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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

197 replies

Betsyhilton · 16/10/2023 09:46

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?

OP posts:
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Barrowgirl · 17/10/2023 17:58

KmcK87 · 17/10/2023 14:43

Yeah the last time we had a night away in a nice spa hotel, the swimming pool and jacuzzi were filled with children screaming and we were kept up until 1am, again with children running up and down the corridors screaming

It really was not a nice spa hotel if it allowed children!

mamamamamamamamamamachameleon · 17/10/2023 18:27

Book a smaller/boutique hotel? Sounds like whatever the star rating, you're just booking venues that are large enough to be multifunctional. Go boutique,and there are plenty that have a no-children policy too x

TheSpikySpinosaurus · 17/10/2023 18:29

I've not had this behaviour in a Premier Inn, with their Good Night guarantee. Maybe try there next time?!

MrsPetty · 17/10/2023 19:01

I am SO over hotels, airbnbs, holiday rentals etc. I just always wish I was at home where EVERYTHING is nicer. The food, the bed, the linens, the shower, the smell, the toiletries, the TV. I suppose I’m just at that age where I want my home comforts 😂 I bought this yesterday … so I can be like a snail 🐌

To feel like I never want to stay in a hotel again
amccabe15 · 17/10/2023 19:01

Probably better off doing Airbnb and going out for breakfast.

Smiffy58 · 17/10/2023 19:01

We had a few days away at a very smart hotel on Blackpool sea front 7 ish years ago, we'd stayed there before. This was the week after my mum died, so I was a bit emotional. Substandard room, and a very loud wedding party. After a few calls to reception with no respite, at 1am I went down and had a full sobbing fit. Result, we've stayed a few times since, got massive room upgrades, free meals and wine in the room. Complain politely, express disappointment, and you may get results!

fetchacloth · 17/10/2023 19:04

StarlightLady · 16/10/2023 10:06

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.

This is very true. Often it depends on the location of the hotel, rahter than the price paid for the room. A busy city hotel will attract business people 'unwinding' after conferences (partying and living it large) and people that enjoy late nightlife. The flip side of that is that there are less likely to be a lot of children (they can be noisy in a different way), as these hotels are less attractive to family groups.
Country house hotels are usually quieter, but if there is a large wedding going on, or live music, then it won't be that quiet really.
If it's peace and quiet you're after I would advise self catering/cottage and eating out at select restaurants in the area.

artsperson · 17/10/2023 19:17

There's plenty of lovely quiet and relaxing hotels to be found. You can always phone up and ask if there are going to be any events on when you're planning to visit. If so avoid. Small hotels are better. Avoid any school holidays and do your research before committing.

Sothisiit · 17/10/2023 19:17

Pick small hotels that don't have the space to host large weddings or conferences. Smaller venues are much more inclined to ensure your stay is a pleasant one. Family owned boutique hotels are often the best.

Doyouthinktheyknow · 17/10/2023 19:21

I’m a premier inn/ travelodge fan and have never had any issues.

They aren’t always super cheap but our last trip was 2 weekday nights on the Isle of Wight and it cost £140 for 2 nights with breakfast for 2.

dressedforcomfort · 17/10/2023 19:24

I had this at an airport hotel recently. Screaming gaggles of drunk 20 year old girls swearing, yelling , slamming doors and running up and down corridors at 1am,

I took great delight in making as much noise as possible when I left at 4:45am to catch my flight. My bag may have accidentally smacked against the door of the worst offender as I passed....😈

LalaPaloosa · 17/10/2023 19:25

We stayed at the Westin Dragonara in Malta last year and the service was appalling. We waited over an hour for room service and for a meal at a restaurant in the hotel. The worst aspect was theft of my mobile phone charger from my room. I stupidly left it in one of my handbags instead of in the safe. Then to top it off, the manager let himself into our room while I was changing in the morning - I was stark naked. He claimed he knocked and I must not have heard him. I complained and complained. No one cared. I’ll never stay there again and won’t book a BA holiday again. I think standards are terrible since Covid. 5 stars means nothing.,

Leedsfan247 · 17/10/2023 19:40

Choose a smaller hotel ask if they have any functions booked during your stay

Barrowgirl · 17/10/2023 19:45

dressedforcomfort · 17/10/2023 19:24

I had this at an airport hotel recently. Screaming gaggles of drunk 20 year old girls swearing, yelling , slamming doors and running up and down corridors at 1am,

I took great delight in making as much noise as possible when I left at 4:45am to catch my flight. My bag may have accidentally smacked against the door of the worst offender as I passed....😈

I am afraid they would have been utterly out for the count and no chance they’d have even stirred!

RaraRachael · 17/10/2023 19:49

We stayed in a 5 star Glasgow hotel as a treat for my daughter's birthday. There was a very large wedding on the upper floor so there was no escape from it. Paying more doesn't guarantee peace and quiet.

pollymere · 17/10/2023 19:50

Premier Inn guarantee a good night's sleep. It's meant if a hotel has been noisy, we've had a full refund.

I think some big chains are better than others. Novotel and Mercure are the same brand but treat people completely differently.

redribbonrose · 17/10/2023 19:57

£125 a night B&B?

thats cheap though

RaraRachael · 17/10/2023 20:11

Premier Inn guarantee a good night's sleep. It's meant if a hotel has been noisy, we've had a full refund.

Our horrible ex neighbour used to brag that they complained every time they stayed in a Premier Inn and got the night for nothing. However I'm sure they must have been on some blacklist of frequent complainers eventually.

LouOrange · 17/10/2023 20:15

Never had any of that in hotels, I suspect you’re staying at the wrong ones.

timesaretight · 17/10/2023 21:08

Stop whinging.

KimberleyClark · 17/10/2023 22:02

pollymere · 17/10/2023 19:50

Premier Inn guarantee a good night's sleep. It's meant if a hotel has been noisy, we've had a full refund.

I think some big chains are better than others. Novotel and Mercure are the same brand but treat people completely differently.

Yes part of the Accor Group which also includes Ibis and Sofitel. They do have quite a good loyalty programme.

threatmatrix · 17/10/2023 22:31

Stay in a small boutique hotel.

fetchacloth · 17/10/2023 23:19

pollymere · 17/10/2023 19:50

Premier Inn guarantee a good night's sleep. It's meant if a hotel has been noisy, we've had a full refund.

I think some big chains are better than others. Novotel and Mercure are the same brand but treat people completely differently.

Novotel mainly cater for corporate customers, Mercure is mainly the Leisure sector, hence the different customer approaches.
Although these brands are owned by the same company their customer bases are completely different.

RoyalImpatience · 17/10/2023 23:32

Op I've always been disappointed in hotels unless you can afford the really fabulous rooms.
For 250 and an actual luxury b and b you could have got much higher quality.

QueSyrahSyrah · 18/10/2023 00:27

RaraRachael · 17/10/2023 20:11

Premier Inn guarantee a good night's sleep. It's meant if a hotel has been noisy, we've had a full refund.

Our horrible ex neighbour used to brag that they complained every time they stayed in a Premier Inn and got the night for nothing. However I'm sure they must have been on some blacklist of frequent complainers eventually.

I worked a Premier Inn eons ago and they did indeed have a blacklist for regular 'good night guarantee' claimants.

It varied of course, if someone stayed Monday-Friday week after week on business and claimed 3 times in a year no problem.

If someone stayed 4 times in a year and claimed 3 times, blacklist.