Lion Resorts holiday club
by blueye on Fri Oct 05, 2007 15:43 pm
Has anybody been to a presentation by a group called Lion Resorts? My husband and I were offered scratch cards in the street in Zakynthos and were taken to a hotel for a presentation. After 5 hours we agreed to join their holiday club (paying �300 deposit for �2500 total). They told me they definitely were not a timeshare company, however the Timeshare consumer helpline assures me they are and that I have been told a pack of lies. I have written to cancel but just wanted to know if anyone else had a similar experience.
- blueye
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2007 15:35 pm
by sollenbach on Tue Oct 09, 2007 14:33 pm
Hi Blueye.
We have just come back from Egypt and signed up with Lion resorts. We have only paid a �200 deposit. I would be keen to know if you have had any joy with getting your deposit back.
Simjan
We have just come back from Egypt and signed up with Lion resorts. We have only paid a �200 deposit. I would be keen to know if you have had any joy with getting your deposit back.
Simjan
- sollenbach
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 14:33 pm
by Phil H on Wed Oct 10, 2007 18:57 pm
Hi Blueye.
I have just returned from a two week holiday stopping at the Corad Sharm El Sheikh Beach Resort. At the First Choice Greeting Meeting we were introduced to an English rep (Vanessa) from Lion Resorts who offered a �50 cashback if you visited a recently built hotel "TO GIVE ADVICE ON WHAT BRITISH TOURISTS WOULD WANT TO SEE IN A FIVE STAR HOTEL". As my partner and I have been to Sharm before and have done the "tourist" bit, we decided to attend and were escorted to the Tamra Beach Resort and handed over to a very glamorous Russian girl representative.
It soon became obvious that it was, as we expected, a sales pitch for a holiday firm. We were assured that Lion Resorts were registered with ABTA and as a Company at Companies House, London, although their offices were situated in Paphos, Cyprus. They were definately not a TIMESHARE Company. During the presentation, we were given lunch and shown around the hotel. We were also told that we had obviously heard it wrong from the Rep at our hotel, about offering advice on a 5 star hotel.
During the visit we could have walked out at anytime (we still would have received the �50 cashback) but we decided to see it through. When we were shown the Lion Resorts Internet site, it was mentioned that they used another holiday firm called INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL. (Who we have since found out are a TIMESHARE COMPANY.) When shown the reduced cost of holidays that could be booked around the world through these two companies, it appeared genuine.
Being retired, my partner and I go on several holidays a year, therefore it looked a good prospect, especially as we were told that we could also book holidays for family and friends at these reduced prices and did not have to accompany them.
As an inducement to sign up, we were told we could have FREE, two weeks accommodation for four people in a one bedroomed executive apartment anywhere we chose, two flight certificates valued at �150 per person, Airport Transfers or, 14 days all inclusive for two people at the Tamra Beach Resort in Sharm El Sheikh.
After some thought, we said we wanted to investigate Lion Resorts further on return to England and decided to put a deposit of just �100 down, with the balance of �3250 being paid for a 3 year membership due by the 9 November 2007.
After much handshaking, we were told that our Russian rep would take us out for a meal one evening to the Hard Rock Cafe in Sharm El Sheikh. When we said that it was not necessary for her to do that, we were given a 350 Egyptian Pound (approx �32 sterling) voucher for a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe. We were then shown to a clerk who took our particulars and drew up the paperwork. This SHE signed on behave of Lion Resorts.
We were taken back to our hotel, where, on presenting a stamped voucher to the First Choice Reps, we were given �50 sterling. We also went to the Hard Rock Cafe and had an excellent meal and drinks, finding it hard to spend (although we did) all of the voucher total.
Having only returned yesterday from holiday, this is the first site I have looked at to investigate Lion Resorts. I would be very interested to hear of anyone else's experience with this company. I became sceptical when I saw that at no stage did the "Management Team" sign any documents, but left it to a young english girl in the office to put her name on everything. Also, nothing that we were told during the presentation appeared in writing on any of the agreements.
I seriously doubt whether I will be going through with the membership and will attempt to get my deposit refunded. However, with the �50 cashback and the �32 meal voucher, the total I will have spent is �18, which I can afford to loose if necessary.
Hoping to hear from others.
Phil H
PS: On coming out of the Hard Rock Cafe, we were approached on the street by another English girl, who gave us the same line about visiting a hotel to get the views of British people. When we told her we had already done it, she walked off very swiftly.
I have just returned from a two week holiday stopping at the Corad Sharm El Sheikh Beach Resort. At the First Choice Greeting Meeting we were introduced to an English rep (Vanessa) from Lion Resorts who offered a �50 cashback if you visited a recently built hotel "TO GIVE ADVICE ON WHAT BRITISH TOURISTS WOULD WANT TO SEE IN A FIVE STAR HOTEL". As my partner and I have been to Sharm before and have done the "tourist" bit, we decided to attend and were escorted to the Tamra Beach Resort and handed over to a very glamorous Russian girl representative.
