In Spain - friend issue with hotel room

Mad responses.

Yes I would expect some sort of compensation. The shock and disruption must have been awful.
She so easily could have been hurt and sometimes that knowledge is quite traumatic.

I don't honestly know what I would expect but it would be something and not having a double bed is also not on and needs to be resolved. I think a refund on the first night is fair

I don't understand why you would expect any compensation for your friend if she was moved to another room promptly and none of her belongings were damaged. It might be a nice gesture if the hotel gave her a bunch of flowers or a bottle of wine, but I don't think thst is necessary.

I'd ask for a different room with a double bed - if you specifically booked a double bed in the first place. I don't think a refund is necessary.

Me too! I’m like your friend though and wouldn’t ask for it but ‘they couldn’t help it’ really isn’t a justification for you to potentially have been in danger then had to take time (you’ve paid for) out of your holiday to move. I think a hotel in this situation would usually quickly do a freebie like a spa voucher to hope you don’t post a bad review

I wouldn't expect or ask for anything other than promptly being moved to a different room as has been done.

If I was offered a free meal or a partial refund or something it would be a nice gesture but not necessary.

@RosaMoline

I’m surprised by the general reaction on here!

No, I think the hotel ‘sold’ you a nice, safe room. The room clearly wasn’t!

I think you should be compensated, or given an upgrade. I’d point out that you specifically wanted a double bed when you booked. And yes - go together and speak up for your friend.

Yes, I’d concentrate in this issue.

YABU
The room was changed immediately
She only had to repack/unpack a bag
What was inconvenient about that? Not as if she was moved to a different hotel
Sometimes these things happen. A ceiling fell in on me in an AiBnB - had to move to a different one, but hey, sometimes such things happen
Yes, a bit of a shock' but no injury
Why so greedy?

Yes, if a ceiling collapsed where, fortuitously, I wasn't standing but could have been, I'd expect some compensation! Maybe a bottle of champagne and a complimentary safety helmet for the rest of your stay.

I wouldn't want to sleep on a single bed on holiday when I've specifically booked a double bed....that's rubbish! So I'd definitely ask for an upgrade which includes a double bed.

I think the equivalent of a nights stay would be reasonable. It's not at all grabby. I'd also expect an equal or better room. I wouldn't want one with two single beds.

I'm surprised how many people think it's fine for a ceiling to fall in, and bo compensation for the shock. What kind of shitholes are you guys booking???

How on earth can anyone say for certain that it wasn't the hotel's fault and was just unfortunate? There's a pretty good chance that it was down to poor maintenance and checking on their part. Either way, a guest has had at the very least a nasty shock and might have been hurt if she had been underneath the ceiling when it collapsed, and has had to put up with moving to another room. I'd say some compensation is certainly called for, and the cost of one night's stay is reasonable.

Simon Caulder, the travel correspondent for the Independent, has a weekly "ask me anything" session on X (Twitter) It would be interesting to know his thoughts on the subject...

Shit happens.

And then we move on.

Completely agree….yes it could have been much worse…..but it still happened….and it a shock…I think a nights refund is fine to ask for…..and I think it’s fine for you to o this on her behalf if you happy to do it

I’d expect something. Having to move rooms is massively disruptive. Suprised at so many people saying nothing. I wouldn’t say anything, I’d leave it to checkout and ask for a reduction in bill if the hotel haven’t volunteered anything.

I got an upgrade when I had an incident. Your friend could have been hurt, although wasn't.

Go to reception, ask for a new room with the same bed type and see if you can diplomatically ask about an upgrade.

I’ve been forced to move hotel rooms mid-stay. They gave us a complimentary glass of wine, which I was very happy with! Taking five minutes to bung your stuff back in a case isn’t worth a night’s stay, imo.

Depending on the type of hotel (I.e. if it's a chain) and you aren't on a package holiday, they should have a set compensation structure that would cover instances like this.

If not, it'll be down to what you can agree with management.

Are you actually serious?

Not understanding the responses here.

The ceiling collapsed! Imagine if the friend was in the room when it happened. I would be expecting at least a 50% refund. They are lucky they don't have hospital fees.

I'm easy going but WTF? Ceiling collapses, ya I want a refund.

Gosh me too! I am astonished at the replies here, tbh. And I would expect the hotel to offer rather than having to ask. This is kind of hilarious - and awful in equal measures.

They should absolutely refund you the first night. This seems to be a no-brainer to me. It's an easy offer and a good hotel would do this.

(It might be more difficult if it is a chain actually because there may be more management levels to jump through. You want to hope for an autonomous and intelligent manager).

Those saying it wasn't the hotels fault - how do you know this ?
I think a refund of first night cost . It's a horrible thing to happen and would dent my confidence in maintenance at the property and make me nervous that other things weren't right.