Key Takeaways:
- Understand Your Rights: Know what you are entitled to as a hotel guest.
- Be Clear and Concise: Get straight to the point and outline the issues.
- Provide Evidence: Attach any relevant photos or documents.
- Stay Polite and Professional: Maintain a respectful tone throughout.
- Include a Call to Action: Specify what you want as a resolution.
- Proofread Your Letter: Ensure there are no errors before sending.
- Use a Template: Utilize a provided template to structure your letter.
Introduction
When your hotel experience falls short of expectations, it’s important to communicate your dissatisfaction effectively. A well-crafted complaint letter can be a powerful tool to get your issues addressed. This article provides a step-by-step guide on writing a strong hotel complaint letter, complete with a template to get you started.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Start with Your Details
Begin your letter by providing your full name, the address you’re writing from, and your contact information. This should be followed by the date of writing the letter.
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Example: John Doe 123 Main St Anytown, USA john.doe@email.com Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Step 2: Include the Hotel’s Information
Address the letter to the specific manager or customer service department at the hotel. Include the hotel’s name, address, and the room or booking reference number.
Example: Attention: Customer Service Manager Hotel Wonderful 456 Hotel Ave Vacation City, USA Booking Ref: #1234567
Step 3: Describe the Issue
Be clear about the problem you faced. Was it unclean rooms, poor service, or something else? Provide specifics about the incident including dates and times.
Example: On my stay from MM/DD to MM/DD, I encountered the following issues: [List issues]
Step 4: Attach Evidence
If possible, attach photos or other evidence to support your claims. This can include pictures of the problem, receipts, or emails.
Step 5: State the Impact
Explain how the problem affected your stay. Was it just inconvenient, or did it ruin a special occasion?
Example: This issue significantly disrupted our family vacation and caused considerable distress.
Step 6: Express Your Desired Outcome
Clearly state what you want as a resolution. Do you want a refund, a complimentary stay, or just an apology?
Step 7: Close Politely
Thank them for their attention to the matter and express your hope for a swift resolution. End with “Sincerely,” followed by your name.
Example: Thank you for addressing these concerns promptly. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, John Doe
Template for Hotel Complaint Letter
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Email Address]
[Today’s Date]
[Hotel Manager’s Name or Hotel’s Customer Service Department]
[Hotel Name]
[Hotel Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Hotel Manager’s Name/Customer Service Department],
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my recent stay at [Hotel Name] from [Date of Stay]. Despite your hotel’s reputation for excellence, I encountered several issues that I feel need to be addressed.
[Describe the specific problem(s) you encountered during your stay. Be as detailed as possible, including dates, times, and the names of any staff involved.]
These issues had a [describe the impact of the issues] effect on my stay, particularly because [explain any special circumstances, like a honeymoon or anniversary].
To resolve the matter, I am seeking [state your desired outcome: refund, complimentary stay, etc.], which I believe is fair and appropriate under the circumstances.
I have attached [mention any evidence you have included, like photos or receipts] to corroborate my claims.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that you will handle this complaint with the level of seriousness it warrants and respond promptly.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Tips for Writing a Hotel Complaint Letter
- Personalize Your Letter: While a template can be a helpful guide, be sure to personalize your letter with your own experiences and the specifics of your situation.
- Keep Records: Always keep a copy of the letter and any correspondence for your records.
- Follow Up: If you do not receive a response within a reasonable time, consider following up with a phone call or email.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How to write a complaint letter to a hotel for bad service?
Q: Why should I write a hotel complaint letter?
Answer: Writing a hotel complaint letter is a way to voice your dissatisfaction with the hotel’s service or facilities and seek resolution.
It’s important to give the hotel a chance to address your concerns before taking any further action, such as leaving negative reviews online or seeking legal action.
By writing a complaint letter, you can express your concerns clearly and professionally and give the hotel an opportunity to make things right.
Q: What should I include in my hotel complaint letter?
Answer: Your hotel complaint letter should include specific details about the issues you encountered during your stay, including the dates of your stay, the room number, and any relevant details.
You should also be clear about your expectations for a satisfactory resolution, which could include a refund or discount on your stay, a complimentary night at the hotel, or an upgrade to a better room. Finally, provide your contact information so that the hotel staff can follow up with you.
Q: How should I address the hotel staff or management in my complaint letter?
Answer: When addressing the hotel staff or management in your complaint letter, start with a courteous tone. Use formal titles, such as “Dear Mr. Smith” or “Dear Front Desk Manager,” to show respect and professionalism.
Avoid using accusatory language or insulting the hotel staff, as this could make it more difficult to reach a satisfactory resolution.
Q: Should I include any supporting documentation in my hotel complaint letter?
Answer: If you have any supporting documentation, such as photos of the issues you encountered or receipts for additional expenses incurred as a result of the hotel’s negligence, you may include them with your complaint letter. This can help the hotel staff investigate and address your concerns more effectively.
Q: How long should my hotel complaint letter be?
Answer: Your hotel complaint letter should be concise and to the point, but it should also provide enough detail to clearly communicate your concerns and expectations.
A letter that is too short may not convey the seriousness of your concerns, while a letter that is too long may be overwhelming and difficult for the hotel staff to read.
Aim for a letter that is one to two pages in length, depending on the complexity of the issues you encountered.
Q: How to get a free hotel room by complaining?
Answer: While it is not ethical to purposely complain in order to obtain a free hotel room, there are instances where valid complaints can result in compensation.
If you encounter legitimate issues during your stay, such as uncleanliness, noise disturbances, or malfunctioning amenities, it is important to bring them to the attention of the hotel staff immediately.
Remain calm, provide clear details about the problem, and express your dissatisfaction politely. Most hotels strive to provide excellent service and will often offer compensation or a room change to rectify the situation.
However, attempting to manipulate the system by creating false complaints is dishonest and unfair to both the hotel and other guests.