'Sneaking' two extra children into hotel room booked for two adults and two children

[AlbertCamel]

AIBU in thinking this may have implications regarding insurance etc?

Friend is off on holiday later today to a large hotel abroad with her DH and four DC aged between 4 and 16. Not a package, no meals included and flights were booked separately.

The room has a small bedroom, bathroom and living area with a sofa bed. It sleeps 4. They've booked it for two adults and two children. That's the maximum number of people allowed.

She wants to check in with DH, their two youngest boys and all their luggage, and have the two oldest boys wait outside until they're 'sneaked' in a little while later.

I think that whilst this is logistically possible, it will have implications but not sure what these implications might be. Friend thinks there's no problem with this and nobody will bat an eyelid.

AIBU in saying it's not a good idea?

Her decision I guess but it might not be a comfortable holiday. We have two kids and once did a one bed apartment in Spain. It was cramped! There was a rickety sofa bed which was a small double and barely fit the two kids. When it was pulled out, you’d have to squeeze yourself around the room next to the kitchenette to get in and out. The bedroom had a king size bed with a bit more space but it got taken up by our suitcases, clothes, toys etc. Four kids would have been extremely miserable. We always do a two bed apartment now so we can chuck all the kids crap in their room and have some breathing space.

Also I hope their kids get along because mine bickered all the time. My youngest was even arguing with eldest in her sleep at one point.

They don’t just go “rummaging” about. They do systematic searches of each room until they are satisfied that no one is within. There will be people within a hotel that aren’t registered as being there. Prostitutes, one night stands, food delivery people, children, even criminals etc. They wouldn’t be on any register.

I'm sure they would use the register as a guide but they won’t take that as granted that that’s the number that is within the premises.

I'm just going to stop paying for things I want but can't afford. I'll take a kid along because apparently that makes it OK.

I wouldn't give it any thought as it's not your problem. But as a hypothetical, I'd never do this as if one of the 'extra' kids gets injured at the hotel, gets sick from the water, or there is a fire, or anything else unfortunate (these things do happen) they could find themselves in all sorts of difficulty. Is it honestly worth it to save a bit of money? If I was taking children to a hotel, I'd want to know they are covered by the hotels insurance to be there. Adult 'extra' visitors can make their own decisions about liability. But children rely on adults to know better for them so it's not the same as sneaking in an adult visitor to your hotel room.

I worked at a Hilton in Uk years ago and I never saw it challenged. I was waiting staff doing room service, it never occurred to me to report it and it wasnt something management ever mentioned. I thought the people room servicing plates and cutlery for their take aways was far cheekier, but hotel was okbabout that too. Seemed to have view they’ve paid for their room so do as they like as long as not problematic (ie loud, smoking, drugs, etc). Far worse than a couple extra kids happens in hotels all the time

I was going to say this about the passports and interpol.
It will probably effect travel insurance too.

They had 4 kids but can only afford 2

The 17 year old should be paying as an adult as well, not a child

Moral issues aside (yes it’s wrong to not pay for the whole party) it doesn’t sound very nice or comfortable as a holiday for the older kids especially. If she’s making a fuss that it’s potentially their last holiday as a family then you’d think she’d make an effort to make it an enjoyable experience not sneaking around and sharing beds.

I would hate to do this. It would mean sneaking in and out all the time. Horrid.

We did this earlier this year. Booked a holiday with Tui for 4 people in a 2 bed room that could sleep up to 6 people. Oldest wasnt coming when we booked and then changed her mind. Rung Tui to add her to the booking and they said it would be ab extra £900!

Apartment was self catering and room was already big enough for 6 people. We declined to add her to the booking and instead added her to our existing flight for £250. Arranged for transport to our hotel from the airport for £30 return and snuck her into our room.

Was absolutely fine, no-one found out and she had a great time on holiday with us. We spent money in the apartment complex on food etc so they didnt lose anything (facilities are open to the public for free so having an extra person in the pool didnt impact anyone else either!).

Drives me mental that single people are having to pay gigantic supplements whereas big families are apparently routinely underpaying and getting away with it because “COL :(“.

YANBU OP but people are increasingly selfish these days.

Drives me mental that single people are having to pay gigantic supplements whereas big families are apparently routinely underpaying and getting away with it because “COL :(“.

Absolutely this. Pisses me off to no end.

HRFT but just want to clear up the fire issue. It's not about searching for the correct numbers in the car park in the event of a fire, but the hotel getting planning permission in accordance with the fire regulations.

There needs to be the correct number of fire escapes, distances, fire extinguishers, signage etc, which is calculated on the maximum number of sleeping occupants. So extra people sleeping in the hotel could push the maximum number of people beyond the fire safety capacity of the building.

In reality, an extra two DC wouldn't really make a difference but the hotel aren't allowed to exceed their maximum allowed occupancy and could get in trouble.

I have no idea if lots of people do it or what the hotel will do if they are caught. I just think it's a shit thing to do. If they can't afford it, they should pick somewhere they can afford. Somewhere down the line, someone is paying for these older children, just not them. I hate sneakiness anyway.

I did it with my Auntie and cousin for several years. Saves a ton of cash I'd do it again.

I’ve known a few people do this in U.K. ( eg premier inns) and abroad…..always a large hotel with busy reception…..they’ve never been caught….I would worry I was going to be caught, it would spoil my holiday …..but doesn’t seem to worry others….I wouldn’t fall out with anyone over it…..I take the view ….you do you….I’ll do me 🤷‍♀️

In one place I know of the cleaners are required to report back to management if they see what looks like over-occupancy of a room and then management checks it out: The cleaners are theatened with losing their jobs if it is blatant (as 6 in a room intended for two adults and two small children will be) and they don't report it!
And I know of places in Travel-Lodge type hotels on mainland Europe that watch the corridors on CCTV - as a PP mentionned, folk regularly try to sneak in an extra person to a three-bed room and if the nightwatchman spots it, then everyone is kicked out and that's for a single night booking, never mind a ten day stay!
If OPs friend had five year-old triplets ( or kids aged 5, 6 and 7) then I wouldn't find it as unacceptable, but a 16 year old is basically another adult, so could have gone with the next youngest child in a room of their own - although on paper the hotel would probably have demanded the parents split so there was one adult in each room.
It is kind of theft as they'll be using more water for showers etc..... 2 extra for 10 days will be a signifcant quantity.

Surely hotels have the technology now to stop this from happening.

Even with the distinction of guests and workers in the mix.

I have done it with Travelodge when they tried charging £20 extra for my toddler. Same room size and no other gain, so I felt the charge was unfair. I am paying for the room, not the number of occupants!

How uncomfortable. Where do they get the inflatable bed from? Extra sheets? Will the teens like sharing a bed?

"Commuters - avoid looking like a pillock when running for the bus. Instead, sprint the first 30 seconds when you leave the house."

I guess they are using extra electricity and a bit of wear and tear but beyond that I’m not sure what the extra costs are to others? There’s no meals or other services so it’s just the room …..my DS bunked in as an extra with with DD and her partner and kids for a night in London….he didn’t ‘sneak’ anywhere….just walked through with them…in and out….no one batted an eyelid ….it was a busy hotel…..it would have been £100 for a single room for the night ….not saying it’s right ….li wouldn’t do it……….but I wouldn’t dream of falling out with them

Don’t blame you

Not quite the same. As at least they all had their own beds. They not sleeping on the floor or sharing a sofa. In a small hotel room, the sofa could be quite small also.

That’s a terrible thing to do. Some people have no morals.