Refund + compensation for nightmare hotel

Sandtree

Lavendyr said:

That might be your working week but that doesn't change the broad definition of the weekend. My working week is Tues-Sat but I don't think Monday is part of the weekend! 

Thats not definition of the working week... thats their definition of a legal weekend. Have to remember @lavendyr that in the middle east Friday is the "holy day" not Sunday. Schools are Sun-Thurs, banks Sun-Thurs etc etc. There are strict "Friday trading rules" in the same way we have Sunday trading rules here

If you ever do contract law then defining things like "working day" gets increasingly complex in a multi-national and evolving world.

Lavendyr

Sure, but all we are talking about here is an unclear definition by the hotel of what constitutes the school holidays. 

Sandtree

Lavendyr said:

Sure, but all we are talking about here is an unclear definition by the hotel of what constitutes the school holidays. 

So why is "school holidays" unclear but "weekend" is clear if give both to potential customers around the world and they wouldn't agree?

The point is @Lavendyr that both should be assumed to be as per the local of the hotel rather than where ever in the world the customer lives. The OP seems to think the hotel are covering every possible definition of school holiday/weekend due to the absence of dates.

ThisnotThat

Lavendyr said:

Sure, but all we are talking about here is an unclear definition by the hotel of what constitutes the school holidays. 

If it's unclear, as you say, then the OP should seek clarification, not make assumptions.

But they did make assumptions, because people are a bit stupid and frequently do, assuming that they can just moan about it and get a refund, which they often can't.

People need to stop being so blasé with their purchases, expecting someone else to foot the bill.

Lavendyr

Sorry for the late response here. "Weekend" is clearly understood, across the country, to be Saturday and Sunday. School holidays vary enormously. I live next to a county whose schools break up and start school again a full week before the schools in my county. 

If you advertise something as available during school holidays then the onus is on you to set out what you consider to be school holidays. It is not on the purchaser. 

I completely disagree with the premise that school holidays should be taken to be those in the locale of the hotel. Most people travel some distance for their holidays! 

Ultimately the point is - if you make an offer available "during school holidays" but don't specify dates, then it's pretty poor. Personally I would certainly check with the hotel beforehand, but really the hotel should be clearer on its T&Cs. 

Companies need to stop being so blasé with their offers, expecting someone else to foot the bill.

To add re contract law: You're absolutely right, @Sandtree - the company should be clear in its contractual terms as to what constitutes holiday time and what does not. It is complex and they should have done better in setting out clear terms.