Hotel says tonight's festive full-board dinner is compulsory — pay up or can we eat in town?

Compulsory festive dinners happen at some resort-style places on holiday peaks, but they should appear in the rate rules or be announced clearly — a same-day surprise still deserves a calm pushback. Ask to see where it was disclosed; if it was not on your booking or check-in sheet, request to opt out and eat in town. Be polite, not theatrical. Many desks will waive when you already paid half-board and prefer outside food. If the property truly runs a closed kitchen night for a staff event, they should say that plainly. I will not invent surcharge amounts — check your voucher wording.