Couple Charged in Andorra Over €208 Hotel Extras Dispute

A couple faces charges in Andorra for allegedly failing to pay €208.30 in extras from a nine-night hotel stay between 17 and 26 January 2024, including an additional night after a man joined the booking, meal receipts, and two fines for indoor smoking.

The Batllia court—sitting as the Tribunal de Corts—held an oral hearing on Thursday morning for the privileged criminal fraud contravention, a minor offence, plus lesser intentional damage charges tied to the prohibited smoking. The resident defendants did not appear and were declared in rebellion. Prosecutors requested a one-month conditional nighttime arrest for each, along with joint civil liability for the €208.30 owed to the hotel.

The hotel manager testified that the woman checked in on 17 January and extended her stay several times via a booking platform. While room nights were paid through 26 January, unpaid items covered one extra night linked to the man's addition, two meal tickets, and internal fines for smoking on separate days, due to cleaning costs.

Police officers recounted a heated scene at reception. Called after the woman grew agitated over the bill, they said she declared she had no money, refused to pay, and told them they could "do whatever they wanted" with her. She initially resisted leaving and was alone at the time; the man was not present, though prosecutors hold both jointly responsible for costs like meals and the extra night accrued during her stay.

Prosecutors acknowledged documentation gaps, such as mismatched invoices, partial tickets, and shifting amounts that did not always align with initial records. The defence pointed to these issues, noting some charges involved inapplicable tourist taxes for residents. Prosecutors stood by the €208.30 total and shared liability.

The judge has yet to rule.