A family consisting of two adults and three children chose to spend three days at the seaside this year, during the Pentecost mini-vacation. People say that they had an experience that they will definitely not forget or repeat anytime soon.
The Saturn resort on the Romanian coast Source Arhiva Adevărul
They opted for Saturn – one of the resorts with the most affordable prices, according to ANAT – the National Association of Tourism Agencies: “We decided this year to go to Saturn with the kids, we haven’t been in about 25 years”.
For a hotel apartment with all inclusive they mentioned that they paid 2,850 lei for two nights. The whole stay turned out to be a “venture” or rather one “real fiasco”because of “repulsive attitudes towards tourists” of the hotel staff, “of services that left much to be desired” – aspects often mentioned when talking about the reasons why Romanians prefer to leave the country every summer, to the detriment of the Romanian coast.
Pățania was told on a group dedicated to holidays, on social networks, being intensely commented on by Internet users.
“Price discrimination” – tariff in online, different from the one at the reception
The all-inclusive offer at the hotel was found on Facebook, and correspondence with the staff was conducted on chat, and an advance of 1,600 lei was also paid, as the tourist who shared his experience told: “We were going to pay another 1,250 for accommodation. Total price 2,850, all inclusive, two adults and three children…”.
He and his family arrived at the hotel at dawn and they all went to the beach, so as not to waste time waiting for accommodation: “Around 10.30 we are notified that the apartment is ready, which, except for the water that was running from the bathtub in the bathroom, the drain that was rusty, the sofa bed that you said was breaking, a single chair on the balcony, the TV that caught fleas, no programs, it was ok as we are not demanding”.
Only when they wanted to settle down “the fun has begun”at the reception having all kinds of “surprises”: “We are asked for another 2,800 lei, apart from the advance… after long discussions and with the messages on the phone, eyes rolled over by the head receptionist, it is resolved… we only pay 1,250 lei (as much as was established initially – n.ed.)”.
Said experience is called “price discrimination”, the term is used when there are different rates for the same service, in this case for accommodation. The same practice is also found in the case of food, where it is called “double standard” and refers to the fact that the same product contains different ingredients depending on the country in which it is sold.
The all inclusive food, another “disappointment”, besides the staff
And “the inconveniences” they continued when it came to dining: “I knew we could go in with lunch and out with breakfast, from the chat. No such thing… it is not possible, we are told by the manager of the hotel… let’s thank him for already doing us a favor and checking us in earlier.”
But as the children were hungry – one being 2 years old and the other two being “more great” –and it’s hot outside, the parents decided to serve lunch for a fee: “If we want to eat lunch at their place, we have to pay 60 lei/adult and 35 lei/child, children under 8 are free.”
In the dining room the guard asked them “immediate receipt, not having wristbands”. People say lunch proved it too “new disappointment”: “Three courses, two soups, tomatoes, cucumbers and other colds. We sit down at the table… we take what we find and start eating… When I tasted the wings, I instantly wanted to throw up.. and believe me I’m not a glutton… We leave without eating more.. . in the hope that the evening will be better”.
Except that at dinner they claim that they had “surprise” to find some of the “lunch vegetables”But and “some uncooked spaghetti and penne the same, raw… we eat some uncooked polenta with cream and go to bed, because we are tired.”
“We go to town to eat, so as not to put the children to bed on empty stomachs”
Breakfast the next day is described as “quite varied”, from which “you had something to eat”which is why the little ones were advised to get enough, “that you never know what surprises await them later”.
Lunch took place under the same auspices as on the first day, and in the evening “repeated”: “Sunday dinner is coming – boiled potatoes, uncooked pasta, raw baked wings, bleeding pork chop schnitzel, dried chicken breast, the famous dill cream cheese, a must at any meal, be it breakfast , lunch or dinner. Therefore, we go to the city to eat in the evening, after paying all inclusive, this so that we don’t put the children to bed on empty stomachs”.
