To be disappointed that I may not have lunch on Christmas Day?

[Mogs43]

I have booked to stay a week at a nice hotel over Christmas (my father died so I will be alone). I booked full board , which I never normally do, and it was very expensive (over £1,500) but its a treat after a lousy few months (spent last Christmas alone and pretty depressed/suicidal, so swore to do things differently this year).

Anyway I emailed the hotel to ask if I could see the menu for Lunch on Christmas Day (thought it would be nice to see). Last night they responded saying it was fully booked but they might be. able to add me to the cancellation list. They also said there would be no breakfast or other food available on Christmas Day but bar snacks would be available after 8pm!

I queried why the Reservations Team hadn't mentioned this when I had booked ( we had had a long conversation about my plans - I have stayed in the hotel before and the staff were all very friendly). She said I should have been told - she also confirmed that. there is no fridge in the room so I couldn't buy myself any supplies.

I have had a look for restaurants that might be serving lunch on Christmas Day but those that are open are fully booked. The one exception is another hotel but it is for guests staying at the hotel. I am wondering about whether to change hotels - I do normally like the one that I have booked with (it may be a difficult time so having friendly faces around would be nice and the other hotel is unknown/hasn't got as good reviews ) but I would like a lunch on Christmas Day. AIBU to be disappointed/WWYD? Thank you.

Sounds like they've got a lot of visitors in who are only coming in for lunch. Hotel guests should take priority. Tell them you'll put a bad review on hotel sites!

I would cancel and book somewhere else. Full board means that they provide food for you.
Look at it differently: you don’t want to be stuck with the same faces you need something new.

Surely they can rustle up one extra Xmas dinner ffs?! Don’t cancel your booking. They must fit you in as you are full board. Full board means your get breakfast and dinner the last time I looked. Or at least two meals out of three. Write to the CEO pronto. I will envisage your pulling your own Xmas cracker seated at your table with turkey and all the trimmings! Good luck.

Full board at Christmas is obviously just that - all traditional meals provided. I’d be reporting them to the hospitality police if they told me this AFTER booking!

OP, this thread has me down a Google rabbit hole of fancy hotels for Christmas. OMG some of them are divine!! I hope wherever you end up you have a lovely Christmas!! Xxx

I've stayed in hotels for a couple of Christmases, but they have had special breaks/packages, and don't run their normal day/week bookings during that time. Generally they did a pre-Xmas break, Christmas itself (maybe 23rd-27th and including ALL meals) then Twixmas (27th-30th Half Board) and lastly New Year 30th-2nd including ALL meals) This situation that you have been put in because of their mistake is bizarre and you deserve a lot better.

Id definiteley change hotels, the one you have chosen obviously doesn't care much about the guests comfort espcially a Xmas break. ~Good Luck, don't put yourself down when your treating yourelf. Not good
enough.

Full board is full board? Not full board except on Christmas Day…? Maybe they’ve made a mistake - shouldn’t be selling full board packages if they can’t do it

@Beachbreak2411

Just remember that there must be a reason there are no bookings available. Every staff member working is missing their own Christmas Day and probably doesn’t want to be there.. staff will be limited so covers will be too. If you didn’t state when booking you wanted meals then don’t be unkind to the person you speak to. Just cancel and go elsewhere.. making sure you book your meals in!

She booked and paid for meals

You are not unreasonable op. I would start looking somewhere else and ask for a refund.

@Beachbreak2411

Just remember that there must be a reason there are no bookings available. Every staff member working is missing their own Christmas Day and probably doesn’t want to be there.. staff will be limited so covers will be too. If you didn’t state when booking you wanted meals then don’t be unkind to the person you speak to. Just cancel and go elsewhere.. making sure you book your meals in!

The reason is the incompetence of the staff involved. OP booked full board. She shouldn’t then need to specify what meals she wants- all are included! Whether staff working Christmas Day will want to be there or not has absolutely no relevance at all.

Ask to speak with the food and beverage manager and the general manager. You are 1 person not a table of 6 and a regular customer. Sound like the person you are dealing with is inexperienced.

Definitely cancel. It's not full board if they can't offer you the meal and they weren't clear when you booked that it wasnt available.

This is outrageous! I was away for christmas and the hotel did breakfast. You are full board and so of course you get all your meals!

I would cancel.

YANBU - it’s disgusting the hotel can’t give you breakfast or lunch on Christmas Day if you are booked in on a full board basis. I’d go right to the top with this one and definitely go to the other hotel if you don’t get satisfaction. If they do say you can be included on the lunch list, then get in some goodies for breakfast in your room, ie smoked salmon, nice cheese, yoghurt, fruit cereal etc plus a bit of Bucks Fizz. You deserve a good day and I certainly hope you get it. Bon Chance!

Full board actually means dinner, bed, and breakfast. However, I don't kniw of a hotel that would take a booking for Christmas and not check if you were wanting Christmas Lunch

Whilst that's true, Christmas lunch on the 25th is in place of an evening meal. They've switched it round and bar snacks only being served in the late evening so no option to have a proper evening meal when you normally would.

Having owned a hotel, they are talking bollocks. Full board is just that. Call back talk to someone else, it might just have been someone new on the phone. If it’s the same ridiculous answer try and cancel with all money back and if that doesn’t work. The bar will be open and the kitchen will have plenty of food believe me and I am sure they can provide a meal via room service, then return to the party after. Any hotel worth their salt would sort this out.

Please keep us updated, you say the hotel as a high turnover of staff perhaps the person you spoke to yesterday has got it wrong and everyone who has a full board reservation is automatically booked in. Fingers crossed that is the case. Hopefully it will all be sorted and you can enjoy your holiday. Xx

Full board means just that. Can’t see how it would be a problem for them to add one more person to the dining room. I would complain massively over this. Actually, I’d cancel. Sounds an unwelcoming place. Would rather get some nice food and treats in and stay at home. Do hope you find somewhere nice to be this Christmas.

So you have paid full board for your stay but this excludes xmas lunch? Do uou have to pay extra for that?

Its a massive cock up in their part. Lucky you checked

Id be firm with them. You're one person. If they cant squeeze you in, cancel and write a negative review on their social pages

Either - it’s full board and you’re automatically added to the dining schedule

Or - it’s not and you pay a cheaper rate and have to book in for meals.

I’d create a HUGE fuss- you’re sounding way too accepting of this!

Hope it gets sorted.

Cancel!

You’ve paid full board that includes all meals!

I’d look at other hotels, plenty of others are available though you may have to change your location.

Staying at home and buying everything pre made would be nicer than having room service on Christmas Day, presumably you've planned to stay in a hotel for company.

Full board actually means dinner, bed, and breakfast.

It doesn't, that's half board. Full board is breakfast, lunchtime meal and evening meal.

Full board includes accommodation + the three main meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner (which are usually served as buffets especially abroad on holiday resorts) and drinks are not included.

All inclusive includes drinks too.

Half board includes accommodation + 2 meals (normally breakfast & dinner or breakfast & lunch).

At that price I would definitely expect all three meals to be included even on Christmas Day. If there’s nothing on the website or terms and condition you definitely have a case.

If they have some business sense they’ll somehow honour it even if it’s room service. If they don’t, I would book elsewhere if you can find anywhere with availability & cancel 48 hrs before (and that’s being kind as you only need to give them 24hrs). I would also put reviews on Trip-advisor etc.