Is it cheeky to ask a hotel if they can decorate a room for a birthday?

[user18391110]

I am going away at the end of Feb (UK) for a friends 40th birthday. I was thinking of emailing the hotel to ask if they could possibly decorate the room before our arrival, nothing OTT just a banner or balloon.

Is it ok to email a hotel to request this?

Do you mean the bedroom in which your friend will be staying ? Or a private dining room which you have hired for a function ?

The bedroom

I did for DH’s 30th. I emailed the hotel and asked if they could get helium balloons in there. They did that and more.

My friend also got balloons sent to my hotel for my 30th.

I’d ask them and see what they say.

I think most places would be fine with this. For dd’s tenth birthday we stayed over in a Premier Inn in London, so nothing fancy, and I emailed just to ask if they could wish her happy birthday at the desk when we checked in. A member of staff baked her a beautiful cake and left it in the room along with a card from all the staff! I’d email and ask, but make it clear you’re happy to pay X amount extra if required. I tried to pay for the cake and they were having none of it.

Depends how expensive the hotel is, I’d say.

It's completely normal as a service in five star hotels and the cost is usually stated on their price list along with other options (cake, roses, flowers, champagne) .

I think many (good) hotels would be used to this sort of request and be happy to oblige or to assist in some other way. They're always wanting to know about special occasions etc.

I recently stayed in a chain Hotel and one of the online upgrade options was balloons, banner, wine and chocolates in the room on arrival

We stayed at an independent hotel in Cardiff for my daughter's ninth birthday,I mentioned in the email it was her birthday but didn't ask for anything,when we arrived there was a big number 9 helium balloon waiting in the room,lovely surprise.

The holiday in did for my Ds’s birthday. Think he was12, when 13 we were abroad- my D’s got left a bottle of sparkling wine - which I drank 🤣

IME they don't always remember so if it doesn't happen, have a little back up in your bag and get it taken off the bill later!

I used to work for a hotel. They will be happy to do whatever you want, as long as you are happy to pay for it. (Though not in UK, so not sure about the hotels in UK)