To feel like I never want to stay in a hotel again

[Betsyhilton]

Just back from what was meant to be a relaxing break in a hotel. We had a loud wedding that went on until the small hours, with wedding guests taking over the lounge the next day; a baby that screamed and cried throughout breakfast while both parents sat there and neither bothered to take him out; and the lounge on the Friday night had a match playing at full volume and was full of non residents drinking and shouting and roaring at the screen.

The last time we took a break in a hotel there was a large conference being held there. They were seated at two long tables in the dining room and the noise was so loud that ourselves and several other tables complained but nothing was done. We also had to put up with loud work related skype calls and phone conversations in the lounge when trying to relax with the morning papers, and an impromptu meeting being held at a table beside us, with more and more people joining in until we felt squeezed out.

We've also had weekends in hotels ruined by loud hen and stag parties.

AIBU to think it's nearly impossible to get a relaxing calm break in a hotel anymore?

How much did you pay op? What was the star rating?

last time I stayed in a hotel with a screen in the lounge showing sport…. It was a budget hotel the night before a flight. Never again

I think you pay for what you get. Any 5 star hotel wouldn’t allow that sort of behaviour and is set up so guests aren’t on top of each other. (I say this from experience. I work in a 5 star hotel).

Sorry OP but you get what you pay for.

Did you properly research these hotels? Conference hotel and sports bars are to be expected in lots of places. You won’t get this at Gleneagles.

It was a 4 star hotel and was 250 pounds for two nights b and b in a double room.

I am currently in Spain in a family splash type hotel.

Never been on this type of holiday before

Last night 2 fathers punched each other over something minor that happened at the pool the a few days previous.

One mother done a drug deal right in front of us. £8 a gram apparently.!

A load of parents done their lines and headed of to another bar around midnight

Leaving their young kids behind.
NEVER AGAIN

The worst behaviour I ever encountered was when I booked to stay in a 5 star hotel and they had a wedding the same weekend. Shouldn’t really have accepted non-wedding bookings if it was going to be disrupted for everyone else, but the staff and duty manager didn’t seem to give a shit.

The problem is, as others have said, you don’t always get what you pay for. Noise problems etc are not related to the number of stars.

I've asked - and received it - for money back on a similar occasion when sleep was impossible due to a wedding. It's not on - at a minimum they have to warn you on booking. Given what you paid, definitely complain. And leave a lousy and very explicit review.

Have you complained to the hotel? Some of it eg baby crying is unfortunate but not their fault but late night noise that stops you sleeping I’d expect either to move or some money back.

Other people really ruin holidays. Makes me want to only go to villas/houses/etc.

I generally hate staying in them because they often have the most awful hard beds. I think I’m spoiled though because my one at home is so fabulous but, even so…I hate waking up with a sore back. I’ve only stayed in two hotels where it wasn’t a problem.

Having posted that, DH booked a naice hotel in London for us and we went into our room to find a bath full of bubbles like someone had only just got out of it. Cost doesn’t always mean perfect stay.

i think you’ve made the wrong choice, small and expensive is always a good barrier to groups of idiots. Also if you’re travelling as a couple always try find somewhere properly adults only. There are lots of places.

@CarolDunne blimey! What part of Spain is that! Sounds horrendous.

I'm currently lying on a bed in a Premier Inn watching TV with a nice coffee, having just filled myself to the brim with a delicious breakfast after a lovely nights sleep.
Not all hotels are awful 😃

I do my best to choose very small, adults only hotels where I can - it mitigates a lot of this nonsense. Does get expensive though.

I do think people seem to be getting more and more badly behaved and inconsiderate. Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy.

Yabu, I’ve had none of those experiences and stay in hotels all the time. But the hotels I stay in wouldn’t be playing sport on TV for starters…
the baby wouldn’t bother me

Hotels that advertise themselves are family friendly are to be avoided at al costs as parents fondly smile at their screaming offspring with sighs of ' at least they'll sleep tonight'

I had this too! A lovely country hotel for my bday. It was only 4 star! Huge loud wedding going on until the early hours. Such a shame.

I love hotel stays but always research via reviews whether they have good sound proofing, and ask first whether there's any event booked for while I'm there.

I agree. Anytime we've stayed in an old fashioned country house type hotel we've had a lovely time. They don't usually cater for large weddings and conferences, or have televisions in the bar and lounge and have strict rules about what parts of the hotel non residents can use.
They're often not any dearer than the large international chain type hotels. I think I'll try and stick to those in future.

250 pounds for 2 nights ?? you wouldn't get that hear in Ireland for that pice that be one night for a 4 star here. maybe mid week or low season. agree with others need to do you research reviews etc. I would ask aswell if there is something on too. look for hotels that don't have conference rooms or spaces for weddings aswel. I always look for child free hotels too ( don't kill ms please) don't always go by price smaller hotels slightly cheaper can be just as nice

Price and star rating doesn't guarantee a quieter/more pleasant experience.

We once stayed in a 5* very expensive hotel in Scotland, own grounds, like a stately home. There was a wedding! Enough said. Noise, shouting, running around until around 3am. Plague of locusts at breakfast the next morning, couldn't get a table, then when we did, there was barely any food left, plus lots of noise and running around from the kids that were being ignored. Then the kids were running amok in the pool later in the day, again, no adults controlling them.

I’m put off by all the bed bug stories at the moment 😳🤮

Never book big chains, with lots of rooms and conference facilities. Medium sized, country house hotels, often with expensive restaurants, are your best bet. The most disturbing thing you will encounter is a snoring dog in front of a roaring fire, in the library.