Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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:
dowhatnow · 30/04/2016 11:19

I've booked places for their convenience rather than their reviews. I've turned up not expecting much and been very pleasantly surprised. Amazing the standards some people expect for the price they pay. Conversely I've stayed in expensive places that I've chosen specifically because they've had great reviews, and been disappointed.

NoelHeadbands · 30/04/2016 11:19

Drip...drip...drip

ZenNudist · 30/04/2016 11:22

Yabu
Also offended at your "London standards". You didn't even give them a chance to provide what you wanted. They do sell soya products in the provinces you know. But you'd need to actually tell them. Otherwise they could just be wasting it.

I drink a particular type of tea and whilst it's served in most places I don't rely on it and carry my own with me. I don't know why you didn't just rock up with soya milk.

Sparklycat · 30/04/2016 11:24

Also I fully expect to eat toast with no butter just jam and drink black coffee for breakfast when I stay places as you can't just take for granted that people cater for vegans.

lljkk · 30/04/2016 11:27

beans / mushrooms & grilled tomato along with orange juice would be a fine breakfast in my mind. Could probably ask for some fried bread as well. Nothing to complain about.

YABU.

Bue · 30/04/2016 11:27

I'm in the Midlands. Soya is standard - even here! [shocks] I am always surprised and irritated when I go somewhere that doesn't have soya milk. However I bring my own oat/almond milk everywhere because you never know. Plus all the alternative milks are long life so I think it's reasonable to expect an establishment to have a carton on hand. I think a helpful, not a negative, review would be very appropriate, otherwise things don't change.

I really don't think hashbrowns are a necessity though. That's just a personal preference, OP.

Sparklingbrook · 30/04/2016 11:28

Hashbrowns are horrible. Sad

Original poster
MistressMia · 30/04/2016 11:31

beans / mushrooms & grilled tomato along with orange juice would be a fine breakfast in my mind

Why should a non meat eater paying exactly the same as a meat eater have less choice ?

Being vegetarian is mainstream.

OP posts:
Trunkadunk · 30/04/2016 11:33

Longlife soy milk is available and veggy stuff can be kept in freezer.

HermioneJeanGranger · 30/04/2016 11:34

In the grand scheme of things OP, no, a carton of soya milk is not a huge waste, but all this could have been avoided if you'd just asked.

Original poster
MistressMia · 30/04/2016 11:34

Also I fully expect to eat toast with no butter just jam

But why do you expect to do so ?

A dairy free spread is not going to break the bank and would be welcome not just by vegans but those following a reduced cholesterol or lack free diet.

OP posts:
Oldraver · 30/04/2016 11:34

My DS has had soya milk for years and we always take it with us

Eeeek686 · 30/04/2016 11:34

Yy to ^hash browns, sparkling.

Op if you require a certain something that is Critical to your enjoyment of an establishment you should mention it (either at booking - even if only the day before - or even check in as mentioned previously), or risk the consequences. Your clearly not a very chilled out person so why make life more stressful for yourself? Wink

Sparklingbrook · 30/04/2016 11:35

Of course you have less choice. Because you don't eat meat. Confused so what you really want is a discount?

blankmind · 30/04/2016 11:36

dd is allergic to several things so whenever we hotel, I warn them in advance and try to find a compromise with their menus, plus bringing things like nut milk, dairy-free ice cream etc . as she needs a particular branded make rather than any as the ingredients vary a lot.

I'd never downgrade a review for a hotel if they didn't have everything we needed in their kitchen with no prior notice.

lljkk · 30/04/2016 11:37

That isn't restrictive choice, MIstress. It's a range of nutritious & filling items. My only twinge would be, nice to have some soya spread & with marmalade/jam, too. You'd have more grievance if all the place could offer was bacon & milk with cereal.

I was vegetarian for 17 yrs, if one needs to declare credentials in this thread to have an opinion.

Anyway, food is only food. Food is fuel that makes us go, it's really not special stuff beyond that. Breakfast at a hotel is not supposed to be a restaurant quality experience. Or do you dislike all those foods?

MrsJayy · 30/04/2016 11:37

If you think the breakfast choice was limited tell them lots of vegitarians/vegans dont eat meat substitutes so beans mushrooms and tomatoes would be fine you are moaning about a hashbrown thats a personal preferance

ReginaBlitz · 30/04/2016 11:38

Just ask for no eggs! Fucking hell you have to much time on your hands to think of writing a review for something so petty.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 30/04/2016 11:39

Oops typo in my post - independent not independency!

Original poster
MistressMia · 30/04/2016 11:39

Of course you have less choice. Because you don't eat meat. confused so what you really want is a discount?

No I want choice and recognition that the same level of service and provisions should be provided.

I'd actually pay a premium to go somewhere where they did have those options. There isn't anywhere though - I looked.

And again we're not talking about some small B & B. I wouldn't expect much in a B&B.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 30/04/2016 11:40

Sounds like a march on Downing Street might be in order.

HermioneJeanGranger · 30/04/2016 11:41

I really don't think it's that restrictive. It's not like you had no hot food options at all!

SilverBirchWithout · 30/04/2016 11:41

Mind you I do know of a fairly crap, family-run 'boutique' hotel pretty near the NEC, where I had the misfortune of attending a family wedding.

I wonder whether this is the same place?

MrsJayy · 30/04/2016 11:41

So they didnt have spread either ?

NoelHeadbands · 30/04/2016 11:43

Any establishment with an ounce of savvy will respond to that sort of review by saying that you didn't mention anything at the time and give them a chance to assist.

And you'll look like one of those people who are slightly petty and not very brave unless it comes to typing from afar.

If you really want to be helpful email them- they might even give you a discount or something for if you visit again

Swipe left for the next trending thread