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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to expect air conditioning in August without extra room charges?

128 replies

NoAircon · 05/08/2026 11:23

I've booked a package holiday through a provider- I have attached the room details.

AIBU to think that AirCon May-October meant that my room in August would have Aircon?

Instead I get it for three hours a day, otherwise I have to pay £10 per room, per day- we have four rooms. I have never experienced this before, the fault is with the package provider, but is this standard practice?

AIBU to expect air conditioning in August without extra room charges?
OP posts:
CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 05/08/2026 12:16

saveforthat · 05/08/2026 11:55

Oh come on. I would have made the same assumption as the op, simply because I have never been anywhere that charges for air conditioning. It's either been there and included in the holiday cost or not there at all.

Show quote history

But it is included.

It's just limited to 3hr per day before charges apply.

Would you complain that an included pool is not available 9pm-7am?

Seems very fair to me.

I've never assumed that "minibar in room" meant that the alcohol would be free...

Jaxhog · 05/08/2026 12:19

I had this in New Zealand. Perfectly acceptable. Be glad you aren't staying in a UK hotel during a heatwave with NO aircon. LIke I was last month.

Original poster
NoAircon · 05/08/2026 12:23

It's Greece for those asking.

Normally there is a * if anything incurs an extra cost, I do always try and check this.

OP posts:
Original poster
NoAircon · 05/08/2026 12:24

Jaxhog · 05/08/2026 12:19

I had this in New Zealand. Perfectly acceptable. Be glad you aren't staying in a UK hotel during a heatwave with NO aircon. LIke I was last month.

I don't agree with this, because I wouldn't holiday in the UK with no aircon- I do always check.

I accept it was my fault, but they could make it clearer that it incurred extra fees.

OP posts:
Original poster
NoAircon · 05/08/2026 12:25

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 05/08/2026 12:16

But it is included.

It's just limited to 3hr per day before charges apply.

Would you complain that an included pool is not available 9pm-7am?

Seems very fair to me.

I've never assumed that "minibar in room" meant that the alcohol would be free...

Show quote history

Minibar is a good example - it is normally listed as
Minibar * extra charges apply.

And some have the minibar replaced as part of the package

OP posts:
minipie · 05/08/2026 12:29

Would you complain that an included pool is not available 9pm-7am?

If the pool was only available 3 hours a day I would expect that to be listed out clearly.

Bitzee · 05/08/2026 12:32

I’d always read ‘available’ as available for an extra fee. Like it might say house wines included, premium wine available. Ridiculous though, I wouldn’t have booked that hotel given it’s Greece in August!!

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 05/08/2026 12:34

cupfinalchaos · 05/08/2026 11:45

I’ve never heard anything like this.

I have, both times in Greece. Height of the summer first time, got to hotel to be told ac was extra charge per day. In the 30s so non negotiable.Then in Lesbos in may, luckily it wasnt hot enough to need it.

Piggywaspushed · 05/08/2026 12:35

I would have read it as no aircon November to April but aircon in peak season. I dont think this is a clear description .

Original poster
NoAircon · 05/08/2026 12:37

This is where we stayed before- clear where the extra charges are and what is included.

I do agree with most of you and I should have read it, but I don't think it is as clear as it could be.

It should say

Aircon available May-October *extra charges apply

AIBU to expect air conditioning in August without extra room charges?
AIBU to expect air conditioning in August without extra room charges?
OP posts:
mtobrokeme · 05/08/2026 12:37

We’ve paid for aircon in quite a few hotels, last week we paid for it in a Lefkada hotel it wasn’t £10 though, cost us €40 for the week.

Mooselander · 05/08/2026 12:38

YABU. I think that’s very clear that it’s not included, just available.

ChocolateApples · 05/08/2026 12:38

I would have read it as the Aircon only work May-Oct because that's when it's needed.

Clearinguptheclutter · 05/08/2026 12:39

It’s a bit vague but it isn’t included as a “tick” which suggests it’s not necessarily included but wording should ideally say “3 hours included” to make it crystal clear

never come across this before

be grateful you’re not in my situation tho -booked holiday next weeks and just realised I booked the option with no air con at all ☹️

Original poster
NoAircon · 05/08/2026 12:39

minipie · 05/08/2026 12:29

Would you complain that an included pool is not available 9pm-7am?

