to lodge a complaint about this hotel?

[JumpingJellybeanz]

First off, I have AS so tend to see things in absolutes which is why I'm asking, so I don't make a tit of myself yet again.

We stayed in a rather posh (by my standards) hotel this weekend. The staff were extremely polite, the food was fab, the rooms were spotless. There was just one issue though which caused so much anxiety that it ruined the whole weekend.

We were on the third floor and the safety fittings on one of the windows were missing/not working. So one pull of the handle and the waist high window would open fully. There was also a knee high, flat top radiator under the window, perfect toddler height. Straight away I asked for them to do something about it because we had toddler DS with us.

The staff were very apologetic but couldn't fix it because they didn't have the parts/handyman wasn't in/tools were locked away. But they did offer to move us to the last unoccupied room they had. DH started moving stuff but then noticed that both windows in the other room were in the same state. No other rooms available and therefore nothing else they could do.

So DH had to use his bootlaces to tie the window closed as best he could. But I still couldn't sleep because I was worried about DS getting up and climbing.

We've stayed in this hotel before about 2 months ago in the same room and it was only on the last day that we noticed the broken window. I reported it and they said they'd get it fixed straight away but they've clearly not taken it seriously because they've done nothing about it. They now know it's more than one room and a week later they've still done nothing about it.

So AIBU to complain to head office? I think this is a disaster waiting to happen.

I do understand why you were worrying about it but DS would have been in your supervision so the chances of him opening the window would have been slim.

However, if you believe that they haven't yet been fixed, I would email them and mention it. No need to complain, just inform them that it needs doing.

Yanbu, I would complain about that.

Try to be clear and unemotional in your note to head office, and just be clear about the timelines and what was said.

And I totally understand you'd worry about your toddler climbing out while you were asleep!

Yep, let them know about it. It may avoid an awful accident in future.

Yes complain
You are right , they didn't take your first complaint seriously enough to do something
Safety catches are there for a reason

Yes I'd complain. And maybe stay somewhere else.

Absolutely complain. They have been given notice and chance to fix it since your last visit and have chosen to ignore the issue.

Does it have air con? The window probably has to be able to open as a fire exit but should have a catch to prevent it fully opening initially.

YANBU. i would definitely expect something like that to be taken seriously. It is a health and safety issue and should have been resolved already.

I had a similar awful stress when mine were about the same age and we were in a holiday let, the windows had nothing other than a catch, were very low, so about knee height and it was on the 5th floor. I had hysterics and tied several pair of tights around them but it was really stressful. Of course they should have safety catches for that height windows (ours at home just don't open very far).

YANBU. They shouldn't be renting out the rooms if they don't pass health and safety regulations

If you're planning to complain purely for the sake of it being done (which it sounds like) because it is downright dangerous (I'd be worrying about me falling out of it!) then that's fair. It's properly H&S
If you're rubbing your hands together for compensation and planning your Daily Mail sad face then you're unreasonable :)

I had this at Butlins a couple of months ago.

I was shocked, especially as the room DD was in would be mainly occupied by children.

No I don't want compensation. Someone would have to fall out for that I want them to be fixed so nobody gets hurt. It won't be us because now we'll check, but what about unsuspecting guests who don't notice?

This hotel is best located for when we visit family, hence repeat stays. DH is going to pack spare parts and a screw driver next time we go.

YANBU complain. So many times these issues stay in the hotel and the head office don't even know - how would you feel in you didn't and then read about a child (or even a small drunken adult) having an accident as a result of the window.

I would have put him in a travel cot or in bed between dh and I so we would be aware if he got up, just to be able to relax a bit. Yanbu to complain. How do you know it hasn't been fixed since?

Be careful about dh closing it up with 'spare parts' - surely it needs to be 'openable' in case of fire?

Also requesting a ground floor room next time might give you slightly more peace of mind?

I would explain what you have here. Excellent staff and service, they offered to move you when you asked etc.

But I'd add your concerns about the window. It's a safety hazard and they'd want to know. If someone did fall out, it would be disastrous for everyone involved, including the hotel.