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.

Full board without a feed?that's not full board
Demand a refund and get some yummy food delivered or buy it from somewhere and watch some amazing Christmas movie in your cozy hotel room

Oops. Tl dr. But see it now. Never mind

Either they provide what they are contracted to do or they refund you.

Hope you get the outcome you want. Yes I agree. Should have been told when booking that you needed to book everything there and then. Good luck love. X

So...you have paid for full board and no food available on Christmas Day
Tell them you want your money back and you are going elsewhere

If you are full board then it is the hotel’s responsibility feed you because you have paid for FULL BOARD

Phone the Manager NOW - polite but firm - full board = full board, whatever day it is, otherwise a full refund immediately - I would be tempted to be after some financial compo’ too. Oh - and a mention concerning a potential Trip Advisor revue wouldn’t go amiss whichever way things go.

Surely full board means they should have automatic included you in their numbers when you booked, otherwise it's not exactly full board is it? Check that you aren't already included in the numbers, if not, cancel

Its not just Christmas dinner is it - no breakfast either???
They sound to me like they are taking the p*

That’s total bulkshit ! Full board is Xmas dinner
I’d cancel and look
Elsewhere
Frankly for that money could you pop to somewhere sunny ?

@Hoppinggreen

If you are full board then surely it’s up to them to cater for you? How can you be full board bit them say no food is available for an entire day of your stay, it’s ridiculous

Exactly my thoughts. Full board means 3 meals a day are provided, doesn't it?

I think that’s really bad that all of that wasn’t made clear by the hotel. What would have happened if you hadn’t asked for the menu? Forced out for the local KFC? But given you are solo I would force the issue maybe to management if you haven’t already. Chances are someone may drop out. I wouldn’t try another hotel straight away.

They should have asked you if you'd be having Christmas lunch there when you booked to stay. They've made an error there which they've already admitted to so they need to rectify it.
I'd definitely email them again or call them. I think they'd rather accommodate your needs than risk have you cancelling the whole stay.

I’m so sorry you’ve been feeling so low sweetie. The hotel is bang out of order ! How the actual f does no breaskfast or dinner on Christmas Day count as full board ?!
Either they accommodate you for meals or id ask for a refund ! X

I presume they have taken bookings from non guests. You have payed the full whack and should therefore have had an automatic lunch booking. If you "should have been told" and weren't, then they are responsible for your ruined holiday. In which case you are entitled not only to a full refund, but to claim compensation. Don't forget to mention Tripadvisor! Good thing you asked for the menu, or you wouldn't have known until you got there.

What's their definition of full board? Surely that is 3 meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and not just bar snacks

Blimey! - ask if all the other full board residents are aware they will not get fed! - that would make for an 'interesting' Christmas morning if not!

Did they make an exception for Christmas Day in their full board offering when you booked?

@Mogs43

Thank you all so much for your very helpful and supportive comments- I am grateful. I wasn't sure if I was being overly sensitive/picky/should have anticipated something like this sooner.

I have checked all the information that they sent over when I booked and it wasn't mentioned anywhere. Fortunately the terms and conditions say that I can get a full refund as long as I cancel at least 24 hours before I am due to stay.

I thought I would email the hotel manager and see if they can help - it is a nice hotel and the staff have previously been very good but I know there is a high turnover /they are under lots of pressure. Hopefully they can put it right. Some of you kindly suggested that they may be able to provide the lunch in my room which I thought would be great. I will suggest that and see if they have any other ideas. I will also start looking at alternative hotels just in case....

Thanks again for everyones help. Fingers crossed it can be resolved!

They should provide you with it in the dining area. You are full board, it is their cock up and it's one extra diner. However, if there really isnt space, if they say no to serving in your room they're being super unreasonable and I'd kick up a fuss wanting more than just a refund to be honest as there really is no reason they cant buy extra supplies this far ahead (doubt very much they've purchased yet) and it will be no trouble to make one extra portion for an experienced chef. Good luck x

Have you heard back , OP?

This is rubbish!

There are plenty of other fabulous hotels, who would love to have you as a valued guest. Happy to PM suggestions of alternative hotels and help you find somewhere that will make you feel like the honoured guest you deserve to be.

@toomuchlaundry

What's their definition of full board? Surely that is 3 meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and not just bar snacks

I think bar snacks (assuming that's sandwiches etc.) would be ok on Christmas Day if the OP was having a full at least three course lunch, maybe with a gift basket of goodies for her room.

Swapping lunch and dinner for the day, is standard for most people, we have a later lunch and and have sandwiches, cheese, leftovers etc. in the evening.

Any reply?

@Mogs43 Did you manage to get this sorted?

Hope you got it sorted and have a lovely Christmas 🎄