A hotel guest is threatening to sue over claims a stranger was given a key to his room - who then got undressed and climbed into his bed. Mason Sanders says the bizarre incident unfolded during his stay at the four-star Hunton Park Hotel last month.
The 24-year-old claims he was woken up at around 3.50am on March 17 by movement. He thought it was his partner letting himself into the room after a late shift, he says.
But he soon realised it was a stranger - who he claims was drunk and climbed into his bed. Mason, from Abbots Langley, Herts., says he then kicked the man out and went straight down to reception to complain.
But he says the response from the hotel's management hasn't been good enough - and he's considering taking it further. Countrywide Hotels, which manages Hunton Park Hotel, did not respond to a request for comment.
Mason, a store manager, claimed: "I reached out my arm thinking my partner was next to me. But instead it was some random drunk guy. The receptionist just handed a complete stranger the key to my room.
"I could have been killed - but the hotel are refusing to accept the severity of the situation."
Mason booked a stay at the hotel, located just north of Watford, for March 16. He has been staying in budget hotels while his home is being renovated but decided to treat himself that evening.
He says he paid £60 for the double bed room and enjoyed dinner at the hotel's restaurant before going to sleep at 11pm. Mason then woke up at around 3.50am, thinking his partner had let himself into the room after he'd finished work.
He said: "Coming to the hotel I was expecting good things. It had four stars and I was looking forward to a luxury stay. But I was given the fright of my life when I rolled over in the night to find a drunk man sprawled across my bed.
"When I put my arm out, I initially thought it was my partner who'd said he may be joining me after work. But I quickly noticed that wasn't the case.
"I started shouting at this random person, and he shot up and ran to the bathroom and was sick everywhere. He then picked up his clothes and ran down the hallway, still in his underwear, and sprinted past the reception desk and out the door."
Mason then stormed down to the lobby and told the receptionist what had happened. He claims staff confirmed that the man was given a key to his room without answering any security questions about who he was.
In the morning, Mason escalated his complaint to management. He says he was offered a refund for his stay and his bar tab from the previous evening was wiped off.
But Mason says this isn't nearly enough compensation to make up for what happened - and he's preparing to sue Countrywide Hotels over the incident. He said: "Where is the safeguarding or security measures in place to protect guests?
"Men can be just as vulnerable as women in scenarios like these, but Countrywide Hotels are refusing to take my complaint seriously. It was a horrific experience, and something that will stick with me forever.
"I've already sought legal representation and am preparing to sue the hotel chain - they need to be held accountable."
Countrywide Hotels did not respond to a request for comment.
Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed a call was made to report the incident but the caller was told it was not a police matter and would instead be something for the hotel to deal with itself.
