'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?

No it is not OK.
Not only is it morally wrong it will likely invalidate their insurance.

One issue here is that hotels don't make provisions for larger families, or families with young kids that don't need an extra room, but to be allowed to have all their kids in one room. To be made to pay for something you do not needs is a ripoff. Behaviours like sneaking people into a hotel are a direct consequence of trying to make money out of everything.

You'd expect all hotels to have rooms for six people? That's what apartments or villas with multiple bedrooms are for. If you only want to stay in a hotel and you have four kids, you'd expect to need more than one room.

Yes.

‘Trying to make money out of everything?’

That’s how capitalism and business works. They aren’t running a charity.

We don’t know that they friend couldn’t book a room large enough or that the hotel doesn’t provide them, just that she doesn’t want to pay. She could have chosen a different hotel or booked an apartment or villa, but that isn’t the chose she made.

We do book two rooms??? I’ve literally said there that I’ve booked two.

In fact, I’ve literally said “that’s the fallout from being blessed with a large family”.

I think they are fools, but it's really not something you need to get involved in.

It is silly because if caught they’ll be kicked out… only takes for another guest to complain/dob them in…
BUT with the price of holidays atm I don’t blame them for trying, I’d be terrified of getting caught though. And how will the sons sneak in and out daily … what if they all have to wear wrist bands?!

Oh get off your high horse. If they aren’t taking any resource from the hotel like all inclusive, why does it bloody matter if some big hotel chain isn’t getting the extortionate price for several rooms if they aren’t experiencing the luxury of several rooms. You sound like a very kill joy friend tbh.

Why do you say prices are extortionate?

Please give us a line by line breakdown of hotel economics and tell you us where the "extortionate" aspects are. Thanks.

Whatever your friend is doing (rightly or wrongly) is absolutely none of your business.

And now you've got the holidaying Brits looking for 2 kids sneaking in the back door. It'll be the talk around the pool🤣

Two more people are taking extra resource - water, electricity, no doubt someone is sneaking food to them from breakfast.

You sound very defensive. You don't know how "extortionate" this holiday is. As the family sound like cheapskates anyway I doubt that it would be an expensive holiday in the first place.

You make it sound like the hotel is out to rob them.

Pretty sure if this family does this. Many others do as well. I can only feel sorry for the kids of adults doing this. I wonder how the people calling for taxes in “luxury “ education feel about this. If you can’t afford to travel do not go right? Two kids too many ( yes circumstances change). Poor kids if they get find out.

Please you can book two connecting rooms or a two beds suite in the hotel. Or even go to an apartment outside a hotel more suitable for big families. If they can’t afford it may be do not go. However, the poor aspect is weaponised. Who know if they can afford it and are just cheap skates?

I don't think there are enough interconnecting rooms TBH, but this won't prevent cheapskates from cramming more children than they can afford into one hotel room.

The best option we had on one holiday was a small bedroom off our main bedroom when we booked a family room when DD was 5. It was brilliant.

It’s irrelevant whether they are caught or not it’s dishonest!

We’ve just returned from Majorca and this would have been impossible at the hotel we stayed at. We had to pay tourist tax, our passports were registered and everytime we walked through reception or the pool area the lovely staff recognised us! If they are staying at a large hotel they might be ok but I would be far too anxious. My dad used to sneak me (youngest) in to travel lodges years ago in a empty suitcase whilst my siblings stood at check in 😅and I vividly remember the anxiety of remembering to say I was 5 to get cheaper water/theme park access when I was def more like 8!

💯👏

Bad idea. They won’t be able to relax and will be on edge the whole time. I imagine they will get caught and have to pay for another room (if there is one available considering it’s peak time).

There is legislation in the UK that requires them to record passport details of anyone residing who is over 16, if travelling from another country. I believe this is the same in Europe. The 16 year old will also be liable for tourist tax.

It will be okay if nobody finds out, but if they do, then they might risk being removed from the country as well as the hotel.

Does this not come from api from the airline though? Otherwise what a lot people staying with family/friends etc ?

Apart from anything else wouldn't a 16 year old prefer their own room?

Are you offering to pay?

Nope I always paid for my children