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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To book a 6 person lodge for myself?

283 replies

MaryRoze · 12/08/2024 12:29

One of my favourite things to do since escaping my controlling ex is to get away by myself for a couple of nights, somewhere remote with a good view, a hot tub, where I can just relax and recharge.

I've found a lovely site that has a few 2 person glamping pods, and 2 self-catering cottages. One cottage sleeps 4, the other sleeps 6. I dithered over both of them but decided to go for the 6 person lodge as it has nicer facilities, bigger kitchen, nicer views, and an enclosed garden for if I decide to bring my dog with me.

I've just received an email from the company asking me to clarify it's just for me. I've said yes. They've come back and said it's a busy time of year for them (October), so would I like to have one of the glamping pods instead as the cottages are really for bigger parties only.

I've had another look on their website and can see now it says they charge a fixed rate for 2 people, and for each additional person it's an extra £50 per person, per night! So they're obviously thinking they can make more money out of a bigger party rather than just me on my own.

I haven't specified this to them yet but I was planning on paying extra for early check in (£30), bringing the dog (£25), and a bottle of fizzy on arrival (£40). So it's not like they won't be getting their moneys worth out of me.

AIBU to book the larger property just for me?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
whereisthelifethatirecognize · 18/10/2024 17:57

I would be leaving a detailed negative review warning people about all the charges they'll be greeted with when you're already there and have no place else to go. And about the rubbish 'fine' for creating rubbish.

Absolutely not on.

Ginkypig · 17/10/2024 21:38

@MaryRoze

i think it’s time to name and shame them on here!

id be really upset if I’d paid that much and had all those rules and extra charges and a mouse! Imposed on me!

LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 17/10/2024 21:20

MarkWithaC · 17/10/2024 14:27

So they care about protecting THEIR environment, but are happy for people to take rubbish home and then do whatever the hell they please with it?
The whole thing sounds a bit shit.

No, they don’t care about the environment, they just don’t want to pay for a business waste removal contract!!

Waterchestnutcrunch · 17/10/2024 15:48

We put our rubbish into their bigger bins on wheels.

I have never heard of taking rubbish home from a self catering place !
Who wants to drive with a stinky bag of rubbish.

£5 to use their bins is a ridiculous charge

Mindymomo · 17/10/2024 15:37

I presume as they are a business they have to pay for rubbish to be collected, a bit cheeky, but doesn’t surprise me. We would like to return to a lodge we visited earlier in the year, but rules and regulations have put us off.

Hoppinggreen · 17/10/2024 14:53

How does taking your rubbish home protect the environment exactly?

MarkWithaC · 17/10/2024 14:27

MaryRoze · 17/10/2024 14:23

They had signs up in the cottage saying "Please protect the environment and take your rubbish home with you. We have provided free bin bags to allow you to do this. Alternatively you can use our rubbish disposal service at a cost of £5 per bag" or words to that effect.

I don't mind emptying the bin in a self catering place and disposing in an outside wheelie bin, but to expect people to put their rubbish in their car and drive it hours home with them? After Stuart Little had been crawling all over it? Confused

So they care about protecting THEIR environment, but are happy for people to take rubbish home and then do whatever the hell they please with it?
The whole thing sounds a bit shit.

MaryRoze · 17/10/2024 14:23

MarkWithaC · 17/10/2024 13:43

What the fuck?! How does paying to empty the bin even work?
I hope you leave a clear and factual review.

They had signs up in the cottage saying "Please protect the environment and take your rubbish home with you. We have provided free bin bags to allow you to do this. Alternatively you can use our rubbish disposal service at a cost of £5 per bag" or words to that effect.

I don't mind emptying the bin in a self catering place and disposing in an outside wheelie bin, but to expect people to put their rubbish in their car and drive it hours home with them? After Stuart Little had been crawling all over it? Confused

OP posts:
MarkWithaC · 17/10/2024 13:43

MaryRoze · 16/10/2024 21:48

Update, again Smile
Well, I'm at the cottage now but tbh I'm really not impressed. I was greeted with a list of rules that I had to sign before I got the keys, and you need to pay for
absolutely everything.

Not allowed in the hot tub until 1pm, and have to pay for robes, towels and, worst of all, it's a fiver to empty the bin!!! Per bag!!!

The neighbours are very noisy (not their fault because it's their holiday too), which hinders sitting outside, but sitting inside is uncomfortable due to it being a fouton sofa bed in the living room.

The last straw has been walking into the kitchen to find a mouse tucking into my leftover pizza.

I'm due to stay another night, but have decided to go home in the morning.

What the fuck?! How does paying to empty the bin even work?
I hope you leave a clear and factual review.

Waterchestnutcrunch · 17/10/2024 13:37

I booked a hotel abroad a few years ago in early December, which was classed as low season. I wanted to use the indoor pool.
We arrived & they wanted to charge us extra per person to use the pool.
I refused to use the pool.
The charges were not on the website before arrival.

We (3) stayed in a 6 person lodge this year.
The hot tub was empty when we arrived. We complained, so they filled it. It took a couple of hours to fill & heat.
The robes were free.
We were requested to empty the rubbish bins, which we did.

