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)

I can't believe grown adults went all the way down to the lobby to use the loo rather than saying "Darling, would you mind averting your eyes for a few minutes, thanks ever so". OK, not a great source but you could surely have coped for one night!

This type of bathroom layout in hotels drives me mad.
Just what is the benefit of having a glass door that you can set to opaque.... just have it opaque permanently if you really want that type of door.

No I wouldn't like that either. I stay in hotels with my teen son and we have been known to share a double room. I don't want see him on the loo and he would need therapy if he watched me having a dump. Not all people who share a hotel room are used to watching each other using the loo?

I think you’re being too sensitive here. Yes, your hotel room had an issue. But you seem to be angling for compensation or a refund, I don’t think this really warrants a massive goodwill gesture. Yes, it is likely that people having sex with each other have “seen it all before”, yes it also likely that no one wants to see someone taking a shit. But overall, if that was a big dealbreaker for me, I wouldn’t book a hotel with glass walls in the bathroom period.

While it wouldn't actually bother me, I'd probably kick up a stink and ask for a refund, or at least a lot more than a couple of drinks at the bar.

Not all people sharing a double/twin room are in a romantic relationship where anything goes. Siblings, mother, friend, work colleague, teenage kid etc. can be sharers.

I was just thinking back, and I was lucky enough to go on a guided tour of China in 2008. The glitzy multi starred hotel in Beijing had a glass walled loo and shower. I was with my female pal and it was rather embarrassing, until we discovered the remote control for turning the glass opaque. Still wasn't ideal either. Only two nights there thank god. Awful bloody design. That's nearly 20 years ago now so it's not a new thing.

And yes, please leave a full review of your experience as many (if not most) prospective customers will want to know this in order to make sure they avoid this awful hotel.

Emphasising in doing so the fact that although this has happened in the past, ie it was a known issue, the hotel still did not have the necessary equipment etc in stock to repair it immediately!

Obviously you should get a substantial refund & that should have been offered immediately as they could not move you - or a full refund if you chose not to stay. Amazed that so many posters on here are so willing to accept sub-standard facilities and services & kind of see themselves as being ‘relaxed’ or ‘chill’ for doing so. Being a complete doormat in the face of appalling service and misdescribed facilities is neither of those things.

I would hate that and it would give me chronic constipation. It would also put me off my partner of 15 years. I wouldn't book a hotel room with one of those glass walls because I wouldn't trust it. The hotel were wrong to be dismissive and should have either offered you an alternative room or a full refund.

To the people saying “you are being ridiculous” -well, you do you.
You may have no qualms about peeing,wiping and taking a crap in front of a new boyfriend - and having him do the same - but @Hotelhorror , myself and many others would hate this.
You might think we are ‘ridiculous’ - that’s your perogative. I think you are disgustingly crude, base and have zero manners.I also think you must have been dragged up. Thats my perogative.

@Hotelhorror - I really feel for you. I would be mortified. Married 20 yrs here and my husband & I could not do this. There’s some things that deserve privacy- and bathroom stuff is one of them. I hope the hotel apologise & refund you.

Why?

No she isn't

But this poster has gone to the trouble of changing their name in order to best insult the OP, it’s a shame they couldn’t come up with something better with all that effort.

It must be a male designer thing. I can't imagine a woman thinking this is a good idea.

I think if the "feature" of the room that doesn't function as it should "ie: clear glass wall that you can turn opaque (which is the case in the op situation) Surely you can complain if a function doesn't work?

Male designer with a hidden fetish I'd say.

YADNBU

Who goes for a romantic night away (and probably paying a premium for Valentine's Day) to then be able to see their other half having a shit? Sorry, no.

I wouldn't mind my long term partner seeing me in the shower but definitely not using the loo. I can't think of anything more of a turn off than that!

I would be pushing for at least a 50% refund.

You're being ridiculous. What did you expect them to do? Conjure up another room?

Don't go to Thailand, it's full if hotels with glass windows to the bathroom!

This is such a bizarre trend. I don't travel much, but I've seen it online and wondered what possesses hotels to do this, or even worse, leave off the doors altogether.

I'd absolutely complain. YANBU to expect something in return for a faulty room. They need to be made fully, painfully aware that many guests don't like this so maybe they'll think twice about continuing to opt for such a stupid design choice.

???

She went for 1 night! Surely she can avoid having a shit for 1 night.

If have asked for a full refund and left. L

I'd complain to Head Office about both the set-up & the staff's reaction to a fully justified complaint.

I've been with DH >20 years, & neither of us want to watch each other taking a dump.

I despise glass box bathrooms and they don't seem popular with most people. I want solid doors and soundproofing!

As for being able to avoid using the toilet for one night, I don't know how your body works, but 'when you gotta go, you gotta go' is a saying for a reason. Even if it's possible to wait, it's not healthy or comfortable—especially if you're planning a romantic couple's night.

I’m also with you op and find the first answers mind boggling, I’m long term married and wouldn’t want to be taking a shit on a loo right next to the bed in front of transparent glass panel. No way would I want to do it first night away and on Valentine’s Day.