To complain about my hotel room. I have 30 mins to decide

[dontrunwithscissors]

I'm currently in Austen, Texas, for work and staying in a lovely, old B & B. I've stayed here before and it's great. However, this time I requested the attic room. I like attic rooms and was expecting it to be a bit quirky.

However, I arrived last night to discover that it's

1 a room on its own at the top of narrow, rickety staircase.
2) There's no fire exit or window at all, except for one small square window along a 'corridor' that you have to semi-crawl down as the roof is so low.
3) The window only partially opens and has strong wooden lattice bars over the glass so it would be hard to break.
4) The room is huge and this corridor is tucked away on the right hand side and blocked by a huge desk.
5) Without the light on 95% of the room is pitch black, even during the day.

My sister's just done an attic conversion and I know this wouldn't be allowed in the UK.

AIBU to request a different room on the basis that this is a flaming fire trap?

Bugger, sorry, just seen I spent Austin wrong.

I would ask to move

i think that would be reasonable

I would, yes. But be prepared for the owners to look at you in bewilderment and put it down to your quirky British ways.

I'd ask to swap. Just state the reasons you've given.

Yep just ask to be moved.

Just ask to be moved. It doesn't sound great.

OK, good consensus so far! Thanks.

Middleagedmotheroftwo: I know, I'm wondering how to phrase it so I don't sound like I'm saying 'you guys a scarily dangerous' or 'I panic about every danger.'

And what is it about the US where it's OK to have really dodgy looking electrics?!

The current in the houses is half that of the uk (I think it's that low) so a mains shock won't kill you.

Yes, just ask to move. Just say you'd imagined it differently when you requested it (perhaps it was a bit silly to request a particular room you hadn't seen). If pressed say you're a bit claustrophobic and not comfortable with the trapped sensation. You don't have to utter the word 'firetrap'!

Just yes, although it doesn't stop a fault setting the place on fire. (I've has many a socket that lets off a spark when you put a plug in, including a US appliance.)

I'm afraid I'm sounding like a worry wart! I'm truly not. I'm just feeling a wee bit claustrophobic and concerned.

lottie you have to request a room when you book. It's a smallish B & B with about 20 rooms.

Yep I'd go for the claustrophobic line.

I'd love to go to Austen though

I would, I'd say I know I requested that room but I'm feeling claustrophobic and would prefer a room with more light if they have it.

you knew it was an old building and hence it won't be to modern standards. Have they got the local equivalent of a fire certificate/license to operate?

if not, then worry. If so, don't. But if the room is that dark then try for a change on those grounds.

sounds very like a place I stayed in in the UK. I loved it although the room was very light, better conversion.

SS No hotel in the UK would be allowed to operate like this. I can say that for a fact. Indeed, no private attic conversion would be signed off by building regs. (Again, I know this for a fact as due to my sister's job and attic conversion in her old house.)

YANBU to ask to be moved, but am I alone in thinking this attic seems like the setting for a novel? I read your post waiting for the punch line which would identify which book it was about!

Not only is it a fire trap it's HAUNTED! I request that you stay where you are and update us all night with ghosts of old yankees etc that visit you!

Just jealous you're in Austin. I love that city (reminisces about lost youth living in the US with DH)

You may encounter stuff like that in the States, doesn't mean it's legal. For instance, in my state, you can't rent out a room unless it has a window to the outside as an escape route. So a house with a finished basement that has two bedrooms in it, you can't rent out those rooms. All buildings also have to have at least two entrances/exits.

I know you like this place but I'd be tempted to report them to the fire department.

Update:

Before I went downstairs to speak to them, I looked in a cupboard by the window and there was one of those fire-escape ladders that you can hook onto the window and climb down. It was all tangled, dusty, and broken in two. Gulp. Never mind the fact that you would have to break the window frame to actually be able to hook the ladder on.

I asked to move and they didn't bat an eyelid. Everyone working there is very Austin-y. (I think that will make sense if you've been here). I'm now in a really lovely, sunny room with 3 windows!

Bonbonbon: I would be surprised if it's legal, too.