hotels and deposits

hoxtonbabe

hi,

I am planning to take the kids to legoland and staying and plan to stay at a HI express, now the issue I have is I do not have a credit card anymore and I have just over the room rate total, however as I am on a budget and do ot have the cash (or card) to pay for an extra day rate to cover incidentals (god knows what in a HI express as there is no room service or minibar)

My previous stays at the cheaper end hotels that I have prepaid my rate I have not always been asked to leave a deposit, however this seems to be something that gets made up as it goes along. on this particular room rate rules there is nothing stating that a deposit is to be left but when I called up and asked just be 100% sure they said I would have to pay a £100 cash deposit as i do not have a credit card (room is only £48!) surely if I had never stayed at a hotel before and turned up after paying my rate thinking all was fine then asked to pay another day rate without this being made clear from the off what would one do? This would not bother me so much if A. It was made clear in the rate rules/booking information (there is nothing whatsoever on the site relating to leaving a deposit upon check in) and B. All hotels did as this, it kind of seems to be this grey area that whilst it is common practice, it is not an actual policy (not for HI express at least) and if it is then surely this should be made clear from the off??

Any hotel staff here that can shed some light

Cheers

hcb42

most hotels do a "pre-auth" on check in for accommodation plus incidentals. This allows you to have an account. I have never paid anything more or done a preauth for a budget hotel though, as you normally pay your accommodation on arrival, not departure. Just pay your accommodation only, in full, on arrival, and state you will not be having any extras e.g. meals or drinks in the bar.

hoxtonbabe

Excactly, I too have never done a pre auth on a budget hotel! Me and hotel manager will be having words!

Cheers