Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give a family run Hotel a Poor Review

568 replies

MistressMia · 30/04/2016 09:55

I stayed at a family run hotel earlier this week in the Midlands and while on the whole it was a nice place a few things bugged me, notably the vegetarian / vegan option or lack off.

It was only 1 night with breakfast included.

Perhaps I'm just too used to London standards, but it really amazes me that things like soya milk / soya yoghurt are not available as standard.

I'm not fully vegan, but haven't drunk milk for ages now, so couldn't have the breakfast cereals.

The hot breakfast consisted of bacon / eggs / beans / mushrooms & grilled tomato. I don't eat eggs. Don't usually have a problem as used to having the option of hash browns. and other veggie alternatives.

AIBU unreasonable to expect establishments to fully cater for those with different diets ? It really peeves me off, considering the charge is the same and veg options don't cost more.

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 30/04/2016 16:28

I'm posting from The Midlands so this post may take a while to get to MN via racing pigeon

I would find it difficult to whip up a vegan meal for people without warning - I am guessing provincial back water backward none London family run establishments are the same - but if you had told them in advance I am sure they could have sent down to London for some vegan food

Obviously we don't have vegans north of Watford Gap Hmm

Next time book in to one of our 5* hotels - there are lots to chose from

I stayed in a Travel Lodge in Basildon on business in March - it was shit - hth

Toffeecrispy · 30/04/2016 16:28

There should always be a veggie option

Original poster
MistressMia · 30/04/2016 16:29

the poster who worked out the proportion of vegans in the country adequately demonstrates why it would not be a good business decision to provide soya milk. To maintain a stock level costs, for which it seems there would be no adequate return

As previously stated soya milk is long life. As are frozen veggie options. There would be no wastage other than on the day the milk was opened. But then seeing as I would be eating cheaper non-meat items, surely the cost of that wastage is more than offset.

I'll be going to the NEC at least 3 more times this year. On two of those occasions taking and paying for at least 6 others.

Any hotel that had the foresight to offer a better range (without me having to call ahead) would get guaranteed future bookings along with recommendations for others to stay there.

OP posts:
bakeoffcake · 30/04/2016 16:31

Well Op, hopefully you've learned from this experience.

As the thread shows, you should not expect every establishment to cater fior vegans.

Are you going to give hotels a bit more notice next time?

arethereanyleftatall · 30/04/2016 16:31

Oh the irony hobnob.

bakeoffcake · 30/04/2016 16:32

X posted

So you aren't going to tell the hotels in advance?

Grin you love living on the edge don't you?

Only1scoop · 30/04/2016 16:32

You have hundreds to choose from in that area Op so hopefully you may find one that fits the bill.

Sparklingbrook · 30/04/2016 16:37

I would start looking sooner rather than later and getting your requirements in by email asap to avoid any further shenanigans especially if the 6 others are nearly vegans too.

DailyFaily · 30/04/2016 16:38

It appears that TravelLodge is your friend then, enjoy!

Original poster
MistressMia · 30/04/2016 16:38

Are you going to give hotels a bit more notice next time?

I'll do what I normally do which is book far ahead enough to get a reservation in the Hilton. Overall not great place but at least they have ready options available and I'm not going to feel like I'm being awkward and demanding.

OP posts:
JassyRadlett · 30/04/2016 16:38

OP, you keep talking about the need to cater to 'dairy-free' people but then you keep talking as if soya milk is the only alternative to dairy.

You do know that's not the case, right? And that many dairy-free people can't or don't drink soya - particularly some coeliacs? Shouldn't all establishments be willing to cater to their needs too, alongside your mix of vegetarian plus no milk plus don't fancy eggs?

I imagine the poster who asked about waste wasn't talking money. I was personally wondering about the ethics of chucking 95% of a carton of soya milk each time someone asked for it.

JassyRadlett · 30/04/2016 16:40

Plus as a Londoner - please stop. Most of us are pretty reasonable folk.

ghostyslovesheep · 30/04/2016 16:41

The Hilton?
I prefer Indigo or Genting or La Tour

Sparklingbrook · 30/04/2016 16:45

At the Hilton it says on the room service menu Ask to speak to our on-duty Manager if you have special dietary needs or food allergies. Sounds good to me, you can send them an email when you book

lurked101 · 30/04/2016 17:01

You are funny op..

TheMailAreAtItAgain · 30/04/2016 17:09

You really are giving us Londoners a bad name. I'm coeliac & always make a note of informing hotels & restaurants in advance - including the Savoy. I certainly don't rock up & expect to be catered to without prior notice! HTH

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 30/04/2016 17:12

Wot da fuck does "not fully vegan" mean? Has OP explained this??

I'm not "fully vegan" either. I eat meat AND vegetables. Does this count? Hmm

lurked101 · 30/04/2016 17:17

It means she picks and choones when to be fussy.

Stopyourhavering · 30/04/2016 17:18

OP, I stayed at a fabulous 5* golf resort in the Highlands a few weeks ago....every conceivable type of breakfast was available....maybe you need to have your extremely important business conferences there in future!.... But maybe it's too far from London for your liking

BorisJohnsonsHair · 30/04/2016 17:19

I once stayed in a hotel where they didn't toast the pumpkin seeds that went with the organic yoghurt. I was fuming I tell you.

Seeyounearertime · 30/04/2016 17:21

If someone was allergic to cotton, they'd ring and check with the hotel.
If someone couldn't sleep on duck feather pillows, they'd ring and check with the hotel.
If someone was disabled they'd ring and check access etc with the hotel.
If someone has a specific dietary requirement, surely they'd ring and check with the hotel?

SheHasAWildHeart · 30/04/2016 17:23

Today I read a genuine TripAdvisor which gave a hotel only a score of 1 while all the other reviewers gave it 5 - so I read it to find out why. This is a hotel in Turkey. And the reviewer gave it 1 because they were disturbed by the call to prayer :/

BoffinMum · 30/04/2016 17:25

I think there are so many variations of dairy substitute it would be hard to know where to stop. In my local supermarket we have at the very least:

Soya milk (not good for people with thyroid problems)
Almond milk (not good for people with nut allergies)
Rice milk (not great in hot drinks, many people don't like it)
Oat milk (ditto)
Goats milk (tolerated by some people who can't have cows' milk)

Are you really suggesting a small hotel should have these five in stock speculatively? How much would be reasonable? And they don't last forever, many long-life versions need ditching after 4-6 months. So do they have a case of 24 of each in their (presumably fairly small) stock room? Just not practical.

BeckyWithTheMediocreHair · 30/04/2016 17:26

OP, you have taken the time to post thirty times on this thread. Are you seriously not going to raise this with the hotel themselves?

PM me the name and I'll send them a link to this thread.

TheMailAreAtItAgain · 30/04/2016 17:33

Is this the hotel?

www.ardenhotel.co.uk/

Swipe left for the next trending thread