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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the hotel were out of order with valentines stay/room?

582 replies

Hotelhorror · 17/02/2026 13:30

I had a night away booked with my boyfriend on Saturday (the first time we had stayed overnight with each other).

It was a modern hotel with a glass window to the bathroom which was supposed to turn opaque when a button was selected. It was apparent this wasn’t working.

We went downstairs to reception to ask for it to be fixed, receptionist said they’d send someone to take a look. Maintenance man came up and said it was a common issue but he didn’t have the part needed (and wouldn’t have it until midweek) so he accompanied us back to reception again saying they’d give us another room.

The receptionist said there was no alternative rooms available as the hotel was full due to valentines and when this happens, couples have ‘seen it all before so just laugh about it’ and enjoy their stay.

I said this wasn’t acceptable and asked for the manager - who did appear from the back office but basically doubled down and said there was nothing they could do. She did offer us a voucher for a drink each in the bar (really!!) as a ‘goodwill gesture’.

As we had traveled some distance we decided to stay, and used the communal loos in the reception area whenever there was a need (luckily there was no need to in the night).

I found them thoroughly dismissive and am awaiting a response to my formal complaint to head office.

AIBU to find these customer service standards appalling?

Image attached of what I mean (this isn’t mine but from another review of same hotel of people unhappy with the set up)

To think the hotel were out of order with valentines stay/room?
OP posts:
Calliopespa · 17/02/2026 18:23

See-through bathroom walls are about as classy as see-through underwear.

Jumimo · 17/02/2026 18:22

Schoolsschsxho · 17/02/2026 13:38

I'd want a full refund. been married 20 years and I wouldn't like it at all

Same here. I’m just not an open bathroom person.

gototogo · 17/02/2026 18:20

Yes it’s awkward but it’s not something they could fix on a Saturday, they were full so couldn’t move your room. I actively avoid hotels with glass bathrooms because they are frankly stupid in design, but ultimately a complimentary drink or a discount is all they can offer

Cosyblankets · 17/02/2026 18:19

MakeYourOwnSunshine · 17/02/2026 17:44

I can't believe grown adults went all the way down to the lobby to use the loo rather than saying "Darling, would you mind averting your eyes for a few minutes, thanks ever so". OK, not a great source but you could surely have coped for one night!

You don't go away on a romantic break to "cope" and pay a pretty penny for it

Blushingm · 17/02/2026 18:19

What would you have liked the hotel to do as all the other rooms were taken?

Frenchfrychic · 17/02/2026 18:17

Usernamenotav · 17/02/2026 18:10

She went for 1 night! Surely she can avoid having a shit for 1 night.

How rhe fuck do you do that then.

Calliopespa · 17/02/2026 18:17

GhettoSnoopystar · 17/02/2026 17:39

Yes, totally me being unreasonable about the sticky back plastic on a romantic break 🙂 I’m glad you felt able to push on through. You’re absolutely right to question my education, and that of the OP, in response. We truly are substandard in comparison to you.

I have had an extensive education and cannot recall a single instance of instruction in the art of adapting or modifying hotel bathrooms for privacy.

The issue isn't one of who can work out how to do it, so much as who wants to spend their holiday sourcing the materials to wallpaper over the glass or whatever. Hotels are paid for for convenience, not as chances to demonstrate skills of resourcefulness and adaptability.

Frenchfrychic · 17/02/2026 18:16

I’m also with you op and find the first answers mind boggling, I’m long term married and wouldn’t want to be taking a shit on a loo right next to the bed in front of transparent glass panel. No way would I want to do it first night away and on Valentine’s Day.

fyllnadspenna · 17/02/2026 18:15

As for being able to avoid using the toilet for one night, I don't know how your body works, but 'when you gotta go, you gotta go' is a saying for a reason. Even if it's possible to wait, it's not healthy or comfortable—especially if you're planning a romantic couple's night.

AmberSeafoam · 17/02/2026 18:12

I despise glass box bathrooms and they don't seem popular with most people. I want solid doors and soundproofing!

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 17/02/2026 18:12

I'd complain to Head Office about both the set-up & the staff's reaction to a fully justified complaint.

