Davidogdenholidays Avis 

Lack of response to concerns.
Almost 4 weeks since the first of two emails, followed by a telephone call requesting a response to my concerns, still no reply. My concerns were about the unprofessional attitude of the driver, breaches of confidentiality and the abusive and aggresive behaviour of a passenger.
I feel I've given Ogdens every chance to address these issues directly but as I've heard nothing I feel this review is necessary.
The actual trip to Rouen and Honfleur was brilliant. Nice hotel, lovely staff and fantastic value for money. 5 stars for this. However trying to contact the company to feedback serious concerns have let them down

Brilliant holiday to the Merrion hotel in Llandudno, the pick up was on time, the coach was comfortable and the driver was great. Hassle free, just sat back and relaxed with everything taken care of to arrive a great hotel.

Just had a brillient holiday to Wales every was perfect hotel no complaints jammie was our driver good driver and friendly will travel again .

Just to say we had a super weekend with David Ogden when we went to Henley on Thames and Oxford, 29 September. Hotel was lovely and clean, food was very good too. Our driver was David and his partner was Sam, they were so friendly and so knowledgeable about the area and if there is a gold medal for coach driving it should go to David. He is such an excellent driver, we felt so safe in the coach with him driving . They are both an asset to your company. Xx

Have just returned from a tour of the Scottish Borders. Can't recommend it too highly - the Tinto Hotel was great and the food was amazing. The coach was clean and comfortable. Our driver Jamie was so helpful and always had a smile. Lovely chap. Will certainly consider another in the future.

I have just been to The Tinto Hotel inLarcanshire as a 3 night break for Edinburgh Tattoo. The coach driver Peter was among polite professional at all times . But the actual hotel was an hour and half plus to get to Edinburgh there was no entertainment on so basically stuck in the middle of nowhere. Told the bar was closing at 10.30 when the website said 11.30 . And the food was not to a good standard evening meal was dry and the service of it was terrible. As they were bringing meals out and if you ordered different than your partner they have finished by the time you get yours . When asking the staff were the other restaurant was Sandra explained that when your on a coach tour you get a budget menu . I had shown my friend the nice food we thought we were getting. So I think Ogdens should make customers aware because I’m sure people would have paid a bit more for the better menu . And to top it all off 8 people coughing on return so we all have covid now . So next time I go I will travel by train stay in main part and pay for proper food as the holiday wasn’t cheap feel badly done by

What a great holiday company. Very friendly and helpful and our driver Jamie couldn't of been better.

Just returned from an enjoyable Edinburgh weekend trip with.... National Holidays.
Unlike last year's trip with Ogden's the driver had driven in Edinburgh before and was where he said he would be for the pick up. Also it was great that he wasn't talked into visiting other places suggested by a minority of passengers and kept to the itinerary which was great.
I advise people not to take a gamble with Ogden's Holidays because if you have any complaints you will be faced with a wall of denial if you get that far.

I have emailed Ogden's several times but still not received a response to my complaint about their driver. They did respond to say that they were out of office on honeymoon but my complaint was sent on 5th June and it's now August.
To be concise, the skills of their driver left a lot to be desired. In addition to this he took us to the wrong destination on our final day, despite the passengers protestations, as he didn't read his itinerary docs.

Just had a full run down on my mums holiday this week to Paignton, she absolutely loved it, great friendly drivers, great hotel with excellent staff and service, this isn't the first time she has holidayed with Ogdens and it definitely won't be the last, thanks to all at Ogdens for making it such an enjoyable holiday.

We've been on about 12 coach trips now and can honestly say we have never had a problem. The drivers are all lovely and get us there and back safely. We will continue to enjoy many more coach trip and even may try the coach holidays

Our driver Peter was professional, punctual, courteous and helpful. The whole experience from beginning to end was brilliant. My partner and self had a great Easter break in Llandudno. The Chatsworth hotel was a gem of a place the staff were brilliant and service was great. I was impressed with food which was plentiful and good. A special thanks to Laura who I wanted to tip separately but she didn’t appear last day so put in tip box. Would thoroughly recommend David Ogden holidays. Will definitely be travelling with them again.

