macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Disheartening Experience with a Gift Voucher

I want to share my experience with a £150 gift voucher purchased for us by our daughters last Christmas, which has been extremely disappointing. My wife was undergoing treatment for breast cancer when the voucher was bought, making it impossible for us to plan a trip early in the year. Once she was well enough, we tried to use the voucher for a stay at a resort on May 1st, only to find out it could only be applied to full flexible rates, which were more expensive than the discounted rates available online. Consequently, we had to book without the voucher, despite my wife's need for a break during her recovery.
Later in the year, as the voucher's expiry date approached, we attempted to use it for a night away. We discovered that the stay had to occur before the expiry date, leaving us with less than a week to use it when I had just undergone back surgery, making travel impossible.
The most upsetting part is the impact on our daughters, who saved their money from minimum-wage jobs to buy this thoughtful gift after a tough year. Their message on the voucher expressed hope for a return to normalcy, and it breaks our hearts that their gesture has gone to waste.
We reached out to the company to explain our situation and requested a short extension or some flexibility, but we were simply told they could not provide any extensions. There was no consideration or empathy shown, despite our circumstances.
As a family who has enjoyed stays at the resort multiple times, we expected better. We had hoped to return for my wife’s birthday in April 2026, but after this experience, we will not be returning.
For a company that prides itself on hospitality, their lack of empathy and unwillingness to honor a meaningful gift during a medical hardship has been incredibly disappointing. I advise anyone considering purchasing gift vouchers from this company to be cautious of their rigid terms and limited practical value.

Date of experience: Dec 07, 2025