No mouse, but we did have ducks visit us !

The website advertised food at the club house, but they did not serve food.

Luckily, we had a car to get food.

Mia184 · 17/10/2024 10:55

MaryRoze · 17/10/2024 08:15

Hahaha charged an extra £30 for "bringing a pet" Grin

Edited after reading all of OP’s posts from today.

Overthebow · 17/10/2024 08:25

Wow, I wouldn’t be paying them to empty a bin. That’s beyond cheeky.

MaryRoze · 17/10/2024 08:24

At least the little creature had a good time. Not just any pizza, M&S pizza!

To book a 6 person lodge for myself?
OP posts:
MaryRoze · 17/10/2024 08:15

Strictlymad · 17/10/2024 07:52

Wow! Sounds like a very underhanded way of doing business- advertise cheap prices, then say it costs more to have the correct number of guests in the correct size cottage. Then charge for emptying the bin!! I’m half wondering if you mention the mouse they will charge you for having n additional guest!

Hahaha charged an extra £30 for "bringing a pet" Grin

OP posts:
Strictlymad · 17/10/2024 07:52

Wow! Sounds like a very underhanded way of doing business- advertise cheap prices, then say it costs more to have the correct number of guests in the correct size cottage. Then charge for emptying the bin!! I’m half wondering if you mention the mouse they will charge you for having n additional guest!

TeabySea · 16/10/2024 23:56

godmum56 · 16/10/2024 21:52

I hope you are going to leave a stinker of a review.

Definitely! And take photos to illustrate the points.

So disappointing to hear this update- I'd been happy to read that the single occupancy was A-ok.

godmum56 · 16/10/2024 21:52

I hope you are going to leave a stinker of a review.

MaryRoze · 16/10/2024 21:48

Update, again Smile
Well, I'm at the cottage now but tbh I'm really not impressed. I was greeted with a list of rules that I had to sign before I got the keys, and you need to pay for
absolutely everything.

Not allowed in the hot tub until 1pm, and have to pay for robes, towels and, worst of all, it's a fiver to empty the bin!!! Per bag!!!

The neighbours are very noisy (not their fault because it's their holiday too), which hinders sitting outside, but sitting inside is uncomfortable due to it being a fouton sofa bed in the living room.

The last straw has been walking into the kitchen to find a mouse tucking into my leftover pizza.

I'm due to stay another night, but have decided to go home in the morning.

OP posts:
Popsielady · 16/08/2024 13:53

2dogsandabudgie · 12/08/2024 12:36

Most places charge per place rather than per person if in UK, which is why the larger the accommodation the more expensive it is.

We stayed in a cottage recently which slept 6 and there was just 2 of us, so only used one bedroom out of three but the price was per cottage so they still got the same amount of money.

This seems a strange way for the site to operate.

This! Is a bit ridiculous for them to advertise a cottage/ accommodation to rent at 1 price and then, when it comes to final booking, whack on extra “minimum” charges based on how many are staying in there. They are in fact actively encouraging sole occupancy so it’s their own fault! In fact I would be very annoyed if I was booking this accommodation as a group at 1 price and then finding out when actually coming to finalise the booking that they are adding extra charges on per person. You are certainly within your rights to refuse to change, and if they cancel you they should compensate you appropriately.

iwfja · 16/08/2024 11:27

That's a great update. Enjoy your holiday!

Trinity65 · 16/08/2024 10:36

MaryRoze · 14/08/2024 18:17

UPDATE

I got a reply from the company. They are not cancelling me and in fact, were absolutely lovely.

"Hi MaryRoze, thank you for confirming its just for 1 person. I just wanted to say you've made a great choice - xyz cottage is the perfect place to relax and unwind. The extras you requested have been added on to your booking and you can pay for them on arrival. We’re looking forward to welcoming you, and we can’t wait for your visit!"

No cheekiness, no animosity, very much looking forward to my little trip now Smile

Thank you again everyone for your input.

Great stuff

Have a wonderful time

godmum56 · 14/08/2024 21:29

MaryRoze · 14/08/2024 18:17

UPDATE

I got a reply from the company. They are not cancelling me and in fact, were absolutely lovely.

"Hi MaryRoze, thank you for confirming its just for 1 person. I just wanted to say you've made a great choice - xyz cottage is the perfect place to relax and unwind. The extras you requested have been added on to your booking and you can pay for them on arrival. We’re looking forward to welcoming you, and we can’t wait for your visit!"

No cheekiness, no animosity, very much looking forward to my little trip now Smile

Thank you again everyone for your input.

I wonder if an employee emailed you the first time?

MilkyCappuchino · 14/08/2024 20:33

This is what we wanted to hear. Amazing. Live life to the fullest

Mirabai · 14/08/2024 20:18

DreamW3aver · 14/08/2024 19:30

Good for you but all the drama llamas above and those who were saying the owners didn't know how to run a holiday business will be sorely disappointed by the amicable conclusion. 😂

What conclusion were you expecting? They have a contract with OP they have no choice but to suck it up.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 14/08/2024 19:58

Lovely update! Enjoy your holiday - sounds like you booked a good place.