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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To book a hotel room as a couple and then turn up as a lp with 2 kids?

201 replies

theduchessstill · 09/08/2018 23:27

I know it's all been said before, but I'm royally pissed off. I'm trying to book a European break for October half-term to stave off post holiday blues and just in case fucking Brexit makes things more difficult and expensive next year.

I've found cheap flights but hotels are so expensive. I'm just feeling sorry for myself that as the only adult I obviously have to pay for it all but that's just the way it is for me and no one else is to blame (apart from twatty ex, obvs). But then I made the stupid mistake of changing my search terms to two adults instead of one adult and two children and the price came down nearly £50 for the room I was looking at. It's like being penalised for being single and a parent. I don't even get the logic of it. Makes me laugh how they tell you to out the kids' ages in 'to get the best deals.' Yeah right Hmm

WIBU to book the cheaper rate and then turn up with the dc?

OP posts:
BruceAndNosh · 10/08/2018 00:00

She says booking 2 adults and 2 children is cheaper (family room) than single adult and two kids (triple)

I don't think she does say that. It's that 2 adults is cheaper than 1 adults and 2 half adults!

Original poster
theduchessstill · 10/08/2018 00:00

Penggwn is right - I haven't found any family deals, just that it's cheaper to be an adult than two kids. As for the sofas, I think they stay in the rooms and get converted to beds as and when needed.

OP posts:
SheWoreBlueVelvet · 10/08/2018 00:01

Booking sites use stupid algorithms. Yes book two adults and one child as opposed to one adult and two children

Always ways worth going to the hotel directly online as well. I found in Barcelona booking direct got you a free bottle Cava and France got me a better rate,

ineedaholidaynow · 10/08/2018 00:03

MrBloom I'm reading it that it is cheaper to book as a couple with no children, than it is to book as LP with 2 children.

I remember being penalised when booking a hotel in London for only having 1 child. You got a huge discount for having 2 children but not one. Was very annoying

BertBox · 10/08/2018 00:03

OP is annoyed that one adult and two children sharing a room costs more than 2 adults and no children sharing a room.

I really don't understand why this is surprising. Children aren't any cheaper for he hotel to accommodate. Three bodies means bedding for three people to wash, water for three people being used, and three people to clear up after.

nervyuyt · 10/08/2018 00:04

I hardly think anyone is being penalised by paying more for 3 people than 2.

PigletJohn · 10/08/2018 00:04

contact the hotel direct rather than via an online service.

there is a good chance they will offer a deal.

they'll be quite used to your request.

try saying "what can you do for me?"

nervyuyt · 10/08/2018 00:05

That may not be clear. By not being penalised I mean it is totally fair to change more for 3 than 2. I'm wondering why OP is so mad that she is expected to pay more for the 3 of them than a couple would pay!

LuluJakey1 · 10/08/2018 00:05

What about breakfast?

Bibesia · 10/08/2018 00:10

How is it being penalised for being single? I suspect they'd charge even more for two adults and two children.

arethereanyleftatall · 10/08/2018 00:12

I would say 3 people cost more than 2 because of:

  1. Extra bedding equals extra staff cost too make up sofa, every day, plus laundry
  2. Statistically 50% more shower usage etc
  3. Possibly extra tax
  4. Extra towel ie laundry
They're not penalising or discriminating or anything like that,just charging more for an extra person. Which is reasonable, and obvious.
Original poster
theduchessstill · 10/08/2018 00:13

nervyut In most other situations children cost less than adults. In transportation, for example, and to get into cinemas and other such places. I'm not sure why hotels are different and I'm also not sure that two small children are the equivalent of a fully grown adult in terms of work created for the hotel, wear & tear etc.

OP posts:
HollyGibney · 10/08/2018 00:16

I've always done this. Never had a problem, never even a query.

dobbob · 10/08/2018 00:16

Because 3 adults will use the same amount of sheets, water, products etc. As 1 adult 2 kids. Not to mention the business rates, insurance, electricity etc. The hotel has to cover. It's three people. If you turn up with 1 adult 2 kids after booking just two adults, your likely just to have your booking amended so the charge will be correct (i.e. charged for 1 adult 2 children)

LighthouseSouth · 10/08/2018 00:17

I'm confused

If you are saying 1 adult + 2 children should cost less than 3 adults, why?

Surely it all depends on the room set up anyway.

And I highly doubt children are less hassle than adults for the staff....!

arethereanyleftatall · 10/08/2018 00:19

Op. When companies charge children less than adults, that's a marketing thing, and up to the business.
The cost to the hotel is exactly the same whether a child or adult lies in a bed.
It's completely reasonable for them to charge the same price.

Mummaloves · 10/08/2018 00:19

As a Hotel receptionist I can tell you that this really pisses hotel staff off. People boon a double room, clearly stated online as for 2 occupants, and turn up wth a kid in tow. Or they boom a family room for 2 people and 4 turn up expecting the sofabed to be made up at god knows what tine of night. You can't book for 2 adults, and then 3 of you turn up, if you did that at our hotel you would be asked to pay for an upgrade to a more suitable room.

And if there was a fire they wouldn't be looking for one of your kids - would that be ok with you ?

nervyuyt · 10/08/2018 00:20

What about breakfast?

OP said this was room only.

arethereanyleftatall · 10/08/2018 00:20

Why on earth do you think a child would cost a hotel less than an adult?

Mummaloves · 10/08/2018 00:20

Book, not boom !

Witchend · 10/08/2018 00:21

My children eat far more than me, and have done since they were about 7 or 8 yo. They sleep in the same beds, use the same facilities as I would.
Of course you pay more for 2 children than 1 adult. Surprised you thought otherwise.

tararabumdeay · 10/08/2018 00:21

It's usually down to insurance.

HollyGibney · 10/08/2018 00:23

And if there was a fire they wouldn't be looking for one of your kids - would that be ok with you ?

Well surely they would because you said in your post that this situation pisses hotel staff off so they'd be aware and update systems accordingly wouldn't they?

SynchroSwimmer · 10/08/2018 00:24

For Premier Inn if you book a twin (as opposed to a double) then you actually get a large double, plus the sofa bed made up with bedding...i.e. space for 3!

dobbob · 10/08/2018 00:25

A child's meal cost less because it's less food.

A child's seat on a bus cost less as they tend to weigh less than an adult, therefore less fuel consumption of the vehicle.

A child sleeping in a bed in a hotel room does not mean you only have to change half the sheets.

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