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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Airbnb bed not king size

195 replies

ViaRia01 · 18/09/2023 06:06

Currently away in an Airbnb, we checked in last night.

As soon as I got into bed I realised it was a double, not a king size. King size was stated in the listing before we booked. I checked the listing again and it says king size.

AIBU to say something to the hosts and what (if anything) could I expect from them to compensate?

We have a king at home so we are noticing the difference. We can manage perfectly well in a double but I feel shortchanged and misled. There is a good chance we would not have booked this place if it had been listed as a double.

what do you think?

OP posts:
VanillaFlotilla · 18/09/2023 07:32

Complain to airbnb and leave a negative review.

People get away with misrepresenting and misselling because no one calls them out on it.

If we want services to improve, we need to have the gumption to speak up when something's wrong. That's the whole point of user reviews and ratings...

Mindymomo · 18/09/2023 07:32

We always look for a minimum of king size as we have a super-king size bed at home. Sleep is important and a big part of going away, so yes, I’d definitely let them know how unhappy you are and that description should be changed. On Four in a Bed, guests would underpay if they didn’t get a good nights sleep. A normal kingsize bed is 5ft width.

Globules · 18/09/2023 07:32

I'd tell the hosts now.

If they change the listing during your stay, then it looks like a genuine error on their part.

If they leave the listing as is, then they already knew. Lower review and why.

I also agree with the PPs who said measure the bed, so you can be completely clear what size of bed the accommodation comes with. One woman's queen is another woman's king, if you know what I mean 😁

ActDottie · 18/09/2023 07:34

Yanbu king size bed is a massive deal breaker for my husband and I when we go away. We don’t book places that are doubles

Lordofmyflies · 18/09/2023 07:34

I'd email the hosts now. No need to be confrontational about it, but just point out that you booked the property with the King size bed and that you are disappointed it seem to be a double. See what they suggest in their reply.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 18/09/2023 07:36

Make sure you take a screenshot of the listing before you complain.

JMSA · 18/09/2023 07:37

shearwater · 18/09/2023 06:13

Compensation? Christ. I would ask them to correct the listing and crack on with the stay.

Exactly. Me too.

RainedAllNight · 18/09/2023 07:41

I had no idea that a double bed was so important to people! A king is nice but we have a double at home which is more than enough for me and my six foot husband.

But yes, if it is an important criterion for you, I can see how annoying it would be to turn up and not have the big bed you expected. Mention it in the review OP to help others.

MumblesParty · 18/09/2023 07:46

Kaibashira · 18/09/2023 07:31

An AirBnB should be run like a business. It's not sofa surfing at a mate's house.

If you booked a premium room in a hotel, because the bed was king sized, and then were allocated a standard size with a double, what would you do? Suck it up or go straight to reception and ask to change rooms.

Just because the AirBnB is (sometimes) the host's home, that doesn't mean you have to meekly accept misrepresentation.

Tell the host today, ask them what they think is fair in terms of recompense.
Send a screenshot of the listing and the measurements of the bed.
Write it in your review.

I agree.
The owners aren’t doing you a favour. You’re paying for a service, which you’re not getting.

Iwantmyoldnameback · 18/09/2023 07:46

RainedAllNight · 18/09/2023 07:41

I had no idea that a double bed was so important to people! A king is nice but we have a double at home which is more than enough for me and my six foot husband.

But yes, if it is an important criterion for you, I can see how annoying it would be to turn up and not have the big bed you expected. Mention it in the review OP to help others.

It's not long ago every couple slept in a double bed, I wonder how many still do.
That said I would contact the owner and say that the advertisement was wrong.

xyz111 · 18/09/2023 07:46

I would include it in the review. So if someone really needs a king size bed, they know not to book it. You'd be helping someone else too.

Roselilly36 · 18/09/2023 07:48

It’s not on, we have a super king bed at home, so a usual king size is small to us. So I always check the size of bed when booking, so you are right to be disappointed about it. We own a holiday let the bed there is king size, our management company advised us to buy king size bed for the main bedroom. I would definitely complain, is this not mentioned in the reviews? We have lots of reviews that mention how comfortable our beds are.

Gymmum82 · 18/09/2023 07:49

We have a super king so even a king feels small to me. A double one of us would have to sleep elsewhere.
I don’t like how air b&b can just misrepresent and get away with it for fear of upsetting the host. A hotel you wouldn’t think twice about complaining.
I would email the host today and say it’s a double not a king and ask what they intend to do about it. They could then offer to change the listing, money off or replace the bed for future guests

MaryLivingOnDreamsAndCustardCreams · 18/09/2023 07:50

Tell the owner and act depending on their response.

