Hotel room not cleaned for three days

[Primrose97]

We recently went on a short three-night break to a 4-star hotel in the UK. They said it was their policy not to clean rooms, this meant our bed wasn’t made, cups washed, etc. It’s a long time since we’ve been on holiday due to Covid etc, just wondered if this is now normal? I thought it was disappointing but need to know AIBU before I write the review.

Did they advertise their policy in the booking?

Surely better than someone poking around in your stuff?

Yes, this is pretty much the norm now. Although usually if you ask for it to be done it will be.

Many hotels now say tell us if you want your room cleaned , they won’t do it automatically everyday - but will if you ask.

It really isn’t in 4 star hotels in the UK! I travel quite a bit for work and have never had this other than in the first year post Covid lockdown.

Was this a chain or an independent @Primrose97? This is absolutely worth including in the review as I personally wouldn’t book anywhere if I knew that was their policy.

I wouldn’t choose to stay there again. If I’m in a hotel, I want my room serviced daily.

I travel for work and gave never had this, is it a resort hotel?

I would find this unacceptable.

I’ve travelled a lot since 2020 and my room has always been serviced daily. I would be really annoyed if it wasn’t.

They often say they will not change beds or only towels on the floor, otherwise I would expect clean cups and top up of coffee etc definitely not a 4* and that would get a trip advisor review from me!

Since Covid, we’ve found that hotel policies vary wildly. Being cynical, I do think that some of them, having gotten away with the no cleaning thing during Covid, are so chuffed with the decreased staffing costs etc that they are continuing to do it. In a 4* hotel though I would expect this policy to have been clearly set out to you at check in, along with what you needed to do to get the room cleaned (e.g. we stayed somewhere where the default was no cleaning, but we had a sign to stick on the door if we wanted the room cleaned. And yes, for the money we were paying, we bloody well did want it cleaned). If nothing like that was in place or pointed out to you then I see no harm or malice in you leaving a review that points this ‘policy’ out to other prospective guests.

It sounds perfect for me - if I'm travelling I tend to be in and out at odd times and might want to nap during the day, and I'd rather not be on edge all the time wondering whether housekeeping was about to stroll in. I'm more than capable of washing a cup.

We stayed in a hotel in Copenhagen where they will service your room daily but if you don't want it done on a certain day, they give you a each a voucher for a drink at the hotel bar instead. We opted to have service on alternate days

Unless you ask rooms are often only serviced twice a week or minimally.

I have encountered this, with CitizenM hotels in London and Paris. They sell it as being 'green', it's obvious cost cutting. My understanding is that you can request a clean or turn down, rather than it not being available full stop. I'm more surprised you've not been away since COVID!!

Sounds like my kind of hotel! I'm more than capable of making a bed and rinsing a cup, and it feels much more secure than having a stranger coming in and doing it for me.

Hmmmm I've seen both ways. Often it'll be in your fine print of the T&Cs to ask for the room to be serviced.

Travel lodge fair enough. I'd expect it in a four star hotel though and would have asked why it hadn't been done on day one.

I'm fine with not changing sheets or towels, but I expect the room cleaned and reset and would be requesting a partial refund.

3 days is too much

I prefer it that way.

I feel bad about demonstratively spending someone's time on totally unnecessary bed making and exchanging even unused towels.

I'd expect bins, towels and bathroom floor to be checked after three nights.

I stayed in a premier inn last week and they would only do your room if you asked by 8pm the night before.
There was a pile of folded clean towels in reception you could help yourself to.
My only issue was my pile of dirty towels stacked up in my room after a week.

Some hotels do seem to be trying to cut back on room servicing, a cost cutting exercise dressed up as being more environmentally friendly imo. One recent hotel stay, I was offered a glass of wine in the bar instead of the room bring serviced the next day.

I’m all for the towels not being replaced every day but if I’m staying in a hotel, I want and expect the bed to be made and the bathroom given a quick wipe every day.

Replacing tea and coffee and towels, I get that. But what on earth are adults getting up to in a hotel room that has it in need of actual cleaning in a couple of days?

It’s not normal no and I wouldn’t be happy. One of the best things about staying in a hotel is not having to make your own bed 😂

I'd like my coffee and tea topped up and fresh crockery, and the bin emptying. But I'm not bothered about anything else.

I'm sure if you'd asked at reception, they'd have serviced the room though.