From custard cream cakes to imprisoned husbands – Carlisle hotels reveal bizarre customer requests

One of the UK’s largest hotel chains has revealed the most bizarre customer requests made at its Carlisle hotels.

Travelodge’s three hotel teams across the city have received hundreds of customer questions throughout the year and have rounded up a top 10 list of the most interesting and bizarre requests.

The hotel chain said the increase in unusual requests was likely due to an increase in customers checking into hotels after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokeswoman said: “Following a very difficult two years, Britons have taken full advantage this year to enjoy everything they have missed during the pandemic and this includes holidays and business trips.

“We have experienced a significant increase in bookings across our UK Travelodge hotels this year including our three hotels in Carlisle, with Britons taking more short breaks and turning a concert or sporting event into a minication. With more Britons holidaying on British shores than ever before our hotel teams have also received a high volume of interesting requests and questions especially around attractions, locations, local dishes, customs and traditions across our diverse British regions.  

“Where possible, our hotel teams will go above and beyond to help customers as they relish a good challenge. However, there are some requests beyond their control such as arranging for a guest’s husband to be imprisoned in Carlisle castle as he was annoying them!”

Listed below are the top 10 bizarre requests made in Carlisle in the last 12 months:

Carlisle Central Travelodge

1. Do I need my passport to cross into Scotland?
2. Can you arrange for my husband to be imprisoned in Carlisle castle? He’s annoying me.
3. Can you arrange for my family to be replicated in Grasmere gingerbread as we are the Grasmere family?
4. We are getting married at Gretna Green, would you be our witness?
5. It’s my son’s birthday; can you create a large pyramid of pizza for him? It’s his favourite food and I thought he would like this better than a birthday cake.

Carlisle Todhills Travelodge

1. Can you get a wedding cake made out of custard creams?
2. Can you contact the Linton Tweed factory to see if they can send me a Chanel Jacket?
3. What is the best time to spot Tizzie-Whizies at Lake Windermere?
4. Is it safe to walk the fells at night? We have heard about the Beast of Cumbria.

Carlisle M6 Travelodge

1. My car has broken down can you give me a lift to Manchester for a job interview Carlisle M6 Travelodge