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?'

learn more about Lydia Belanger

By Lydia Belanger

Elle Darby | Youtube

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

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

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Money & Finance

What Is a Good Credit Score and How Do I Get One?

Is bad credit holding you back? This article explains what constitutes a good credit score and how to raise your score if it's low.

Thought Leaders

The Collapse of Credit Suisse: A Cautionary Tale of Resistance to Hybrid Work

This cautionary tale serves as a reminder for business leaders to adapt to the changing world of work and prioritize their workforce's needs and preferences.

Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.

Business News

I'm a Former Google Recruiter. Here's How to Land a Job in Tech — and What Can Blow Your Interview

A former Google recruiter says layoffs may be trendy, but tech workers are always needed. Here's how to land a job at a major tech company.

Growing a Business

The No.1 Most Bankable Skill You Must Have to Succeed in 2023

If you don't foster this skill, you'll fall behind the pack financially and professionally in 2023.

Starting a Business

5 Ways Entrepreneurship Can Help Teenagers Overcome Negative Peer Pressure

Here are some of the positives teenage entrepreneurship can have concerning peer pressure.