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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:
ThatLemonBear · 15/07/2026 16:31

KeepPumping · 15/07/2026 16:23

Cleaner shouldn"t have been in your room though if you were not checking out and did not request a room clean? Put the Do Not Disturb sign up next time, maybe the cleaner thought you had vacated?

Edited

Most hotels I’ve stayed in service the rooms daily, unless you’ve left the DND sign on. In my experience it’s only the cheap ones (Travelodge etc) that don’t

ILoveMyCaravan · 15/07/2026 16:28

Many years ago I stayed at a lovely spa hotel, prior to having major surgery. I really needed this break and to chill out. I’d been there several times and I was expecting it to be good.

On the first morning I was just getting out of the bath when two hotel staff barged in the room to have a look around (the hotel had recently been taken over), when I shouted from the bathroom they made no hurry to leave and carried on looking around. No apology, and then left!

I was furious. I complained to the spa reception who were mortified, but still tried to justify the manager entering my room. OK the staff were both female, but even so…

I later got a more sincere apology and I think a complementary treatment.

You’re definitely not overreacting and it’s not OK! But they do seem to have made proper amends from your latest update.

KeepPumping · 15/07/2026 16:25

Cleaners are most likely to have sticky fingers because they get paid less and have less to lose if caught, an area manager potentially on the way up through the organisation is unlikely to get caught up in illegal activity or want to excuse dodgy activity?

KeepPumping · 15/07/2026 16:23

Randomchat · 15/07/2026 16:03

I'm back. A senior manager was there to speak to us, someone above this morning's guy. Very apologetic.

Their story is that a couple came in without an appointment to see about a wedding. One of the reception staff agreed to show them round the public areas. As they were walking along our corridor the cleaner was just finishing up in our room and they asked if they could have a quick look. They then walked right past the staff member showing them around and walked right into the room. She was shocked and wasn't very forceful in asking them to leave. Then just at that minute we came back.

All of that makes sense to us. The cleaner was indeed in the corridor. Our corridor was on the way to the wedding function space. The girl did look very young and totally our of her depth, the couple were entitled knobs.

The manager wasn't able to explain why we were told it was standard. He said it's absolutely not standard.

He said he has spoken to all the staff involved.

He has offered us one free night and no charge for breakfasts and has left a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates in our room.

All of the staff here seem very young. We actually commented on it when we checked in that the reception staff looked like they should still be in school and we must be getting old. This morning's manager looked about 25. This afternoon's one looked like a proper grown up.

Anyway, we're happy enough I guess. I don't think they're a crime syndicate or anything, just surprisingly young and inexperienced staff for such a nice hotel.

We're going to drink our champagne now. We've got an early dinner booked then a table in a pub to watch the football. Free breakfast in the morning then heading home.

Dh is now worried that the staff will all be sacked. But I'm not going to worry about that. I'm just going to enjoy my champagne.

We'll chew over what kind of public review we might leave. We'll certainly put something in writing to the hotel I think.

The thing that upset me the most actually was that we thought our room was great. Nicer than anything we've ever stayed in before. And that horrible man strolled out of it saying it felt a bit small and were all the rooms that size?

Hey ho. He might be rich but he's also horrible.

Cleaner shouldn"t have been in your room though if you were not checking out and did not request a room clean? Put the Do Not Disturb sign up next time, maybe the cleaner thought you had vacated?

menopausalfart · 15/07/2026 16:16

I would have been in a meno rage having to deal with the nosy groom. Maybe he has a wardrobe fetish? Regardless, my foot would have been up his arse.

ToadRage · 15/07/2026 16:16

I'd be fuming. I left all my stuff, bag, phone, kindle etc.in our hotel room while we went down for dinner. Anyone could have taken something.

Bulbsbulbsbulbs · 15/07/2026 16:15

Well done for complaining, it was terrible that this happened and it's certainly a training need.

My husband would be the same as yours and it's so irritating. He'd let people get away with murder if it meant not causing a fuss or upsetting anyone.

I hope you enjoy your freebies.

AlwaysExtraHot · 15/07/2026 16:14

Randomchat · 15/07/2026 16:03

I'm back. A senior manager was there to speak to us, someone above this morning's guy. Very apologetic.

Their story is that a couple came in without an appointment to see about a wedding. One of the reception staff agreed to show them round the public areas. As they were walking along our corridor the cleaner was just finishing up in our room and they asked if they could have a quick look. They then walked right past the staff member showing them around and walked right into the room. She was shocked and wasn't very forceful in asking them to leave. Then just at that minute we came back.

