North Shields Couple's Holiday Nightmare: Ejection from Corfu Hotel

In a shocking turn of events, Paul and Ellie Bell, a couple from North Shields, found themselves at the center of a controversial incident during their vacation in Corfu. The Bells were unexpectedly ejected from the Terezas Hotel in Sidari and subsequently barred from their return flight home with TUI, raising questions about the airline's policies and customer treatment.

The couple booked a week-long half-board holiday at the Terezas Hotel, having previously enjoyed a stay there. However, their holiday took a drastic turn when they were informed on May 20, 2025, that they were no longer welcome at the hotel due to behavior deemed "unacceptable and disruptive" by the hotel management. According to TUI, the decision stemmed from incidents involving shouting and aggressive language directed at staff, which the Bells vehemently dispute. Paul Bell, 64, stated, "I don’t remember anybody shouting. We only spoke to the rep on the day she was at the hotel and there was nothing disrespectful shown to her."

The situation escalated after Ellie Bell raised concerns about the quality of the food, describing it as "tepid" and unsuitable for consumption. In a letter from TUI, the couple was accused of causing a "serious disturbance" in the hotel restaurant, an assertion that they firmly contest. Paul argued that they were never given an opportunity to explain their side of the story before the decision was made. He expressed frustration, stating, "They’ve never come and spoke to us to find out what happened; they’ve decided off what the manager has told them. Surely there are always two sides to a story?"

Following the ejection, the couple was left with no recourse but to arrange alternative travel back to the UK. They booked a flight with Jet2 for €328.56 and had to spend an additional €60 on a taxi to the airport as they were barred from using the hotel’s transfer service. Their situation worsened when they received a letter late on May 21, stating that both were prohibited from boarding their original flight TOM1531 scheduled for May 23.

TUI later informed the couple that the prohibition on their travel had been revoked, but by then, they had already returned home. Paul reflected on their holiday experience, stating, "When we go on holiday, we try to go somewhere nice and quiet, sit and chill. To have food like we did (in the hotel) was really disappointing. We got no back-up whatsoever from TUI."

In response to the incident, TUI stated that their decisions were made in accordance with company policies regarding customer conduct. However, the Bells feel abandoned, claiming that their complaint was not adequately addressed and that TUI "washed their hands of them". The couple has received assurances from TUI that they would be reimbursed for their additional travel expenses.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding customer service in the travel industry, particularly how complaints are handled. It poses significant implications for TUI's reputation as it continues to navigate the competitive landscape of holiday packages and customer satisfaction. As the Bells seek to resolve their grievances, similar complaints have surfaced from other travelers, indicating a broader issue that the company must address.

In an era where customer experience is paramount, the incident raises crucial questions about accountability and the need for transparent communication between service providers and their clients. As the Bells reflect on their disrupted holiday, they remain hopeful for a fair resolution and a return to the normalcy of enjoyable travel experiences.