To break up the school holiday monotony and the boys’ attempts to punch each other’s lights out, we decided to go for a staycation in a city hotel.
Mr Surfer found some great cheap deals. Even at highly acclaimed 5 star hotels.
Our criteria wasn’t too demanding – a clean, spacious, airy twin double room with bathtub for me to have nice, relaxing soaks. For the boys, we just wanted full access to an indoor pool. Not much, right?
We checked in to the hotel promptly at 2pm. Room wasn’t ready. Okay.
When the room is finally ready, we discover it’s a shoebox.
The beds were barely king singles. Only big enough for the boys to jump on them like maniacs.
Mr Surfer went downstairs to complain the pool was super freezing cold.
Note to all hotels: Don’t advertise a heated indoor pool when it’s not because you’re actually more interested in cutting costs at the expense of your guests. Oh, and don’t call yourself five star when in harsh reality you’re a three.
Things picked up a little with the complimentary bottle of champagne.
Although, it only made one quarter of the family happy, namely me. Mr Surfer was still super mad that nothing was being done about the pool.
Just as I was about to sit back and relax with my bubbles, out the window was a peculiar sight. Looking straight into the neighbouring building of apartments, I did a double take to make sure that there was actually a stark naked man, spreading out his blue yoga mat and changing channels on his TV.
Woah. Free entertainment with my complimentary champagne!
Mr Surfer was still feeling completely ripped off, though. Rightly so.
I managed to guzzle down another two glasses before we left and cancelled our booking.
And that my friends, is how NOT to do a family getaway in the city.
Ever had a crappy hotel experience? Was it fixed with complimentary champagne? Ever done naked yoga?
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You had the naked yoga man channel! Surely that gives it an extra star … actually …. no … I think that takes one off. You’re down to a 2.
I blogged about dodgy hotels on Tuesday 🙂
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 2555 – How to achieve a day’s worth of result in just 10 minutes
Haha! Definitely no extra stars…just extra buns…eeks! 😀
Ummm no, I can’t say that I’ve ever done naked yoga!
Hopefully your next city staycation will be more successful!
Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life recently posted..New Season Nail Trends – Brights & Metallic Mirror Nails
Yes, and no naked yoga! LOL!
I was trying to work out which hotel with the window view. Begins with H? Or R? (The R may be an M, I forget as the hotel changes it’s name a bit).
Anyway, in Thailand, when we turned up early and our room wasn’t ready, the hotel gave us lunch for free while we waited. I was pretty amazed as that would never happen here….
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..MIA
It begins with A! Near Wynard Station!
Nice one that your Thai hotel gave you free lunch. Now that’s proper customer service!
Oh what a shame Grace!
I have had a few things go wrong with hotels, but my husband always makes sure that we get a satisfactory outcome or we leave.
Yeah, there was no way my husband would let us stay. It would’ve been such a huge rip off!
Oh no Grace! Good on you for guzzling as much of the champers as you could before departing, after enjoying the free ‘interesting’ entertainment! What a start to the holidays! 😄
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..Managing the Home…
Three glasses was all I could manage to fit in! Better than nothing…Haha!
We had to sleep on hard chairs in Noumea airport on the first night of our honeymoon and then when we flew out early the next morning for Vanuatu and arrived at our resort our room wasn’t ready – even though we were supposed to have stayed in it the night before!
NO WAY!That would’ve definitely made a memorable honeymoon! Hope the rest of it was wonderful.
I’m sorry Grace but I am laughing. I can just picture you sitting there – sipping bubbles and seeing the ugly naked man (I love the ugly naked man in friends). When will hotels understand – you keep the kids happy – PARENTS are HAPPY. very simple.
I have my own ugly naked man (even though he is not quite naked). He runs most days – naked except little shorts. It is a sight.
Natalie @ Our parallel connection recently posted..The Laws of Karma
LOL! I love how you have your own ugly naked man, Nat…haha! Ye1 ah, I could NOT believe what I was seeing. My husband didn’t find it as amusing as me….funny that!
I find choosing hotels really hard for all these reasons! Can’t say I’ve ever done naked yoga but I’ll keep my eye out for some next time haha. I actually want to book myself a night (or ten) away when uni and my work busy time are over in (hopefully) a few weeks. Just want to sit, stare and read for FUN. But I really don’t know where to look to book.
