By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP of Canadian tourists took to international media to criticise the Memories Grand Bahama Beach and Casino Resort over their “nightmare trip”.

Officials contacted for comment on the complaints made against the newly renovated all-inclusive resort in an article published by a Canadian newspaper did not return calls yesterday.

According to the Toronto Sun, tourists felt that they were “guinea pigs for their (resort) failed opening” alleging that some doors didn’t lock, taps had no hot water, and there was a shortage of toilet paper.

It read: “A number of jilted vacationers contacted QMI Agency to complain about the nightmare trip to the Memories Grand Bahama Beach and Casino Resort. QMI has learned that the hotel was not ready to accommodate travellers.

“The children’s playground was closed and the promised gym didn’t exist. The ad on Sunwing’s website promised three a la carte restaurants. In fact, only one was open as of last week. The hotel’s Japanese restaurant was still under renovation, according to photographs obtained by QMI Agency.

It continued: “The Italian restaurant was, in fact, a buffet with no Italian food. Many travellers decided to leave the resort to eat, at their own expense, despite having paid for an all-inclusive package.”

According to the article, Sunwing executive director Sam Char did not deny any complaints, but added that things were not as bad as claimed.

He encouraged customers who had a unsatisfactory experience in the Bahamas to formally file a complaint with the company.

Quoting Mr Char, the article stated: “We were advised that some rooms were not ready, but overall, we were able to accommodate the majority of passengers”.

Last night, Grand Bahama minister Dr Michael Darville declined to comment on the matter because, he said, he needed to first speak with the resort.

Calls placed to the resort for General Manager Alex Welch, and assistant General Manager Rhonda Bastian were not returned up to press time.