ASA insists on four complaints against Barry Hurley’s luxury hotel estate
The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) retains four separate complaints about Barry Hurley’s Barry Hurley Lodge Estates Company’s ad.
The ruling says the promotion – posted in Sunday Times Magazine– Misleading and violating multiple parts of UK advertising regulations.
Running on 17 June 2024, the ad invites readers to “own the luxurious coastal cabin” and “invest from an investment of £295,000”, promising a “two-year guaranteed return based on historical success, up to £83,454”. It also touts “guaranteed returns” through a sublease program without outlining any associated risks, fees or conditions.
The ASA investigated four specific questions raised by owners during the previous seasons, all of which were maintained:
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Misleading financial claims – The claim to find “guaranteed” returns is misleading, especially when the ad itself calls “historical success,” which undermines the promise of genuine assurance.
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Failed to emphasize investment risks – The ad omits any reference to the potential risks involved, a significant breach in promoting high-value financial commitments.
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Unclear explanation of income and return on investment – ASA found that ads failed to clearly indicate the “return” associated with sublease rental income, rather than capital growth or investment value.
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Lack of transparency in fees and fees – It has not disclosed the additional fees for withdrawal, which could have a significant impact on the actual benefits.
In the ruling, the ASA described the advertisement as “abnormal”, “misleading” and repeatedly stated that the key elements were “not clear enough.” The term “code violation” appears three times in its detailed multi-page evaluation.
The ASA concluded that the ad should not reappear in its current form and released a series of correctional notes to the luxury cottage estate.
Controversial Patterns
Luxury Lodge Estates Company Ltd was founded in 2015 and operates in the high-end resort park sector. Its sole director, Barry Thomas Hurley (pictured) is also a laggard for Holidays plc, a timeshare company previously accused of state media coverage that forced the evacuation of long-term owners on properties such as Slaley Hall in Northumberland. These same hotels have since marketed them as luxury properties through Luxury Lodge Estates.
Both companies face ongoing allegations about suspicious contracts and sales methods, echoing historical criticism of the timeshare industry.
Industry reaction
European Consumer Claims (ECC) CEO Greg Wilson, a leading consumer rights organization in Rocky and timeshare division, supported the ASA’s discovery.
“The experts at our Holiday Park Consulting Centre fully agree with the ASA’s ruling,” he said. “The ads are not clear, misleading and code-breaking ads, especially when it involves hundreds of thousands of pounds of ads, is completely unacceptable.”
Wilson warned that the holiday park industry “has quickly gained a toxic reputation that has plagued the timeshare industry for decades,” and park operators could charge more than timeshare providers but face less regulations. This is a problem for consumers. ”
What does this mean for buyers
The ruling has raised serious concerns about the transparency of Rocky and Holiday Park investments, especially those presented with property support or income generation opportunities.
Potential buyers are urged to exercise caution and seek independent legal or financial advice before making high-value investments in leisure properties.
Anyone who believes they have been misled or misled by a holiday park or cabin company can be entitled to compensation. According to the ECC, skilled legal professionals are increasingly successful in helping clients recover funds from misleading or unfair sales practices.
