You can be on Entrepreneur’s cover!

Irish Hotel Publicly Shames Social Media Influencer for Requesting Free Stay 'Maybe I should tell my staff they will be featured in your video in lieu of receiving payment for work carried out while you're in residence?'

By Lydia Belanger

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Elle Darby | Youtube

The lifestyle of a globetrotting blogger/influencer -- traveling the world enjoying free meals, lodging, helicopter rides and more in exchange for social media promotion -- is one many aspire to. The aspirational nature of this entrepreneurial way of life is exactly why it works. People want to follow along on the fabulous journey.

That's what 22-year-old influencer Elle Darby was betting on when she emailed Paul Stenson, owner of Dublin's the White Moose Café and Charleville Lodge, requesting a complimentary stay in exchange for videos and posts on her Instagram account.

Although Darby's account has more than 80,000 followers, Stenson was not impressed. He posted a screenshot of her email to the White Moose Café's Facebook page (see below) along with a scathing note that questions the return on investment of influencer marketing in exchange for goods and services.

Related: This Former Math Teacher Now Gets Paid to Travel the World and Take Pictures of Her Meals

The post prompted Darby to upload a 17-minute video in which she describes Stenson as having "roasted" her with his "savage" Facebook caption and defends her request of the hotel, saying she had "nothing but the purest intentions."


Many fellow bloggers have taken to Facebook, Twitter and other platforms to show their support for Darby, and Stenson is running with that development, most recently posting on Facebook to announce that he's decided to ban all bloggers from setting foot in his hotel and café. Ironically, his refusal of Darby's proposal to help him gain publicity has resulted in more attention than her posts and videos ever would have garnered.

Read next: The Hotel Owner Who Called Out a Blogger for Asking for a Free Stay Now Wants $6.5 Million From Her

Lydia Belanger is a former associate editor at Entrepreneur. Follow her on Twitter: @LydiaBelanger.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

The 'Silver Tsunami' Meets 'Golden Handcuffs' as Past Low Mortgage Rates Lock in Homeowners — Whether They Like It or Not

The resulting lower supply of homes, and population growth outpacing construction, has led to a 7.2 million home shortage.

Business News

Nike Responds to Criticism Over U.S. Women's Olympic Uniforms: 'Everything's Showing'

The company is the official outfitter for the U.S. Olympic track and field athletes.

Business News

These Are the Busiest Airports in the World, According to a New Ranking

A surge in international and business travel has brought airports back to near pre-pandemic levels of passenger traffic.

Growing a Business

Top Brands Are Flocking to Newsletter Advertising — Here Are 11 Reasons Why You Should Do the Same.

An explanation of the current market trend of brands turning to newsletter advertising as a primary channel in their marketing campaigns.