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Hotel Stays

(60 Posts)
Beswitched Thu 17-Mar-22 09:06:43

Just back from a mid week out of season stay in a hotel. Although there were plenty of guests it was lovely and quiet and peaceful. It made me realise how much hen parties, weddings and loud mixed aged family groups impact on hotel stays for me. But I've heard other people describe quiet hotels, restaurants or bars as 'having no atmosphere'.

Which camp do you fall into?

Mummer Mon 21-Mar-22 11:37:53

I too enjoy seeing children enjoying what may be their first group event! BUT! The utter lack of competent parenting nowadays can ruin even a quick lunch in a country pub! Kids belting round shrieking and crashing into waiting staff my worst nightmare and they seem to think k give a s**t if their kids fall over , run out the doors or end up falling down stairs?! Weird, but I don't they're not mine and an adults 'space is just that, I weened mine into behaving acceptably so should they!

hollysteers Sun 20-Mar-22 14:29:54

I grew up inner city and don’t mind noise at all, I can sleep through anything and complete silence bothers me, I have my radio on low all night. My late DH was bothered by the slightest sound.
I remember a holiday in Sicily and at least two weddings and other celebrations took place in that time in the hotel. So true, no drunkenness or mess, just civilised.
Ha ha “making” conversation in small B&Bs in excruciating silence, love it?

poshpaws Sat 19-Mar-22 16:47:08

I too dread having to book a B&B and have the forced polite conversations when I just want to be left alone!

I love a quiet, but not totally "dead" hotel. The best I've ever stayed in was in Burnley when I visited my son in nearby Todmorden. It was an old Mill owner's house with lots of original features and a nice little garden and the staff were so good to me (I had a broken wrist and they had to cut up my food for me!), and the room was really quirky and comfy and private. In case anyone wants to try it, it was the Rosehill House hotel - single bedroom en suite photo attached.

I usually go for Premier Inn if I'm in a city, as they're always clean and comfortable and cheap and I can get a cooked breakfast in-house. On the one occasion there that I had a very disturbed night (due to an aggressive drunk banging on everyone's doors and demanding his female friend/wife/whatever came out) I wasn't charged for that night, just as they claim in their promotional material.

GillT57 Fri 18-Mar-22 23:15:40

Bijou, I think you'll find hotels have moved on a bit since your childhood!

happycatholicwife1 Fri 18-Mar-22 21:41:33

Kalu,

Hear, hear! No need to qualify your statement. It has gotten so bad that I almost think parents need to be made to have a course in rearing children with good manners before they are allowed to take a child home from the hospital. I'd rather have a well-behaved horse in the restaurant then two or three children who are deemed to be the center of the universe by their parents.

I can say this because I raised five children and they all behaved well in restaurants.

M0nica Fri 18-Mar-22 19:37:13

Quiet every time - which is why we often stay in Premier Inns. Their soundproofing is superb and I have never stayed in a noisy one.

GagaJo Fri 18-Mar-22 19:21:44

GillT57

I like professionally anonymous service in a hotel, my worst nightmare would be staying in a "friendly" B&B in the owner's home, making small talk. Shudder.

Oh me too. I don't want to make 'friendly' small-talk thanks. Just want to be quiet and solitary in my room.

Bijou Fri 18-Mar-22 19:14:20

I don’t like hotels. I think I was put off when I was seven years old (1930) when my mother decided she was fed up with having to entertain twelve relation for Christmas so we spent it at a hotel in Brighton.
It was full of elderly ladies who resided in it. My self and five year old sister had to be very quiet and not run about.
Also my husband booked a short holiday in Torremolenos.
The food was horrible and I spent most of the time on the loo.

Sharina Fri 18-Mar-22 19:02:45

Peace and quiet. But I’ve had two hotel stays ruined by my neighbours passionate screams. Ugh!

GillT57 Fri 18-Mar-22 19:02:30

I like professionally anonymous service in a hotel, my worst nightmare would be staying in a "friendly" B&B in the owner's home, making small talk. Shudder.

madeleine45 Fri 18-Mar-22 17:39:19

pre covid I much prefer to stay in farmhouse b and b's , and also do yha and was happy to do dormitory . My back causes me a lot of pain so am awake early. Can move quietly , have shower and get packed and be out before people are even up. dont have to wait for breakfast for set time so if I sleep well it is a bonus, if not I get going and have the morning to myself. I want a good comfortable clean bed and a decent shower. cant afford to spend a lot on hotels and rather have the money for basic food and fuel so I can go where I want.

