To think the hotel were out of order with valentines stay/room?

[Hotelhorror]

I had a night away booked with my boyfriend on Saturday (the first time we had stayed overnight with each other).

It was a modern hotel with a glass window to the bathroom which was supposed to turn opaque when a button was selected. It was apparent this wasn’t working.

We went downstairs to reception to ask for it to be fixed, receptionist said they’d send someone to take a look. Maintenance man came up and said it was a common issue but he didn’t have the part needed (and wouldn’t have it until midweek) so he accompanied us back to reception again saying they’d give us another room.

The receptionist said there was no alternative rooms available as the hotel was full due to valentines and when this happens, couples have ‘seen it all before so just laugh about it’ and enjoy their stay.

I said this wasn’t acceptable and asked for the manager - who did appear from the back office but basically doubled down and said there was nothing they could do. She did offer us a voucher for a drink each in the bar (really!!) as a ‘goodwill gesture’.

As we had traveled some distance we decided to stay, and used the communal loos in the reception area whenever there was a need (luckily there was no need to in the night).

I found them thoroughly dismissive and am awaiting a response to my formal complaint to head office.

AIBU to find these customer service standards appalling?

Image attached of what I mean (this isn’t mine but from another review of same hotel of people unhappy with the set up)

You’re being ridiculous.

Its a weird set up having a clear window onto a loo, even with the option to make it opaque (which I realise didn't work).

If it was such an issue, why didn't you ask for some cello tape and a towel and stick of over the glass?

Why not just turn off the lights if you are so bothered? It doesn't seem like something worth making a big deal of. What are you expecting?

My idea of hell! I’m in a ltr 15+ years and I don’t want to watch anybody take a shit and I don’t want to watch anyone else take a shit! I am very aware now to check when booking hotels that I don’t end up with one like this. It’s absolute nonsense that customers will laugh and say they’ve seen it all before, or whatever nonsense the receptionist came out with! Yadnbu, but I think maybe you should’ve paid more attention to the reviews before booking, but tbh I don’t think everyone is even aware of these types of bathrooms still so maybe it’s just not in everyone’s radar. Did you realise before you booked? I don’t trust them to work at all so would avoid like the plague if I saw somewhere had these bathrooms!

That wouldn’t help during the day though would it?? 🥴

I can’t believe people saying this is OK. Who wants to have a poo or change a tampon with your other half watching?

Funnily enough OP there is a story in the telegraph today on this very phenomenon.

YANBU.

I did look at reviews but it was a glance through the more recent ones which were positive and didn’t reference this issue.

I’d have expected the hotel to ensure the room we were assigned was fit for purpose before hand.

I'd want a full refund. been married 20 years and I wouldn't like it at all

It would bother me if it was a new relationship. I don’t understand this kind of set up in hotel rooms, I had truly one of the most humiliating moments of my life whilst staying in a hotel room that’s bathroom was just made up of frosted glass with a friend!

Ridiculous to want privacy in the bathroom?? Seriously? 😧

I was expecting a room that was fit for purpose, and as advertised.

Been with DH for absolute years and I wouldn't want a loo that you can see each other on either!.
YANBU

YANBU and the compensation they offered was woefully inadequate.

Privacy in the bathroom is important

They should be refunding you

You are not being unreasonable. I too wouldn’t have been happy about the lack of privacy and I say that as someone who’s been married a long time.

I’d want a full refund and an apology and we’ve been married for decades. It’s supposed to be a romantic night away not a roughing it public shitting experience. Yuck

I would hate this. I'm married i still want my privacy in the bathroom.

I would be writing a formal complaint

Couldn’t you have just said to your partner please look away as I need to use the toilet ?

YANBU and a lot of people would hate this, myself included and my DH.

Also what if you’re staying the night with a friend or family member? No this isn’t on.

You need to email hotel and ask to go higher and get a full refund.

I wouldn't be over bothered with my partner- we could agree not to look at each other but it sounds very awkward with someone new.

I agree, 20 + years married and I don't need to see DH or he see me. I mean we have, but not by choice.
Have had rooms where clear glass between bathroom and bed from waist up (luckily on my own) and room where toilet was frosted but shower was clear glass into room. That at least could let steam up.
I deliberately look at reviews now to avoid any such ridiculous arrangements (also no fond of wash basin outside of bathroom - I don't need to see anyone else flossing for eg.

Weve been married for almost 40 years and I have no intention if ever using the loo in front of DH or being in the same room as him when he does

Why is that ridiculous?

Not Kool Gurl enough?

I would be writing a serious formal complaint too.

I understand that some people wouldn't be bothered, but I most definitely would be and so would many others. I am in a LTR but certainly wouldn't want my other half seeing me on the loo/changing a tampon etc. Your room was not fit for purpose and if they want fancy state of the art glass features they need to keep them properly maintained.

You aren’t being unreasonable in the slightest.
For many couples - whether new or established - bathroom privacy is really important. I’d have been furious and would be making a formal complaint to the hotel
now as well as complaining about the blasé response from the receptionist.
Its not good enough.

I completely agree with you OP and even though I have been married for 22 years to my husband we would not want to stay in a room where we could watch each other poo.

Other people might 'laugh that off' but its not something we would want to do.

I get that they had no other rooms but a drinks voucher is not sufficient compensation.

We would have wanted a full refund and would have either returned home or tried to find another hotel.

Unfortunately I am finding this type of set up becoming more common and am very careful when booking to avoid these types of rooms.