My Husband and I just came back from a winter warmer in the lakes with David Ogden travel 4nights inclusive staying at the Cumbria Grand Hotel in Grange over Sands hotel is lovely and they gave us what we asked for a nice light room as my husband is partially sighted also really nice and warm in this cold weather
The food although limited was excellent always on hot plates and three or four choices of meat also the soup for starter was really tasty
We also got packed lunch for Dinner and three free drinks a night all in all a really great holiday at a good price and 3 days trips out round the Lake District area
The icing on the cake was our driver Neil we would give him 10 out of 10 he was Courteous to everyone chatted with us and we felt really safe he was a really good careful driver
Also included was a home pickup which was fantastic as we are elderly and it’s very hard work with a suitcase
Well done David Ogden travel we will certainly be hoping to go with them again in the near future

'If you do not have anything good to stay, do not say anything at all.' This is something I try very hard to adhere to, especially knowing that once something is posted on the web, it stays there forever. However, in this case .............

I would have given no stars for this review if possible as that is my current opinion of David Ogden Holidays, St Helens. Despite my family having happily used this coach company for over twenty years, you would think you would receive a response to a complaint made in writing to them twice; the first complaint was emailed whilst on the actual holiday at the beginning of September, which was then followed up via letter sent by Royal Mail Guaranteed Delivery on return to the UK.

I have today, following the advice on the David Ogden Holidays website, contacted the Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, Fifth Floor South, Chancery House, 53-64 Chancery Lane, London. WC2A 1QS to assist with the complaint. Time will tell if this is even a valid option for pursuing a complaint with David Ogden Holidays. If not, the next action will be to register a dispute with ABTA Complaints who you may register a dispute with if their member is in breach of their Code Of Conduct, which currently David Ogden Holidays are as they have failed to respond to a complaint within 28 days.

The ABTA Code of Conduct for customers includes:

"What the Code of Conduct means for you

When you plan to book a holiday, look for the logo, because booking with an ABTA Member is the only way to get the protection of the ABTA Code. It covers your holiday from start to finish. From the information before you book, through the booking process, to helping you if you have a complaint. The Code means that, among many other things, you can expect to receive:

Accurate information so you can make an informed choice
Advice or assistance on everything you need including passports, visas, and country requirements
An offer of a suitable alternative if there is an issue that will seriously impair your holiday plans, like building works
A refund of your holiday cost if there's a significant flight delay and you don't want to travel
A response to any complaint you might have within 28 days
Resolution of your dispute as quickly as possible and, if it can't be resolved amicably, the guaranteed option of arbitration to find a settlement.
The protection of the ABTA Code, and of our ADR schemes, apply if you booked in the UK."

David Ogden Holidays ABTA Membership details are:

David Ogden Travel
St. Helens
TYPE: Trading name
ABTA NUMBER: P7270
ADDRESS: Baxter Lane, Sutton, United Kingdom, St. Helens, WA9 3DH
T: 01744 606 176

I have also contacted the Coach Tourism Association, who David Ogden Holidays advertises it is a member of. The Coach Tourism Association advertise that 'Members are able to use the CTA logo on letterheads, in brochures and on websites, which is a huge endorsement of any business and a key to building trust with customers' to see if they can assist with the complaint as completely ignoring a customer who has used David Ogden Holidays for so long does not uphold the value of 'building trust with customers'.

SO, 'LEARN FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS' APPALLING EXPERIENCES AND CONSIDER ANOTHER COACH COMPANY' such as Leger, Shearings, Memory Lane Travel etc. You pay a lot of money for a holiday and deserve to have the experience expected from the holiday brochure.

David Ogden Holidays' Trading Charter advises:

"9- OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO YOU
We accept responsibility for ensuring the holiday which you book with us is supplied as described in our publicity material and the services offered reach a reasonable standard and if you are in difficulty we will assist you."

Such a pity, that in my case, no-one from David Ogden Holidays could 'assist' me whilst on holiday or upon my return.