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Mar-Ski’s El Sorrall apartments, several other hotels in Blanes fine Dutch tourists

VisitBlanes.com • Item 27 • Posted: August 12, 2005

More articles on this topic: Blanes, Blanes News, Costa Brava News and Reviews, Where to Stay

Talking on the grass? €400 fine. Sheets dirty after two weeks of use? €180 fine. The penalty for spilling some champagne spilled on the balcony? Kicked out of your room and forced to sleep on the beach.

The web site of Dutch newspaper, “De Telegraaf,” on Sunday Aug. 12, 2006 carried two stories about seemingly arbitrary fines leveled by some Blanes hotels and apartment complexes against tourists who allegedly break house rules.

The paper quotes in particular vacationers who stayed at the El Sorrall Apartments, which are part of Hotel Mar-Ski at Passeig de S’Abanell in Blanes. Six young tourists celebrated someone’s birthday by opening a bottle of champagne on the balcony of their apartment.

When the cork popped, some of the foam flew of the balcony. Within a few minutes the night porter arrived. He gave the young friends five minutes to clear out - just enough time to grab a sweater, phones and money.

The young people were forced to spend the night on the beach. The next day, Dunia (no last name given), head of management for Mar Ski and El Sorrall told the guests that they would only be allowed back in their apartment after paying a €150 fine.

According to the Telegraaf many guests of El Sorrall have forced their travel agencies to find them accommodation in other hotels or apartments. Many of them complain about the arbitrary fines as well as what is said to be the night porter’s heavy-handed approach.

The paper says Dutch tour operator Peter Langhout Reizen has warned El Sorrall’s management that it needs to address these issues.

One Dutch tourist recites how she and her friends arrived back at El Sorrall at 3 AM, only to be met by the night porter who wanted to read them the house rules. The young visitors went to their rooms instead, and claim that the night porter then entered their locked rooms using his passkey. “After this incident we understood why guests refer to him as ‘the terrorist,’” says the holiday maker.

A tour leader at Peter Langhout Reizen assured De Telegraaf that Blanes attracts a different type of tourist than does Llorett de Mar. Llorett, just North of Blanes, has long seen its reputation damaged by louts and boorish drunks. Referring to young people who visit in Blanes, he said, “These are young people who don’t follow the masses, but rather are interested in a nice vacation.”

When former FC Amsterdam soccer player Peter Gooyers (47), got wind of El Sorrall’s treatment of the birthday celebrators, he asked Hotel Mar-Ski’s management for a copy of the house rules. “Turns out they did not have them!” he exclaims.

Taking the plight of the young vacationers to heart, he then demanded the hotel refunds the €150 fine.

When the management refused, he hired a lawyer from Barcelona.

The lawyer demanded a €150 refund, €150 in damages for the night spent on the beach, plus and additional €1500 for immaterial damages such as breaching the tourists’ holiday mood. The fees included, the hotel was summoned to pay a total of €2150.

The hotel then opted to refund the €150 fine instead.

Asked about the problems, the head of management for Mar-Ski and El Sorrall went on the defensive, referring to the problematic behavior of other young vacationers. However, she did say that the policy of levying fines has been cancelled effective immediately.

The night porter has also been given to understand that he is not allowed to enter rooms without a guest’s permission.

Comments regarding El Sorrall on some hotel review websites indicate that overall guests appreciate the hotel, especially for its location right across from the beach, and dislike the night porter. The rooms are said to be noisy, which may explain the hotel’s strict policies.

De Telegraaf article does not mention other hotels and apartment complexes by name, but does incidate the fines are not unique to Mar-Ski and El Sorrall.

One apartment complex charged visitors €180 because their sheets weren’t clean at the end of a two week vacation.

A chat on the grass in front of the apartments resulted in a €400 fine because the grass was flattened.

What do you think? Comment here.

Our Take

Some tourists - especially (but certainly not exclusively) young, unsupervised teenagers - misbehave in ways that would not be tolerated at home. They are loud, drunk and/or destructive.
Every vacation resort has to ensure that their guests have a pleasant stay. Hotels and apartment complexes must employ basic rules to ensure that - among other things - guests do not damage the property or bother other guests.
Such rules have to be reasonable - and must be enforced by reasonable employees. The arbitrary levying of fines or other punitive actions can not and must not be allowed.
We urge any guests who have been subjected to fines or other punitive actions to make the matter public, and to take legal action.
We also urge vacationers who have been ill-treated by personnel to complain to the management - personally and in writing. If the matter is not resolved, make it known. There are plenty of hotel review web sites. If you booked the hotel via a tour operator, do file a written complaint.
Guests, young and old alike, should make sure that they do not damage hotel property or annoy other guests. Just as at home, you can not expect others to appreciate loud, drunken behavior at all hours of the night.
Before booking a hotel or apartment, research the place on the Internet.
A good alternative to hotels and apartment complexes is to rent private, self-catering apartments, such as these and these - both located in the old center of Blanes, very close to the beach.
As a good alternative to El Sorrall, stay at Mar-Ski itself.