Money Moral Dilemma: Who should pay the bar bill for the hotel stay I got my mum and dad?

Ed264

You didn't say how long this break was. If it was just a weekend - well, they did have a great time to rack up such a bill! As others have pointed out, how on earth did they check-out with an outstanding bar bill?

sheramber

time - but she needed to pay the bar bill for their room. I told her not to worry, I'd cover it as part of the gift

If mother had paid the bar bill why did OP call the hotel and pay again?

tindella

I've often worried that these "dilemmas" are really true - but I've given you the benefit of the doubt so far. However, I doubt anyone could check out of a hotel without paying a bar bill - especially one of that magnitude. So do you really mean she's paid the £400 up front and wants you to pay it back? If so - the person with the letter and the leaflet on alcoholism gets my vote for the best response. In fact, I'd book an appointment for the parents to see an addiction expert.

JayD

Surely this is a totally fake 'dilemma'?

Guests on such a short stay are unlikely to run up a £400 bar bill

Hotels don't let you walk out with an unpaid £400 bar bill!

Just not buying it.

irishflojo

I read into the dilema that the Mum had to pay for the drinks before they left???

If I was given a spa break, I'd expect to pay my own extras as that is such a generous gift. As others have mentioned, I think the first suggestion (by elsien) about sharing the bill would be fair, if you can well affford it, but I would ask for a copy of the bill too. That's a lot of drinks for 2 people.

I think Elsien has used great humour that would lighten the tone. Good luck.

mebu60

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81928460#Comment_81928460

Contradicted by the OP saying that they (the OP) rang the hotel to settle the bill.

@MSE_Kelvin really should clarify the highlighted discrepancies. Otherwise it just adds credence to the thought that these items are pure clickbait.

Jemma01

Not sure I believe the story, but either way, you paid for the stay, you didn't say all extras included. You assumed that the bill would be reasonable, turned out it wasn't. I would ask them to pay me back the full amount minus whatever I feel is reasonable for their stay. The rest is on them.

twopenny

The op says mum had to settle the bar bill.

Possibly at check out.

But the op offered to cover it.

I'd want to see the breakdown. Possibly champagne. A bottle of wine with each meal, aperitif and a liqueur with coffee for 2.

And hotel prices are nearly double usual ones.

mlz1413

They must have treated themselves to champagne 🍾 and not cared about the tab.

But OP did say they would cover it without asking any further details.

I guess it depends on if you have £400 to cover the bill. If you don't I'd speak to your parents and say you had been happy to cover £100/insert sum, but £400 is more than you can afford. But you also want to check if the bill is right.

Faceuptoreality

1. Have your parents ever stayed in a hotel with a minibar before?
2. Maybe they assumed that the minibar was part of the room and included in the price.
3. You started by saying you gave them an anniversary present if a spa break. That should include room, food, spa treatments, drinks…
4. They are your PARENTS!,!!
5. When you order drinks with a meal or at the bar most hotels automatically ask for your room number.

They are your PARENTS and you bought them a spa break for their wedding anniversary - you’ll be asking for them to pay for spa treatments and food next.
They are your PARENTS - I’m glad that I’m not your parent.