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

In many European countries it's the law that air con can't be used to cool below 27 C for environmental reasons. It's just too energy intensive in hot countries.

That does seem a bit misleading OP, they definitely should make it clearer.

There's often a disclaimer in the small print after the facilities description that states 'local charges may apply'

We've been on quite a few holidays to Greece and it varies. Sometimes we pay for the aircon when we arrive but I have definitely known that in advance (we usually book with Jet2 and perhaps they made it clear). Sometimes it's included. I feel the price you've been given is a little high though. I remember in Crete we paid 50€ for 10 days in a small villa.

Are there any reviews on tripadvisor mentioning it? I'd be adding my own review regardless.

I had similar abroad but thank fully just 1 night. There was a big button on the wall high up and it was a slow timer thing. Once pressed, the air con only lasted 1hr. Bloody awful in 40' heat and having to get up to turn it on. No option to pay more to keep it on either.

That usually only applies in public areas, not in residences or bedrooms.

These two things would make me check this before booking.

Never heard of this. I wouldn’t be impressed.

It's not uncommon in Greece.

I live in Spain and air con adds a huge amount to my power bill in summer, so I use it very sparingly. I would have thought a hotel could afford it though with the prices they charge, especially if it's operated off a key card. I'd be more understanding of it being chargeable in a villa/apartment as people (annoyingly) will leave air con on all the time with the windows open which would get very expensive, unless you have solar panels.

I have an acquaintance who rents out her home in summer and hides the air con remotes so the guests can't use it!! I think that's even worse.

I suspect places where air con is included will cost more to absorb the air con cost.

We've holidayed in Greece many, many times and never experienced this, but we don't do package deals and maybe that makes a difference? Three hours of aircon is not ample when temperatures may exceed 40° during the day and around 30° at night (which we have had in Greece). It's very difficult to sleep properly with temps like that.

We've been fortunate that all our apartments have had aircon in the bedrooms and in the living space and that it wasn't restricted or charged for, although we didn't take the piss with it, switching off bedroom ones when we got up and turning all off before we went out.

At least you'll be more wary from now on @NoAircon, I wouldn't have noticed that either so it's not just you

I assume some places are having to charge as people are using it more and costs going up. Also it might be a eco thing to try and limit the use of air conditioning (to stop people leaving it on all hours when they are not in the actual rooms)

I agree with you. It seems intentionally ambiguous to me. I'd feel a bit shafted in your shoes.

A lot of hotels I’ve stayed in in Greece have charged for aircon remote, however you can usually stand on a chair & switch it on at the unit.

I actually don't believe that. I have a five bedroom property in Portugal and we use air con a LOT - and it does not even get that high in a month. Definitely not in a week. They are having you on. In a two bedroom property, with the air con on pretty much 24/7, it is under 250 a month (this is euros, not GBP).

I find this an unusual practice, but agree with those who are pointing out that "available" doesn't necessarily mean "included" here.

I think I could probably have made the same mistake as you though

I have been in apartments or hotel rooms where the air-conditioning only came on with all external doors shut and the keycard in the power slot. That seemed reasonable to me.

Yep. Aircon available is not the same as aircon included.

Disappointing though.
X

It used to be common to have to pay extra for aircon in Europe in cheaper hotels, less so now but some owners still don’t include. Remember a travel agent doesn’t usually own the hotels and with booking sites they don’t control what is put on the site often. Always check independent information sites like trip advisor

It's a pain isn't it. Took my little one for pub lunch yesterday and the kids menu was £6.95 and had some nice selections on first look. Great.
Then I read further down chips are £2 extra.
Since when are the chips extra on a kids menu??

Food was nice tho x

I live in Paphos. The cost of electricity here is high, plus we face the prospect of rolling powercuts in peak months. It's normal for accommodation to charge a surcharge here, otherwise people leave it running all day whilst they're out, or use it inefficiently with windows open etc.

I read it as availability during that time period. Outside if those months not available but not that you pay extra.

last place I stayed at if you left a patio door open it would not come on, plus one key card so you couldn’t go out and leave it running

I’ve never come across that before. It’s either been free, or no air con. The only exception in an Italian city where it was limited to minimum 24 degrees. That’s a lot of extra money, and I would never go to a Greece in August without aircon so I would be paying too.

It says available not included. I’m afraid that only means it has to be installed in the room not included in the price you paid.

Because it is available… for £10 a day