On the day of departure, they decided to pack immediately after breakfast, considering that they had a long, crowded road ahead of them, but already having lunch included (the one they had not received on the first day was scheduled for the day of third), at the reception, they asked to receive water and juice for the journey in exchange.
Again, I say they have “struck by the hostile attitude” of staff: “I am told, by the same manager, that she has nothing to help us, that it is our choice to leave without eating… Having the experience previous lunches, I say step, let’s eat at home, or get something from a gas station, let’s nibble until we get there”.
“Too bad for the hotel, it has potential…”
“Therefore, I thank the reception staff, the kitchen… who through the repulsive attitude towards tourists, I’m not just talking about me here… that they once again managed to drive us off the Romanian coast. It’s a pity for the hotel, that it has potential…”, said the disgruntled tourist.
Golden Rule on Vacation: Check Reviews
Many of those who commented on the post found themselves in this experience as a dissatisfied tourist, noting that similar reasons drove them away from Romanian tourism: “25 years ago I experienced something similar on the Romanian coast. Seasoned with maximum manels on the beach, terraces, and with 50 cm of algae in the water. I left after two days and vowed never to set foot there again. Not even for free.”
Several noted that the hotel establishment in question is not popular among tourists, having unfavorable reviews, and recalled the golden rule when planning a vacation or a trip with overnight accommodation, regardless of the chosen place – in the country or abroad : “As a tip for the future, it doesn’t hurt to take a look at the reviews of the hotel you’re about to book… On Google it has 3.5 (out of 5 – ed.)… and on Booking 7.5 (from 10 – n.ed.)”.
In the digital age we live in, rave reviews represent the voice of customers and help create a transparent environment in the hospitality industry, being an essential tool for travelers in the decision-making process. It provides valuable information, a real and unbiased perspective of former guests on services, facilities and experiences within an accommodation. Through them we find out the positives and negatives before making a booking.
“With the money from Saturn, you would have stayed in Greece or the Dolomites for five days”
Of those who commented, some noted that with the same budget, they could have enjoyed five days in Greece or the Dolomites (mountain range in Italy) “with breakfast included”.
“Money doesn’t save you in any situation and people like them are the reason why I no longer go to the country, to the sea!… It’s a shame that TikTok is full of videos about their offers and how cool they are!”, another netizen noted.
Another added: “The last three years I was at Eforie Nord, it wasn’t really that bad, but sometimes I noticed around me the carelessness of tourists and staff on the Romanian coast. Not to mention the mess on the beaches. This year, we are going to Cap Aurora, all inclusive, I hope it will be good, otherwise we will think twice when we want to go to the sea in Romania as well”.
“We’ve been hearing and seeing stories like this for 20 years”
“We’ve been hearing and seeing such stories for 20 years and we still don’t understand that it’s possible to avoid the bullying and harassment from us”, another netizen recalled. “Why do you keep coming to us? Seaside? I can’t understand that. It’s like going down a road where you’re sure to fall into a pothole every time, instead of taking another where you might fall, but you might not.” he also commented.
“In Bulgaria, even if your car is stolen, you still get out cheaper”
Many mentioned that for similar reasons, they choose the offers of their Bulgarian neighbors, despite the risks they are exposed to: “I wouldn’t go to the Romanian coast for anything in the world, and I’m glad that you told about the experience. Avoid the Romanian coast! The closest are the Bulgarians, who give the class to our hoteliers! And they have decent prices too… Your car gets stolen again, nothing notable. Otherwise, top – for the Bulgarians!… Maybe the car will pick up again, because those stolen things are history… and if they steal it, you still get out cheaper!”.
Historic Pentecost weekend with record receipts
Despite the complaints, the tourism authorities have admitted that the last mini-vacation represented “the best Pentecost weekend“ from the hotel history of the Romanian coast, with record receipts recorded, of which over 16 million euros from accommodation alone.
“All of Romania came to the sea”also remarked the employee of a restaurant on the beach, referring to the large number of tourists who chose to spend the period from June 22 to 24, 2024 on the coast.
Only this week there will be 70-80% lower rates, within the Program “The coast for all”, following that from July, they will be increased.