It soon became obvious that it was, as we expected, a sales pitch for a holiday firm. We were assured that Lion Resorts were registered with ABTA and as a Company at Companies House, London, although their offices were situated in Paphos, Cyprus. They were definately not a TIMESHARE Company. During the presentation, we were given lunch and shown around the hotel. We were also told that we had obviously heard it wrong from the Rep at our hotel, about offering advice on a 5 star hotel.
During the visit we could have walked out at anytime (we still would have received the �50 cashback) but we decided to see it through. When we were shown the Lion Resorts Internet site, it was mentioned that they used another holiday firm called INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL. (Who we have since found out are a TIMESHARE COMPANY.) When shown the reduced cost of holidays that could be booked around the world through these two companies, it appeared genuine.
Being retired, my partner and I go on several holidays a year, therefore it looked a good prospect, especially as we were told that we could also book holidays for family and friends at these reduced prices and did not have to accompany them.
As an inducement to sign up, we were told we could have FREE, two weeks accommodation for four people in a one bedroomed executive apartment anywhere we chose, two flight certificates valued at �150 per person, Airport Transfers or, 14 days all inclusive for two people at the Tamra Beach Resort in Sharm El Sheikh.
After some thought, we said we wanted to investigate Lion Resorts further on return to England and decided to put a deposit of just �100 down, with the balance of �3250 being paid for a 3 year membership due by the 9 November 2007.
After much handshaking, we were told that our Russian rep would take us out for a meal one evening to the Hard Rock Cafe in Sharm El Sheikh. When we said that it was not necessary for her to do that, we were given a 350 Egyptian Pound (approx �32 sterling) voucher for a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe. We were then shown to a clerk who took our particulars and drew up the paperwork. This SHE signed on behave of Lion Resorts.
We were taken back to our hotel, where, on presenting a stamped voucher to the First Choice Reps, we were given �50 sterling. We also went to the Hard Rock Cafe and had an excellent meal and drinks, finding it hard to spend (although we did) all of the voucher total.
Having only returned yesterday from holiday, this is the first site I have looked at to investigate Lion Resorts. I would be very interested to hear of anyone else's experience with this company. I became sceptical when I saw that at no stage did the "Management Team" sign any documents, but left it to a young english girl in the office to put her name on everything. Also, nothing that we were told during the presentation appeared in writing on any of the agreements.
I seriously doubt whether I will be going through with the membership and will attempt to get my deposit refunded. However, with the �50 cashback and the �32 meal voucher, the total I will have spent is �18, which I can afford to loose if necessary.
Hoping to hear from others.
Phil H
PS: On coming out of the Hard Rock Cafe, we were approached on the street by another English girl, who gave us the same line about visiting a hotel to get the views of British people. When we told her we had already done it, she walked off very swiftly.
- Phil H
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 18:57 pm
by blueye on Thu Oct 11, 2007 09:50 am
Hi Phil H
The experience you had seems quite similar to ours. The rep offered to take us out the following night for a drink. Also there is nothing on our signed document to say that we have a 3 year contract. The document is actually an invoice for a 2 week holiday for four people in a one bedroom executive apartment, Flight certificates x 2 for �150, Airport transfers and half board, (which we were offered instead of the free holiday we won on the scratchcard!). The departure date they have stated is actually the date we flew home from Zakynthos! There are cancellation conditions on the back of the form stating: 50 days or more before holiday would incur a �250 charge, 30 - 55 days would be 50% and 0 - 29 days 100%. Thus suggesting that we owe them the full amount! We couldn't believe that we could have been taken in by this, but we were not given a chance to check the conditions on the back of the form carefully, the chap, who incidentally said he didn't work for Lion Resorts, just briefly went over them. Was your so called contract actually an invoice?
blueye
The experience you had seems quite similar to ours. The rep offered to take us out the following night for a drink. Also there is nothing on our signed document to say that we have a 3 year contract. The document is actually an invoice for a 2 week holiday for four people in a one bedroom executive apartment, Flight certificates x 2 for �150, Airport transfers and half board, (which we were offered instead of the free holiday we won on the scratchcard!). The departure date they have stated is actually the date we flew home from Zakynthos! There are cancellation conditions on the back of the form stating: 50 days or more before holiday would incur a �250 charge, 30 - 55 days would be 50% and 0 - 29 days 100%. Thus suggesting that we owe them the full amount! We couldn't believe that we could have been taken in by this, but we were not given a chance to check the conditions on the back of the form carefully, the chap, who incidentally said he didn't work for Lion Resorts, just briefly went over them. Was your so called contract actually an invoice?
blueye
- blueye
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2007 15:35 pm
by Phil H on Thu Oct 11, 2007 17:09 pm
Hi Blueye
I never signed a contract, just an invoice for the �100 deposit. I will be writing to them shortly to cancel the complete deal.
