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Original poster

People looking round our hotel room?

361 replies

Randomchat · 15/07/2026 09:05

Staying in a lovely 5* hotel for 2 nights. Total treat, it's lovely.

Yesterday we went out for the day. Came back around 3pm and there were hotel staff in our room showing people around. They wanted to book the place for a wedding. They were right in the room, the woman was in the bathroom looking around. The man had opened the wardrobe.

I asked them immediately to leave and they did but they took their time about it, actually standing by the door commenting on how the room was a bit small. I nearly had to push them out and close the door.

We spoke to the reception staff later and they said it's common to let people look around occupied hotel rooms.

Really? Is this common? Right in the room opening wardrobes, not just putting their heads round the door for a quick look?

We got offered a free drink to compensate.

It's still bugging me this morning. I want to go to reception and make clear to them that no-one is to go in our room. Dh says I'm making a fuss. Cleaners go in there every day so this is no different.

I'm interested to hear if this is indeed normal and I'm over-reacting by being bothered by it?

I'll be wondering all day if someone is looking round our bedroom.

OP posts:
Londonrach1 · 15/07/2026 09:55

I'd be furious and I've never ever heard of this before. Talk to the manager and leave a factual review on trip advisor to warn others. I never want to stay at that hotel. Yanbu and I'm shocked it happened. Risk of theft to say nothing of invasion of privacy by random people walking off the street not a staff member. This opens the hotel up hugh risks.

Weeellokthen · 15/07/2026 09:55

Wtf 😮I have never heard of this happening to anyone I know. I would be right pissed off.
Email, hq

Original poster
Randomchat · 15/07/2026 09:54

Okay, you've all made me feel like I'm not overreacting. Thank you.

I've spoken to a different manager on my way up from breakfast who looked horrified that this has happened. Promised me it's not standard and has promised that he'll investigate and speak to us when we get back. Has assured us that no-one will be in our room today.

So we're going to get ready to go out and enjoy our day.

I know I sound pathetic but we never go to fancy hotels. I have no idea what's normal.

I'm not going to name anything right now. I'll see what happens. I'll report back later.

Thank you for your support. I'm a wimp who usually stays in Premier Inns

OP posts:
Calliopespa · 15/07/2026 09:54

I'd actually ask for a reduction on the room. You pay for exclusive use, not sharing it with the general public.

Calliopespa · 15/07/2026 09:53

It isn't standard: they thought they'd get away with it because you'd gone out.

I have often asked to see other room set-ups at hotels we return to (so I know what to book next time) and they ALWAYS check for a time when the room will be being prepared for new guests and offer for us to have a quick peep while the room is unoccupied between bookings.

professionalcommentreader · 15/07/2026 09:53

That’s bonkers, you are hiring a private space not public.

ChaToilLeam · 15/07/2026 09:51

It's an invasion of privacy and also leaves you open to a risk of theft.

No way is it normal practice. I'd hit the bloody roof.

MissMoneyFairy · 15/07/2026 09:51

If its only a 2 night stay and you don't want an upgrade I'd ask for a full refund, is this in the UK?

firstofallimadelight · 15/07/2026 09:50

Totally not normal. I’d be annoyed.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 15/07/2026 09:49

That’s out of order and I’d be annoyed. Surely they have one room free?

Member984815 · 15/07/2026 09:49

I'd want more than a drink as compensation

Whoops75 · 15/07/2026 09:48

I would not be happy at all and definitely leave a review letting other guests know.

Baking07 · 15/07/2026 09:48

No I would not be happy and I would want to speak to a manager.

I would be making it crystal clear that it will be on every review I write, that guests can expect to come back to a room they have paid for and find it being shown to strangers.

Unbelievable.

WildLeader · 15/07/2026 09:48

I’d be raging!

cleaners?… fine. One would assume that they are security checked and are known to the hotel.

supposed members of the public? Absolutely not. What if something went missing when they’re being shown around? What would the hotel be able to do?

go and speak to the manager and point out just how inappropriate this is, what risk it places on you and the hotel and that a free drink isn’t going to cut it.

I’d expect a room upgrade at the very least. Tell them too that you’re going to bring this up with corporate/owners AND write reviews to warn others that their rooms can be used to show to random people whenever the hotel feels like it.

mondaytosunday · 15/07/2026 09:48

I stayed in a lovely hotel and was thinking of booking it for my parents 50th anniversary as a gift. But they needed an accessible room so I asked if I could see one and they said ‘we can only show you an unoccupied room so this may not be the actual room they get’. Which was completely reasonable and expected! I think the hotel was breaching all sorts of laws: breach of privacy, breach of GDPR, and consumer protection regulations. Escalate it and ask for a discount

MimiGC · 15/07/2026 09:47

I agree you need to speak to the manager, not the reception staff - who will have offered you a free drink as ‘compensation’ to keep you quiet. But the fact that they did that at all is useful to your case, as it is tacit admission that they did something wrong.

Thepossibility · 15/07/2026 09:46

I would absolutely be leaving a review saying that they let strangers into your room as common practice. Absolutely outrageous, I've NEVER heard of this happening.

Squirrel60 · 15/07/2026 09:46

I'd have absolutely hit the roof and would have contacted HQ.

You and your husband's personal belongings were still in, and this bloke was looking in the wardrobe and his mrs in the bathroom?

Your husband is way wrong; you are NOT making a fuss.

The whole situation is creepy and intrusive, and scary. What would have happened if the staff weren't there? Or if no staff but just you walking in? A free drink is pathetic.

If you don't get a reply from HQ, or not a suitable one, then threaten to go to the press.

AlwaysExtraHot · 15/07/2026 09:46

caringcarer · 15/07/2026 09:37

Which hotel is it OP? We all want to avoid it. It's not standard practice. I used to work in a hotel and policy was if a person wanted to view rooms they had to be shown room after a guest checked out and room cleaned but before next guest checked into room.

Also a good point. What if they showed round a potential wedding client and the room they went into had underwear strewn around/sex toys out/old takeaway cartons with flies buzzing around them?

MyArtfulGreySloth · 15/07/2026 09:45

wtf. Not acceptable at all! The only other people who should be in your room are either maintenance or housekeeping! I’d be escalating this further.

concertinacornflake · 15/07/2026 09:45

I'd be furious about this too, it's completely inappropriate.

ByRoseBiscuit · 15/07/2026 09:45

Metromayhem · 15/07/2026 09:29

I actually think you’re underreacting to this, I would hit the roof!! Absolutely not standard practice, a total violation of your privacy. I’d want at least a partial refund. If it doesn’t get resolved I’d blast them all over social media to warn other. It would certainly put me off booking!

This.

AlwaysExtraHot · 15/07/2026 09:44

Laurmolonlabe · 15/07/2026 09:36

I'd inform your insurer about this hotel- they can't let people into your room and have your belongings open to theft- it's ridiculous.

Good point!

cooldarkroom · 15/07/2026 09:44

Five Star. I cannot believe this is standard practice. I’d be furious

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/07/2026 09:43

Goodness, I’d be making a MAJOR stink to the management about this!

Absolutely unacceptable!

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