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?

You have already booked it

Stay exactly where you are

It is their loss if their T&Cs did not specify for under occupancy or single people

Enjoy your stay !

They are fine for asking and you are fine for saying no. No need to melodramatic cancelling, poor reviews etc.

Over dramatic much?!

If there is a minimum occupancy, this should have been stated before booking. The company shouldn't be changing the T&Cs later.

One weekend of a bit less income is not the OP "negatively impacting their business" - it's a direct consequence of their business model and/or failing to think through the implications of their offer. The company is "negatively impacting" their own business.

And at no point has the OP described them as "cheeky twats". The OP has been very measured.

If a single person is willing to pay the rate for accommodation for 6 people (in 2 beds) then why do you think they shouldn't be allowed to, or are in some way acting to the detriment of the business that lets them do that?

I have replied and said as nice as their glamping pods are, I would prefer to stay at the cottage. Have mentioned the extras too because I had to email them at some point to add them on anyway. Lets see what they come back with

It sounds utterly blissful. Go for it. X

its a weird way to price, DH and I always booked a bigger boat/cottage/caravan than we needed because we liked to have the extra space and luxury. If they are deliberately using an opaque pricing system then they have been bitten by their own sneakiness.

It's not even over a weekend! It's mid-week! I vacate on the Friday.

That seems reasonable if you can afford it. I've just booked a sleeps-6 cottage for next year, for my little family of 3. It will mean we can have a bedroom each which helps with fidgety sleepers and snoring! I am really looking forward to the treat.

Wow, I'd be put off by their sneaky charging of each guest (including day visitors?!). Maybe just email explaining you'd be wanting to bring your dog and order fizz?

Charging for day guests and they need to be out by 9pm!!

Meh. Tell them you're bringing someone. Make up a friend. Then tell them they couldn't make it for X reason when you arrive.

It is a bit like that, true, but then in this instance OP is ordering extra food for herself to eat at her giant table which wouldn’t all fit on a smaller one, so they can either take her money or risk it being empty if they can’t let it to a bigger party who won’t be paying for early check in, a dog and a bottle of champagne so it’s a bit 6 of one, half a dozen of the other as far as I can see. At the risk of too many metaphors, if I were them I’d take the bird in the hand, not try and get the two in the bush!

I have a small medical condition that means that we like to have 2 toilets, we also take our dog so like an enclosed garden if possible. That means we usually book accommodation with 3 bedrooms. Never been questioned yet

You have worded your op and title in a way that misrepresents the issue and will sway the votes because you know you aren't unreasonable to book a bigger place than you need, it just boils down to money.
The holiday owners should have closed this potential gap with their pricing before this happened eg fixed price in busy season to reflect max capacity potential.

I don't think your extras make up the shortfall and I would've either paid the full amount or cancelled. I would hate to stay somewhere where there might be bitterness or resentment from the offstart.

I wouldn't like to.be told to only use one room either. Wtf.. and this is why I hate Air BnBs and the like, they just aren't professional, have weird rules and tightfisted. Worse than staying at relatives!

I know I said that in two different ways in my post

OP, no matter the circumstance, YANBU to book whatever's available if you can afford it.

It's a common business tactic to advertise a low headline price, then add extras. In this case, an additional charge per head. Knowing that most people booking such a large unit will be more than 2 people so the extra covers the actual cost of the rental.

It pisses me off that places set the price for 2 people and you see it and think that looks alright, then you enter your kids or friends in and it doubles, so if a place does that AND also doesn’t actually want one or two people to book in and pay the base price I’d be enfuriated. And absolutely keep the booking 😁😁

YANBU. I would just reply with "No thanks, I booked the larger lodge because it has better facilities. I would not like to stay in the two person pod."

If the lodge can't be booked by one person their booking system should reflect that.

I didn't think I was massively under-occupying because although it says "sleeps 6", it's only a 2 bedroom cottage. Persons 5 and 6 are expected to kip on sofa beds in the living room.

You sound perfectly reasonable - it really sound like a them problem as never heard of a charge for pop in day guests before. A mid week booking in a low peak time - they should be biting your hand off really.

I would've either paid the full amount or cancelled.

I wouldn't. I would pay the price quoted at the time of booking.

I was agreeing with you, simply making the point that it needs to be clear on the listing at the point of booking.

Yes, I'm a bit apprehensive that I might be causing resentment before my stay has even started. If I paid the full amount for 6 people, I'd be paying an additional £600 for the same facilities!! I don't think that's reasonable, surely?

I’m going to nitpick while agreeing. Yes you would pay the full price, because paying the booking price is paying the full price if it’s for 2 people and the op is 1 person. You don’t get to headline your cheaper 2 person price and then refuse to allow people to book it, that would be a breach of consumer law.

I'd expect them to refuse the booking or charge a single person supplement.

The more you post the more inhospitable they sound.

With so many ridiculous rules, i'm not even sure why they're in the holiday let business.