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AIBU?

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Original poster

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:
Baffy11 · 18/02/2026 13:02

I'm offended on your behalf OP....this is happening more and more. I had a frightful weekend away with a friend, sharing a twin room, with no bathroom door at all and a small piece of frosted glass separating the loo. YADNBU! You may be interested in the below:-

bringbackdoors.com/

RaininSummer · 18/02/2026 12:54

Never heard of this type of bathroom and I would hate it.

IngridBurger · 18/02/2026 12:42

They went for a night in a hotel not a test of resilience in the wilderness to be survived ffs. Doesn't matter if other couples have nursed each other with dysentery they should have been able to expect some privacy having paid for a room. Really shouldn't be a resourcefulness/make do scenario.

That said, cello tape has tickled me so thanks for that! 🎻

KimberleyClark · 18/02/2026 12:19

We stay in a Holiday Inn Express occasionally. The bathroom door doubles as the door to the toilet making it a cubicle. Nifty design.

emilysquest · 18/02/2026 12:13

@Anna1mac not just Millennials! I'm a boomer and I would leave the hotel and go to a nearby service station rather than use that bathroom!

BumpyWinds · 18/02/2026 10:50

Ugh - you have my sympathy OP - these types of hotels are a nightmare! I've rejected many a hotel from holiday searches for this reason. Not just ones that you "hope" will turn frosted, but those with any sort of glass separation to the main bedroom. Many people are comfortable with their other half hearing their partner's business, but I am not one of them!

Stammso · 18/02/2026 10:45

user1471530109 · 18/02/2026 08:04

Are all The Village hotels like this?

I stayed in one with my teenage daughter who was horrified by the glass bathroom. I had no idea the door was supposed to go opaque though! If I'd known I would have complained too! The room was absolutely tiny. Just a bed and had to squeeze round it. I think this one was around Southampton. Eastleigh maybe?

We always stay in a premier inn now!

I've just looked at that one and it's really not obvious from the photos or description that there is so little privacy. And it shouldn't need to be something we have to check carefully FFS, there are already enough variables you weigh up when picking a hotel without having to forensically examine each picture for evidence of a proper bathroom wall. Very frustrating.

AmberSeafoam · 18/02/2026 10:44

Easterchicken · 18/02/2026 10:40

I think a massive difference here is you and your husband are married. Probably seen each other in a few compromising positions he's most likely watched a baby leave your body

This was their first night together a romantic evening that they paid a lot of money for

It wasn't a performance piece in a dodgy club off the red light district in Amsterdam

Show quote history

I've been married twenty years, given birth in front of my husband more than once and hope we still have another forty or more years ahead of us. I also hope none of those years involve either one of us pooing behind glass in a hotel in front of the other.

Easterchicken · 18/02/2026 10:40

HoppingPavlova · 17/02/2026 14:39

We had this recently, where the bathroom had a full glass window so no one missed ‘the amazing view’. The problem was though, there was exterior window, then little sitting area, then bed, then bathroom - so while on the loo, you looked out across the bed and sitting area to the lovely view outside the window.

However, there was a roller blind which you could put down if desired. Neither DH or I could be bothered faffing with a roller blind every time we went to the loo, so just left it. We didn’t look at each other on the loo though, who would? We were either in the little sitting area, having wine or cup of tea while looking out at the view, or laying on the bed watching Netflix, not ogling the person who had gone in and was sitting on the loo, or drying themselves off from shower behind the glass. So, while an odd’ish set up, it was no biggie at all and we certainly were not storming down to reception about it, or using reception toilets.

I think a massive difference here is you and your husband are married. Probably seen each other in a few compromising positions he's most likely watched a baby leave your body

This was their first night together a romantic evening that they paid a lot of money for

It wasn't a performance piece in a dodgy club off the red light district in Amsterdam

Easterchicken · 18/02/2026 10:37

Please name and shame this hotel so I never ever book it

This is my idea of hell

I also believe some people think this is acceptable or to just "celeotape a towel up" what a stupid suggestion

AmberSeafoam · 18/02/2026 10:36

Delphinium20 · 17/02/2026 22:59

I've been married for over two decades, and DH has seen me poo when I gave birth.

I still have NO desire to that in front of him in a hotel. Or at home.

And most definitely NOT on a romantic getaway.

Sorry if this has already been posted, but I love this woman. She's my hero!

https://www.instagram.com/bring_back_doors/

The hotel rooms on that instagram are anxiety-inducing just to look at! What the hell is wrong with the designers?

OtterlyAstounding · 18/02/2026 10:24

Psychologymam · 18/02/2026 09:57

We have had some hard things to deal with in life recently (friends being very unwell) so maybe it just feels like a first world problem to me. I would be a bit mortified and then think to myself - if you can’t cope with a 💩, how do you manage to navigate the difficult issues in life, illnesses, deaths, caring needs. Husband and I both work with people who pass away too early which I think always puts so much into perspective. You probably would manage it too if it’s necessary - just much prefer not to which I absolutely concur with!

