Room Only?

Grumpy_chap

OK, so I think this is weird, but maybe it is what the normal is.
Rather than our usual jolly to Spain, we will be vacationing in Weymouth.  We booked via a popular online booking website on "Room Only" basis for a 'hotel guest house' (not a B&B, which may become relevant, and also not an airB&B). 
The cost for the 'guest house' is similar to the cost of a hotel in Spain, but in Spain it would be all inclusive and a pool and and gym and entertainments etc.  Obviously, none of that with a UK seaside hotel.

Anyway, our booking was "Room Only" and we could add breakfast if we chose to (but did not).  So my understanding of "Room Only" was that we got the small double room and that includes coffee tray, en-suite, toiletries, towels, linen, TV, iron, alarm clock,  wardrobe etc. all to the description listed on the online booking website.  Made the booking and paid in full for non-refundable, which we are happy with the price and lack of flexibility.

A day later, we got a cryptic message from the hotel guest house about the bed, so we called for clarification.  Apparently, our "Room Only" rate did not actually include a bed and the hotel guest house stated they had been honest about that in the listing at the online booking website.  We could upgrade our room to have a bed put in for an extra fiver per night.  Given that it is not much extra, we just paid up, and it gives the comfort that we expect.

I never heard of this before and think it is jolly unusual.  Obviously, it is not a B&B (where bed is inherently implied in the name) or an AirBnB (where at least an airbed is inherently implied in the name) - we booked to a "hotel guest house".  Reading the description again, it is listed as a "small double room" so there will be no space to swing a cat, which is fine as we don't plan to spend any time in the room, and all the things listed as included do not specifically itemise a bed so, on a technicality, the venue are correct in stating they are honest on the booking website.

I just wondered whether anyone else ever heard of this idea of a "Room Only" listed but does not include the actual bed?

bradders1983

A room only that doesnt include a bed? No, that is certainly wrong. Are you prepared to post a link to the listing?

Grumpy_chap

That's what I thought, but I am going to just go with it.
They did only charge 5% VAT, after all.

bradders1983

Is is utterly ludicrious though. Who books a room in a guest house and doesnt need a bed? They may as well just put the price up a fiver and keep the bed in there.

JGB1955

Sounds more like a camping pod than a room - please share with us.....!

I have a double garage - does that mean I can charge more, than a single garage, for sleeping in it????  Bizarre

Grumpy_chap

I don't want to post the listing at this juncture because we did not go yet and they might see my comments and make my stay miserable.
Also, we paid £100 per night (including the extra fiver) whereas checking now, the cheapest rate for the same dates is £122 per night with a double bed budget room.  
Maybe they just made a mistake somewhere (or the booking site) and it was either an extra fiver, or the hotel could have used their discretion to cancel the booking rather than accept?  Of course, if that was the case, I would have prefered them to just say it was a mistake and apologise and ask for the extra fiver

comeandgo

So you got a bed, what about bedding and towels?  Do they come too?

bagand96

Sometimes you think you've read it all and something new comes along! To be honest it's hilarious (I'm not laughing at you, but what a bizarre situation!)

Like others I'd love to know the place and the listing!

Grumpy_chap

You do indeed have to laugh!

The full items included in the confirmation email read as follows:

 Free WiFi •  Non-smoking room • Private Bathroom • Free toiletries •  Toilet • Bathtub or shower • Towels • Linens • Socket near the bed • Soundproof • TV • Ironing facilities • Heating • Flat-screen TV • Hairdryer • Fan • Walk-in closet • Wake-up Service/Alarm clock • Electric kettle • Wake-up service • Alarm clock • Wardrobe or closet • Upper floors accessible by elevator • Upper floors accessible by stairs only • Toilet paper

So, there you go, absolutely everything listed apart from a bed. 
I have also gone back to the booking site and cannot link the same room as the listings have all been revised with all the room types having different names than when I booked at the weekend and each room type has the bed listed in the list above to the level of precise detail as to whether it is a 3' bed, 3'-6" bed, 5' bed or 6' bed.  That takes away the confusion I suppose.  All the room rates are higher than when I booked, even allowing for the extra fiver.  Maybe the listings got corrupted somehow and this was the best the venue could do.

However absurd it was, it does seem as though some error was made in the listing and the venue has corrected it.  So, benefit of the doubt, and I'll confirm afterwards whether it was a good stay or not.

eskbanker

Grumpy_chap said:

....Socket near the bed....

Difficult to have a socket near the bed if the bed isn't in the room, so maybe a technicality to rely on there!

Westin

Never heard such nonsense. Of course a bed should be included. “Room Only” is normally a board basis term that signifies no meals provided but also no self catering facilities.

The only extra charge justified would be for an extra bed or cot for an extra person, child or infant.

If you are not prepared to name the property or post a link not sure what else can be added or commented on.