Venue nightmare - feel sick!

RobynLouise_2

Maybe nightmare is pretty strong but bearing in mind its less than 5 months till the wedding!

My sister called them yesterday to book a couple of disabled rooms for family. Not only was she told that there was only 1, but that the only difference between that and the normal rooms is a wider doorway for wheelchairs! So basically every room in the hotel has a bath rather than shower cubicle or walk in shower!!

When we booked the wedding we asked about disabled access and told it was all fine, we were shown the ramps used up and down the stairs etc. We didnt ask to see a disabled room as we assumed that with them being such a big hotel (over 100 rooms) then when they told a the disabled access was fine, the showers etc would be ok!

It maybe doesn't sound a big deal but me and OH both have elderly family who would be travelling from a few hundred miles away who dont want to be staying in a different hotel to everyone else, not only for the inconvenience but also the getting in and out of taxis!!

I'm not quite sure what advice I'm asking for, maybe we should've asked to see a room instead of taking their word for it. Their rating on tripadvisor has massively slipped too from number 3 or 4 out of 12 to 11 really poor reviews. I just feel like i want to cancel the whole thing

runawaybride

not quite sure what to advise but i hope you get it sorted.

rosie-lee

I feel for you, I really do & think the consideration you are showing for your guests is lovely.

I'll step in & try to offer some advice, bearing in mind I know nothing about you, it may be completely useless, but here goes.

Don't panic. 5 months is still a good length of time to organise a venue.

You mention elderly relatives, who will likely be flexible on dates. Is it a possibility that you can alter the date to one either side?

If not. Still start looking now for a more suitable venue. This close to the date, you may find that some venues will be far more flexible on price and get a much better deal or package.

As a guest I would not mind at all being told of a change of venue so far in advance.

The hotel would surely have to return all deposits. In preference to the publicity of being unable to accommodate guests in wheelchairs. And failing to tell you that !

If you can't or simply don't want to you. You sound like a nice person. I am sure that your guests would put up with the inconvenience of the unsuitable rooms or travelling to alternative accommodation to be with you on your special day. They will understand that it was beyond your control.

sharnad

Did you put down a big deposit. You could look for another venue. Otherwise wheelchairs and nearby hotel for disabled guests

PasturesNew

Is it worth calling again - it might even be that the first person spoken to was newer, less well informed etc.... sometimes speaking to different people you get different answers.