A travel writer who booked a £79 Wowcher mystery holiday has described her experience as a disaster, from a stormy destination to a dated apartment. Portia Jones, a travel writer and podcaster, purchased the deal hoping for a glamorous escape, but ended up in Benalmadena, Spain, during Storm Leonardo.
The Wowcher deal promised return flights and two nights in a hotel abroad, with destinations ranging from Dubai to European cities. However, most bookings fall into Tier 3, which consists of European weekend breaks. Jones was allocated Costa del Sol, but upon arrival, she faced heavy rain and strong winds instead of sunshine.
The accommodation was a tired-looking budget apartment block in Benalmadena, described as 'extremely basic' with no balcony. Jones noted that while it was clean, it fell short of her expectations for a three-star hotel. She paid an extra £79 per person in a special offer, but additional costs included fees for non-London airports and luggage.
Despite the disappointment, Jones acknowledged that the trip was a gamble and that most mystery holidays result in modest European breaks. She advised others to consider the risks before booking such deals.