Show quote history

But when you're paying for a hotel room - for Valentine's Day, no less - you shouldn't have to 'manage' navigating taking a shit and feeling mortified because your partner can see you through the glass if they don't avert their eyes!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 18/02/2026 10:15

I think what upsets me about glass (or non existent) bathroom walls is that it removes any element of choice. If you don't mind seeing your partner shitting and wiping then you can leave a bathroom door open, or be in the bathroom at the same time. If, however, you DON'T want that luxury, then glass walls remove your ability to not see.

Asking someone to avert their eyes or go for a walk is beside the point. You should have the choice. I have a downstairs bathroom with no window (it has a light well) and for ten seconds I considered replacing part of the wall with glass bricks to improve the lighting situation. Then I realised that, even seven feet up, I didn't want someone to be able to peer in.

Birdsandthebees · 18/02/2026 10:05

You are definitely not being unreasonable. I've been with my husband for 20 odd years and wouldn't want him to see me in the bathroom. I certainly wouldn't want to see him. No thank you! 🤣

Psychologymam · 18/02/2026 09:57

Blueyrocks · 17/02/2026 20:44

Thank you for this reply! I'd use it in the middle of the night too, for a wee, while DH was asleep or barely awake. That would be fine. It's the other end of toileting that I just --- Or, tampons or whatever. Nope.

DH was there for all my labours, but he didn't deliver the babies. But even if he had - labour is different. You're right, of course - he's a grown up and he knows my body works the same way his does, and he wouldn't be watching. But still.

It's not a situation I've ever been in, so maybe if it came to it I'd be fine. But I shudder at the thought, from where I am now!

Show quote history

We have had some hard things to deal with in life recently (friends being very unwell) so maybe it just feels like a first world problem to me. I would be a bit mortified and then think to myself - if you can’t cope with a 💩, how do you manage to navigate the difficult issues in life, illnesses, deaths, caring needs. Husband and I both work with people who pass away too early which I think always puts so much into perspective. You probably would manage it too if it’s necessary - just much prefer not to which I absolutely concur with!

thebabessavedme · 18/02/2026 09:57

Exactly @MrsPenelopeBridgerton , I find my husband rather sexy even after all these years, seeing him take a dump might ruin the illusion.😂

MrsPenelopeBridgerton · 18/02/2026 09:53

That’s not cool. I wouldn’t want to see my husband having a dump through the glass.

thebabessavedme · 18/02/2026 09:53

Also, I find the idea of sharing what we do in the bathroom a 'low bar' for the respect we show our partners, we can't even afford someone privacy to use the loo in peace? most odd!

UnctuousUnicorns · 18/02/2026 09:52

I think the freaks who dreamt this travesty up, plus those who thinks it's no big deal, should be forever forced to only ever use public toilets with glass doors, no opacity function. Let's everyone see them sat on the shitter with their kecks round their ankles, on display, if they think it's such a great idea. Then again, the perverts might enjoy that. Ugh.

RampantIvy · 18/02/2026 09:51

thebabessavedme · 18/02/2026 09:48

Why do people some people seem to find it laughable that most people would want privacy in a bathroom? I have Ulcerative Colitis, have had it for many years, also been married for many years, I would absolutely hate not having privacy in the bathroom - my bowel movements can be explosive, very noisy etc, my husband is not a stupid man, he knows this happens to me and is very considerate. Even without this illness I would not like to share an 'open' bathroom with my husband, I'm not stupid, I know he pees and poos etc but I don't need proof!

I bet these posters find toilet humour funny as well.

Myblueclematis · 18/02/2026 09:51

My friend has IBD and has to poo sometimes around five or six times within a fairly short time. We have shared hotel rooms in the past and I know she would be mortified having to use a bathroom with glass doors, opaque or not.

I wouldn't want to hear or see her and I wouldn't want her to see me either.

thebabessavedme · 18/02/2026 09:48

Why do people some people seem to find it laughable that most people would want privacy in a bathroom? I have Ulcerative Colitis, have had it for many years, also been married for many years, I would absolutely hate not having privacy in the bathroom - my bowel movements can be explosive, very noisy etc, my husband is not a stupid man, he knows this happens to me and is very considerate. Even without this illness I would not like to share an 'open' bathroom with my husband, I'm not stupid, I know he pees and poos etc but I don't need proof!

Portugal1987 · 18/02/2026 09:25

I don’t think you were unreasonable at all! And I’d still make a point of it after the stay, honestly.

Yes, some people may not care, that is besides the point - they are trying to make it sound like it’s no biggie when they are making you pay for a room that isn’t like it’s been advertised. Simple as that!

EvelynBeatrice · 18/02/2026 08:41

NotThisAgain1987 · 17/02/2026 20:52

Just tell them not to look or put a towel over the door. OP you're blowing this out of proportion

Show quote history

Sure … if the room was free! As a paying customer I have a reasonable expectation of privacy on the loo as has been standard since the 19th century!!! If I didnt get what I paid for I would expect a full refund.

Pursue it as a small clam?

Wetcoatsandmudagain · 18/02/2026 08:17

YANBU if the hotel are stupid enough to fit these doors then they can offer a much better compensation for ruining your stay. I would imagine the majority of us definitely would not laugh it off. Bathrooms should offer complete privacy end of! Baffles me why anyone would want glass doors on a bathroom tbh

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