Vanessa recently posted..It’s In The Bag
It really is a case of trial and error picking hotels, isn’t it? Sometimes all the research in the world doesn’t help. I bet you’re looking forward to that down time!
Yikes! Such a pity when the reality of a ‘dream’ outing turns into a disappointment. Did you find another more suitable hotel? I hope so. Here’s hoping this weekend is more bubbles worthy, if you get my meaning. x
Tonia ZEMEK recently posted..Frocktober week two
No, we just went home and we’ll give it another try another time. I’m all about the bubbles, though! LOL!
Oh no… did you get a refund? Were they at all apologetic?
Deborah recently posted..Bundaberg WriteFest 2016 – a recap
No apology! Just refund! We got outta there quick smart!
THAT’S SO UTTERLY DISAPPOINTING GRACE. SO SORRY THAT HAPPENED FOR YOUR FAMILY. I HAVEN’T HAD AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS, WELL YET ANYWAY. IT’S ALWAYS MY FEAR THOUGH.
Nicole @ The Builder’s Wife recently posted..My Favourite Space with Rachael from Hip Brown Home
Hopefully, you’ll never get to experience it, Nicole!
Gah, how disappointing. I hate being let down by accommodation! I am heading to Sydney early January so can you email me the name of the place so I don’t stay there?! I’m glad you smashed the champagne for your troubles though.
Beth | AlmostPosh.com recently posted..I Bought A Denim Jacket
Bugger. I’m in NZ then! Would have loved to catch-up!
Kimba Likes recently posted..Shopbop Main Event Sale
I will definitely let you know! Would hate to think anyone I know would go through the same crappy experience!
That’s rubbish isn’t it? I would be pretty p-ed off too. Bubbles would not make it better …sorry …but it makes a blog post, right? I do hope you get a better staycation sorted.
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Mandalas For Fun! 366/288.
Yes, it was perfect blog fodder, if anything!
I ADORE that you left! I would have tried to down the entire bottle before leaving though – ha ha x
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..15 perfect mum thoughts I had before motherhood
Well, I tried to get through the whole bottle but unfortunately, I just couldn’t keep up! LOL!
We do this at least once a year. A few weeks ago at Ovolo Woolloomooloo. The pool was warm, the jacuzzi was hot, the free champagne came with free snacks and free drinks for happy hour, there was a massive bath tub and the beds were only queens but comfy. There was a free lolly buffet too and an in room snack package. Free minibar. I’m definitely stopping now!
Shall I stop now?! 😂😂
Kimba Likes recently posted..Shopbop Main Event Sale
Well, thanks for the tip! Will have to look into that place!
Thank you Grace. Feel for you and your family after that experience.
Maria Parenti-Baldey recently posted..How Can A Stylist Turn Your Dream Event Into A Fabulous Reality?
Yes, I much prefer reading about your wonderful traveling adventures, Maria 🙂
When they advertise and indoor heated poor and it’s freezing? Pet hate right there!!!
Sarah @sarahdipity recently posted..The Anxious Mother
YES! What do they take their guests for…stupid?
That’s really crappy! I’ve had slightly dodgier than advertised rooms but nothing like that!
Amy @ handbagmafia recently posted..Mean Girls: Feminist Film Friday
Yeah, it was a complete rip off! Thing is, their location is premium so they’ll never have problems with bookings.
Well that sucks. Although you did get some free bubbly and some entertainment out of it, so I guess it’s not a total loss. Did you end up at a different hotel?
Kat @AnAussieinSF recently posted..Gems of the California Driver Handbook
No, we went back home. We’ll find another place another time…hopefully!
Oh no, what a bummer, that really sucks. I’m glad you got some champagne before you left though, that’s exactly what i would have done. Here’s to a better weekend xx
sarah@tomfo recently posted..DIY Sunscreen Storage
Yes, at least there was champagne! x
Oh no, that is the worst! Was the nude yoga man hot at least? LOL
Di from Max The Unicorn recently posted..September Favourites!
Er, no! Absolutely NOT! LOL!
I don’t know if I will feel happy or disappointed about this, mixed emotions totally.
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