manned reception on transfer day. Probably saved you a bit of grief not booking in the end, you'll find something else and probably better.
You sure about Montgenevre Snapzz?

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:37:41 GMT

Tony_H wrote:
You sure about Montgenevre Snapzz?

Well not now!

My point is this. I pay Crystal not PV, simple as that. Crystal should put pressure on these owners to be more accommodating to their guests who they choose to fly out in the morning. As far as i am concerned my holiday starts once i check in at the airport and after paying 2K for that week i would not expect to be left hanging about for a room that is READY just because the operators want to make a few extra quid or take a break on the weeks busiest day. Its called customer service.

I thought Montgenevre as it looks family friendly with a good selection of green runs for mrs Snapzzz and a some decent stuff for myself. With it being New Year i can see it being less crowded that some of the bigger resorts, which is important.
I have looked at some of the other 'greener' resorts such as Valmorel, La Clusaz, and Vars etc... but they are a risk with being low down.
I am planning 'MY' trip in feb and will prob do PDS or VDI but for new year i need something for the girls and right now i think we may be returning to Belle Plagne, they liked it there.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:57:06 GMT

Snapzzz,
As you said, I reckon it's an issue with Crystal rather than P&V.

I mean, Crystal should time their flights to match in with the time the accommodation opens. Otherwise, where do they expect you to go whilst you wait?

Crystal needs to negotiate with P&V so that guests arriving on the early flights get the rooms that are cleaned first and make sure the reception is open to meet the coach.

I suspect with P&V it's not an issue with their French guests as in my experience most of these seem to drive to the resort (and hence their luggage is in their own car), so they could easily go somewhere else for a bit whilst they wait for the accommodation to open if they arrive early - as indeed my guests generally do (they go to the beach or out for lunch or something).

Anyway - I hope you and the family have a good time in Belle Plagne if that's where you decide to go :D

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 21:37:44 GMT

We have been to Vars for the last 4 New Years and every year have had excellent snow and sunshine! There are some great long blues and some more challenging reds and blacks.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 22:00:44 GMT

AllyG wrote:

I mean, Crystal should time their flights to match in with the time the accommodation opens. Otherwise, where do they expect you to go whilst you wait?

:D

Clearly you do not understand how a tour op works.

Crystal do not own an airline. Nor can they dictate when that airline flys. They often charter Thomson flights, but the airline gets given their slots and doesnt have a great deal of choice.
Each flight has people going to different resorts, different hotels.
Therefore it would never ever be possible for them to organise a flight to coincide with a reception opening time.

The issue here is with PV as they should damn well open their reception when guests arrive.

Simples.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 22:18:52 GMT

DIY never a problem :thumbup:

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:46:15 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:DIY never a problem :thumbup:

Still depends on flight times, or you're forced to arrive when they can be arsed to open their poxy reception.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 15:53:17 GMT

Within reason the tour op does chose the flight time when they charter a flight especially if they are chartering the whole flight.

You would think that Crystal have enough muscle to ensure that their clients can check in when arriving in resort, even if the accom isn't quite ready - to close reception on change over day is barking.

P&V in Flaine texted us when our apartment was ready when we arrived early each of the 3 years we were there. We could leave luggage and go off and sort out passes etc.. or even ski.

Don't know why any of you are surprised by Crystal - they were rap when I did my seasons in the 1990s, and as a mass market operator run a numbers game, ahead of quality.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:42:11 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:DIY never a problem :thumbup:

Still depends on flight times, or you're forced to arrive when they can be arsed to open their poxy reception.

Simple as...... don't use them, with DIY when you book your apartment you are told that you can have access at something o clock you then book your flight accordingly. Never had a problem getting into an apartment on arrival with a DIYer.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:47:38 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

I have to say Crystal are NOT gaining a great reputation for ski holidays.

I

Would you also include First Choice and Thompson with these as they all seem to come under the umbrella of Tui now or do you find that each operator is still run as a different empire?

We booked with First Choice but had a Crystal rep, in the past we've booked with First Choice and had a First Choice rep.

I find it all quite confusing.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:05:36 GMT

NellyPS wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

I have to say Crystal are NOT gaining a great reputation for ski holidays.

I

Would you also include First Choice and Thompson with these as they all seem to come under the umbrella of Tui now or do you find that each operator is still run as a different empire?

We booked with First Choice but had a Crystal rep, in the past we've booked with First Choice and had a First Choice rep.

I find it all quite confusing.

All First choice ski holidays are handled by Crystal but i think first choice have their own reps for their summer hols.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:07:48 GMT

I have friends staying at Le Hameau des Airelles from next saturday. I have just sent them the link to this thread. I will post any feedback I get from them before they leave.....or when they get there!

Like NellyPS stated, I have become extremely confused over which reps and travel companies are 'in bed with eachother' so to speak. One thing I have noticed year on year though is that the service any of them provide is lessening in quality each year.

Time for all of them to step up to the plate if you ask me.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:08:51 GMT

twofish wrote:I have friends staying at Le Hameau des Airelles from next saturday. I have just sent them the link to this thread. I will post any feedback I get from them before they leave.....or when they get there!

That will be interesting. Thanks

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:04:51 GMT

twofish wrote:I have friends staying at Le Hameau des Airelles from next saturday. I have just sent them the link to this thread. I will post any feedback I get from them before they leave.....or when they get there!

Like NellyPS stated, I have become extremely confused over which reps and travel companies are 'in bed with eachother' so to speak. One thing I have noticed year on year though is that the service any of them provide is lessening in quality each year.

Time for all of them to step up to the plate if you ask me.