SiobhanSharpe Fri 18-Mar-22 16:49:38

A few years ago we stayed in a beautiful 'Masseria' (hotel/resort) in southern Italy and were alarmed to find a really huge family wedding taking place.
However the people-watching was fascinating, with wonderful, colourful outfits and hairstyles (and that was just the guys grin ) so we propped up the bar for a couple of hours just enjoying the spectacle.
After dinner we went back to our room and never heard a peep from the celebrations, which moved on to another part of the hotel. Now, that is definitely how it should be done.
And the next morning, no trace of debris or hungover guests lolling around, just pleasant, civilised behaviour on everyone's part.
Italians know how to have a great time without showing themselves up. We could learn a thing or two from them.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Fri 18-Mar-22 16:41:50

Quiet is better but I expect that's not so profitable, is it? I once went to a tea room which had received great accolades but it was very quiet on the volume front albeit busy with people. You could hear a pin drop and it was a bit intimidating.

I felt that if I rattled my teaspoon against the saucer a little too loudly I'd be told to 'shush' which was reminiscent of an Alan Bennet play, 'don't show yourself up as your sort don't belong here'. Ultimately not so enjoyable.

GillT57 Fri 18-Mar-22 16:32:18

Crikey, where do you eat out Naninka?

sweetcakes Fri 18-Mar-22 15:46:10

Beswitched funnily enough it was in York at the Hilton that it happened perhaps if I'd complained a bit louder I might have got some money off ??

Curlywhirly Fri 18-Mar-22 14:47:34

We were wedding guests staying in the hotel which was hosting the wedding; we went to bed at about 11.30pm and fell fast asleep. I was woken about half hour later by what sounded like a child wailing in the next room. I woke my husband up to say that I was thinking of ringing reception, as I was worried that the parents may still be downstairs at the wedding. He burst out laughing and told me to listen a bit more closely -
'that's not a child wailing, it's a woman having very vocal sex!' Felt a right fool. ?

Naninka Fri 18-Mar-22 14:37:49

We don't even like eating out in restaurants. I can't abide people screeching or bellowing with "look at me" pseudo fun. A quiet meal at home with my amazing hubby is the best thing ever. Candles, music, lovely environment... we both love it!
For hotels, we prefer Premier Inn. Cheap, clean and quiet (nine times out of ten).

kwest Fri 18-Mar-22 14:34:36

We travelled down to Bath last week to attend the funeral of a dear friend. We went down the day before the funeral so that we would not be worrying about being late the next day. We stayed in a lovely hotel about 3 miles outside Bath and it was beautifully quiet. The service was excellent , we had a lovely big en-suite room with massive bed and two armchairs, fridge, safe, decent hospitality tray. Food was just normal pub type of thing which suited us fine. We retired to the library with drinks and coffee after dinner, just the two of us, it was lovely and cosy and it felt as if it was ours. Somehow they have survived the lock-downs etc. It was perfectly clean but obviously getting ready for freshening up when the economy settles down. The service could not have been bettered and we have decided that on our annual trips down to the West county for holidays we will have an overnight stay both going down and on the way home again. It was reasonably priced.

Curlywhirly Fri 18-Mar-22 14:34:06

Beswitched thanks

Mine Fri 18-Mar-22 14:18:21

Love going to hotels where there is a lot going on....Go twice a year with my buddies on a bus holiday... We have a ball....Loads of laughter dancing and chatting to everyone....Makes you feel young at heart....Bring it on...

Beswitched Fri 18-Mar-22 14:15:09

sweetcakes

I hate a hotel that has hen do's they screech going back to there rooms have no thought for people already asleep and then carry on the party in the room ? when you ring down to reception your the one made to feel like a spoil sport!! I think their to scared to go to the room and tell them to shut up.

Oh goodness yes I hate it when receptionists or night porters make you feel like you're being the unreasonable one for wanting a bit of peace and quiet at 1am. Or give you a surprised and resentful look, or a half hearted begrudging 'sorry about that. Now here's your bill' response when you complain about it the next day.

Beswitched Fri 18-Mar-22 14:10:30

Curlywhirly

Beswitched there was absolutely no intention to make anyone feel intolerant. It was just a tongue in cheek comment about my love of all children.

Fair enough. Thanks for explaining thanks

Nannashirlz Fri 18-Mar-22 14:04:09

I like my sleep so I look for feedback on hotels that are quiet and clean and have good ratings after all that is what I’m paying for a good quiet clean room and a good breakfast. I’m always staying in them as my sons don’t live near so I book hotels on regular basis instead of staying in their homes.

4allweknow Fri 18-Mar-22 13:55:36

Unless it's a holiday hotel abroad where you expect there will be noise I do hope for peace and quiet in UK.

knspol Fri 18-Mar-22 13:41:21

Couldn't cope with a 'party' hotel, much prefer P&Q. Also always ask for high floor and room well away from the lift. Don't go to hotels which allow pets either which I expect might upset some readers.