Unreasonable changes to check in/out times

PLQueen

I understand your frustration OP it is a pain arriving at 7pm when you have a baby that needs to be in bed at this time. But all I would say is not to let it ruin your holiday. We managed to get away for a short break last week and it was so nice to be able to do that after everything this year. I do agree with others saying don’t cut off your nose despite your face. You probably all really need the time away. 

So you have a couple of options: 

- Not go at all and lose your money
- Go and be inconvenienced by the late check in time
- Arrive the following day at a time to suit you.
I agree none of that is ideal. 

Also, for information we had a check in time of 5.30pm and check out at 10am when we went away. Actually we were able to get in at 4.15pm in the end as I messaged the owners when we were nearby and asked if it was possible to arrive early and they had finished all the cleaning and said yes. I do not see why they need to wait 3 hours before going in to start the clean though before you arrive. The owners where we stayed were following strict guidelines themselves but she was in cleaning half an hour after we left. 

JamoLew

Its the obsession with combining two words to make one that bugs me -- plus the UK term is holiday not vacation - another obsession we have with adopting all things American
Just say Holiday - as that's what you had planned
They probably didn't tell you the times would be different, as at the time, they didn't know or they hadn't changed them.
Information is changing on an hourly basis and people are constantly shifting and adapting
In my opinion, you have no right to a refund and a court would view it the same -- a 4 hour change would NOT be deemed to be generally unreasonable given the current (or any) situation.
It might be to you - but that's not the standard any court would look at

[Deleted User]

JamoLew said:

First - !!!!!! is "staycation" -- stop using made up words -- It's a holiday

Staycation is a perfectly acceptable word, it originally meant using your holiday leave to stay at home or close by, but in British English it's acceptable use as a domestic holiday. It's been in use 17 years in the modern era but Merriam-Webster records it being used as long back as 1944. It was added to the Oxford English dictionary in 2010. Languages change, chill out.

I don't buy the argument here - OP is told the cleaners must wait 3 hours after guests are out (so presumably 9-12) which is totally arbitrary, the virus can last days on some surfaces, 3 hours is just the general guidance on the virus in aerosolized form. 4 hours to deep clean a small cottage with maybe 3-5 rooms (assume the same rules apply and they must be out by 4 as the OP is checking in at 7) is a bit much? A cottage owner who really insists on this should provide help for the OP with recommendations of places to eat nearby and so on. Where I work, 4 hours of engineer time is considered a half day, reducing the stay by 5 1/2 hours should warrant some sort of compensation for the guest - not necessarily financial but a breakfast basket for the checkout morning or some freebies for the check-in on top of what they normally offer e.g. some wine and chocolates or local produce.

[Deleted User]

Omgoodness!  Mountains/molehills!    

Whilst I do think 3 hours either side err on extreme caution (our holiday home extended/reduced by an hour). I really think this problem can be rectified without so much fuss.   Why not just stop off somewhere for an evening meal before arrival. Get baby fed and ready for bed in car or a baby changing station if available.  Then arrive and you put to bed while others unpack car and sort out.   Most people aren’t so rigid about routine on holiday.  Up to you to make or break.  I can’t say I sympathize or understand (and just been away with 11 children on holiday ranging from 10 years to 7 months)   Am sure if you don’t worry so much it will work out and you will enjoy your holiday.  

[Deleted User]

Tedber said:

Omgoodness!  Mountains/molehills!    

Whilst I do think 3 hours either side err on extreme caution (our holiday home extended/reduced by an hour). I really think this problem can be rectified without so much fuss.   Why not just stop off somewhere for an evening meal before arrival. Get baby fed and ready for bed in car or a baby changing station if available.  Then arrive and you put to bed while others unpack car and sort out.   Most people aren’t so rigid about routine on holiday.  Up to you to make or break.  I can’t say I sympathize or understand (and just been away with 11 children on holiday ranging from 10 years to 7 months)   Am sure if you don’t worry so much it will work out and you will enjoy your holiday.  

My Mum isn’t ready to eat out in restaurants yet - neither am I to be fair hence why we booked a self catering cottage rather than opting for a hotel which would have been a lot easier and probably cheaper!  We don’t do routine but I know that by 7pm my daughter is hungry and ready for bed, and after a day travelling and hanging around waiting to get in to the cottage so will I be! 

elsien

You keep reiterating that you booked in lock down.
What you seem to be overlooking is that you still booked 2 months ago and the guidance in different areas has changed throughout the lockdown period.   Two months ago people had no idea what the rules would be now.
I'm in a caravan next week with 81 year old parent and have only just found out that we can't get in till after 7 pm. We will be fine - we will probably take spag bol that takes 5 minutes to reheat.

It's a pain, but you could easily take a finger foodpicnic and have it on the way, or take  hot food in a flask. Is a buffet type meal  en route really going to be so hard for one evening? 

bradders1983

Tell us the rough areas where you are traveling from and to and I am sure one of the lovely forum members can recommend a place to eat on the way that doesnt involve sitting in a reataurant.

bradders1983

The way people are going on in this thread its like it is impossible to start cooking a hot meal at 7pm 😉

victor2

Kirsty389 said:

Tedber said:

Omgoodness!  Mountains/molehills!    

Whilst I do think 3 hours either side err on extreme caution (our holiday home extended/reduced by an hour). I really think this problem can be rectified without so much fuss.   Why not just stop off somewhere for an evening meal before arrival. Get baby fed and ready for bed in car or a baby changing station if available.  Then arrive and you put to bed while others unpack car and sort out.   Most people aren’t so rigid about routine on holiday.  Up to you to make or break.  I can’t say I sympathize or understand (and just been away with 11 children on holiday ranging from 10 years to 7 months)   Am sure if you don’t worry so much it will work out and you will enjoy your holiday.  

My Mum isn’t ready to eat out in restaurants yet - neither am I to be fair hence why we booked a self catering cottage rather than opting for a hotel which would have been a lot easier and probably cheaper!  We don’t do routine but I know that by 7pm my daughter is hungry and ready for bed, and after a day travelling and hanging around waiting to get in to the cottage so will I be! 

Just tell the owners you insist on having the place at the originally booked time and will sign a waiver saying if any of your party catch Covid-19 from staying there, you won't hold them responsible.

bradders1983

Like you can hold anyone responsible for catching it anyway. So a pointless thing to agree to.