How can they do this to people

I expect the hotel is even more disappointed than you. Many hotels, even the big chains, are in danger of collapsing altogether. They hoped to open - but finance, staffing, infections, rules and regulations etc made it impossible for them.

Nothing is working smoothly at the moment and we just have to accept that. They needed to start taking bookings at some point - unfortunately it turned out that was a little premature - they didn't do it on purpose.

AirBnB might be another possibility if you confirm with the owner the cleaning arrangments, most are being super thorough. If you could find one where you would be the first booking for weeks, then problem solved!

However small your place I am sure you could all manage for one night Sara53. I am sure the kids would love it and remember the trip for a long time. Do easy meals or cook in advance ones, all muck in and it will be great. Get out and about for long walks, play games and just enjoy being together.

I'm with Blue Belle. Although I sympathise with your disappointment, have you considered this is not in their control? They could be looking out for guests and staff safety. They may not be able to comply with all the required safety procedures in that hotel so can not open. Chain hotels are much of a muchness but not identical. Saff should not be blamed for not wanting/ being able to work . They are people too , with illness and family situations that they have to consider just like you and your family. Lots of people are unable to do exactly what they want due to Covid19. Weddings for eg have been cancelled , some re arranged with many modifications. You have been given lots of ideas on how to still see your family. May be all put your energy into this rather than writing angry letters and feeling aggrieved

Could they not stay with you? After tomorrow I thought another family of any size can visit, come inside and stay overnight. Would this not be possible? Or if you don’t have enough bedrooms, how about a tent in the garden?

why can't you meet half way each drive 1 hour and a half spend the day in a park with a picnic or have lunch somewhere. As to the hotel name and shame and then they will lose out on future bookings

V3ra yes it was Premier Inn and it was for the 11th July. My point was why open for bookings and then decide to close, according to the website it was fully booked.
We, as a family, are very aware that life is very different now but it doesn't stop the disappointment.
We live in a flat so no space for 5 and obviously no garden.
I'm also aware that 3 hours is doable but factor in the M1 and the M25 and it could turn into 4 or 5 and to do that twice in one day, for either them or us, is not feasable.
I think we may try and find a country park mid way between us.

It is probably that they have done. A risk assessment and decided they are unable to open safely, abide by Governmnet guidelines and not make a loss. It is of course upsetting but the hospitality sector is going through a very difficult time. I know some local pubs that have decided not to open up because to put in place the guidelines would cost them more than they are likely to get back in reduced takings.
From this weekend households can stay overnight at each others homes. Is that a possibility?

Hi Sarah53 I’m sure we can now have one other family to stay overnight at our houses.

It is so disappointing. I lived a long way from my parents.
When the children were small, we used to meet halfway.
Is that a possibility?

There must be lots of hotels between you and your daughter’s which are available.
You need to overcome your reluctance to stay in a hotel if you want to see them.

Have you considered entire apartments /flats / houses on Air bnb . Just take 70% plus alcohol disinfectant swipes and do a whip round surfaces. I find it less risky than a hotel quite honestly and cheaper. Although I take my own pillows.

If they were fully booked, I'm sure the last thing they wanted to do was cancel. There must be a good reason for it. They will make a huge loss from this cancellation and no business will do that if they can help it.

Living room floor in a flat is fine for one night. It's crowded but the kids will remember it fondly. It sounds like you've come up with a workable solution though.

I know it’s really disappointing but I’ve found most places that are taking bookings have warned guests that things are liable to change due to circumstances beyond their control re Covid 19. In the current climate I think you should be grateful that the hotel isn’t willing to put either their staff or guests at risk. I’m pretty sure they are desperate to get customers back for the sake of the business.

It's disappointing but not the end of the world! We are in a pandemic for goodness sake, and I am sure the hotel would not have wanted to cancel. There must be a very good reason - staff ill, still waiting for safety equipment,etc.

My dentist said he would be reopening at the end of June but has now emailed all patients to say that he's having to wait for some high tech air extraction equipment and that it will now be mid July.

I have not seen my daughter and grandchildren since Christmas. She is a key worker living a 4 hour round trip away from me, and I am shielding, so we are having to wait for a dry Saturday or Sunday for her to drive up and see me for a socially distanced garden visit. We have had to postpone 4 times. Very disappointing, but it is what it is.

These things happen.

Not a hotel but a pub restaurant my eldest son part owns. After fighting through 51 pages of regulations in an attempt to open it is not feasible yet neither logistically, safely nor economically. Please bear in mind the near insurmountable problems both big and small businesses are facing! Meet up with your family somewhere outdoors, have a picnic and enjoy each other’s company as best you can. We did this with our youngest son and girlfriend in the Botanical Gardens in Sheffield and it was lovely to see them!

Sounds as though the staff aren't prepared to work ?

Why would you think that, EV?

It will be a decision from high up in the chain, based on money.

Struggling2do1 that is indeed very upsetting.
I hope another appointment is made soon.

Huge sympathies. I haven't seen my son or grandson since the end of December and now have to wait until October!
They live over 5 hours away, north of London and a far more populated area to us. My husband reckons for us in our sixties and seventies it's too risky. The children were meant to stay in a seaside cottage locally to us (and the other grandparents and great grandma) at Easter but of course that was cancelled. They are now part way through a delayed loft conversion held up now by a shortage of plaster in the UK and they have been told it may be August or later before it is habitable. So we can't stay with them as they are a room down in a tiny house anyway. Lots of people in awful situations and I think we do have to realise we are all in this together and eventually there will be a going forward but not yet realistically. My sister is coping with her father in law just having died and trying to sort a funeral that seems impossible. So we all have our crosses to bear and all have good days and bad days.

Sar53 - sorry but on the ‘scale of disappointments’ yours is pretty low down.
Medical procedures being very high on the list.
The hotel will be fighting tooth and nail to retain an income and did not deliberately try to upset you and deprive themselves of income.
Your challenges are pretty easy to find a way round.
If they are old enough, the grandchildren may enjoy helping you with the problem solving.

@Sar53 my D had the same thing happen to her very disappointing for all concerned. Email just said booking cancelled with no explanation

Despite your disappointment, I don’t see the need for a strongly worded letter. The booking was probably taken in good faith. They, like many of us, assumed that the pandemic would be easing. It really is not and they have to do what they can to protect staff and clients.

Since the ease of lockdown was announced, the Government have come up with more rules, which make it impossible for many hospitality firms to comply. No buffet breakfast, in some cases bring ones own cutlery are just a few. My daughter works as a chef In a small family pub. She is furloughed until the end of August, because the owners can’t find a safe way to open.

The people suggesting meeting for a picnic half way need to remember most public toilets are not yet open and one will need to be happy using shrubbery as a toilet. And then you might tread in something the person before you left behind. So it might not be as easy as one might think.

The hotel must have very good reason to cancel all bookings. I am sure it would be the last thing they wanted to do as the Hotel Business will have lost a lot of money & business over the Pandemic period. Not giving your daughter an explanation or apology as to why is thoughtless. Pity the Hotel could not move your daughter & Family into the next available week with a discount for the trouble. Might be worth ringing the Hotel and speaking to the Manager expressing your disappointment and how poor they have dealt with your situation... you should get more info then and may decide on a later date.

So disappointing for you, but patience seems to be needed in these difficult days. I actually think it's too early to be staying anywhere but your own home. It would be awful if, after not seeing your family for five months, one of you got sick because you didn't wait a bit longer.

Agree. Your situation must be so very difficult. Hope the operation happens soon