All of that makes sense to us. The cleaner was indeed in the corridor. Our corridor was on the way to the wedding function space. The girl did look very young and totally our of her depth, the couple were entitled knobs.

The manager wasn't able to explain why we were told it was standard. He said it's absolutely not standard.

He said he has spoken to all the staff involved.

He has offered us one free night and no charge for breakfasts and has left a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates in our room.

All of the staff here seem very young. We actually commented on it when we checked in that the reception staff looked like they should still be in school and we must be getting old. This morning's manager looked about 25. This afternoon's one looked like a proper grown up.

Anyway, we're happy enough I guess. I don't think they're a crime syndicate or anything, just surprisingly young and inexperienced staff for such a nice hotel.

We're going to drink our champagne now. We've got an early dinner booked then a table in a pub to watch the football. Free breakfast in the morning then heading home.

Dh is now worried that the staff will all be sacked. But I'm not going to worry about that. I'm just going to enjoy my champagne.

We'll chew over what kind of public review we might leave. We'll certainly put something in writing to the hotel I think.

The thing that upset me the most actually was that we thought our room was great. Nicer than anything we've ever stayed in before. And that horrible man strolled out of it saying it felt a bit small and were all the rooms that size?

Hey ho. He might be rich but he's also horrible.

Hmm.

OK but not totally satisfactory IMO.

Why hire people who are out of their depth? – or perhaps the better question is why was someone left in charge of potential guests despite clearly not having been trained/managed to NOT be out of their depth? I'd imagine a basic skill in hospitality is dealing with entitled knobs.

The manager wasn't able to explain why we were told it was standard. Even though he's spoken to all the staff involved? I think someone said that to desperately try to cover their arse and maybe their colleagues'. Perhaps they didn't want to admit such to the manager. Perhaps the manager suspects as much but is covering his staff's arses. Kind of understandable, but I hope he is going to make it clear (to everyone, not pick on one person) that this is absolutely not standard and they must never do it.

He has offered us one free night and no charge for breakfasts and has left a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates in our room. That's OK, I think.

All of the staff here seem very young… just surprisingly young and inexperienced staff for such a nice hotel.
Youth isn't a problem as such, obviously, but inexperience is. I'd write to whoever the top dog is and say that. If I ran a 5 star hotel/chain of them, I'd want staff with experience/training/nous enough to stand their ground when faced with entitled members of the public; that seems like a basic requirement to me.

Dh is now worried that the staff will all be sacked. Well, he also thought
you were just making a fuss and it was no different to cleaners going in your room <<shrug>>

ec5881 · 15/07/2026 16:12

Randomchat · 15/07/2026 16:03

I'm back. A senior manager was there to speak to us, someone above this morning's guy. Very apologetic.

Their story is that a couple came in without an appointment to see about a wedding. One of the reception staff agreed to show them round the public areas. As they were walking along our corridor the cleaner was just finishing up in our room and they asked if they could have a quick look. They then walked right past the staff member showing them around and walked right into the room. She was shocked and wasn't very forceful in asking them to leave. Then just at that minute we came back.

All of that makes sense to us. The cleaner was indeed in the corridor. Our corridor was on the way to the wedding function space. The girl did look very young and totally our of her depth, the couple were entitled knobs.

The manager wasn't able to explain why we were told it was standard. He said it's absolutely not standard.

He said he has spoken to all the staff involved.

He has offered us one free night and no charge for breakfasts and has left a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates in our room.

All of the staff here seem very young. We actually commented on it when we checked in that the reception staff looked like they should still be in school and we must be getting old. This morning's manager looked about 25. This afternoon's one looked like a proper grown up.

Anyway, we're happy enough I guess. I don't think they're a crime syndicate or anything, just surprisingly young and inexperienced staff for such a nice hotel.

We're going to drink our champagne now. We've got an early dinner booked then a table in a pub to watch the football. Free breakfast in the morning then heading home.

Dh is now worried that the staff will all be sacked. But I'm not going to worry about that. I'm just going to enjoy my champagne.

We'll chew over what kind of public review we might leave. We'll certainly put something in writing to the hotel I think.

The thing that upset me the most actually was that we thought our room was great. Nicer than anything we've ever stayed in before. And that horrible man strolled out of it saying it felt a bit small and were all the rooms that size?

Hey ho. He might be rich but he's also horrible.

