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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To stay in a hotel without booking?

262 replies

ps1991 · 01/07/2019 20:19

My husband is away with work in Manchester from yesterday to Thursday, I had planned on travelling tomorrow to stay with him and then come home together on Thursday.

I’m really worried about staying in the hotel he’s at with our baby as the hotel is only booked for him. Will the hotel say anything? I have looked for other hotels locally and can’t find anything that we can afford, especially once we say we have a baby with us 🙄.

Am I right to be worried or will the hotel staff not care?

OP posts:

butteryellow · 02/07/2019 18:49

the hotel knows when you are in your room, because the key card registers that information. they will also have a maximum capacity for insurance purposes.

No they don't - they just know that the door has been opened with the key. More than one person could go in, or out, or has forgotten something so opens the door, runs in to get something and out again without the door closing.

I'd just do it. I've joined DP in rooms, he's joined me at a conference with our baby - we just talked to reception, and paid the meal supplement and no-one minded at all.

Orangeballon · 02/07/2019 18:49

You are over worrying the situation, just stay, no one in the hotel will care,

sacope · 02/07/2019 18:50

the hotel knows when you are in your room, because the key card registers that information

😂😂😂

It really doesn't. There are no sensors on the door counting people in and out when you swipe your card. There is no connection between the door metallic swipe and the reception. There are lots of other reasons why this comment is stupid.

Sinn · 02/07/2019 18:50

The hotel won't care but might invoice your husband's work saying two adults and an infant.

butteryellow · 02/07/2019 18:50

rooms where you need your key card inserted for the lights to work will obviously also then know when you leave.

Do you use the room key? I always stuff some other card in, so that the barely working aircon doesn't turn off while I'm down at breakfast meaning I come back to a baking room.

plobsalt · 02/07/2019 18:52

I'm always shocked at how UK hotels often charge more for kids.

In the States I've only ever stayed in one hotel where there charged extra for a child.

Usually they're more than happy and even bring and set up a little trundle bed!

Bellatrix14 · 02/07/2019 18:57

I was recently staying in a travelodge when the fire alarm went off around 1am (and it was raining!) so we all had to go and huddle outside. The staff made no attempt to do any kind of register of the guests. Obviously that might have been because they knew it was a false alarm, but I still think you’d be unlikely to get caught out in the unlikely event of a fire alarm...

sacope · 02/07/2019 18:57

rooms where you need your key card inserted for the lights to work will obviously also then know when you leave.

Why would they? Unless the reception has CCTV installed in each room they won't have a fucking clue of your lights are on or off!

JustForThisFred · 02/07/2019 18:58

People are so OTT

DO people really imagine that solo business people and solo holiday makers don’t have fandoms staying in their rooms? Do you imagine they all tell the hotel ‘in case if an emergdncy’

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙄🙄🙄🤣🤣🤣

If it’s a double room just go, you’re making an almighty fuss over one night.

LakieLady · 02/07/2019 18:58

It has never occurred to me that this might not be ok!

I was in a long-distance relationship some years ago and my BF used to come to London for work one or two days a month. I always used to go and stay with him at the hotel, and have breakfast.

I just assumed that it wasn't an issue because it was a double room.

I feel a bit guilty now.

sacope · 02/07/2019 19:01

know. i just said it knows when you go into your room, as it’s recorded on the magnetic strip

The magnetic strip works by unlocking a magnetic part of the door lock inside the door handle. There is no connection between the hotel door and the reception. None. Nothing is recorded, and even if it were recorded on the card like you say, you keep the card until you check out.

DramaRamaLlama · 02/07/2019 19:01

Do you use the room key? I always stuff some other card in, so that the barely working aircon doesn't turn off while I'm down at breakfast meaning I come back to a baking room

Surely everyone does that

exWifebeginsat40 · 02/07/2019 19:04

christ on a bike, i’m just saying that the magnetic strip on your key card registers on one of its tracks that it’s been inserted into a card reader on a door.

that’s not stupid, it’s just how it works.

source: 10 years working in the floating hospitality industry and knowing how the magnetic strip on a key card works.

sacope · 02/07/2019 19:05

@exWifebeginsat40

You were saying they knew if you were in or not based on the key card. If you have that much experience you would know that's utter bollocks.

DramaRamaLlama · 02/07/2019 19:07

grumpymug

You've reminded me of my only stay in B&B.

The bathroom was poorly ventilated and in order to allow the steam to dissipate after a shower I left the extractor fan on. Which necessitated leaving the light on as it was a combo system.

I then went out. The B&B owner called me to chastise me for my irresponsibility.

Never again!

ImpracticalCape · 02/07/2019 19:09

rooms where you need your key card inserted for the lights to work will obviously also then know when you leave.

No they don't! Good grief. Hotels I've stayed in (and it's bloody loads due to nature of my job) that card key to activate the lights system is usually either deactivated, a card already in the slot or the receptionist has asked if I want another card key for the lights. If I don't have a spare key card I use a Tesco club card. It is not a way of tracking room occupancy. If it was then hotels are pretty good at overriding it and making the system pointless as are most guests.

Beautga · 02/07/2019 19:12

Go enjoy yourself .I did it when my husband went on a business trip and also used all the Spa.The only thing i didnt do was have breakfast has that was on the firm account.I had a lovely 2 days

HollowTalk · 02/07/2019 19:21

You are paying for the room, OP. Nobody pays extra for more than one person any more.

theworldistoosmall · 02/07/2019 19:29

The strip might register somewhere. But it won't say how many guests. It also won't say if any of the people in the room have left.

BarbaraofSevillle · 02/07/2019 19:31

Of course they do Hollow. I'm staying in one this weekend. I'm by myself so it's a single room price. If there were two people, it would be nearly double, the price was listed on the website.

At work we get a 'double room, single occupancy' price that would be more if two people were staying. And while all the chains like Premier Inn charge per room, you have to pay per adult for breakfast.

sacope · 02/07/2019 19:40

The strip might register somewhere.

It's magnetic. It releases the door lock. It registers absolutely nothing.

HeronLanyon · 02/07/2019 20:05

hollow lots of hotels have differing rates for double room single/double occupancy. Very recent and pretty regular Booker here. Including where breakfast is not included.
Not sure about uk/us but for sure Europe and further afield. It may be becoming less common (is it?) but it’s still very much a thing.

AlansLeftMoob · 02/07/2019 20:32

I'd be less worried about the hotel finding out than I would about the repurcussions of your husband's work being billed for two adults and a baby, to be honest. When we've gone to weddings I've often paid for a single room even though there's two of staying but that's paid up front. I've never had an issue. But there's work involved here so I'd be a bit worried his employer could find out, I think I'd ring the hotel and let them know your husband already has a room and you'd like to pay for the extra guest (babies aren't usually extra as long as you bring your own travel cot).

itsmesoitis · 02/07/2019 20:35

My DH stays with me all the time - never an issue. I request an additional room card at check in and they pop additional towels in the room. My work rate is room only - so we both pay for breakfast.

teddypasty · 02/07/2019 20:46

Price isn't always per room I'm a solo traveller always, and there's often a difference in cost between a double for two and a double for sole occupancy, on a room only basis

Really? You've never once stayed in a premier inn?

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