Rhodes - air-conditoning is an extra at hotel

Steve_xx

Mum booked a holiday for her and her friend with easyJet Holidays. They got to the hotel in Rhodes and it seemed that somehow easyJet hadn't notified and/or paid the hotel. However, Mum had the voucher for the hotel and so that seemed to be ok.

It's very hot there at the moment and they wanted to turn on the air-conditioning in the room. It seems that the hotel levy a charge of Euro30 for the week in order to have it on. Is this usual? Here is a quote from easyJet holidays website regarding the accommodation.:

All have - bathroom/shower - WC - telephone - satellite TV - air conditioning/heating – mini fridge – balcony/terrace - (certain amenities may be payable locally)

Yes, it says there that some items are charged locally, but it doesn't specify which ones can be. It could be that by the way it's written that you might be charged for a bath/shower!

lexilex

The only hotels I've been to in recent years that haven't charged for air con are all inclusive hotels. It seems to be the norm now for them to charge for air con.

dotchas

Its the norm to pay for Aircon. 30 euros seems reasonable. We are just back from Rhodes and they wanted 50 Euros a week (per unit and we had two!!!) However it wasn't so hot till the last couple of days so we managed without.

apt

It's not usual to charge in most of Europe, but the practice is quite widespread in Greece.

Steve_xx

lexilex wrote: »

The only hotels I've been to in recent years that haven't charged for air con are all inclusive hotels. It seems to be the norm now for them to charge for air con.

This was an all-inclusive deal!

lexilex

Steve_xx wrote: »

This was an all-inclusive deal!

I'm quite surprised they are charging then as I have always found all inclusive means literally everything is included. I suppose its down to each hotel to make up their own rules though.

Steve_xx

lexilex wrote: »

I'm quite surprised they are charging then as I have always found all inclusive means literally everything is included. I suppose its down to each hotel to make up their own rules though.

Yes it seems so. It's just another of those annoying extras that holiday companies seem to add on. When you book a holiday these days, like everything else, it seems as though it's booby-trapped with additional charges that you just didn't foresee. Each time you go on holiday there has to be a learning curve. You wonder what charges they'll come up with next.

stephb34

Steve_xx wrote: »

Yes it seems so. It's just another of those annoying extras that holiday companies seem to add on. When you book a holiday these days, like everything else, it seems as though it's booby-trapped with additional charges that you just didn't foresee. Each time you go on holiday there has to be a learning curve. You wonder what charges they'll come up with next.

On this occasion the holiday company can't be blamed, each hotel can do what they want, i've just paid 27 euros for a safe for 1 week which i thought was a bit steep but i had a choice pay or don't bother having one, which is the same for air con, its not a necessity.

Steve_xx

stephb34 wrote: »

On this occasion the holiday company can't be blamed, each hotel can do what they want, i've just paid 27 euros for a safe for 1 week which i thought was a bit steep but i had a choice pay or don't bother having one, which is the same for air con, its not a necessity.

Yes, you're right and it seems that the hotels can do as they've a mind. I don't think that people should simply accept this really. Charging for air-con is, in my view, the thin end of the wedge. If things go on like this then the hotels could easily start charging for electricity, or perhaps metering for water used in the bathroom perhaps.

Bob_the_Saver

Steve_xx wrote: »

Yes, you're right and it seems that the hotels can do as they've a mind. I don't think that people should simply accept this really. Charging for air-con is, in my view, the thin end of the wedge. If things go on like this then the hotels could easily start charging for electricity, or perhaps metering for water used in the bathroom perhaps.

Damn good idea as long as the room rate is reduced to start with.
Pay for what you use, I'll take a torch and fill my bottle in the airport for washing, I've been to India it won't be the first time.

davidlizard

Having stayed in dozens of hotels on Greek islands, the only ones I have found charging for air con have been package tour ones. Any hotel I have booked myself has never charged for air-con.

I am guessing that the package tour company is driving costs down so they look good in the brochures, only for these to appear as hidden extras later.