We should set up a J2Ski holiday company, I'm sure we'd offer top quality holidays with excellent service ;)

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:00:23 GMT

IN case people dont know:

Thomas Cook ski trips are operated by Neilson, usually using T Cook flights but may include other charters.

Inghams are their own crowd, but part of the same group as SkiTotal and Esprit Ski so they often share hotels.

Thomson and First Choice ski holidays are under the Crystal name. I did a First Choice ski holiday a few years ago and they had their own rep, but now F Choice only do all inclusive holidays. Thomson are the airline of choice, but again they often use other airlines as well. You'll find the reps will be Crystal but I have seen some Thomson reps in some resorts last year.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:07:16 GMT

"IN case people dont know:"......it is still as clear as mud!

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:09:22 GMT

twofish wrote:"IN case people dont know:"......it is still as clear as mud!

Thomas Cook Group - ski holidays are Neilson

TUI Group - ski holidays are Crystal

Is it the way I write it, or are you being dim??? :wink:

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:44:28 GMT

Crystal Transfer day is on a Sunday - French change-over day is on a Saturday. I would be very surprised if the apartments weren't ready by 5pm the evening before your arrival.

Dealing with the agencies in France is not always as we would want. Outside of the main holidays they all have lunch for 2-3 hours, even on change-over days.

It is sometimes a rush to get an apartment ready in time for our guest's arrival time, but you are right, if Crystal had a good relationship with the team at the Hameaux, they would easily get around the problem.

The charge PV are making sounds cynical at best. Either the room is ready or it isn't.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:21:45 GMT

Volf wrote:Crystal Transfer day is on a Sunday - French change-over day is on a Saturday.

Sorry to be pedantic, but thats completely untrue.

Transfer days are NORMALLY Saturdays for flights into Austria, France and Switzerland with the tour ops.

However, some flights can be Sundays into France including Flybe and Monarch charters, depending on the tour op.

Italian flights are Sundays in the main.

It is not relevant who the tour op is as to the day of the flight/transfer/changeover day. Its all down to the country and airport you're flying in to.

For example, I flew into Chambery in Jan with SkiTotal and it was a Sunday, whereas Chambery flights are usually a Saturday generally.

If you travel to somewhere like Serre Chevalier, you will go on a Saturday if its a Grenoble flight, Sunday if its a Turin flight.

Hope that helps.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:30:44 GMT

We're discussing Montgenevre and Crystal transfer day is therefore into Turin on Sunday as you have stTed

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:18:53 GMT

They have just come back to me and stated the are going to investigate further but did point out i would have full use of the pool while i waited and also explore the town.
Now it may just be me but after a long day traveling i just want to get into my room, unpack, relax and THEN go out and get a beer and food. The pool is simply not on my agenda for my first hour in resort.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:45:52 GMT

Yep...we had one day's free use of the pool/leisure centre thingy in Val d"isere but I just couldn't be bothered!

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:21:44 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:They have just come back to me and stated the are going to investigate further but did point out i would have full use of the pool while i waited and also explore the town.
Now it may just be me but after a long day traveling i just want to get into my room, unpack, relax and THEN go out and get a beer and food. The pool is simply not on my agenda for my first hour in resort.

Unbelievable.

Like that would be important :roll:

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:18:51 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

twofish wrote:"IN case people dont know:"......it is still as clear as mud!

Thomas Cook Group - ski holidays are Neilson

TUI Group - ski holidays are Crystal

Is it the way I write it, or are you being dim??? :wink:

I think your first post was dimly worded, the second is more succinct. :)

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:54:45 GMT

twofish wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

twofish wrote:"IN case people dont know:"......it is still as clear as mud!

Thomas Cook Group - ski holidays are Neilson

TUI Group - ski holidays are Crystal

Is it the way I write it, or are you being dim??? :wink:

I think your first post was dimly worded, the second is more succinct. :)

I didn't see any dim words being used in my first post :shock:

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:23:51 GMT

Ok, confusingly worded then.

You winked, I smiled.....then you go all :shock: :shock: :shock:

Relax.....don't take things too seriously!

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:04:30 GMT

twofish wrote:Ok, confusingly worded then.

You winked, I smiled.....then you go all :shock: :shock: :shock:

Relax.....don't take things too seriously!

I don't. I was only trying to be helpful. Its really not very difficult to work out who's who's ski arm in the travel business.

Wink, roll eyes, smile, kiss, wave.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:43:42 GMT

I visited their nearest competition yesterday (Chalet des Dolines) and they have a 17.00 check-in policy as well. They offer a left-luggage area; changing facilities should you want to go skiing and use of the pool - BUT check-in is still 17.00 - oh... and Saturday to Saturday only.

In the old village, rooms would certainly be ready for a Sunday arrival...whatever the time - but again, these are only available in quieter periods, otherwise it's all Saturday to Saturday form 16.00.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 19:34:40 GMT

I gave up on Crystal, Last Choice and Neilson years ago, all want to charge for any little change which is a nightmare when organising groups. Service in resort leaves a lot to be desired too.
Skiworld are the only decent sized operator that seem to care about the customer. Which is why 10 years on we're still going back.

Re:Was about to book but this came to light.......

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 22:10:32 GMT

andyhull wrote:I gave up on Crystal, Last Choice and Neilson years ago, all want to charge for any little change which is a nightmare when organising groups. Service in resort leaves a lot to be desired too.
Skiworld are the only decent sized operator that seem to care about the customer. Which is why 10 years on we're still going back.

I liked Skiworld. But very restricted where you can go, unless you particularly like France.