A mum says she's unlikely to go back to Center Parcs after arriving on a £1,100 holiday to be greeted by a patio covered in bird excrement. Daniela Sponder had travelled with her husband and two children from Croydon, south east London.
When they arrived at the holiday site in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire after a 180-mile drive last month they entered their lodge, which had cost extra as it was near a lake. But Daniela, 35, who is mum to a two-year-old son and now 16-week-old daughter, was horrified at the filth outside.
Daniela, who works in HR, raised a complaint with guest services on the site, and said she was told it would be sorted within 24 hours and it would be jet-washed. That time came and went, and Daniela raised the issue again, reports NottinghamshireLive.
Workers then did come to clean it, but it was cleaned using a bucket, mop and bleach, said Daniela. She was left furious that bleach was used in an area where her children would have played.
She said: "When they arrived with that, I thought are you having a laugh? The equipment was completely inadequate, with inappropriate methods used, there was a lack of common sense and it's a massive health and safety hazard.
"Even when we got to the lodge and saw the bird poo, I understand we were near a lake and it can get dirty very quickly, but I just wanted there to be the highest standard of cleaning possible and it was filthy. There was no chance my children were going anywhere near that. It was a bit of a disappointing trip in that sense.
"We were really looking forward to it, as we couldn't go abroad this year because of the birth of my daughter, it suited us well and it was a little adventure. But since all that happened, it's put us right off ever going back."
After coming home from their holiday on July 8, Daniela raised a complaint with Center Parcs, but says she has been left "disgusted" at how it has been handled. She wants a "sincere apology" from Center Parcs.
Daniela said: "I did receive a response from them, saying that the situation was out of their control, but I thought 'that's not good enough', and wanted to escalate it to management. But I don't believe this was done and I don't think it was handled in the appropriate manner.
"It's all well and good when money is taken, but basic safety and hygienic matters were not taken into consideration. We're talking about young children being able to play outside but they can't because of the bleach."
Center Parcs has been approached for comment by NottinghamshireLive.