Well well done you - sounds like you got a proper solid and plausible explanation. And free night free breakfasts free bubbly all good. Enjoy it!! Really impressed at you dealing with it and rising above it. With you that you should enjoy your champagne, with you that you needn’t worry about someone losing their job. They won’t, they’ll just get trained which is important. My husband’s a bit like yours; worst thing that can happen is someone makes a fuss. But sometimes things are wrong, they need dealing with, and things get better. Enjoy your free stuff, your beautiful room, your bubbles, and sod that boring old groom turning up his nose. What a sad sausage he sounds. Chin chin!!

Chefpig · 15/07/2026 16:04

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.

Is this in the UK? Its really disgusting customer service. What if you'd been in the bathroom naked when they came in and you'd not heard the door go so they walked in? What if your belongings got stolen by the potential bride and groom? Probably rare when someone from the hotel was presumably in the room with them, but these things cannot be discounted. Would the hotel accept liability?

Randomchat · 15/07/2026 16:03

I'm back. A senior manager was there to speak to us, someone above this morning's guy. Very apologetic.

Their story is that a couple came in without an appointment to see about a wedding. One of the reception staff agreed to show them round the public areas. As they were walking along our corridor the cleaner was just finishing up in our room and they asked if they could have a quick look. They then walked right past the staff member showing them around and walked right into the room. She was shocked and wasn't very forceful in asking them to leave. Then just at that minute we came back.

All of that makes sense to us. The cleaner was indeed in the corridor. Our corridor was on the way to the wedding function space. The girl did look very young and totally our of her depth, the couple were entitled knobs.

The manager wasn't able to explain why we were told it was standard. He said it's absolutely not standard.

He said he has spoken to all the staff involved.

He has offered us one free night and no charge for breakfasts and has left a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates in our room.

All of the staff here seem very young. We actually commented on it when we checked in that the reception staff looked like they should still be in school and we must be getting old. This morning's manager looked about 25. This afternoon's one looked like a proper grown up.

Anyway, we're happy enough I guess. I don't think they're a crime syndicate or anything, just surprisingly young and inexperienced staff for such a nice hotel.

We're going to drink our champagne now. We've got an early dinner booked then a table in a pub to watch the football. Free breakfast in the morning then heading home.

Dh is now worried that the staff will all be sacked. But I'm not going to worry about that. I'm just going to enjoy my champagne.

We'll chew over what kind of public review we might leave. We'll certainly put something in writing to the hotel I think.

The thing that upset me the most actually was that we thought our room was great. Nicer than anything we've ever stayed in before. And that horrible man strolled out of it saying it felt a bit small and were all the rooms that size?

Hey ho. He might be rich but he's also horrible.

OP posts:
ec5881 · 15/07/2026 16:01

Wowza!!! This is grossly not ok!

You know that when people have house viewings sometimes things go missing, people off in a room without the staff? Have seen that on this thread too. I hate the feeling of someone in my hotel room or home who isn’t staff just in there. I have a friend who nicks things in situations like this. We only ever meet out and about cause I don’t trust her and even then she knicks the spoons.

I’d definitely escalate this to head office/ the most senior manager of the hotel. This would be in significant refund or future free stay territory. Whenever I have looked at an event space it’s strictly unoccupied rooms that are shown. This is outrageous. Do not let your husband hold you from complaining. Id ask straight up that this is not ok and would they consider refund/credit if they don’t offer. You don’t have to be mad about it (though you’d be perfectly reasonable to be) but factual, because it is bang out of order! A bit of a violation. You’d be helping them to change their policy on this which is clearly not translated company wide.

AmazonQueeen · 15/07/2026 16:00

Tell the manager your heirloom diamond bracelet appears to be missing …watch them shit themselves.

Kimmers4334 · 15/07/2026 15:59

I’m glad the second manager has taken it seriously. It’s one thing to ask but another to just go in without permission. It’s an invasion whether you were there or not, but what if you’d been in the shower or napping or something and hadn’t heard them knock?

LlynTegid · 15/07/2026 15:56

KeepPumping · 15/07/2026 15:28

Best to go straight to regional management now, the local staff will cover for each other maybe and try to fob you off, if there is a robbery scam many or most of them will know about it and may be taking a cut, on the other hand the person who showed the self-entitled clown group through your room might just be an idiot who needs to go on a training course?

I would be tempted to involve the police. Via the 111 number. Law of joint enterprise could apply.

Glad you will report back.

KeepPumping · 15/07/2026 15:53

Mothership4two · 15/07/2026 15:48

This is weird and not something I've ever heard of - like pretty much everyone on this thread. If someone was showing us around I would have thought it odd, but assumed they had the OK from the occupants and if, like you, they turned up and hadn't OKed it, I would have apologised, got out sharpish and given the member of staff an earful. It's not much different from potential clients being shown around their wedding venue during their wedding.

