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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU that our holiday lodge isn't what we booked?

422 replies

MangoBiscuit · 17/08/2021 08:49

Nicer problems to have and all. I know we're lucky to be able to have a break at all.

Both DP and I are tall, both 6 foot plus, so I made sure we booked, and paid a lot of money for, a big enough bed. Otherwise we have to sleep all curled up together, or with our feet hanging off the end.

Aibu to be annoyed that we've been given standard double?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
VanCleefArpels · 17/08/2021 13:01

Does 3 inches really make that much of a difference?

knittingaddict · 17/08/2021 13:04

@MyDcAreMarvel

We have a Queen, it’s massive much bigger than a king. Certainly not smaller than a double.
Which country are you in? Dreams website has this:

www.dreams.co.uk/beds/small-double

So Queen is a 4ft double.

Maybe different countries have different sizes.

Palavah · 17/08/2021 13:04

@VanCleefArpels

Does 3 inches really make that much of a difference?
It does if it means your feet are hanging off the bottom!
knittingaddict · 17/08/2021 13:06

@VanCleefArpels

Does 3 inches really make that much of a difference?
Yes it definitely does. I'm 5ft 4 inches and I can touch the bottom of our bed if I sleep further down the bed. I didn't touch the end at all when I was sleepiing in a king size bed last week. For tall people the difference would be a huge one.
knittingaddict · 17/08/2021 13:10

This shows the different bed sizes in the UK.

www.mybedframes.co.uk/blog/uk-bed-sizes-the-bed-and-mattress-size-guide/

Queen in the UK is a small double.

starfishmummy · 17/08/2021 13:12

@Wimowehwimowehwimowehwimoweh

Well, I had no clue that bed size altered the bed length. I assumed they were all standard length & just the width changed! Not super tall but I can’t get a good sleep with DH in a double, the extra width alone makes all the difference so, with you both being tall, YANBU to ask to move.
Same here so I googled. Standard double is 6ft 3 (190cm) and king sized is 6ft 6 (200cm). I am short so hadnt noticed.
starfishmummy · 17/08/2021 13:14

Anyone else wondering how @MangoBiscuit got on with her complaint??

ancientgeordiegirl · 17/08/2021 13:15

YANBU - but unfortunately as many of the posters have said there is a lot of confusion in the UK on bed sizes. My DH will never book a room or cottage unless it states clearly that it is a Super King bed (what we have at home) - i.e. 6ft wide and 6ft 6" long (standard although some of the luxury bed brands go up to 6ft 9"). We are reasonably tall (5ft 9" and 6ft) but mainly just like the extra width of a Super King so we don't kick each other in the night (I've got restless legs).

There is a solution that you can take with you on holiday - it's called a PillowShelf and can be added to any width of bed - I'm going to buy one for my 16yr old son who is already 6ft 6". The website is www.bedstretch.co.uk and it looks really good. By putting a shelf at the top of the bed for the pillow it means that more of the mattress is available for you to sleep on and apparently it adds an extra 6" to the length of a bed. Obviously won't help now but maybe for future? I'm not connected to bedstretch in any way but someone recommended it to me as my son sleeps diagonally on his bed but still has his feet sticking out!

icedcoffees · 17/08/2021 13:16

@VanCleefArpels

Does 3 inches really make that much of a difference?
Yes, it absolutely does.
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/08/2021 13:17

We always book king-size as a minimum, I would definitely complain about a double.

Original poster
MangoBiscuit · 17/08/2021 13:26

Blimey, this took off. Sorry for the delay in updating, we only have signal or WiFi near the lodge, and we went out this morning.

I spoke to reception, who checked and said they were fully booked, which was no surprise. The receptionist apologised but said she can't move us. Then just sat there looking at me, like the matter was closed. So I said that's a shame, that would have been a much easier fix, oh well. So what can we do about it? She asked I come back when the manager was in, I left my number and ask that they call me.

No call, but also awful signal, so they might have tried. I went back to reception when we got back and spoke to the manager. He sounded very sympathetic, but isn't sure what he can do besides offer a discount. They don't even have a spare mattress for the floor. (Annoyingly, I DO, I have a lovely kingsize airbed at home. If I'd known, I would have packed it) Another staff member then suggested they find an ottoman or similar, for the end of the bed, so we can at least lie flat. So we are now sat in the lodge, waiting for someone to come over and measure the space (and no doubt the current bed)

OP posts:
MarleneDietrichsSmile · 17/08/2021 13:27

All you fussy before people….

Can I join your tribe?!

Always scan details of homes/hotels for bed sizes Grin as DH and I also too tall for sad little beds that pass for “double” in the U.K.

King size or I stay at home. Or else we go for “twin “ and push the beds together

Foot boards + tiny bed means we put the mattress on the floor and the bed frame on its side (ok, we only did this once and it was a BAD idea, imagine the piles of dust we found 🤧)

Original poster
MangoBiscuit · 17/08/2021 13:29

For those saying it's only 2 inches, it's actually 4 inches too short, and 6 inches too narrow. The narrow I can deal with (although not ideal) but that 4 inch difference in length is the difference between my feet dropping off the end, and pulling my hips, and therefore my back. It's worse for DP, he's even taller.

