Ropey B&B

[tapastastic]

Hi

I've travelled 1.5 hours to Loughborough on the premise of a Christmas market

Well in short the "Christmas market"
Was on a par with a normal market, nothing handmade or quirky

Arrived at a 9.5 accommodation at 2pm (Booking.com)
Was told "owners are away"

However due back imminently.

Was 7pm, ran shower...stone cold,
Waited for it to warm up 1/2 hour still stone cold

Called owners on 2 mobiles and landline all voicemail

Said property is 9 rooms and full

Knocked on private quarters twice across 45 mins ..... no answer,
In short it's like a ghost town here and now 11.30 at night.
Also WiFi not working!

I've stopped my card as £60 is unacceptable as I can't shower or watch anything other than basic TV

No one has returned my calls from hours ago....
AIBU to have stopped payment given that there's been no one here for 7+ hours and what if there were (god forbid, a fire or flood?)

Is it reasonable for a 9 bedroom B&B to be full and the owners be away!!

Cambridge has an interesting sounding fair, "showcasing a selection of the best indie shops from across the region" - but it's really close to Christmas, 18th - but might still go.

@tapastastic - how was breakfast?

Next time OP go to the Country Living Fair at Harrogate it is full of up and coming artists and crafters some really lovely things to buy. We stayed at The Swan Hotel but that was my Christmas present as I have always wanted to say there.It was lovely and I had a great soak in a hot bath. Hope you are home and cosy now.

@ThinWomansBrain

It could be worse - many years ago (pre internet & tripadvisor) a group of friends & I stayed in a grotty b&B. One of the beds in my room had wet (with wee) sheets We were all kept awake by a couple shouting and screaming at each other all night. When we were served breakfast, the shouting couple were the ones preparing it, trying to make like nothing had happened through the night. A few months later, we read that one of the couple had murdered or attempted to murder the other.

How did you know it was the same shouty couple?

How did you further discover that there was a murder or attempted murder? (and how can you not be sure which one it was?)

I'd stop the payment too if I'd no hot water or wi-fi etc. You are paying to have these. Let them argue for a reasonable fee.
Leave an honest review.

Oh no, I read this thread anticipating a resolution!

Ha! I stayed at a chain (cheap) hotel in Birmingham and there were jizz stains on the wall by the bed! I did complain, but they didn't respond.

they tried telling me that as I'd had hot water when I had stayed there two years previously, that should be enough!
Sorry but that did make me laugh

@tapastastic

Thank you for being my ONLY reply in an hour!
Seen many a person reply for lesser posts!

It WAS nearly 2 in the morning. Most people were in bed!

Anyway, as has been said, the service clearly wasn't great, but I am not sure you should have cancelled the payment. You could be in trouble for breaking the terms and conditions. Should have paid and then disputed it if you weren't happy IMO, and asked for half back.

@ThinWomansBrain

It's why although they're a bit soulless I usually look for travelodge or premier inn - fewer let downs than with B&Bs.

Agree with this. Some people are very snobby about Travelodge. My DH's cousin is like this. When she went to stay in a town where her son lives, (with her husband and her brother,) they booked 2 rooms in a 'bohemian, quirky guest house' in the valley, at £55 a night per room.

Their son told them to just book the Travelodge, as it was only £29 if paid in advance, but they said they 'wouldn't be seen dead there...' and it was 'just for commoners.'

They arrived at said quirky guest house, and there was no room for them. They claimed it had never been booked! Apparently a party of 23 took priority (they found out later on...)

So they rang around half a dozen other guest houses. Nothing. So off to the Travelodge they went, and paid £110 per room. (Because it was not booked in advance, it was MUCH more.)

As the pp said, Travelodge are looked down on, but they always deliver! And they are reliable and dependable.

Sorry to derail.
But WHAT!?! Jizz stains!?