This might be one of the biggest hotel customer service fails I’ve ever seen. A UK couple received a full refund of the cost of their stay at a hotel in Jamaica after hotel staff got just a little bit too… enthusiastic (?) in trying to make something special.
As reported by abc.net.au, a couple had made a tradition of honoring their late son’s birthday by taking a trip every year over that period. I think that’s a nice way to commemorate someone’s life.
This is where things get weird.
The friends they were traveling with asked the hotel for a cake and some balloons to put in the couple’s room. Okay, call me traditional, but am I the only who finds it a bit odd to ask for a cake and balloons to commemorate someone who has passed? To each their own, I guess, but it seems a bit strange to me.
Well, the hotel went above and beyond. Really, really above and beyond…
The hotel decided to put what was supposed to look like a body on the bed. It had a long-sleeved top, pants, shoes, and gloves, and was stuffed with towels. They made it look like the “body” was clutching a beer can, and like tears were running down “his” face.
Then next to the “body” they wrote “we miss you Alex” in flower petals.
The booking had been arranged through TUI UK, and they apologized and said they’re following up with the hotel and believe it was a misunderstanding.
Okay, here’s the thing. On one hand I’m in disbelief that a hotel thought this was a smart decision. Like, they really put a ton of effort into this, clearly, and did no one think “maybe this won’t be received the way we intend?”
At the same time, I know in other cultures stuff like this would be considered appropriate. I’m not sure if Jamaica is one of those cultures or what, but…
Just wow…
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