Pushing down the advertised price, pushing up the total price charged.
Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2013-05-08 19:24:53 - Graham Ellis
The sign in lights outside this hotel says "Rooms from 55 pounds". I've prebooked and prepaid 69 per night (but then this *is* a London suburb), but I asked about the 55 pounds when I check in. Apparently, the rates vary and if you book fairly well ahead for a day that's not booking well, and not expected to book well, it may be offered to you. But advertised outside for tonight? No - it shouldn't be. The best you'll get as a walk in would be 74 machines.
I want to watch the TV, so I turn on then I have to select:
• Option 1 (default is 4 - special offer media package at 9.99)
• Option 8 (default is 5 - the same special offer media package; 1 at this menu would but you a pay movie
• Option 1 (Tv Channels)
• Option 1 (BBC One)
I have my own internet access. Without it, I could pay 5 pounds for an hour, or 9 pounds for 24 hours. But I would then learn that was only accessible in the lobby. It'll cost me 10 pounds for use in the room as well.
If I had forgotten anything at home, I could have bought a dental kit for a pound, a shaving kit for a pound, a sewing kit for a pound, and five pounds for a travel adapter.
Breakfast isn't included in my room rate. It will cost me 7.95 if I believe the information I was given when I booked. Or 8.95 if I believe the information in the lift.
I don't think I've spent any extras but I could so easily have had the odd pint of beer, a bit of breakfast, used the internet around the hotel, eaten a meal in (because it's rather windy out) and ended up spending 300 pounds for my three nights.
This experience is totally OPPOSITE to our policy at Well House Manor; no extras for breakfast, internet, teas and coffees - TV's free and there's no menu of costly add-ons to navigate to get to it; granted, we're not just across the road from Elstree studios!