Forum Topic

Why paying a DAMAGE DEPOSIT of £250 before moving into the new PUTNEY HOTEL at Upper Richmond Road??

I am very flabbergasted to learn that my friends from Germany have to pay £250 deposit for eventuell damages made during their stay. IS THAT NORMAL? I don't want to be nasty, but if you need money, you could always find something wrong , couldn't you? Therefore, when they arrive 4 of us will inspect their room very thoroughly as all of us never heard this kind of procedures! Thanks for your advise.Karin

Karin Kessler ● 2490d14 Comments

I've never heard of this before. However, what method of payment were they using? Most hotels (I think if one reads the small print) reserve the right to charge for damage, etc and may - for example, if you walk off with a complete set of towels - add a charge to your credit card. I believe some US hotels now have price lists for such items in the room ...

Michael Ixer ● 2490d

Other hotels are available - it appears to get more mixed reviews than other Putney offerings. 3.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor is low enough for me to think again when looking for accommodation. 9 of the 38 reviews are poor or terrible. That's rather high.

Adrian Pearce ● 2490d

Karin,This seems ridiculous. I recommend people using Air b&b when staying in Putney as there are some really good hosts.

Nick Gulliford ● 2490d

There’s a wonderful B&B at One Fanthorpe Street. run by the delightful Robert Taylor.That deposit request does seem outrageous, although I read recently that hotels have been complaining about guests who steal their mattresses. By all means nick the tv but surely mattresses are out of order!

Tim Warren ● 2490d

try Premier Inn, Putney Bridge, my friends have stayed there several times, very happy with the prices and hotel. Also MK Hotel just off the high street although I dont know anyone who has used it.

Adam Tripp ● 2490d

My son stayed at the MK hotel, it's absolutely fine and was a better price than Premier Inn

Maxine Campbell ● 2490d

To all of you! Thank you ever so much for your reply. UNFORTUNATELY I can't do anythings now as the booking has been done direct from Germany and we have just now been informed by our friends re the  deposit AND THEY CANT CANCEL the whole booking. I am hoping to clarify this problem when I am are going to talk to the Hotel  directly.

Karin Kessler ● 2489d

I wonder if boodies like Visit Britain and Visit England have any standards hotels should adhere to. Or UK Hospitality. I expect there are trade associations which might be able to explain how widespread this practice is.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2489d

Hi 👋, have been to the Hotel, had a look for a room facing the Street - small and darkish due to the drawn Brown curtains but with a huge cupboard and huge bathroom! Difficult to spot any things where they could charge you for, except the dirty carpet in the hall.  With reference to the deposit of £250, I have been told that you don't have to give the money in cash - there are happy to take ONLY your credit card number. I find this even more concerning!!! Would I myself book a room? Definitely not.

Karin Kessler ● 2488d

Karin. In my experience it's standard practice for hotels to take a credit card number to hold a reservation - both Wetherspoons in Wigan and Premier Inn in Nottingham currently have mine to hold future bookings! However, they don't normally make a major point about a deposit for damage - although most hotel chains have warnings about being charged for cleaning, etc if one smokes in a non smoking room. It could be that the hotel puts a reserve amount on the card to cover any charges; many do, as do car hire companies. I can't make any specific comments about Putney's hotels myself as I've never stayed in any but several years ago mymothger stayed at the Lodge Hotel and seemed happy with it.

Michael Ixer ● 2488d

Based on personal experience I would not recommend Airbnb unless someone you know recommends the host or you can inspect the accommodation before hand.Finding a hotel last minute when your airbnb accommodation falls through can be very expensive and upsetting. Getting your money back from Airbnb can be very stressful.Plus airbnb has cleaning fees and deposits too!

Ed Robinson ● 2487d

i'm used to that too, including in europe. Hotels always take a 'swipe' of your card for possible damages

Matt Palmer ● 2487d

The reason brand hotels do well is that the customer has trust and confidence in the brand. I am at present staying in an excellent Accor brand  hotel in Moscow. In the UK it is hard to beat Premier Inn. In Putney the MK hotel is excellent  and the site is also the location of the UK HQ of the German multinational owner so they maintain high standards.I have spent a lifetime managing hotels from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe - I have never heard of a "damages deposit" until now. If your German friends cannot cancel please photograph everything on arrival and let management know very forcibly that you want your deposit back.I have looked in at reception when passing this hotel and I was not even tempted to inquire about the rates. I will not even consider using it now.

Timothy Horgan ● 2485d

Thank you very much for your reply. I wished my German friends would have asked beforehand where exactly to book here in Putney. But unfortunately now it's to late as the booking can't be cancelled. And as you recommended already WE WILL BE 4 OF US WHO WILL LOOK VERY CAREFULLY HOW THEIR ROOM LOOKS LIKE. Thanks again.

Karin Kessler ● 2485d