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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:
GrumpyOldBag · 30/04/2016 12:11

Wow, the OP isn't giving an inch is she?

Despite the majority of comments saying she is BU.

Whathaveilost · 30/04/2016 12:14

OP do what the fuck you want. You asked for advice and people have given it to you but you are still bleating.
Why ask?

Pipestheghost · 30/04/2016 12:14

Nightmare guest

Lweji · 30/04/2016 12:15

12 hours notice.
Half full
And you want all vegan options?

Actually, most conference bookings tend to be weeks in advance. IME it's rare that people book for conferences with 12 hours notice as they lose on discounted rates and run the risk of having no rooms available.

MrsJayy · 30/04/2016 12:15

Op tbf you sound really fussy and this place just didn't have the food you like

Lweji · 30/04/2016 12:16

Btw, I had no idea what hash browns were. After googling I'm glad it's not what I first thought. Grin

GrumpyOldBag · 30/04/2016 12:18

Why couldn't you eat the beans, mushrooms & tomatoes with toast if you are 'almost' vegan, whatever that is. That's what I would have done.

A4Document · 30/04/2016 12:19

YABU

AngieBolen · 30/04/2016 12:19

My DS doesn't drink cows milk, and I would never expect an alternative to be served. We either take almond milk with us, usually he eats something else. It's never been a big deal, and I certainly wouldn't leave a poor review.

YABU.

I really want a hash brown now I'm interested to hear that anyone bothers with cereal in hotels.

Emtwizzle · 30/04/2016 12:20

Honestly? Leaving criticism in the review re: not having any soya milk on hand is not constructive. As OP should have told them of her requirements in advance.
I am sure they would have catered to OPs needs if asked.
Having soya on stock due to the off chance that a vegan will stay with you is not good business sense!

Mrspopper · 30/04/2016 12:21

You sound like a nightmare. You should have called ahead. 'Not full vegan' therefore not a vegan. Get a grip.

EvansOvalPies · 30/04/2016 12:23

YABU, most definitely. If you have such a restricted diet, then a phone call to let the hotel know in advance is the most sensible thing to do, as previous posters have already pointed out.

DD is allergic to several foodstuffs. We let restaurants/hotels know beforehand, and sometimes take along our own things for her. You cannot expect every place to be able to accommodate every niche dietary requirement at such short notice. In fact, DD doesn't always eat breakfast, so doesn't have anything at all. We don't feel short-changed, as breakfast is on offer and included in the price of the room. If she doesn't want to (or can't) eat any of it, that is her choice. We wouldn't expect a refund or discount.

The breakfast of beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and toast, glass of fruit juice and tea or coffee is ample. Also, I know lots of people who like muesli with apple juice as an alternative to milk.

Hash browns are an American thing - I'm always a little surprised when they turn up on a 'Full English/Welsh Breakfast' plate.

I'm baffled at how so many posters appear more au fait with alternative breakfast solutions than you are yourself, considering you are being so picky. If you leave a poor review, you will look like a bit of a twerp. And the constant "Ooh, I live in London" comments are really starting to grate now, they really are. I live very close to London, but would not expect everyone to be able to accommodate DD's dietary requirements at all times. It would be nigh on impossible for everyone to stock every item on a just-in-case basis.

Let this be a lesson to you - think ahead and warn them, in future. Smile

TheLambShankRedemption · 30/04/2016 12:23

YABU

HTH

Mrsmorton · 30/04/2016 12:23

Just wondering what else you can be "not a full" of. Not a full non smoker?
Not a full teetotaller?

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 30/04/2016 12:24

Not fully pregnant
Not fully married

Original poster
MistressMia · 30/04/2016 12:25

Op tbf you sound really fussy and this place just didn't have the food you like

I think years of having to put up with limited options or the same options in restaurants etc have got me exasperated.

I am fed up of having little choice or virtually exactly the same meal everywhere I go.

Clearly however I'm being unreasonable. Accepted.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 30/04/2016 12:26

If I had been putting up with it for years I would make doubly sure I told them in advance to make sure I got what I wanted.

lljkk · 30/04/2016 12:29

OP doesn't have a restricted diet, not really. The hotel had loads of vegan items. Just not fake milk or fake meat ones.

Seems like we get lots of MN threads where people moan about how they don't have enough recipes, they are in a rut, they need to cook something different. I always think... food is never boring unless you're not really hungry in first place. A simple solution to making your diet more interesting is to eat less (?)

LunaLoveg00d · 30/04/2016 12:32

think years of having to put up with limited options or the same options

BUT YOU DIDN'T GIVE THEM THE CHANCE TO GIVE YOU AN OPTION!!!

You just assumed that they would be on board with the whole "I only eat raw food and nuts" thing or have oat milk, almond milk, soya and god knows what else for you to choose from!

When you CHOOSE to follow a very niche, very restrictive diet - less than 1% of the population are vegan - then you accept that it's common courtesy to let people know in advance so they can prepare.

This isn't a "London" thing, it's a downright rude and presumptuous thing.

DailyFaily · 30/04/2016 12:36

But you haven't been putting up with it for years - you've been living in London where all dietary requirements are addressed at all times! If you had been putting up with it for years, so know it's a problem in NotLondon, then it's even more confusing that you didn't think to mention it at booking. You could have even mentioned it when you checked in - "I'm a bit vegan and I just wanted to check that this will be accommodated at breakfast tomorrow".

Leave your five star review but mention in the comments that it's probably worth mentioning specific dietary requirements at booking to see if they will be accommodated as they're not available as standard. Then it's not a direct criticism of the hotel, it's just a helpful comment for others who are vegan (or a bit vegan).

NoelHeadbands · 30/04/2016 12:37

Grin Daily

Trills · 30/04/2016 12:39

Complaining about "not fully vegan" seems silly to me.

Restricting which animal products you consume or make use of is a continuum, it's not black and white.

Vegan has a specific meaning but that doesn't mean that "mostly vegan" is not a useful and communicative phrase.

cdtaylornats · 30/04/2016 12:40

This must be the first example I've seen of a vegan not telling everybody.

EvansOvalPies · 30/04/2016 12:40

OP doesn't have a restricted diet, not really

You're right lljkk - I should have said 'self-imposed' restricted diet. Not fully vegan is not actually vegan, no allergies or intolerances are mentioned. You can have a lovely breakfast with no meat or milk. I'm not vegetarian or vegan, and I sometimes have a lovely breakfast of herbal or fruit tea with a spoonful of honey, toast and marmalade or Marmite (or mushrooms or tomatoes) and a bowl of fruit. Lasts me 'till mid-afternoon, usually.

curren · 30/04/2016 12:43

I am fed up of having little choice or virtually exactly the same meal everywhere I go.

Then tell them is advance. You say there was only 12 hours notice. So you tipped up at 7pm at night? Hoping they had room?

I doubt there was 12 hours between you booking and having breakfast.

If you have specialist dietary requirements, you have less choice. Or do you expect a family run hotel to cater for everyone

Coeliacs, people who choose not to eat gluten, vegetarians, nut allergies, rice allergies, lactose intolerance, vegans, allium allergies......the list goes on and on.