We arrived at our hotel yesterday. We had booked the "family suite," in a what appeared to be the nicest hotel in a city that is touted as lovely and quaint. We are paying £225/night, which I know isn't crazy in the summer hols but isn't cheap either.
It turns out the hotel is very disappointing, with ugly, dated rooms and more importantly the WORST beds we have ever slept in. The city is full of loud, drunken backpackers and the single window in our "family suite" overlooks a rowdy pub. The room is sweltering and the only way to get air is to open the window (though it only opens a crack anyway). But it's impossible to sleep with the window open due to the noise outside, which went on until around 2:30 am. My DD is the heaviest sleeper in the world and even she kept waking up. It was truly untenable.
Late last night my DH managed to find a lovely airbnb an hour away, and he booked it. The only issue is that this hotel has a 24-hr cancellation policy, so as of now we are on the hook to pay for tonight. If we have to take the loss we will, but it would be REALLY nice not to. Not really an AIBU since we're doing it anyway, but what's the best way to ask the hotel to waive the 24-hr cancellation and refund tonight's payment? Should I say we are leaving no matter what or act as if we would stay tonight if they don't waive the fee? Any other tips for successfully negotiating?
I know I should give the hotel a chance to change our room, etc., and I know it's not their fault that we don't like the area. But they do have airless, ugly rooms with terrible beds, and a family suite where it's impossible to sleep before 3 am! With two little ones we can't be arsed to give it another night.
Thank you very much for any advice. Here's hoping this holiday improves from today!