Help Needed - ruined wedding night

faerie~spangles

I note the op is taking no responsibility for the room being given to another guest.

What would it have taken to call the hotel and confirm that he and his bride would be booking in later?

The op chose to go to the bar and not book in.

VitaK

BristolDavid wrote: »

I wrote a letter of complaint asking for a written apology, reasons for the overbooking and £500 in compensation for the stress and upset they had caused. They had tainted what is supposed to be the most important day of a couple's life. I explained that I could not accept free nights stay at their chain due to personal difficulties with our toddler. This was the first night we had spent apart from him in 18 months.

The £500 sounds fair to me. I think that a wedding night is special, highly anticipated and arguably the most important night a couple will ever share.

Valli

VitaK wrote: »

The £500 sounds fair to me. I think that a wedding night is special, highly anticipated and arguably the most important night a couple will ever share.

Well once upon a time the wedding night was the 'first' night. So, back in the day, that argument would have been reasonable.

Apparently the groom was already reasonably familiar with his blushing bride;)

I've been married twice. Twas a good job I was already with child when I married the second Mr. Valli - because, the state he got himself into, he couldn't have done the deed on our wedding night - I certainly have no memory of it being 'special';)

ultimatedingbat

I would request a free nights stay in another hotel owned by the chain. Simples

jamespir

you had a free nights stay on the wedding night and they offered you another i cant see what else you want to claim for
500 pounds for your wifes tears is a tad extreme unless shes the goddess freya

faerie~spangles

VitaK wrote: »

The £500 sounds fair to me. I think that a wedding night is special, highly anticipated and arguably the most important night a couple will ever share.

If you are both virgins, which the op and his bride obviously were not, given that they have a child.

hcb42

THe OP stated which hotel he was staying at in post 1 so amazed at the number of different hotel chains that have appeared!

OP, I think the hotel has been overbooked, and it hasnt cleared out through cancellation etc, and somehow never logged the fact your luggage was taken to the hotel earlier in the day. Or indeed they did know, but unfortunately they knew they had to upset someone that day and there might have been a wedding in the hotel as well.

If I were you I would visit the manager and get that one night offer up in the value stakes , e.g. one night stay, for all 3 of you, decent suite, dinner and a bottle of champers etc. This will be within the hotelier's remit for sure.

Nothing can undo the past unfortunately not even £500, and given they found accommodation and paid for it for you, as others have said your chances of your day in court are slim. However, the Hotel Manager will no doubt bend over backwards to resolve this in his own hotel. So go see him.

purple.sarah

fresh_start wrote: »

Couldnt your best man have gone back later to make sure you was booked in, would have been part of his duties for me

When I've checked into hotels I've had to sign a form and pre authorise my card for any additional charges during the stay, such as room service, so I don't think someone can just do it on your behalf.

JethroUK

The hotels liability wont consider your position (just married) - 'the damages' will only extend as far as it would with any other guest - they did put you up in a different hotel and compensated by another free night - I reckon that's your lot

unholyangel

The other key to claiming damages that you reasonably incur due to the other party breaching the contract is that you have a statutory duty to mitigate your losses. It is not just a case of claiming for an amount you see fit, there has to be some reasoning behind it, hence why people have asked how you arrive at the figure of £500.

Personally I think there has been a mix up. The porter took your bags and said you could check in later.......did you tell him you wouldnt be back until after midnight or did you just assume he would know you wouldnt be returning until that time? If you didnt make it clear to him (and even then, proving who said what is tricky), any chance you had of compensation would virtually disappear.

If that is the case, the hotel has provided wonderful customer service by arranging another hotel, transport to that accommodation, a further one nights stay and all at no cost. Perhaps not what you want to hear and I know you're saying its the first time meeting this reaction but we are all impartial, a judge will be impartial also. And if you didnt clarify to the hotel that you wouldnt be checking in till after midnight, the party who is in breach of contract is technically you, not them.

Just a few things to think about. I do hope as others have said that you look on the bright side about having a funny tale to tell about your wedding and that perhaps in time, it makes you looks more fondly on your blissful day instead of less.