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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for a refund of a budget hotel I have booked for this weekend that is cladded in plastic?

51 replies

jdoe8 · 15/06/2017 14:45

Under the T&C and the cheap room I booked it is not allowed. But the building is 8 stories high and a converted office block that has what looks to be plastic cladding, i've stayed there before. I just wouldn't be able to sleep I don't think, even on a low floor. AIBU?

OP posts:
GloGirl · 15/06/2017 16:45

I think if you call them up they may talk you through what you're afraid of and help allay any fears.

I heard a man on the TV explaining that the fire regulations at one time said offices had to have sprinklers but not people's homes Hmm - so what I am trying to say is that, as a business, they will probably have sprinklers, every room will have a fire alarm and it probably operates on regularly tested batteries AND connected to the mains. Every appliance will be electrically tested yearly etc etc.

Scoobydoobydont · 15/06/2017 16:56

They also have all electrical goods PAT tested (as opposed to private accommodation where people can plug anything they like in - faulty fridges for example)

I get the point you are making, but dodgy phone chargers and hair straighteners also cause fires and sure as hell aren't pat tested.

Tazerface · 15/06/2017 17:01

I think hotels have more rules and regulations than tower blocks so I'm sure you'll be fine. I think it's a bit hysterical if I'm honest.

Floralnomad · 15/06/2017 17:03

Completely and utterly ridiculous .

expatinscotland · 15/06/2017 17:05

Yeah, YABU

ArchieStar · 15/06/2017 17:08

Do you normally have anxiety over things like this or is it purely because of recent events?

Fires in residential accommodation are a damn sight different to fires in hotel buildings.

MrsJayy · 15/06/2017 17:08

You are being hysterical i know you are worried but good grief you will be fine. What happened yesterday would not happen in a hotel.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 15/06/2017 17:22

practical advice whenever you stay in a hotel is to locate the fire escape and make sure that you remember roughly the distance to the fire escape from your room

look on the bright side as even in the highly unlikely event there is a fire (a) they will have a fire alarm and (b) they will have sprinklers and (c) you wont be stranded on the 20th floor like these poor desperate souls

Original poster
jdoe8 · 15/06/2017 17:29

Thanks for the good advice from some of you, they haven't replied to my mail so will call them this evening.

Some of the replies here are not very helpful. I imagine if someone from that death trap tower came on last week saying "im worried that the cladding on my home isn't safe and has turned the building into wicker man" would be told they are hysterical and they are sure that the building work was safe else it wouldn't have been done, it didn't burn last week so they are sure it wont burn this week! Biscuit

OP posts:
Rosieproject1 · 15/06/2017 17:31

You're not going to get a refund but it's very unkind of people to call you "ridiculous".

People are so harsh on here. I guess because it's anonymous they feel it's ok to speak that way to someone who feels anxious about something.

It's reasonable that some people (OP) might feel more anxious about staying in a tall building following recent events. But by booking this accommodation you've agreed to the T&C's so unreasonable to expect a refund.

Suggest you cancel if you're that bothered.

INeedANameChange · 15/06/2017 17:32

You're being daft.

But FYI - I travel a lot, alone, and many hotel chains have a policy to put single women on low floors and near the elevators and fire escapes. I did question why and one of them (I think premier inn) said it was policy after a risk assessment.

I tend to put in requests for high floors these days as I don't like the noise of lower floors!

Floralnomad · 15/06/2017 17:35

But OP are you seriously suggesting that all the people who currently live in similar buildings move out immediately .

Original poster
jdoe8 · 15/06/2017 17:39

I wouldn't call people living in similar properties hysterical or ridiculous for worrying about it and if they can either move out or demand an immediate review!

FFS they are saying 100s could have died, I don't understand why people aren't more worried quite frankly. That place was a death trap and there must be many more like it.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 15/06/2017 17:49

I agree it was like a death trap and many other blocks have similar problems. Partly as a result of massive cuts to social housing spending. Thanks to the austerity measures from this government.

The chances of a hotel catching fire are, however, no greater than they were last week. And, as a PP has sprinklers, alarms, fire doors though I expect the ones in the corridors wouldn't pass an inspection and vastly superior compartmentalisation than the tower block.

I think you should carry on as planned.

NannyRed · 15/06/2017 18:35

Make sure you know where the exit is and sleep in night clothes, you'll be fine. Enjoy your mini break.

JigglyTuff · 15/06/2017 18:54

Hotels are held to much higher safety regulations than shoddy council housing

Secretsweets · 15/06/2017 19:41

Depends if you booked on flexible rate, or the cheaper on flexible rate.

Having worked in a hotel, we used to see 99% of people book on the cheaper non flexi rate - which is strictly no cancellations without charge, and no amendments can be made to the booking. Then they would get all arsey when they rang to cancel and were told they could butbthey would still be charged - they were outraged ! Bloody cheek

Original poster
jdoe8 · 17/06/2017 11:30

2nd floor, 2 fire escape stairs, sprinklers and I've familiarised myself with all the fire exit routes. I feel safe, but still wouldn't like to be on a high floor. Thanks everyone

OP posts:
kali110 · 17/06/2017 11:34

Yabu, you will be fine. Hotels have sprinklers, fire alarms, they are a lot more strict!
You would not get a refund and they would not be unreAsonable to refuse.

HaudYerWheeshtBawbag · 17/06/2017 11:41

Yabu utterly ridiculous.

Why don't you ask them what type of cladding they have, and what safety measures are in place.

Not all claddinngs are dangerous. it's just those buildings that have aluminium composite material are a proven risk in the event of a fire.

Biker47 · 17/06/2017 11:48

You're much more likely to die on the way to the hotel than a fire in the hotel itself.

Aridane · 17/06/2017 13:48

YA of course BU

RoseVase2010 · 24/06/2017 17:36

Grenfall wasn't 'plastic cladding' it was foam between sheets of aluminium.

Have sound like you are trying to wiggle out of paying for a non-refundable room.

carefreeeee · 24/06/2017 18:48

There's nothing wrong with thinking carefully about fire safety everywhere you are. But keep it in proportion - you are far more likely to be killed in a road accident. Sounds like you reached a sensible compromise with your 2nd floor fire escape room!

Must admit I am thinking of requesting a low room in a hotel I'm due to stay in in Singapore - it's got about 20 floors! (I'm also a bit worried about flying that direction in the current climate - I think it's normal to respond to world events in this way)