OP posts:
Blueberrycreampie · 17/08/2021 13:31

This would really annoy me😡. I spend hours looking for suitable cottages or hotel bedrooms ( still trying to find the right one) and immediately reject any have are only double beds. My DH is 6'2" and quite large so we need a king size bed! I think you should try and move somewhere else as it will be really uncomfortable.

Jumpingintosummer · 17/08/2021 13:32

Regardless of how short it is the fact remains it is not what you specifically booked. Good luck.

HaveringWavering · 17/08/2021 13:32

@MangoBiscuit

Blimey, this took off. Sorry for the delay in updating, we only have signal or WiFi near the lodge, and we went out this morning.

I spoke to reception, who checked and said they were fully booked, which was no surprise. The receptionist apologised but said she can't move us. Then just sat there looking at me, like the matter was closed. So I said that's a shame, that would have been a much easier fix, oh well. So what can we do about it? She asked I come back when the manager was in, I left my number and ask that they call me.

No call, but also awful signal, so they might have tried. I went back to reception when we got back and spoke to the manager. He sounded very sympathetic, but isn't sure what he can do besides offer a discount. They don't even have a spare mattress for the floor. (Annoyingly, I DO, I have a lovely kingsize airbed at home. If I'd known, I would have packed it) Another staff member then suggested they find an ottoman or similar, for the end of the bed, so we can at least lie flat. So we are now sat in the lodge, waiting for someone to come over and measure the space (and no doubt the current bed)

Hmm, as I predicted, sounds like they think you are being unnecessarily picky. Have they attempted to explain how you came to be in a room with a double bed when a king size was advertised? Have you pointed out that you would not have booked if a kingsize had not been advertised?
Original poster
MangoBiscuit · 17/08/2021 13:38

@HaveringWavering I did ask them how we managed to be placed with double, rather than the king we booked. They don't know, they thought they were kings. I also said if I wouldn't have booked and paid that much had I known, they made sympathetic noises and said it was less than ideal.

I think I'm going to see if they can improve it with something for the foot end, and then we can discuss a partial refund.

OP posts:
Coogee · 17/08/2021 13:38

My friend's DH - also 6'4" - is exactly the same. When we all go away together to a holiday let, our DHs always scour the listing photos to see whether the beds have food boards!

That's exactly what we do. As far as my husband is concerned, footboards are the work of the devil. He has been tempted to cut holes in them to allow his feet to poke through.

ifonly4 · 17/08/2021 13:46

Yep, you definitely want a discount. I appreciate the staff will be busy with other commitments, but if you're having to stay in, wait and then they don't come for a couple of hours, I'd be wanting an increased discount (as that's a couple of hours of you're break you haven't been free to do just what you fancy - whole point of a holiday!).

LimitIsUp · 17/08/2021 13:50

Good for you MangoBiscuit - its not acceptable.

Hopeisnotastrategy · 17/08/2021 13:56

@MrsMaizel

We are talking 2 inches difference in length 🤔
This is incorrect, an inch = 2.54 cm. Therefore 10cm is approximately 4", which can make a significant difference.
HaveringWavering · 17/08/2021 13:56

[quote MangoBiscuit]@HaveringWavering I did ask them how we managed to be placed with double, rather than the king we booked. They don't know, they thought they were kings. I also said if I wouldn't have booked and paid that much had I known, they made sympathetic noises and said it was less than ideal.

I think I'm going to see if they can improve it with something for the foot end, and then we can discuss a partial refund.[/quote]
Is it an independent or a chain? Either was I'd be inclined to make sure that the info was passed to whoever is responsible for the advertising. Too late to change for you, but judging by how many people here do care about this, a service to fellow tall people for the future! Also Trip Adviser. Is it all nice otherwise?

We're staying in an Air Bn B next week that specifically advertises a King. DH is only 5'8" and I am shorter, but we have a King at home and will definitely notice if they are fibbing!

Original poster
MangoBiscuit · 17/08/2021 14:10

They're independent. It's a popular site for a day out, and this is the on site resort / holiday park. We visited for the day a fee years ago, and it was lovely, so happily booked to stay here this year.

The lodge itself is nice enough, but it's not worth the price. I'm not sure what it would have cost pre-covid.

So I've been waiting an hour, after being told someone would be following over in a couple of minutes. I called through, and was told that the manager has had to go cover the donut shop. I left my mobile with them, they could have taken 20 seconds to call and say they'd been delayed, but didn't. So now I'm tired and grumpy, and flipping cross.

OP posts:
Original poster
MangoBiscuit · 17/08/2021 14:12

Oh, and for added hilarity, there is a TV crew here, and static cameras over the desk. They want to use footage of me complaining! Half tempted to let them!

OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 17/08/2021 14:17

@MangoBiscuit

Oh, and for added hilarity, there is a TV crew here, and static cameras over the desk. They want to use footage of me complaining! Half tempted to let them!
Don’t. It will be edited to make you look totally unreasonable.