I woke up at 7.30 am yesterday to an IB for that night, which came through at 1.40 am. The booking was made for one person only, not the two people she said were staying. I asked her to therefore amend the booking for two people, accompanied by my usual mantra of this being our home, other guests staying, check-in/out times etc.
No response for three hours. In the meantime I spotted that the account holder used a different name on her (brief) message. I called CS to discuss, with Air concluding for me that they would cancel the booking without penalty, on the grounds that it was âuncomfortableâ.
An hour and a half later, just before our IB cut off time, I received another booking from a different account holder. Again, this stated for two people but only booked for one. I sent a similar message about amending the booking to two people, including my mantra. This was done with alacrity and that they would check-in at 5 pm.
I confess I wondered if it was the same couple, using a different account, but tried to calm myself that one was based in the North of England (allegedlyâŚ) and the other on another continent.
5 pm came and went. They were walking The White Cliffs, sightseeing. and it was a lovely day yesterday. I understood, but warned them that the visitors entrance closed at dusk.
8 pm. Telephone call to say they are lost in Dover, can we call them a taxi. Done. A two mile journey.
9.30 pm they arrive, bringing food back with them. What happened to the taxi we booked for you? Oh, we were hungry and went into Nandos. We forgot.
Originally they seemed hapless, then I began to feel that they were expecting me to Mother them. " we need to collect our luggage in the morning, we left it in Dover, then we can shower and have breakfast before leaving. Can you book us a taxi".
I offered them (stupidly with hindsight) a check-out at 11 am, instead of 10 am, given that the clocks went forward 1 hour for British Summer Time.
This morning: 2 messages and three phone calls to get him out of bed, whilst the taxi sits outside waiting at 8.30.
Breakfast ready, as agreed, at 10 am. They appear in pyjamas at 10.30 am. By now I am feeling more Matronly than Motherly, and made it clear they should leave at 11 am, as I have new guests tonight (notâŚ). They left their rooms at 11.30, then sat in the kitchen whilst waiting for another taxi that he hadnât thought of booking first time around until 12 md. Grrr.
They left their rooms and bathroom in a dreadful state too, and I have rarely been so glad to see people f-off!
So far, I have had a request to review the first booking, even though it was cancelled and they didnât stay. Strangely, it includes both of their names and I now have proof that the second booking, from a different account, was for the same people.
Air CS assure me that I will get a request to review the second booking. When she heard how dreadful they have been, she told me to enjoy leaving them one each!
My dilemma. They have told me that they are travelling around the country staying in Airbnbs, booking at the last moment on IB. Half of me wants to wait to review at the last minute, the other half feels for the Hosts they may foist themselves on if I donât provide a warning.
Any thoughts?
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