Empty tank helps put brakes on limo treat

A COMEDY of errors turned a dream Mother’s Day limousine and spa outing into a day of disasters for a Port Elizabeth family.

What should have been a day of pampering and treats on Sunday fast evaporated before their eyes.

Instead of a luxury champagne ride, spa treatment and delicious buffet spread, a Lovemore Heights woman and her family were served up nail clippings in a limo that chugged to a halt when it ran out of fuel, followed by a cold breakfast.

Schotia Safaris manager Ella Hagemann-Myburg, 34, thought she would give her mother, Jenny Bean, 58, and mother-in-law Leoni Myburg, 63, a Mother’s Day surprise they would remember.

And that they certainly will – for all the wrong reasons.

Hagemann-Myburg had received a text message from Georgiou’s Boutique Hotel and Spa on May 5 advertising a Mother’s Day package, which included a limousine champagne cruise and couple’s massages at 50% off the advertised R1 000 price if it was bought by May 8.

She then went to the Kragga Kamma Road venue and arranged to have breakfast and an additional person included in the package for R1 250 in total.

But the surprise treat changed into what seemed like an April Fool’s joke when the limo arrived at Hagemann-Myburg’s Lovemore Heights home.

“I had arranged with my two moms to meet at my house – they had no idea what was planned,” she said.

“The limo, scheduled to arrive at 9am, arrived just before 9.30am.

“I opened the [limo’s] door and there were sand and nail clippings on the floor and oil marks on the headrests.

“When I asked the driver for the champagne, he said they forgot to put it in.

“Then my mom asked for some music and he said the previous passengers had stolen the CD.

“To add to my embarrassment, as we turned into Willow Road the limo started jerking and then died, without petrol.

“The driver said he was given petrol money but forgot to put fuel in.”

An upset Hagemann-Myburg called her husband, Reiner, to collect the women on the side of the road and complete the trip to the spa – but by then they had missed their appointments.

“I had arranged with Georgiou’s manager, Jean-Paul [Gauthier], to set a table for about 10 family members meeting us there after the spa treatments.

“However, the staff knew nothing about the reservation,” she said.

“Eventually, they just pulled a few tables together – with no cups, cutlery or even table cloths – and served us watered-down tea and cold breakfast.

“I just want a refund and to move on, but now they are telling me they don’t do refunds.”

Hagemann-Myburg has been communicating with Georgiou’s since Sunday and claims they initially agreed to refund her and provide her with additional spa vouchers.

While Gauthier yesterday acknowledged the incident, he reiterated that “we don’t do refunds”.

“I have spoken to her [Hagemann-Myburg] and we have apologised and have offered to basically redo the day, including the limo ride, spa and breakfast.

“She accepted the offer but still wants her refund after I told her . . . when she paid that there are no refunds,” he said. Hagemann-Myburg disputed this. “I didn’t accept anything – I just want a refund and to get it done,” she said.

“I don’t want vouchers to go back there – none of us is particularly eager to go through that again.”

Both mothers shrugged off the entire disaster, laughing and saying that “it is definitely one of, if not the most, unforgettable Mother’s Days ever”.

But they said they felt embarrassed for their family, who had gone out of their way to plan a special Mother’s Day.

“Georgiou’s should be embarrassed by the service,” the two moms said.