An influencer has claimed she checked into London's The Savoy because her heating had broken - prompting backlash on social media.
Lydia Millen, who creates content around 'life and style from the English countryside', took to TikTok to share her plans. In a video posted on Tuesday (November 22), the influencer is wearing a grey dressing gown as she explains: "The heating is currently broken in my house, so I'm heading down to London, I'm checking into The Savoy and I'm going to make full use of their wonderful warm water."
The creator, who has 1.2 million Instagram followers, then detailed her outfit for the day in what's known as a 'Get Ready With Me' (GRWM). She concluded: "I'm off to warm up, let me know what you think in the comments."
While she may very well have been asking for opinions of her outfit, social media users were quick to weigh in on Lydia's decision to visit The Savoy instead. TikTok user @asaltavoosi_ said: "must be nice…rest of us peasants are currently using hot water bottles and hoodies" as @charlottenicolebland added: "going to the savoy bc her heatings broke when half the country can’t afford to turn theirs on".
@schnarfleharfle1 commented: "The room ( a very cold one) has not been read," with an eye-roll emoji while @whyamihere19965 added: "could’ve said you’re going to the savoy for a trip to London and keep it moving. that’s all".
@_megse asked: "This is satire right?" as @tassmeow said: "I can’t believe this isn’t satire".
Over on Instagram, Lydia posted photos and videos to her story as she arrived at The Savoy. One included her being driven to the hotel, with the caption: "It's show time" and "AD". Another showed her hotel room, which she captioned: "Checking in" and also marked with "AD".
It comes as millions of households continue to struggle with the cost of living as winter approaches. Inflation and soaring energy bills have left many unable to afford to switch on the heating as temperatures drop.
Some UK GPs have even begun prescribing heating to patients with medical conditions that become worse in the cold. It marks the start of the Warm Home Prescription pilot which aims to pay for the heating of low-income patients suffering such conditions.
The Manchester Evening News contacted The Savoy for comment.
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