Yes, it's holiday time! Time to relax and recharge. But sometimes, your well-earned rest can be brutally disturbed. What if you wake up at night to noisy neighbours, loud music, traffic, or construction work? Then your trip quickly turns from fun to frustrating. Whether you're camping or staying at a hotel, noise nuisance on holiday is more common than you might think. The good news is, there's a lot you can do about it — and even prevent it.
When does holiday noise become a nuisance?
Not all noise is necessarily a nuisance. While on holiday, you'll encounter different sounds — and sometimes more of them — than you would at home. Think of the buzz at a campsite, children playing and splashing in the pool, or the hotel bar staying open a bit later. Noise becomes a nuisance when:
- The noise occurs regularly;
- It persists for a long time;
- The noises interfere with your sleep and moments of rest;
- The noises are unusual and not something you would hear at a hotel or campsite under normal circumstances.
What may be acceptable to one person can be extremely irritating to another. Therefore, it’s important to consider both the degree of the nuisance and the context. For example, do noisy neighbours or late-night parties keep you awake every night on a quiet family campsite? If so, it's a serious nuisance. Even though good earplugs can offer some peace of mind.
Forms of noise nuisance at campsite or hotel
Noise nuisance on holiday can occur in several ways. The most common are:
- Noisy neighbours: campers playing music late into the night, hotel guests talking a little too loudly in the corridor, or shuffling around furniture;
- Construction work: renovations in the hotel or the construction of a new playground next to your camping spot;
- Traffic noise: busy roads or planes close to your accommodation;
- Technical installations: air conditioners, generators or extractors can produce a lot of noise;
- Animals: barking dogs or crowing roosters in the early morning can certainly disturb your peace.
This kind of noise is often not mentioned when booking. Therefore, it is good to be alert and do your own research, for example by reading reviews from other travellers. Always take the time to read through them so that you are not taken by surprise.
What should you do if you experience noise nuisance from other holidaymakers?
Are you bothered by noise nuisance caused by other holidaymakers? Then it is important to act quickly and appropriately. There are several steps you can take.
Talk about the noise nuisance
We’re all adults, so the best approach is to politely let other guests know that their noise is bothering you. You might start by asking them to be considerate of others and suggest a reasonable end time for things like music, for example.
Report nuisance to your accommodation
What if talking doesn't help? In that case, head to reception or speak with a staff member at the hotel, resort, or campsite. They may not be aware of the issue, but they can act quickly. For example, they can address the noisy party, offer another room or a quieter spot on the campsite.
Contact your travel agent
If the nuisance is structural or nothing has been done about your complaint, contact your tour operator. If you've booked a package holiday, the travel provider is obligated to help solve any problems that arise locally. Be sure to gather evidence: make sound recordings and take notes on when the nuisance occurs and who is involved. This will help support your complaint.
Has no desired solution been found? Go to the disputes committee
If you can't resolve the issue locally or with your tour operator, you can contact the Travel Disputes Committee once you're back home. This committee handles complaints involving tour operators who are members of the ANVR or SGR. Remember, you must first file your complaint with the travel company. If they are unresponsive or do not provide an appropriate solution, then you can start a dispute.
Are you entitled to compensation for nuisance during your holiday?
In some cases, you may be entitled to a partial refund or compensation. This depends on:
- The severity and duration of the nuisance;
- Whether the nuisance should have been known to the tour operator;
- Whether you have done enough to try to solve the problem.
For example, you might book a hotel room in a quiet village, only to discover that a festival is taking place right next door. If the provider knew about the event and failed to inform you, you could be entitled to compensation.
Avoid noise nuisance during your holidays in the future
While you can't prevent everything, the right preparation can certainly reduce the likelihood of noise nuisance:
- Read reviews from other travellers, specifically about noise nuisance;
- Choose your accommodation wisely: ask for a quiet room or choose a campsite with clear house rules;
- Don't automatically choose the cheapest option, as it's often located on a busy road or next to a noisy bar;
- Book with a reliable organisation that is easily accessible and takes complaints seriously;
- Google Earth is your best friend: scan the surroundings to see if there could be any disturbing factors.
Why earplugs are essential on holiday
Even with the best preparation, you may still encounter unexpected sounds you can’t control. For example, you might have a snoring partner, thin hotel walls, or a rooster waking you up at 5 a.m. every day. In these cases, good sleep earplugs are a lifesaver. They help you sleep better and reduce stress. Noise nuisance on holiday can disturb your peace of mind, but there’s plenty you can do about it. Act quickly, know your rights and prepare well. And perhaps the simplest tip of all: always carry the right earplugs for your night's sleep, air travel or daytime activities. Safe travels!
