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Bulletin: 15/6
Batch: 231
Reference: 25081
Product: Hotels
Advertiser: Gardiner Street
Agency:
Medium: Internet (Company Website)
ASAI Code 6th Edition: 1.6(c), 2.7
The information provided on the advertisers’ website referred to the following:
“We are ideally located on Upper Gardiner Street, seconds from Mountjoy Square, 5 minutes walk from Croke Park Stadium, 5 minute walk from Dublin’s O’Connell Street and 10 minute walk Temple Bar. Stay in a beautiful historic Georgian building with all major transport links minutes away…”
The description of the rooms was outlined as follows:
All rooms are newly-refurbished and appointed to a high-speck. Each room is en-suite, has ample storage space and has a wall mounted TV. Some rooms have a kitchenette with tea/coffee making facilities. We pride ourselves on cleanliness and we guarantee a clean, comfortable, happy night’s sleep. All towels and linen included''.
The complainant said that he was booked with his wife to stay for three nights in the Travel Inn as a gift from their son. When they were shown to their room it became apparent that what was advertised on the website and what they were being provided with was very different. He said their accommodation comprised of a bed, table, sink and electric kettle. There was no light in the bathroom, no television or storage space provided and the room was not clean as described on the website.
The complainant said they decided they could not stay in such accommodation and sourced a hotel room elsewhere. He asked for the money which had been prepaid to be returned to them as they had not been provided with what had been advertised. They had been unsuccessful in having their money returned.
The advertisers failed to respond to the complaint.
Complaint upheld.
The Complaints Committee considered the details of the complaint and expressed their concern at the advertisers’ failure to respond in the matter. They reminded them that there is an onus on advertisers to ensure that their advertising is in conformity with the Code.
In the absence of a response from the advertisers the Committee upheld the complaint under Section 2.7 of the Code.
Action Required:
The advertisement should not run in its current format again.