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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Holiday let with inadequate curtains, AIBU?

316 replies

MyMarmite · 08/05/2023 08:00

We’ve paid £1,000 for 7 nights in a holiday let. The master bedroom has no curtains or blinds in about 4ft of window and so I am awake early as it’s bright. diagram attached.

it’s an awkward window but I still think it’s unreasonable not to cover it if you’re letting it. This is a professional holiday let.

There are 2 other double bedrooms but dh is in one of them and they are 2 floors down, deliberately, as I snore. So I can’t use the other one as then he won’t sleep because of my snoring.

I’d rather go home than not sleep all week. It’s 2.5 hours away. AIBU?

Holiday let with inadequate curtains, AIBU?
OP posts:
BigBunkers · 08/05/2023 08:01

Would a groblind work? They sucker directly to the window itself.

Think it’s pretty poor of the holiday let not to have anything though!

Saucery · 08/05/2023 08:02

Tape bin bags over the gap? Micropore tape that you use for first aid wouldn’t leave a mark. Might be a faff getting some from a shop, but not as much a faff as writing the whole holiday off.

happystory · 08/05/2023 08:02

That does seem odd, they could have had a blind made. Was it mentioned in any reviews? Seems a shame to curtail your holiday though, anywhere nearby you could get a sleep mask?

Chamomileteaplease · 08/05/2023 08:03

You could try contacting the owner straightaway to see if they can put something up for tonight

I agree, if you aren't used to no curtains, a lack of them can really disrupt your sleep at this time of year.

I don't like your diagram I'm afraid! Does the arrow point to the window part?

gawditswindy · 08/05/2023 08:03

We taped black bin bags to DD's window when we were at a holiday let once. She was up with the sun - at 4.45am. Confused

BonnieGlasses · 08/05/2023 08:03

Get an eye mask.

MooseBreath · 08/05/2023 08:03

I can't get too worked up about this, bit then I have no issue sleeping as the sun rises.

It's not like you're getting no sleep as even if you go to bed at midnight, you've still got 5 solid hours before the sunlight starts to creep in. So you are being a bit dramatic, really.

For a solution, can you switch bedrooms with your DH?

Mindymomo · 08/05/2023 08:03

Can you swap with DH. I would contact the owners or their representatives to tell them about there being no curtains, there’s no way I could sleep without any.

SayOrPay · 08/05/2023 08:03

You can't expect the rooms to be furnished to your taste. You should have looked at the photos.
Personally, I don't know anyone who has curtains who isn't over the age of 76. It's not considered the thing to have in your house.
Buy an eye mask like they used to give out on aeroplanes.

Talipesmum · 08/05/2023 08:04

YANBU that’s ridiculous- but no need to leave, just cover the window space with paper. Dark coloured wrapping paper cut to size and blutacked on will sort it out - we did this when we were waiting weeks for new curtains.

CrapBucket · 08/05/2023 08:05

Swap bedrooms with DH?

Paq · 08/05/2023 08:06

@SayOrPay I guarantee that the vast majority of under 76s have curtains or blinds, for privacy, controlling light and/or insulation. You must have a very niche social circle.

OP I would mention it to the agents but in the meantime tape black bin bags over the area. Realistically they are unlikely to come up with a solution during your stay so don't suffer on.

CindersAgain · 08/05/2023 08:06

SayOrPay · 08/05/2023 08:03

You can't expect the rooms to be furnished to your taste. You should have looked at the photos.
Personally, I don't know anyone who has curtains who isn't over the age of 76. It's not considered the thing to have in your house.
Buy an eye mask like they used to give out on aeroplanes.

Really? I don’t know anyone with bare windows. It’s usually the case that the more expensive the hotel, the better blackout the curtains are. And expensive hotels aren’t catering much to elderly people.

dudsville · 08/05/2023 08:06

It's weird to have a bedroom without curtains! Either ask the owners or get an eye mask.

Talipesmum · 08/05/2023 08:07

SayOrPay · 08/05/2023 08:03

You can't expect the rooms to be furnished to your taste. You should have looked at the photos.
Personally, I don't know anyone who has curtains who isn't over the age of 76. It's not considered the thing to have in your house.
Buy an eye mask like they used to give out on aeroplanes.

