To book a 6 person lodge for myself?

[MaryRoze]

One of my favourite things to do since escaping my controlling ex is to get away by myself for a couple of nights, somewhere remote with a good view, a hot tub, where I can just relax and recharge.

I've found a lovely site that has a few 2 person glamping pods, and 2 self-catering cottages. One cottage sleeps 4, the other sleeps 6. I dithered over both of them but decided to go for the 6 person lodge as it has nicer facilities, bigger kitchen, nicer views, and an enclosed garden for if I decide to bring my dog with me.

I've just received an email from the company asking me to clarify it's just for me. I've said yes. They've come back and said it's a busy time of year for them (October), so would I like to have one of the glamping pods instead as the cottages are really for bigger parties only.

I've had another look on their website and can see now it says they charge a fixed rate for 2 people, and for each additional person it's an extra £50 per person, per night! So they're obviously thinking they can make more money out of a bigger party rather than just me on my own.

I haven't specified this to them yet but I was planning on paying extra for early check in (£30), bringing the dog (£25), and a bottle of fizzy on arrival (£40). So it's not like they won't be getting their moneys worth out of me.

AIBU to book the larger property just for me?

So if it’s a fixed price for 2 people, then an extra £50pp per night, they could make another £200 per night if 6 people booked the cottage?

I could see how they might prefer to keep the cottage for a 6 person booking, but they should be clear in their policies if that’s the case.

The bigger cottage was £20 per night more than the smaller one.

Arguably you’re negatively impacting their business, which is why they asked. Nobody is right or wrong in the situation and they’re certainly not “cheeky twats” for asking. Equally they can refuse your booking if they so wish.

Sounds perfect! This is something I would definitely do (and even pay the extra if no other choice). Lucky you and lucky dog ☺️

If you've paid the basic rate for 2 people then it seems a bit of a cheek for them to ask you to move.
Also, £40 for a bottle of fizz? I hope it is a Moet at least!

Last year I booked a two bedroom cottage for just me and my dog - same price whether I was on my own or with other people, I paid for the use of the cottage as I wished.

Well then that seems like their own fault. If they wanted to charge more for the big one, they should have charged more. I would be extremely unimpressed if they declined the booking at this point. I don't like being charged per person for these things anyway, surely it's the space your paying for?

As someone who works in this business it’s VU, indeed unprofessional of them, to try and shift you to a glorified tent after you’ve booked.

If their pricing model doesn’t work for them (it’s weird, what are they doing?) the onus is on them to change it not inconvenience their guests.

It’s very common to have single guests in 2 bedroom properties. Most cottages just charge a flat rate.

I don't think you're unreasonable to book a place which sleeps 6 people for yourself as long as you pay the going rate for it, though it's hardly your fault that the extra cost per person per night was not made clear on the website. I'd have imagined that there would be a set cost for the lodge itself, on the assumption that the cost would be shared amongst the maximum number of possible occupants, rather than there being additional fees per extra occupants above 2 people, so I don't really understand this place's system. I do think it would be unfair for you to deprive the company of the full price they might expect for 6 people occupying the lodge in high season, though. Maybe you could come to some sort of compromise?
ETA: Just seen @Mirabai's post, flat rate, that's the phrase I was looking for in my roundabout fashion!

I've been to a lot of self-catering accommodation over the years and it's always been charge per unit, not per person, so I do find this odd.

I agree it's our usual experience of self catering accommodation in UK and we do often under occupy not to same extent as this though as we look for number of rooms rather than have teens share.

Once stopped at one property where every room had 3- 4 beds/ in them - while we just wanted the 4 bedrooms - DH thought it was set up for group adult weekends away.

Nonsense, they are impacting their business by not having the sense to charge a flat rate.

Well surely they either charge for the accomodation - no matter how many people are there - or they charge per person. If the latter, then their system should not allow groups of less than x number to book larger accomodation. seems fairly simple to me.

I’d be interested to see what they say/do when you decline their offer. Their pricing structure is either wrong or not highlighted on their website.

Some holiday cottages don't really lend themselves to being permanent residences. I used to let out a cottage that I'd converted from the old steadings of a farmhouse I lived in. It was great for guests but there were issues with water and access rights which meant the property couldn't be sub divided. Planning permission also stated it couldn't be sold seperately. It wasn't taking away accomodation as it was a falling down outbuilding that had been a water mill in years gone by. Adding nice tourist accomodation in disused outbuildings can actually help communities. There are issues with residential accomodation being repurposed as holiday lets but this sounds like it could easily be a couple of refurbished farm buildings with a few glamping pods on surrounding land.

I’ve seen both
by house
or by person
but iv never seen a place that you couldn’t book if it’s only single occupancy.

If I know I’m booking somewhere bigger than I technically need (which is normal as I go away on my own too) I normally check the description as some state they charge extra for certain things etc or I raise the number in the drop down box to check if the price goes up as the occupancy goes up.

sometimes they ask as it avoids them adding 6 sets of towels etc when only 1 or 2 people.

personally I think if they allow it to be booked with only 1 occupancy then they have a right cheek asking you to move.

That sounds amazing OP, you deserve a bit of luxury, not a glamping pod, go for it and dont think twice about having to explain yourself to them.

They’re being CFs. Are there other amenities on site (restaurant/ bar/ shop) that they think would garner more money from a bigger group? Regardless this isn’t your problem and the way in which they charge for their properties is bizarre. I wouldn’t reply as Mabelmaybe has suggested, I simply say ‘no thank you, I don’t wish to make any changes to my booking’

@MaryRoze can you pm me the details, I'm looking for something identical in Scotland that will take dogs for me and dh

I also don't think yabu. They are being cheeky and trying to recover costs. I'd not tell them why you're staying in that rather than a lodge, as quite frankly it's none of their business. Maybe they need it rethink their charging strategy.

Plenty of accommodation is pp - eg hotels, but the pricing and booking conditions are clear before you book.

Do they also charge if they think you’re breathing too deeply?

It doesn’t sound very hospitable.

Why should a music festival make any difference.
They are running a business, I admit, but I think they might have offered you a pod at reduced rates as an inducement.

They’ll only have themselves to blame when you point all of this out in your review OP.

YANBU but as they charge per person, I would not be surprised if they cancel your booking.

Absolutely this!!!

No way should you change your booking. It's all on them.

I used to have a 5 bedroomed holiday let that could take 10 people. It was always one price no matter how many occupants!

Although I was always grateful if it was a couple and I asked if I could supply bedding/towels for just one bed and they said yes. But they were within their rights to say no. No one ever did unless one was a snorer and they wanted two beds.

They are being complete CFs!