I've been with DH >20 years, & neither of us want to watch each other taking a dump.

caringcarer · 17/02/2026 18:12

If have asked for a full refund and left. L

Usernamenotav · 17/02/2026 18:10

Itsasecretnow · 17/02/2026 13:36

My idea of hell! I’m in a ltr 15+ years and I don’t want to watch anybody take a shit and I don’t want to watch anyone else take a shit! I am very aware now to check when booking hotels that I don’t end up with one like this. It’s absolute nonsense that customers will laugh and say they’ve seen it all before, or whatever nonsense the receptionist came out with! Yadnbu, but I think maybe you should’ve paid more attention to the reviews before booking, but tbh I don’t think everyone is even aware of these types of bathrooms still so maybe it’s just not in everyone’s radar. Did you realise before you booked? I don’t trust them to work at all so would avoid like the plague if I saw somewhere had these bathrooms!

She went for 1 night! Surely she can avoid having a shit for 1 night.

surrealpotato · 17/02/2026 18:10

BrownSharpie · 17/02/2026 13:32

You’re being ridiculous.

???

fyllnadspenna · 17/02/2026 18:09

This is such a bizarre trend. I don't travel much, but I've seen it online and wondered what possesses hotels to do this, or even worse, leave off the doors altogether.

I'd absolutely complain. YANBU to expect something in return for a faulty room. They need to be made fully, painfully aware that many guests don't like this so maybe they'll think twice about continuing to opt for such a stupid design choice.

Usernamenotav · 17/02/2026 18:09

You're being ridiculous. What did you expect them to do? Conjure up another room?

Don't go to Thailand, it's full if hotels with glass windows to the bathroom!

YouFW · 17/02/2026 18:07

YADNBU

Who goes for a romantic night away (and probably paying a premium for Valentine's Day) to then be able to see their other half having a shit? Sorry, no.

I wouldn't mind my long term partner seeing me in the shower but definitely not using the loo. I can't think of anything more of a turn off than that!

I would be pushing for at least a 50% refund.

crasenda · 17/02/2026 18:05

CakeMindsThinkAlike · 17/02/2026 18:03

It must be a male designer thing. I can't imagine a woman thinking this is a good idea.

Male designer with a hidden fetish I'd say.

allthingsinmoderation · 17/02/2026 18:05

Tiswa · 17/02/2026 17:29

But that is the issue isn’t it - the hotel we didn’t book clearly show it as a room feature and it’s one that is becoming increasingly common

we didn’t book it because we didn’t want it. But could not have complained because it is clearly a feature of the room

I think if the "feature" of the room that doesn't function as it should "ie: clear glass wall that you can turn opaque (which is the case in the op situation) Surely you can complain if a function doesn't work?

CakeMindsThinkAlike · 17/02/2026 18:03

RhododendronFlowers · 17/02/2026 17:19

Because, as @EvelynBeatrice so rightly says, designers think it's "edgy" plus it's the sort of thing that certain men would go for.

It must be a male designer thing. I can't imagine a woman thinking this is a good idea.

GhettoSnoopystar · 17/02/2026 17:58

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 17/02/2026 17:54

No she isn't

But this poster has gone to the trouble of changing their name in order to best insult the OP, it’s a shame they couldn’t come up with something better with all that effort.

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 17/02/2026 17:54

BrownSharpie · 17/02/2026 13:32

You’re being ridiculous.

No she isn't

BunnyLake · 17/02/2026 17:53

BrownSharpie · 17/02/2026 13:32

You’re being ridiculous.

Why?

LunaDeBallona · 17/02/2026 17:52

To the people saying “you are being ridiculous” -well, you do you.
You may have no qualms about peeing,wiping and taking a crap in front of a new boyfriend - and having him do the same - but @Hotelhorror , myself and many others would hate this.
You might think we are ‘ridiculous’ - that’s your perogative. I think you are disgustingly crude, base and have zero manners.I also think you must have been dragged up. Thats my perogative.

@Hotelhorror - I really feel for you. I would be mortified. Married 20 yrs here and my husband & I could not do this. There’s some things that deserve privacy- and bathroom stuff is one of them. I hope the hotel apologise & refund you.

Womaninhouse17 · 17/02/2026 17:51

I would hate that and it would give me chronic constipation. It would also put me off my partner of 15 years. I wouldn't book a hotel room with one of those glass walls because I wouldn't trust it. The hotel were wrong to be dismissive and should have either offered you an alternative room or a full refund.

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