hotel rip-offs?

ftb2

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Just tried to book a Saturday night in a hotel in Kilkenny and was told I would have to book the Friday as well because their policy is not to allow for one-night bookings over the weekend. This is crazy! Has anyone elso experienced this scam?
 
It's not a ripoff. If they are sufficiently busy that they know they will sell every weekend in 2-day units then why shouldn't they have that as a policy ?

If they sell you one night they might not be able to sell the second night and so would be down that money.

Of course, if they don't sell that room for the weekend they are down the money they could have made from you.

z
 
I think it is a rip-off, although I notice some places have relaxed this policy. I always laugh when I hear hoteliers saying how tough the business is, profits etc - if they concentrated on serving the customer they might not have this problem. It's ridiculous if you want to stay one night that you have to book 2 - only in Ireland!!
 
Just a suggestion.. Have you tried to book this hotel through an online company and not directly with the hotel?? Anytime I go away now (which is quite regularly for weekends) I book online and its anything upto half price and this stupid policy may not apply.. Worth checking out?!
 
It's not a rip-off if they explained their policy up front and you were able to make a decision on whether or not to purchase their services.
 
Have to agree with ClubMan, if you're told in advance its not really a rip off. We're getting married on a Saturday later this year and it was one of the factors we took into account when booking the hotel. Several hotels offered us 10 or so rooms for the family at a reduced rate for the Sat only but anyone else had to book packages for 2 nights plus dinner. We told each hotel that this was a major reason for not booking them, and two said that they were starting to hear this complaint on a regular basis from potential clients and were considering changing their policy, so maybe complaining does work sometimes.
 
Kilkenny seems to be a law unto itself though.
Been loads of times and like the place but the charges (accomodation & taxis) are really expensive for a provincial town (city I know).

Haven't been back in over two years mainly due to the cost and the fact its becoming very crowded and tacky.

Prefer to head to Donegal now for cheaper prices and nicer people!
 
CN624 said:
Kilkenny seems to be a law unto itself though.

Had that experience myself. B&B over a pub was booked by a bestman for a stag weekend. 4 of us on 4 beds in one room. Came to paying and the landlord asked for €60. Innocent me thought it was €60 for the 2 nights. But no, €60 per person, per night. €240 per night in a B&B to share with 3 others.

Nice work if you can get it.
 
ClubMan said:
Did you ask in advance how much the B&B would cost each person? If not why not?

Ah Clubman, you must know me better than that. I didn't respond to the original ripoff comment because you'd taken my lines already. You didn't see me complaining above, just stating facts. Bestman booked the thing so I just went with the flow.
 
Did anyone notice that this post sparked an article in yesterday's Sunday Times? Needless to say AAM was not specifically mentioned - it just referred to a complaint on an "internet forum"....
 
Is this the article? Are you sure that it's referring to Askaboutmoney?
One bride-to-be, who complained about the policy on an internet forum, said she refused to book her wedding into one hotel after being told of the two-night rule.
 
CN624 said:
Prefer to head to Donegal now for cheaper prices and nicer people!

It really annoys me when people recommend Donegal and praise it to the high heavens.

It's cos I've known this for years and don't want to see other tourists on the unspoilt blue flag beaches ! It suits me for Donegal to be a well-kept secret ;) . Or at least the part of it I know well.
 
Well, I'm off there for the June Bank Holiday (Harvey's Point) and really looking forward to it- though it was reasobnable, btw I could have one or two nights or any combination there of. Also no 'premuim' (having to book extra nights, extra on the room rates) one also associates with bank holidays.

Still think it's scandolous that you have to book two nights when you only want one - I for one wouldn't even entertain a hotel that suggests that. Pure greed, even if it is in their terms and conditions....
 
Yes - this was the article. It clearly refers to Porterbray's point earlier post above.
 
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