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A Dublin hotel owner has banned all 'free-loading' bloggers after a YouTuber asked to stay for free.

She has hit back at a Dublin hotel owner for "exposing her" after asking for a free stay in exchange for publicity on her social media channels.

English blogger Elle Darby sent an email to Paul Stenson, of the White Moose Cafe and Charleville Lodge, about her upcoming visit to Dublin.

poll loading Should bloggers/YouTubers be given free gifts in exchange for promotion? 5000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes, it's how the modern world works No, they should pay like everyone else Only if the exchange can be mutually beneficial

The young woman asked if she could "collaborate" by staying in the Phibsborough hotel and giving a review to her social media followers, Dublin Live reports.

Replying on Facebook, Mr Stenson said: "Thank you for your email looking for free accommodation in return for exposure.

"It takes a lot of balls to send an email like that, if not much self-respect and dignity.

"If I let you stay here in return for a feature in your video, who is going to pay the staff who look after you? Who is going to pay the housekeepers who clean your room?

"The waiters who serve you breakfast? The receptionist who checks you in? Who is going to pay for the light and heat you use during your stay?

"The laundering of your bed sheets? The water rates?

"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?"

(Image: White Moose Cafe/Facebook)

Reaction to that post has been hugely mixed and now the blogger has replied herself.

The 22-year-old posted a video on Youtube where she said revealed she was "torn to shreds".

She said: "I feel disgusting having to say this. As a 22-year-old girl, who’s running her own business from her home … I don’t feel like I did anything wrong."

She also claimed that comments calling her a "freeloader" were bullying her as a 22-year-old girl and added that most of them came from a group of people who "don't understand the social media world".

(Image: Google Street View)

She added: "These were all 30 years plus people Internet bullying a 22-year-old girl who is just trying to run her own business and raise awareness of what appeared to be a stunning Dublin hotel."

She added that older people have "no idea how social media works these days".

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The emotional blogger told how she usually gives exposure to hotels, brands and much more in exchange for discounts or free stuff.

And in response, Paul Stenson had another Facebook post about where he stands on the issue.

He said: "Following the incident today in which one of your members was clearly hurt and distressed about having to pay for something like everyone else, I would like to make a statement.

"I am so sorry that I have waited until now to mobilise you in numbers and I am kicking myself that I didn’t think about you before now.

"If each one of you is pissed off, and you all have your individual following (no matter how small), there is a fair chance that you will all speak badly to your followers about us which will result in a huge number of people hearing about our brand collectively.

"I am so sorry that I didn’t think of you guys until now. You are a much more lucrative group of people to piss off than the vegans and the gluten intolerant combined.

"Thank you for all your hard work and don’t forget to continue to spread the word about our business."