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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Hotel Parking and WiFi Charge

20 replies

JaffaCake70 · 11/07/2022 17:40

Over the weekend DH and I went to a concert and stayed overnight in a semi expensive hotel (£170 for one night near Blackpool).

The hotel was booked weeks in advance. The day before our stay we received an email stating that we could pay an extra £20 for parking and WiFi, which we duly paid. On arrival at the hotel we were told that the upgrade we'd paid for gave us access to the swimming pool too.

The WiFi in our room was neither use nor ornament. Neither myself nor my DH were able to connect to it at all during our stay.

On our exit from the hotel we saw a sign in the car park that stated that weekend parking was free for hotel residents.

Once home my DH emailed the hotel stating that he was unhappy that we had paid for parking that should actually have been free of charge, and that the WiFi was unusable.

The hotel have replied with an apology about the WiFi 'playing up' and have told us that we should have looked at the hotel website regarding parking.

AIBU to have expected at least a partial refund for the non existent WiFi and parking that should have been free? They could argue that we were given access to the pool (which we didn't use) but part of the £20 package was WiFi and parking, neither of which I feel we should have to pay for given the above reasons.

Would you pursue out of principle? Or would you notch it up as one to put down to experience?

OP posts:
Badgirlriri · 11/07/2022 17:40

Definitely pursue!

sittingonacornflake · 11/07/2022 17:46

I would pursue. But I'm stubborn like that.

Clymene · 11/07/2022 17:48

Yes pursue! They've charged you £20 for something you didn't get and something that was free

LoudingVoice · 11/07/2022 17:49

I would follow up again and if they still refuse write a factual review on trip advisor.

JaffaCake70 · 11/07/2022 17:50

sittingonacornflake · 11/07/2022 17:46

I would pursue. But I'm stubborn like that.

It's the principle more than the money tbh. I think they were really cheeky to email us on the Friday about this 'offer', when they must've known that parking is free on Sat and Sun for residents anyway!

OP posts:
SafelySoftly · 11/07/2022 17:51

Did you complain about the WiFi at the time?

Though charging for WiFi unless it’s the Premier Inn is really tight, can’t believe they did.

JaffaCake70 · 11/07/2022 17:51

LoudingVoice · 11/07/2022 17:49

I would follow up again and if they still refuse write a factual review on trip advisor.

I will do, thank you for the advice 🙂

OP posts:
EltonsSpareGlasses · 11/07/2022 17:53

Urs to the WiFi no to the parking if it is clearly stated on their website

Lunarpsychobitch · 11/07/2022 18:02

I'm blooming sure I'd pursue it and if no joy I would be putting a very honest and fair account on trust pilot, trip advisor and their own website.
What a cheek they've got! How many other people are they ripping off because they can't be bothered to make a fuss over £20. It's the principal.

JaffaCake70 · 11/07/2022 18:02

SafelySoftly · 11/07/2022 17:51

Did you complain about the WiFi at the time?

Though charging for WiFi unless it’s the Premier Inn is really tight, can’t believe they did.

No, there were no staff at the desk when we were leaving. It was online check out (Ipad type screens). We waited about 15 minutes to speak to someone before giving up and leaving.

OP posts:
MrszClaus · 11/07/2022 18:07

Was this for lovely lytham proms? 😬

I'm a local! The Wi-Fi will have been playing up, signal is always shocking when the proms are on.

The hotel parking charge is very cheeky if it's there as free parking during the weekend for guests - looking at the website isn't a defence if they emailed you about the additional charge.

Name and shame OP 😂

LividLaVidaLoca · 11/07/2022 18:17

Village hotels?

One near me is same. Awful early 2000s decor too.

maddening · 11/07/2022 18:19

Was it the village hotel?

JaffaCake70 · 11/07/2022 18:20

MrszClaus · 11/07/2022 18:07

Was this for lovely lytham proms? 😬

I'm a local! The Wi-Fi will have been playing up, signal is always shocking when the proms are on.

The hotel parking charge is very cheeky if it's there as free parking during the weekend for guests - looking at the website isn't a defence if they emailed you about the additional charge.

Name and shame OP 😂

Yes, it was for Lytham proms 🙂and the show/atmosphere/locals etc were truly amazing (even though Tears for Fears were a no show due to injury!).

The hotel was The Village Hotel... There, I did it!!!

OP posts:
JaffaCake70 · 11/07/2022 18:32

LividLaVidaLoca · 11/07/2022 18:17

Village hotels?

One near me is same. Awful early 2000s decor too.

Same at this one, and fixtures in bathroom were basically falling off the walls..

Not what you expect for that kind of money 😕

OP posts:
Denise1973 · 11/07/2022 18:34

Would definitely pursue especially as they were the ones to contact you about the offer when they fine well knew it was free at weekends!!!

MrszClaus · 11/07/2022 18:36

@JaffaCake70

Glad you enjoyed - they had such a good line up this year!! Wi-Fi is annoying but they had to put 5G masts up to try and boost signal everywhere because with so many people in for the festival phone / Wi-Fi signal locally drops out each night. Not sure what they could do on that - but the parking charge email I would definitely contest, they emailed you to inform you of the charge then when asked said you should have checked the website? No chance, definitely a negative trip advisor review / post in the local FB group.

JaffaCake70 · 11/07/2022 18:43

Denise1973 · 11/07/2022 18:34

Would definitely pursue especially as they were the ones to contact you about the offer when they fine well knew it was free at weekends!!!

I feel like the free weekend parking is aimed at their golfing crowd (big beautiful golf course to rear of hotel). But they want everyone else to pay and therefore trick us into doing so.

Bad business. Definitely won't be staying there again.

OP posts:
70kid · 11/07/2022 19:33

As a regular user of village hotels
parking js always free on the weekends
and the basic wifi is always free unless you upgrade

basically if they gave you use of the pool then you got a club room which would include free parking anyway
club rooms get free use of the gym and pool

70kid · 11/07/2022 19:34

If you go direct on the website you will see that club rooms are the only ones that get free access to the pool or you pay £5 a day to access it
but parking is always free on the weekends

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