If the pool was only available 3 hours a day I would expect that to be listed out clearly.

For me it is whether or not it is reasonable.

Pool only open 3 hours a day, then yes I would except to be informed

Pool closed overnight- reasonable.

OP posts:
hugasaurus · 05/08/2026 12:40

We had similar in Greece, the only place I’ve come across it. However it wasn’t as pricey, it was like 20 euro for the week. I’d also want the air con on a lot more than three hours a day given the heat, we’ve recently come back from Canaries and the air con was on all evening once we got back after dinner and all night plus for a couple of hours during the afternoon.

This thread is proof the listing is ambiguous. They should have included proper details and mentioned the extra charge.

savemydrawers · 05/08/2026 12:40

I think they are being sneaky with this . Appalling !

Original poster
NoAircon · 05/08/2026 12:54

Clearinguptheclutter · 05/08/2026 12:39

It’s a bit vague but it isn’t included as a “tick” which suggests it’s not necessarily included but wording should ideally say “3 hours included” to make it crystal clear

never come across this before

be grateful you’re not in my situation tho -booked holiday next weeks and just realised I booked the option with no air con at all ☹️

You have my prayers. It was intolerable, we have paid but it rankles.

Tbh I don't think paying extra encourages anyone to be mindful of using the Aircon.

OP posts:
Original poster
NoAircon · 05/08/2026 12:56

This thread is proof the listing is ambiguous

Thanks, annoying as I would have chosen a different hotel had I realised how much extra it would be. It's £320 we hadn't budget for

OP posts:
whyexactlythough · 05/08/2026 13:08

It’s not usual in 4/5 * places but maybe in others? I’ve never had to pay for it before

Moellen54 · 05/08/2026 13:08

Its usually charged for with package holidays. Its says in the small print I expect

saveforthat · 05/08/2026 13:16

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 05/08/2026 12:16

But it is included.

It's just limited to 3hr per day before charges apply.

Would you complain that an included pool is not available 9pm-7am?

Seems very fair to me.

I've never assumed that "minibar in room" meant that the alcohol would be free...

Show quote history

Now you're being ridiculous. No I wouldn't expect to swim at night. I would expect to use AC overnight. Also in most hotels I have stayed in the AC doesn't work unless all the windows are shut so that stops waste. This must be a new thing. I am 67 and never come across it. Thanks for the heads up @NoAircon I will check carefully before booking future holidays.

KatiePricesKnickers · 05/08/2026 13:16

NoAircon · 05/08/2026 12:24

I don't agree with this, because I wouldn't holiday in the UK with no aircon- I do always check.

I accept it was my fault, but they could make it clearer that it incurred extra fees.

Show quote history

Make sure you mention that in your review.

trying29 · 05/08/2026 13:18

this is more common in Greece in my experience in the non 5* hotels. we had to pay last year in Skiathos - was something like 60 euros a week. was not even that powerful!

Bjorkdidit · 05/08/2026 13:21

NoAircon · 05/08/2026 12:56

This thread is proof the listing is ambiguous

Thanks, annoying as I would have chosen a different hotel had I realised how much extra it would be. It's £320 we hadn't budget for

But it could well be that there would also have been an extra charge with the other hotels.

It's something that's getting more common and makes it harder to compare prices or know how much something is going to cost.

Most budget airlines give you the price for your seat and a small bag. You then have to work out where you sit, luggage and be offered a load of other extras like hire cars and travel insurance, with even minimal extras potentially costing more than the first price you were quoted.

Insurance policies have become very basic so they appear at the top of the price comparison sites.

The Chinese takeaway we've used for years used to include boiled rice or chips within the listed menu price. That price has gone up and rice or chips is now extra on top.

When buying food and drinks from chains you're bombarded with choices and it's never clear which are chargeable and which cost extra.

It makes buying things tedious hard work and you always come out feeling like you've been conned. But a lot of businesses are working on paper thin margins so can't afford to fully account for their costs.