Hotel advertised air conditioning but didn't actually offer it!

simonp

Stayed for three nights recently in the South of France in a hotel with a sea view room and balcony. Although it was early March, the sun was out all day and the temperature of the room rocketed. At night it was very difficult to sleep.

We purposely chose the hotel as its website states it offers air con however we were told on complaining that it's switched off out of season!

The solution was turn the air off and open the balcony door - that worked a little during the day but the five lanes of traffic outside the hotel meant it was impossible at night. They couldn't even offer us a fan!

Despite complaining to the hotel they don't seem to care and don't believe they've done anything wrong. Surely this is simple false advertising?

If it was a UK hotel I'd take them to Small Claims. Any options available?

Might seem a little petty but really did spoil a short break.

Thanks!

photome

Did the small print say it only had air con in peak season? It often does.

Was it really to hot to sleep in early march in France

peachyprice

photome wrote: »

Was it really to hot to sleep in early march in France

Doesn't look like it, daytime highs of 19c, overnight lows of 8c,nowhere near aircon temps, unless you're an Inuit.

http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/france/nice/historic

ferf1223

we have stayed in rooms before that, because of their location and layout, got a huge amount of sun and ended up a lot warmer than the outside air temps and were not quick to cool down in the evening...so I could see how that could happen.

We are big fans of air con...we have referred to our hotel rooms as being 'meat locker' temperature before...if I had selected a hotel that stated it had air con and didn't have it when we perceived it was needed I would not be happy at all.

None of this this helps you and I have no advice but I can understand why this would have had an impact on your break.

And it's good to know to watch out for T&Cs that state that it's turned off out of peak season - it would never have occurred to me to look for that.

simonp

Thanks for the reply folks. No there is nothing on the websites about air con being turned off out of season.

It really was hot. Hotels always tend to be warm (the corridors in this place were hot without any heating on!) but with the sun on the rooms it was just too hot.

A few weeks prior I was in a 5* central London hotel and had the air con on throughout the stay (although that hotels didn't have any opening windows).

Anyone able to offer any useful advice?

lea2012

Did you book it direct with the hotel or via a booking agent?
If it's via a booking agent then it may not specifically mention AC in the terms and conditions, but it may say something about the hotelier being able to change facilities or services without prior notice and it being beyond their control?

jpsartre

simonp wrote: »

Anyone able to offer any useful advice?

On what exactly? Unless you are willing to take them to court in their country the options are to chalk it up to a bad experience and/or write them a poor review on Tripadvisor. If you're asking for advice on future travel, either call in advance to ensure there is AC all year round or do your best to block the sun during the day.

littlereddevil

We once stayed at a hotel in Italy end of September which was absolutely freezing. When i complained they said the heating doesn't go on until November!

simonp

Hi again,

Yes, was booked direct with hotel through hotel group website.

Do I have any recourse through the credit card company perhaps?

Thanks all!

jpsartre

simonp wrote: »

Do I have any recourse through the credit card company perhaps?

Highly unlikely.

photome

Which hotel is it