As this is a critical review, and in an effort to be fair and equal in all matters, I will confine myself to relevant points only. ||I had booked and paid for three nights at Natalie's Hotel for this September 25', as the reviews here were overwhelmingly positive.||I received a confirmation of booking at 23:20 Saturday night, prior to arriving on the following Sunday, so all rather last minute. ||There was a minor flight delay which meant I arrived at the hotel at around 19:00. ||I had received an email from Hotel Natalie, informing me that there had been an issue with the booking, but this was only seen once I had installed an eSim on my phone at the airport, which wasn't quite as smooth a process as I had imagined it would be, so took much longer than expected given the airports intermittent, and poor free Wi-Fi.||When I finally arrived, there was no one at reception but there was sign saying; If there's no one at reception, we're all at the bar by the pool. ||So, I potter through and exclaim with a rather glib, if tired but broad smile; Hi Honey, I'm Home...||Unfortunately, the response received from the young lady tending the bar, was anything but smiley. In fact, there was a distinctly 'negative' attitude present in her demeanour, which was further confirmed when she exclaimed; "We've been expecting a call from you."||I cordially explained, that I had only recently been able to enjoy internet access, therefore my ability to promptly respond to emails was limited. ||Upon viewing, the email explains there had been an issue (strict technical term here folk's, cock-up), with the booking, which read as follows... ||"This is because there is no availability for your requested dates in a room in a row.||The system on its own booked 1 night in a room and 2 in another room (same room type)."||Sadly, this is where it all goes pear shaped. That's not a good shape, btw...||I then make the point, that this is 'Disappointing'. That at this point, is the full extent of my criticism.||I'm then told by the receptionist with attitude; it's NOT their fault, it's the System, and would I like to speak directly to the manager? ||Such an unhelpful and ignorant comment about Systems, was literally a red rag to me, as I deal with Customer Service in my day job. ||Blaming third party systems for a breakdown in YOUR service, is just a no-no. If this was truly the approach I adopted, I probably wouldn't have a job. ||The Manager, repeated what the young lady with 'attitude', had already stated, but elucidated further, and much more loudly. So loudly in fact, I was forced to hold the phone from my ears. ||And then, it got really bad...||I was informed in no uncertain terms, that; It was NOT their problem; It wasn't my problem; It was the 'Systems', problem. ||And again, if I was unhappy with having to move, then they would issue a full refund. ||I then reminded the Manager, that their third party system (Booking.com), was THEIR problem/fault, as they directly benefited from said system, so therefore must consequently accept collective responsibility for said failure. ||This assertion, was not received well.||Again I was offered a full refund if unhappy. ||N.B. I had not slept for 34 hours since first awaking Saturday morning, so repeatedly hearing that a Full Refund was available if I was unhappy, was NOT really what I wanted to hear. ||A strange place. Strange country (my first visit to a Greek Island), I had effectively no where else to go that night, bar the beach. ||Dear reader. You know when you KNOW, you're about to do something really stupid, but somehow can't halt the process? ||Yep, exactly.||I finished the conversation with the Manager, and stated that this was wholly unacceptable, so do please issue the refund and I'll move on accordingly. ||The young receptionist actually appeared a mite surprised by this, and softly asked if I would like any help with finding alternative accommodation? ||I said...No, thank you. I'll take it from here. ||I left Hotel Natalie, but 15 minutes after I had entered it. With no where to go, but a Full Refund being entered into my account but moments after I had left, as Booking.com sent me an email about the refund almost immediately. ||So, what's to be drawn from this extended account of my very brief stay at Hotel Natalie?||Disappointment mainly. ||I believe the reviews on here, so I had been looking forward to staying there. ||However, the very poor attitude received from the young receptionist, and latterly the Manager, made it impossible to stay. Had I not been travelling alone, then things might have been necessarily different. ||It's a weird feeling dear reader, consciously walking away from your home from home, away from home, and having absolutely no idea where you're going to spend the night. ||We survived, as we always do, but what a shame that such an episode even occurred. ||I've given Natalie Hotel, a 2 star rating, because...I don't believe there to have been any malice intended, so the arrogance and rudeness experienced may well be just who they are. ||BUT...Not accepting that it was THEIR fault, and not the System, is a huge failing here. ||Things go wrong in the real world. But this was just rubbish Customer Service, with an appalling attitude attached to it all.||And that folk's, is simply unforgivable. ||||As always, happy and safe...
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