Following YouTuber Elle Darby's request for complimentary accommodations at Dublin's White Moose Cafe and Charleville Lodge, the hotel's owner, Paul Stenson, swiftly responded with a resounding rejection, as reported by NY Mag.
In a Facebook post on January 16, Stenson shared a screenshot of Darby's email, wherein she proposed a free stay in exchange for promoting the hotel to her substantial number of YouTube and Instagram followers. She presented her extensive online following as evidence of the potential benefits such an arrangement would bring to the establishment.
Stenson's reply begins with gratitude for receiving the email seeking free accommodation in exchange for exposure. However, he wastes no time in expressing his candid thoughts on the matter. He acknowledges the audacity displayed in sending such a request, albeit at the expense of self-respect and dignity. His response continues as follows:
Stenson proceeds to raise important questions regarding the practical aspects of offering free accommodation in exchange for a feature in Darby's video. He emphasizes the financial responsibilities of maintaining the hotel and ensuring a comfortable stay for guests. Stenson's continued response includes the following inquiries:
"If I were to grant your request and allow you to stay here in return for a video feature, who would cover the wages of the hardworking staff members who take care of you? Who would compensate the diligent housekeepers responsible for cleaning your room? What about the dedicated waiters who serve you breakfast? And let's not forget the receptionist who handles your check-in process. Who, then, would bear the costs of the electricity and heating you consume during your stay? Who would cover the expenses for laundering your bed sheets and the water rates necessary to provide you with a pleasant experience?"
In a somewhat sarcastic tone, Stenson suggests that Darby could inform his staff that they will be featured in her video instead of receiving their rightful compensation for their work during her stay. He then proceeds to provide advice for future reference, advising her to consider paying her own way like any other guest. If the hotel deems her coverage valuable, they might consider offering her a complimentary upgrade to a suite. Stenson implies that such an approach would demonstrate more self-respect on her part and spare her from further embarrassment. He concludes his response with good wishes and a clear and definitive statement: "The answer is no."
On the same day, Darby uploaded a 17-minute video to YouTube titled "i was exposed (SO embarrassing)." In this video, she shares her experience and expresses her surprise at receiving such a response. She mentions that it was the first time she had encountered such a reaction. Darby describes herself as a 22-year-old entrepreneur focused on running her own business and aiming to bring attention to what she believed to be an incredibly beautiful hotel.
On January 17, Stenson responded again with a Facebook post that began with the statement, "ALL BLOGGERS BANNED FROM OUR BUSINESS." The full post can be read for further details.
Furthermore, there is an update regarding the situation. It appears that the hotel owner has now sent an invoice to the influencer, billing her approximately $7.3 million for the publicity generated by their viral exchange and subsequent saga.
In an additional Facebook post, Paul Stenson, the owner of White Moose Cafe and Charleville Lodge, shared an image of a bill he intended to send to Elle Darby. The bill stated a charge of 4,300,000 Euros (approximately $5.3 million) for the "provision of features in 114 articles across 20 countries, with a potential reach of 450 million people." Stenson emphasized that payment should be made in the actual currency and mentioned that mentions in videos would not be considered payment.
To support his billing claim, Stenson commented on the post with a link to a LinkedIn article. The article explained that Darby experienced a significant increase in YouTube views due to the entire situation, highlighting the benefits she derived from the controversy.