Hi all,

Looking for some ideas please.

I booked a 'room only' special offer at the 5 star Swissotel, The Howard, London,
(details below) for Sunday night (tomorrow Aug 20th) for me and a mate, the room rate is 0.01 GBP (1 pence!). (I have a reservation confirmation stating this).

Here is the offer:
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An offer you cannot refuse....
Swissotel The Howard - London
Enjoy one night at the luxury five star Swissôtel The Howard, London and pay
whatever you consider to be appropriate for your stay upon check-out. This
splendid promotion is applicable for stays between 1st -31st August 2006 and
is valid through www.london.swissotel.com. Be the first to take advantage of
this superb offer! Corporate ID: X3, Rate access code: X3
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Now, I am driving myself nuts with it, I am very, very skint at the moment
and so can't really afford a hotel at all (I have to stay over in London that night
though), I saw this offer but now I am debating over
what to pay, room rates start at about £160 ish, but the normal rate for
this room appears to be £200 ish a night, (there are many different price
options). I would feel mean paying a pittance, but I can't afford anything
but the bare minimum.... if anything!!

So..... how much shall I pay on check out?! (people have said to pay what I
think it's worth, but I couldn't afford that and I fear I will offend them!)
Please help,
Many thanks in advance,
Caroline x

Pay what you can afford & write a nice letter to the manager complimenting the hotel on how nice it was or cancel the reservation & stay where you can afford the rate if you feel that bad.

Please tell me if and how I can book this as well, as for now I'll be staying on an air mattress in my sister's little room in London next week!

I'd say pay what you can afford as well.

Hi, thanks for the replies so far..

stardust:
The offer is available until Aug 31 through their website, www.swissotel.com I think you have to be very lucky to grab it though
I couldn't find another one.

I really hope you can find one (stardust: how much would you pay by the way!?).

Cheers,
Caroline.

I second Carrybean's advice, and would add this: pay what you can afford and, if you like the hotel, tell all your friends about it, talk it up on Fodor's, and write good reviews on Tripadvisor and any other appropriate website. It won't cost you anything, and you can assuage your conscience by telling yourself that the word of mouth will be as valuable to the hotel as any cash you might pay them (which may well be true, and may be what motivated them to make this offer).

I stayed there with my mother about two years ago in January. For reference, we had a special rate of £89. And we thought that was fair value. I would NOT have paid £200 for our room. Also, we were not particularly happy with the quality of service at some parts of the hotel.

Have stayed there three times in the last 18 months (admitedly on a client's account not mine). Very nice hotel, good desk with easy to rech outlets, coffee machine in room and noce bed linen. Last time I got it on lastminute.com for 135GBP including tax for a river view - which for London is a steal.

As to how much you should pay - agree with other posts - pay what you can - and write a nice note