Guest calls out hotel over shocking pizza price hike: 'So disrespectful'

Have you ever experienced the excitement of booking a luxurious hotel in a new city, only to be disappointed by the reality of your stay? It can be especially frustrating when you've splurged on premium services and amenities, only to find that the hotel falls short of your expectations.

Perhaps the room was not as clean as it appeared in the photos, or the food was not up to par with the prices you paid. Or maybe the staff were not as friendly and accommodating as you'd hoped.



Whatever the issue, it can put a damper on your holiday trip and make you question whether the money you spent was worth it. Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. Many travellers have faced similar disappointments.

Take, for example, the story of a UK traveller in Birmingham City Centre who recently stumbled upon a shocking discovery while browsing the Ibis Hotel's food menu.


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The guest called out the hotel for charging four times the cost for a pizza that can be bought from a local supermarket. Credit: Pexels/Brett Jordan.



As she looked over the options, she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the price of one of the pizzas. It was significantly more expensive than she thought it would be for the quality that was being offered.

In a post on the travel website TripAdvisor, the guest began her online review with the good bits – noting that the staff had been nothing short of lovely and the breakfast was top-notch – before getting to her biggest ire of the night.



Turns out, the pizza in question was shockingly overpriced: it would cost her four times more than what she would pay for it in a supermarket! She said: 'Hotel serves £4 frozen pizza from the supermarket, Chicago Town – the one with stuffed crust, for £12.95. So disrespectful!'

It was sold in supermarkets for just £3.25 (roughly $5.50 AUD) but was instead listed on the hotel menu for £12.95 ($23 AUD).

It's moments like these that can ruin the excitement of a much-awaited trip, leaving you feeling ripped off and unsatisfied.


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The hotel responded to the review, addressing the guest's concerns and assuring that they were looking into finding an 'alternative solution'. Credit: Unsplash/Marten Bjork.



Thankfully, the management at Ibis Hotels wasted no time in taking action. A representative from the hotel company quickly reached out to the guest, expressing gratitude for her feedback and confirming that they were looking into 'alternative solutions' to improve the food quality.

'We appreciate your feedback and hope that you will give us another chance in the near future,' they said.

This hotel has been highly rated by guests on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews, earning an overall score of 3.5 out of 5 and 4 stars out of 5 respectively. The location received a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5, and the cleanliness, service, and value received scores of 4.



But what do guests have to say about their experience at the hotel? Many have left positive reviews about the food, with breakfast, in particular, receiving high praise.

One guest wrote, 'Really great experience, thank you so much for your great hospitality. I'm from London and this hotel made me feel right at home in Birmingham. The food is great too so definitely book for breakfast.'

Another said, 'Amazing comfy clean beds, the room was immaculate.'

With such great ratings and glowing reviews, this hotel is definitely worth considering if you're planning a trip to Birmingham. Although, you may have to skip out on the overpriced pizza…
Key Takeaways

  • A UK guest called out the hotel they were staying at for charging £12.95 ($23) for a frozen supermarket pizza that only costs £3.25 ($5.50).
  • The hotel ended up responding to the review, saying they were looking at providing an alternative solution.
  • On Tripadvisor, the hotel has a score of 3.5 out of 5 based on more than 2,000 reviews, with its location receiving a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5.
  • On Google Reviews, the hotel is rated 4 stars out of 5 based on 1,877 reviews, with plenty of other guests leaving positive reviews about the food.
Have you ever found yourself paying a high price for a meal or drink at a hotel, only to realise it was overpriced compared to similar options outside the hotel? You're not alone! This situation is a common frustration for many travellers, and it's driven by several factors.


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The extent of price inflation can vary based on factors such as location, competition, and market conditions. Credit: Pexels/Chan Walrus.



The first reason is convenience. When you're staying at a hotel, it's often easier to grab a meal or drink on-site rather than going out and finding a restaurant. However, this convenience comes at a cost. Hotels know that guests value convenience and are willing to pay extra for it, so they charge a premium for their on-site food and drinks.

Another factor is operating costs. Running a hotel is expensive, and the prices of food and drinks need to cover those costs, including labour, supplies, and overhead expenses.



Competition also plays a role. In some locations, hotels may be the only option for guests to purchase food and drinks, so they can charge higher prices without fear of losing business to competitors.

Finally, hotels are in the business of making a profit. By inflating the prices of food and drinks, they increase their profit margins.

So, next time you're at a hotel, consider these factors before ordering a meal or drink. While it may not change the prices, it might give you a better understanding of why they're so high.

So what do you think, members? Have you ever had similar experiences to this one? Share your stories with us in the comments!
 
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It's important for hotels to be transparent and fair with their pricing, especially when it comes to amenities like food. On a different note, if you're looking for which hotels allow 18 year olds to check-in, have you tried checking online or contacting specific hotels directly? Different hotels have different policies, so it's best to check in advance to avoid any surprises
 
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