I have looked up Lion Resorts Limited on the Companies House website. They are registered (Company Number 04938128) with an address in Peterborough and a Trading address in Windsor. There is no mention of overseas trading or an address in Cyprus although I have checked and it is definately the same company. Their bank is with HSBC at Peterborough.
I also checked out Interval International Limited (Company Number 02119493) where the address checks out but under the heading "Nature of Business" it states "Software Consultany & Supply" which I find strange for a Timeshare Company.
I'm hoping someone else will come on this site and add their comments about this company.
Anyway, I will let you know what happens when they reply to my letter.
Bye for now.
Phil H
I never signed a contract, just an invoice for the �100 deposit. I will be writing to them shortly to cancel the complete deal.
I have looked up Lion Resorts Limited on the Companies House website. They are registered (Company Number 04938128) with an address in Peterborough and a Trading address in Windsor. There is no mention of overseas trading or an address in Cyprus although I have checked and it is definately the same company. Their bank is with HSBC at Peterborough.
I also checked out Interval International Limited (Company Number 02119493) where the address checks out but under the heading "Nature of Business" it states "Software Consultany & Supply" which I find strange for a Timeshare Company.
I'm hoping someone else will come on this site and add their comments about this company.
Anyway, I will let you know what happens when they reply to my letter.
Bye for now.
Phil H
- Phil H
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 18:57 pm
by stneots on Sat Dec 01, 2007 06:54 am
You are not alone but for us it happened in Eygpt. We have only just realised and will see what can be done (but have an awful sinking feeling) but that said will now regularly monitor this forum. What I don't understand is how the Leisure Time Passport is tied in, we will search Holiday Watchdog again seperately for this but were you offered this as well?
- stneots
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 06:46 am
by Fred 2 on Sun Dec 02, 2007 20:22 pm
stneots
I know nothing about these people or their reputation. Lion Resorts
www.lionresorts.com/index1.php?id=25
say that they are a holiday club, affiliated to Interval International (an exchange programme � Florida company), although the Lion site seems to be a little vague as to what they themselves actually provide. The Leisure Time Passport appears to be a sweetener to help the salesman close a deal rather than a stand-alone product, so it would be provided alongside a membership or other contract so far as I can tell � see
www.resortdeveloper.com/rd/leisure_time_passport.jsp
Whether or not you will be able to claim from your Credit Card provider � or get out of a contract - depends very much on whether you misunderstood what you were getting into (where you probably cannot) or whether you were intentionally led to believe that you were getting one thing but actually got another � or nothing (where you can claim).
If you paid �100 deposit by card you will be covered � if it was actually �99 you will not.
I know nothing about these people or their reputation. Lion Resorts
www.lionresorts.com/index1.php?id=25
say that they are a holiday club, affiliated to Interval International (an exchange programme � Florida company), although the Lion site seems to be a little vague as to what they themselves actually provide. The Leisure Time Passport appears to be a sweetener to help the salesman close a deal rather than a stand-alone product, so it would be provided alongside a membership or other contract so far as I can tell � see
www.resortdeveloper.com/rd/leisure_time_passport.jsp
Whether or not you will be able to claim from your Credit Card provider � or get out of a contract - depends very much on whether you misunderstood what you were getting into (where you probably cannot) or whether you were intentionally led to believe that you were getting one thing but actually got another � or nothing (where you can claim).
If you paid �100 deposit by card you will be covered � if it was actually �99 you will not.
- Fred 2
- Posts: 316
- Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2005 17:13 pm
by hadoff on Sat Dec 08, 2007 18:11 pm
my wife and myself where scratch carded in cyprus but the sting was not as painful yours ours was a�100 cash zap where THE TEAM english
what a surprise when your abroad trust the locals not the forieners or is it the other way round nar trust the locals
what a surprise when your abroad trust the locals not the forieners or is it the other way round nar trust the locals
- hadoff
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2007 17:03 pm
by blueye on Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:23 pm
An update on my situation. I have been in contact with my credit card company and have been waiting as procedures take place. I have written to Lion Resorts to cancel the contract in October and sent by recorded delivery as advised by my CC company. As I had two addresses on my documents, I sent to both. One of them was returned to me unclaimed. So far I have not heard anything from Lion Resorts. The CC company have now given them 45 days to reply to their request for a refund. If nothing is received within this time they can claw back the money.
- blueye
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2007 15:35 pm
Return to Timeshare & Holiday Clubs
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests