To not include DD on hotel room booking?

[Butteryflakycrust83]

Looking to book a two night trip to York for Christmas and both air b and b apartments as well as hotels (without including breakfast) are charging around £75 and up extra if I include DD on the booking (she is 2).

The size of the room doesn't change. What is with the additional cost? Its not cheaper whether its 1 or 2 adults, but only if you add a child onto the booking.

I am half tempted to just book for two adults for the air b and b property I am looking at - its self service collection for the keys so they wouldn't know anyway?

Theoretically what happens if you book a room and then have a baby - do you call and get charged more?

(I realise for insurance/fire purposes they need to know occupants per room).

Unfortunately online booking systems do not always get it right. Until fairly recently I was a great fan of doing everything online rather than phoning or emailing a place. In actual fact I have discovered that quite often, the facilities I want, including a superking size bed, are in actual fact available but Online booking systems (e.g. Booking.com) either don't have what I want or they misinterpret what I am requesting. I tried to book online recently for a family room for 2 people and 1 child. Booking.com wanted me to take 2 separate rooms. Long story short, going directly to the place I wanted by phone, sorted the 'problem'.

If I were you I would phone the place direct and tell them what you are looking for and see what the outcome is. If they advertise a price per room, you shouldn't have to pay any more for your Daughter. If they do want you to pay extra, then go elsewhere.

It may be annoying, but it would be quite wrong just to take her with you and hope they don't find out. Some places will not want children under a certain age and it could affect all sorts of things if you basically lie. But speak to the places direct if there is an issue

Why is this even a question?? You read the rules and chose to book. It doesn't matter why they're in place, or what you think about them. You are aware, so pay or cancel and stay somewhere else.

This.
You sound entitled.
Look for places which state under 2s are free.
Or simply don't book but don't take advantage out of someone trying to earn a living.

It you want something pay for it

This is USEFUL! Thank you!

You are so right - as another PP said, sites like booking.com clearly automatically switch to bigger rooms/more rooms as I imagine most people just accept it at face value and pay it.

@Butteryflakycrust83 i agree it’s extortionate BUT it’s their business not yours. I look for what I’m prepared to pay, I’m not
lying about who I’m taking either. What happens (and whilst unlikely it’s still possible) if there’s a fire. If they aren’t aware of 4 people in a room
they aren’t looking. I get wanting to save ok costs etc but lying just seems pointless.

If they're NT, why can a 16.5 yo male not stay in a room of their own?

If they're not NT it would surely be a reasonable accommodation anyway I'd have thought?

What 16.5 year old boy wants to share a room with their parents??

This has been debunked several times in the thread. The fire brigade do not go into each room with a sheet of paper looking for the exact number of occupants.

I'm wary of places like this. I've had them tell me on the day that they can't honour my booking and then offer me a place in a hostel. The price sounds ludicrous to me. It might be cheaper to stay in a hotel or a pub with rooms. I'd definitely want to stay where they charge by the room and kids stay free. Hilton or Holiday Inn are frequently cheaper than the price you're quoting. Or a brand new Travelodge.

We usually take a jigsaw with us to keep my brother quiet, although he has this unfortunate habit and plugging it in and sawing tables and chairs up.😱

That sounds odd. I rent out a few properties and it is a flat rate. There are x amount of beds so there is a maximum occupancy. We also have cots and high chairs.

Your 16.5 yo doesn't want his own room? My 12yo is desperate for his own room each time we go away.

The more you pay the hotel, the more comission these 3rd party sites make, so it's very much in their interests to 'upgrade' you to a larger room or two rooms as much, if not more than the hotel, because no one gets pissed off at the booking site, only the hotel at this type of thing.

I've had many people ring me saying they want a room for 2 adults and a small child (under 2, sleeping in bed with parents or travel cot) but as 3 is over occupancy for a double room, it is trying to put them in a family or two rooms, they then get a double with a travel cot from me with no fee for the child.

Booking direct usually gets you the best deal and what you actually want or you know straight away that they don't offer it or it's not available, and what the price is.

But booking sites are really popular and that's why hotels use them - look on the sites to see what's on offer and then ring, message or email the ones you like the look of, most receptions work until 9 or 10pm and 7 days a week anyway, so outside business hours is usually not a problem either. I've only once ever been asked to book through a 3rd party site when contacting a hotel, the rest I've got the room I want, a better deal and better service if something goes wrong because you're having to go through the 3rd party site all the time as it's them you've paid.

My teenagers would HATE sharing a room with us, they would snap my hand off for a room on their own!

Yes, I found this utterly ridiculous after we had DS! Even when he was under 1, if you put put him on the booking then Booking.com would raise the price and usually try to give us a double room plus a single room! He's always slept in his own travel cot. So, I always booked for just the two of us then phoned up to OK it with the hotel, it was never a problem.

Not sure about Air B&B I'm afraid, as don't have much experience with these - but judging by many of the responses on this post, owners will jump at the chance to get the extra money out of you if they can! It's insane to suggest that a baby would cost an extra £75 in cleaning costs.

Someone mentioned Premier Inn and I can definitely give another vote for that - we travel in the UK a lot for DH's sport and we tend to always stay there, if not camping - we have always just booked for two adults and don't bother to phone and check anymore, as they never bat an eyelid when we turn up to check in with DS and his travel cot in tow. They are reasonably priced, comfy and usually spotlessly clean, so are always our go to - DS calls them a 'sleepy moon' because of the logo, and thinks they are all the same place as they layout is identical! 😂

No offence but your parents sound incredibly judgmental 😳

I mean, there's a fire risk if you don't put her on so do think of that.

I'd contact them and say you are bringing a baby/toddler and see what they charge then?

Would you consider Premier Inn, OP?
Just had a very quick look based on next weekend and a family room (2 adults & 1 child) is cheaper than a double room for the same dates. I haven't looked at Christmas and I don't know your budget.
We stayed in a PI in York a few months ago with our one DC and found it as affordable as hotels, etc.

There absolutely is not

Premier inn all the way - and plenty of them in York.

You will have a wonderful time!

If you do end up staying slightly further out, try close to a park & ride and use that to get in simply because trying to park in York if you stay on the outskirts is blooming awful during the market season. We always end up heading in late afternoon if we are driving in, just so we can park!

And yes, as an ex 'someone from a hotel', you should just be able to book for 2 and then call up and explain (or put it in your booking notes) that you will be bringing your 2 yr old with you who Co sleeps (but please double check with them first before booking that it is ok) - also, expect that if you stay in a hotel that includes breakfast, they may want to charge for that for your 2yr old. Another bonus of a premier inn though, kids eat free!

I think it really depends, with hotels I always book two adults and email after to cover off the insurance/fire thing. Air B n B is a bit different because if it’s say a two bed place then they might charge per expected room used, so if you plan to use the second room for baby then I would book them on too

My 16.5 grandson wants to be in the same room as his younger brother and parents and he's perfectly normal thank you.

Ooooh this is useful information, thank you!