Josh Kuryk rated Leger Holidays Ltd 3 stars
7 months ago
We had a lovely time visiting the Christmas markets in Düsseldorf and Cologne. The standout part of our trip was without a doubt our drivers, Marcus and Richard, and the Luxuria coach, Luna. Their professionalism, humor, and dedication truly made this holiday special. However, several issues, both before and during the trip, brought this holiday down to a 3 out of 5 stars. Some of these are likely out of Ledger's control, but others could definitely be improved upon.
The Good:
Booking Process: Initially, the booking experience was great. The staff member we spoke to was friendly and helpful and got us seated altogether even though our group was 2 separate bookings.
Fantastic Drivers: Marcus and Richard were professional, friendly, and entertaining, going above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience.
Luxuria Coach Comfort: Luna provided the comfort and amenities promised, making the main part of the trip a pleasure.
Destinations: The Christmas markets in both Düsseldorf and Cologne were magical, with plenty to see and do. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as exploring these cities can be quite tiring but thoroughly rewarding.
Areas for Improvement:
1. Communication:
We were inundated with emails and brochures about other holidays but received very little communication about our own trip. A countdown or helpful updates about what to expect would have been appreciated.
Key details about the holiday were only provided two weeks before departure, including hotel information and feeder coach arrangements. This last-minute approach made it difficult to plan or adjust expectations.
2. Feeder Coach Experience:
The feeder coach to the interchange was disappointing. We had booked a Luxuria experience for the extra space, comfort, and amenities, but the feeder coach was a standard, cramped bus. A 3:00 AM pick-up time (changed from the original estimate of 6:30 AM) only added to the discomfort. This felt misleading, as we paid for a premium experience but didn’t receive it for a significant part of the journey.
The interchange was chaotic. The announcement system was so quiet that it was difficult to hear boarding calls, and the display screens were positioned too high to be useful. These small adjustments could make a big difference for travelers.
3. Hotel:
The hotel, advertised as a 4-star, did not meet our expectations based on British standards. While it was clean and staffed by helpful employees, it felt closer to a budget hotel with basic amenities. It also wasn’t located in Düsseldorf itself, which wasn’t clear at the time of booking.
The buffet dinner didn’t appeal to us, though we found plenty of great local restaurants nearby. Breakfast was fine—a standard continental offering that was simple but sufficient.
4. Return Journey:
Returning to the UK was even more challenging. Euro Tunnel delays caused chaos at the interchange, and once again, the announcement system failed to keep passengers informed. Staff at the interchange were unhelpful and dismissive, offering little support apart from meal vouchers.
The feeder coach home was, once again, not a Luxuria coach. After an already exhausting journey, cramming into a standard bus for another 8+ hours left passengers frustrated and uncomfortable.
Final Thoughts:
While we understand that some of these issues—such as Euro Tunnel delays—are beyond Ledger’s control, better communication, organisation, and empathy from staff could have made the experience less stressful. If we’d known that parts of the journey wouldn’t include the Luxuria coach, we might have reconsidered booking. Additionally, the lack of transparency about hotel locations and pick-up times added unnecessary difficulty.
That said, we are grateful to Marcus, Richard, and Luna they made this holiday an unforgettable experience. Their excellent service and cheerful attitudes kept spirits high, and they truly went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed our time.