Like others have said, leaves the hotel open to potential theft.

I would name and shame especially as it is a 5* hotel, if it is true then it's fine and there's not a lot they could do about it.

So if celebrity types use it - do they? And a journalist wanted to snoop into their room, they could pretend to be a potential guest? Bad for business if this gets publicity IMO

Reallyneedsaholiday · 15/07/2026 15:53

I'm glad you've spoken to someone else who seems to be more concerned than the first receptionist was, and hopefully they will come with a more satisfactory response and compensation. IF they don't, I would be tempted to contact whoever the board are who awarded them 5*s. Ask them whether this is standard practise in the hotels they recommend.

On another lighter note, which will hopefully give you a laugh. A few years ago, I stayed in a 5* hotel (in another country, nameless to avoid outing myself too much). Call it a "second honeymoon". Midnight. We were "doing the do" No clothes, bed covers, in fact barely a "bed", when the door opened and one of the staff walked in, with guests and suitcases in tow. Mix up with room keys apparently. I'd never seen my husband move so fast, as he dived headfirst over the far side of the bed, leaving me on full display.
So, yes, I'd be furious in your shoes, but it really COULD have been worse 🤣🤣🤣

Mothership4two · 15/07/2026 15:48

This is weird and not something I've ever heard of - like pretty much everyone on this thread. If someone was showing us around I would have thought it odd, but assumed they had the OK from the occupants and if, like you, they turned up and hadn't OKed it, I would have apologised, got out sharpish and given the member of staff an earful. It's not much different from potential clients being shown around their wedding venue during their wedding.

Like others have said, leaves the hotel open to potential theft.

I would name and shame especially as it is a 5* hotel, if it is true then it's fine and there's not a lot they could do about it.

igelkott2026 · 15/07/2026 15:42

It isn't right but I have to admit that about 10 years ago we were staying in a hotel and liked it so much we decided to book it again for the following year. The hotel manager showed us an occupied seaview room so we could see that it was like as we'd had a view of the car park that year. We were only in there for 30 seconds just to take in the view but he did admit it was against the rules to show us when someone was staying in it (they were out at the time, obviously).

The hotel has since changed hands so even if someone guesses where it is from my previous posts it doesn't matter!

KeepPumping · 15/07/2026 15:30

OneMintWasp · 15/07/2026 15:25

Not acceptable at all. I leave my medication in the bathroom with NHS number and DOB on the box. I pay using my phone so leave my purse in the room.

Niot really a great idea, but I get that you should be able to trust a high end hotel, certainly wouldn"t leave anything of value in a budget hotel, no knowing what little scams the staff have going.

KeepPumping · 15/07/2026 15:28

IntoTheRoseGarden · 15/07/2026 15:12

A Trip Advisor review or a free dinner, wine and cocktails beforehand.

Best to go straight to regional management now, the local staff will cover for each other maybe and try to fob you off, if there is a robbery scam many or most of them will know about it and may be taking a cut, on the other hand the person who showed the self-entitled clown group through your room might just be an idiot who needs to go on a training course?

OneMintWasp · 15/07/2026 15:25

Not acceptable at all. I leave my medication in the bathroom with NHS number and DOB on the box. I pay using my phone so leave my purse in the room.

KeepPumping · 15/07/2026 15:24

Woodfiresareamazing2 · 15/07/2026 14:28

HI @Randomchat

I've been lucky enough to travel a lot and stay in many beautiful places.

I have never heard of this happening before. In fact, I have been told on several occasions that I CAN'T view a particular room because it is occupied.

It is a serious security and privacy breach, and I would be making a written formal complaint to the manager. A free drink doesn't cut it as 'compensation'.
Depending on the manager's response, I might copy the letter to regional management.

Include in your complaint how it has adversely affected your stay - worrying that someone else might come in etc.

Re compensation, I'd be asking for the hotel to give me another opportunity for them to show how well they usually treat their guests ie a free night's stay. At the very least they should host you for dinner.

Edited

Best to phone/e-mail regional management while you are still staying there, you will probably get an immediate discount and more drinks.

mulberrymilk · 15/07/2026 15:16

I've spoken to a different manager on my way up from breakfast who looked horrified that this has happened.

Good. I'm glad someone working there finally responded appropriately. I hope you get some recompense.

IntoTheRoseGarden · 15/07/2026 15:12

A Trip Advisor review or a free dinner, wine and cocktails beforehand.