I sued British Airways Holidays for £18,000 over the view from my hotel window

A WOMAN who was left fuming at her hotel window view sued British Airways Holidays for £18,000.

Juliette Thomas, 58, had excitedly set off for a two-week break in the Caribbean with three of her four kids.

But she soon realised that her dream British Airways getaway, which promised picturesque ocean views, was not up to standard.

Juliette was stunned to check into her bay-view room at the five-star Royalton Hotel in Antigua and find the windows facing a concrete block.

The mum-of-four told the : “I take a two-week annual holiday and I always have a sea-view.

“When I pulled back the curtain to look out of the window, I was furious.

“You pay much more for an ocean view and it was never there to begin with. Just a block of white concrete.”

The celebrity interior designer, who has even starred on Dragons’ Den, said that was not the only problem.

She also claimed there were brown stains on net curtains, no toilet rolls and piles of rubbish outside the hotel.

Juliette said: "Had I known that was the view, I wouldn’t have gone there in a million years.

"Even now, the same bay view is advertised on the BA website. It’s mis-selling, plain and simple.”

Juliette launched a legal battle for a refund under mis-selling laws and now, two-and-a-half years on, she has recouped nearly all her money.

She first received £8,000 from American Express under its credit card chargeback scheme before deciding to take BA to court.

BA paid a partial refund during legal action, leaving her £6,500 down.

Finally, Coventry county court awarded her £5,301 including costs.

Some cash was deducted because Juliette's son enjoyed going scuba diving.

BA apologised and said her experience was “rare”.

The firm said other bay view rooms at the hotel do have the views in images, adding: “We have ensured the issues have been taken on board by the hotel.”

It comes after British Airways cancelled hundreds of flights this Easter.

More than 300 flights scrapped because of strike action.

BA has confirmed they had to "make a small number of adjustments to our schedule" as a result of the walkouts.

Meanwhile, another travel warning has been issued for Brit families heading to a top European tourist destination during Easter holidays.

Brits have been warned to "act now" if they want their passports to be renewed in time for holidays.