Hotel stay for free, should I still complain?

meeshpeesh

Me and my boyfriend are at loggerheads about this. We got a free night in a hotel voucher from Lloyds Tsb from when we opened an account.

We've got it booked for tonight but having read some of the reviews for the hotel, there are certain rooms that sound horrible (e.g. a gap between the window frame and the wall resulting in a draft all night). I want to be clear that I'm approaching the stay as though I know nothing about the hotel, and if I personally am happy with the room (regardless of what some of the more pernickerty reviews have said) then every one wins. However IF I do get a room that I'm not happy with, do you think I have a right to complain? If there was a possibility I'd be spending the night unable to sleep because of a draft I'd want to change rooms.

I'm not suggesting I'd want compensation or anything, because I've not paid anything, but do you think I'd be within my rights to ask for a room change?

My boyfriend says if this happens to lump it as it's free and if I want to complain, do it when I'm back home. But even if it is free if it's uncomfortable and unenjoyable I should ask for a switch?

What do you think? Justified or majorly cheeky?


(Again, I'm not planning on complaining, I'm just thinking worst case scenario!)

JimmyTheWig

You certainly have the right to complain.

As to whether you want to or not is up to you.

If you opened the account in order to get this free-be then I would see it that you have paid for it in your time and effort in setting up the account, etc. In which case I'd be miffed if it didn't work nicely.
But if it was a bonus that you weren't expecting then you don't have much to lose.

arbroath_lass

I'm with you. If you get a rotten room ask for another. Why would you put up with that?

It's not free, it may have been cheaper but Lloyds have paid.

If it had been a gift would your boyfirend feel the same?

meeshpeesh

arbroath_lass wrote: »

I'm with you. If you get a rotten room ask for another. Why would you put up with that?

It's not free, it may have been cheaper but Lloyds have paid.

If it had been a gift would your boyfirend feel the same?

Probably not! He thinks I'm gonna go in all guns blazing complaining about every little thing as soon as we get there but I'm really not! It's just one room that sounds absolutely terrible in reviews so if I do get that one then I'll want to switch rooms.

He doesn't like complaining as it is, the way I see it though if people don't complain about a service it won't improve!

[Deleted User]

I've had free hotel stays from 'points' - you should complain just as if you'd paid for the room yourself (we ended up getting our points reinstated and another free stay)

People don't complain enough in hotels. I'll always make sure to complain if there is unnecessary noise, if the room is bad etc.

hartcjhart

if there is a fault it is you should complain otherwise the hotel can do nothing to sort out any problems,freebie or not

sooty&sweep

If there is something you''re not happy about you should let the hotel know. If you don't you''ll go away miffed and bad mouth the hotel whereas if you tell them you at least give them the opportunity to put it right and go away saying "what a nice hotel".

Jen

liuaq

hartcjhart wrote: »

if there is a fault it is you should complain otherwise the hotel can do nothing to sort out any problems,freebie or not

Totally agree.
This may be "free" to you but the hotel are being re-imbursed so you are entitled to a decent room and the hotel is entitled to reasonable feedback; otherwise, how can they ever improve and stay in business.
I understand what you are saying, however; my husband was very firm and determined in his working life but will really let people mess him about outside of this..very strange, so I have to do all the dirty work!
Having said this, I have been to "marmite" hotels as described on Tripadvisor and had a great time; failing that, there's always earplugs and wine!

duchy

Why did you book it if the reviews are so bad ?

That said trip advisor is ridiculous at times-I've read reviews of hotels I've stayed at that made me look twice to see if it was the same hotel -but yes free or not if a room is not as advertised you ask for a move-nicely but firmly. Dramatics don't usually get you anything better.

ska_lover

Interested to hear what your hotel was like OP.

We had one of these free nights away in a hotel, the same deal with the tsb..the hotel was a total dump..freezing cold, no tele in the hotel room, the food in the carvery resturant was vile, I could have cooked better at home

Moby_Tide

ska_lover wrote: »

Interested to hear what your hotel was like OP.

We had one of these free nights away in a hotel, the same deal with the tsb..the hotel was a total dump..freezing cold, no tele in the hotel room, the food in the carvery resturant was vile, I could have cooked better at home

You get what you pay for is true then I guess...?