It's not okay to falsely advertise something you haven't got, even if some posters here would find it okay. What else would you find okay? An outside loo instead of an en suite? 😂

Howtohideasausage · 18/09/2023 07:52

If you specifically wanted a king size bed and chose the place accordingly, then yea you should say something. I also struggle to sleep on doubles. These air b n B’s are expensive for the night so the least they can do is get the bed size correct.

bellac11 · 18/09/2023 07:53

Take pictures of a tape measure across the bed but bear in mind as others have said that Ikea have different measurements

When this has happened to us, we sleep top to tail as it gives a bit more room

I do hate a stingy bed but beds are not different lengths as far as I know, its the width thats the problem but if you're tall you might have your knees curled up and so need more width

You need to mention it on the review and text the owner. I wouldnt be asking for financial compensation

CandleWick4 · 18/09/2023 07:55

OP this is mumsnet - if you’d have said ‘we arrived and the bed is a pile of straw on the floor’ you’d have had at least one reply of ‘well at least you have a roof over your head’
DH and I have a king size bed. He’s a lot bigger than me and in order to have a decent nights sleep we need a king. We’ve been in doubles before and it’s been hard to rest well.
If the listing says king and it’s not you can complain. You may get a good will gesture/partial refund and they should revise the listing as it’s misleading. It’s ok for you to be annoyed especially if you’ve booked on the premise you’ll have a big enough bed to sleep well in.

PortalooSunset · 18/09/2023 07:56

YANBU to mention that the bed is not as described, but as you've said it's actually having no real impact on you or your holiday then asking for compensation is BU.

Flakey99 · 18/09/2023 08:00

The Airbnb owners are cheeky fuckers.

Definitely complain about the misrepresentation and ask for a partial refund, say 50% and see how they respond.

It’s highly likely that they deliberately misled would be renters as how can anyone mistake a Double for a King Size bed? The bed sheets would be too big for a start.

All B&B and hotel owners know that the majority of renters expect a KS bed, not a double so instead of being honest in the listing or changing the bed, they thought they’d lie. Looks like they’ve got away with lying for the most part, judging by some of the numpties on this thread. 😂

It’s only when the owners are financially inconvenienced will they be bothered to either change the bed or update the listing.

AuntieEsther · 18/09/2023 08:03

Gymmum82 · 18/09/2023 07:49

We have a super king so even a king feels small to me. A double one of us would have to sleep elsewhere.
I don’t like how air b&b can just misrepresent and get away with it for fear of upsetting the host. A hotel you wouldn’t think twice about complaining.
I would email the host today and say it’s a double not a king and ask what they intend to do about it. They could then offer to change the listing, money off or replace the bed for future guests

What do you mean airbnb can misrepresent for fear of upsetting the host? Airbnb don't write the listings, hosts do. Airbnb provide the platform and intercede with issues but everything else is between host and guest.

HerMammy · 18/09/2023 08:07

A king is only 6 inches wider and 3 longer, the way people are going on you'd think it was 3 feet of a difference.

Pottedpalm · 18/09/2023 08:11

We have a Superking and I now look for same when booking anywhere. We are not comfortable in a double. You should definitely complain snd ask for compensation.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 18/09/2023 08:11

It’d be a big deal for me - I’d certainly complain - and make a point of it on a review.
When I was younger I’d sleep anywhere, but nowadays sharing an ordinary double feels very cramped and I don’t sleep well anyway. I’d never book a place with a standard double.

Skogrammy · 18/09/2023 08:12

Everyone’s just out to try and pull a fast one now. Anything to make a extra couple of quid back.

MuchuseasaChocolateTeapot · 18/09/2023 08:13

It would matter to me too. I have to phone hotels to ask them bed sizes if it doesn’t say and is just described as a double room. In fact I will often book twins if it doesn’t make it clear. I’m like a furnace at night which is not fun for me or my husband and space is really important in bed. I would definitely complain and ask them what they are going to do. Put the ball in their court. If they are made aware and don’t do anything then leave a poor review.

I don’t know why people on here have to be snarky and say it’s not a big deal, it might not be for them but it is to you @ViaRia01 so ignore their comments, it’s a waste of their time and yours.

hope you get sorted one way or the other.