What? Curtains are not only for over 76’s 😂. I know blinds etc are growing in popularity but i don’t think just having nothing at the window to block the light is the normal choice of the under 76’s these days?!

Kitkatfiend31 · 08/05/2023 08:07

Curtains are rarely good enough in holiday let's. As others have said cover the window or get an eye mask. I always take an eye mask as am used to black out blinds

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 08/05/2023 08:08

Chamomileteaplease · 08/05/2023 08:03

You could try contacting the owner straightaway to see if they can put something up for tonight

I agree, if you aren't used to no curtains, a lack of them can really disrupt your sleep at this time of year.

I don't like your diagram I'm afraid! Does the arrow point to the window part?

The whole diagram is the window. The bottom part has a blind across and the top part is just glass.

How high up is the top of the window OP? Some black paper (craft shop) and tape or blue tack would do the trick, if you or DH can reach that high.

Or ear plugs for DH?

Agree it’s thoughtless of the owners.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 08/05/2023 08:09

…or an eye mask for you?

HJ40 · 08/05/2023 08:09

SayOrPay · 08/05/2023 08:03

You can't expect the rooms to be furnished to your taste. You should have looked at the photos.
Personally, I don't know anyone who has curtains who isn't over the age of 76. It's not considered the thing to have in your house.
Buy an eye mask like they used to give out on aeroplanes.

Don't be so ridiculous. Having curtains or blinds isn't a matter of taste.
So you don't have them in your house and nor does anyone you know Hmm

FirstTimeNameChanger · 08/05/2023 08:09

SayOrPay · 08/05/2023 08:03

You can't expect the rooms to be furnished to your taste. You should have looked at the photos.
Personally, I don't know anyone who has curtains who isn't over the age of 76. It's not considered the thing to have in your house.
Buy an eye mask like they used to give out on aeroplanes.

Huh??? So what do the youngsters do these days - rise with the sun??

How bizarre. I am 43 and have curtains. Black out curtains in the bedroom. I also can't sleep when sunlight comes flooding in at 5.15. I thought curtains were normal!

OP, that's bad. I've stayed in air BnBs before we've they've not bothered with velux blinds in the attic bedroom - really poor. Get some cardboard and tape it up

Qilin · 08/05/2023 08:10

SayOrPay · 08/05/2023 08:03

You can't expect the rooms to be furnished to your taste. You should have looked at the photos.
Personally, I don't know anyone who has curtains who isn't over the age of 76. It's not considered the thing to have in your house.
Buy an eye mask like they used to give out on aeroplanes.

Where are you with no curtains?

Not seen any house on our estate or visited anyone without curtains or blinds; almost all are under your 76y cut off, many well under.

Do younger people not notice sun or need privacy where you are?!

What in unusual comment.

Ohalpro · 08/05/2023 08:10

Tin foil is amazing for this situation. Stick it to the window with a bit of water and some tape at the edges. Let the holiday company know what you are doing and why.

AlisonDonut · 08/05/2023 08:11

SayOrPay · 08/05/2023 08:03

You can't expect the rooms to be furnished to your taste. You should have looked at the photos.
Personally, I don't know anyone who has curtains who isn't over the age of 76. It's not considered the thing to have in your house.
Buy an eye mask like they used to give out on aeroplanes.

You what?

I can't live in a house without curtains. Does my head in.

OP can you contact the owner and ask where the curtains for the top bedroom are as you can't find them.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 08/05/2023 08:11

Tin foil probably also an effective cover for the spare bit of window. I would complain now but expect to remedy it yourself. Make it clear it’s spoiled your sleep.

Roselilly36 · 08/05/2023 08:11

We stayed in a holiday let, a very expensive one too, not a pair of curtains in the property it had plantation shutters, how ever we them, up down the sun woke us every morning, didn’t bother complaining, everything else was lovely, we could put up with it for a week. Was pleased to get home to my blinds and blackout curtains though!