Hotel Joys

[simonpenny408]

To balance it up - what do you enjoy most about hotel stays and hotels in general

I'll kick that off...

Wonderful personalised service that I receive from the Shangri-la group including Champange and a birthday cake whenever I stay on my birthday (including the entire staff of the Horizon Club giving me a rendition of Happy Birthday at the Kerry Centre in Beijing), chilled beer on arrival and remembering my choice of newspaper at any hotel I stay in.

 

[tuapekastar]

This is more 'one-off' things than general services, but is still worthy of mention; Places that go the extra mile for you.

I stayed in a motel in NZ recently for 6 nights in a mid-size (50K people) regional city. I e-mailed asking how much internet access cost and the reply was "since you're staying 6 nights, we'll give it to you for free - remind me when you arrive". They had wireless and wired and the proprietor insisted on lending me a cable so I could have wired as the performance was far better. I don't know what I 'saved' by getting it for free, but to me that's service!

As a contrast (in size, not service), I had an unfortunate experience with an airport shuttle driver in New York last year which could have cost me the fare twice over (well, it wouldn't have but things would have got ugly as a result), but for the hotel receptionist (prior to my even checking in) allowing me to use their internet to log onto my e-mail and print a docket while the shuttle waited (full of other pax) outside. And their back-office internet did not work for me (security), so he had to take me upstairs and give me (complimentary) access to the guest lounge internet. A very good man.

I'm sure people could relate many 'feelgood' stories re hotel stays and the things props have done to assist when in need.

 

[Andyzx]

Agree with the NYC comment, had a shuttle pre arranged but the hotel would not assist when it went missing.

What i like is service that thinks most issues are not a problem, front line staff have the authority to change, fix, remove costs and generally fix their mistakes.

Recently I stayed at the Crown Plaza Hunter Valley (recommned this place not just forwhat they did). I'm gold and we were staying on a two night package, my wife mentioned that it was my birthday and the the following day a bottle of bubbles and a card signed by the manager arrived in our room. - unexpected and appreciated - its those unexpected things.

The minimum service is what they say they do, this is not exceptional service.

 

[futurism]

As a contrast to other people who enjoy the high level of personalised service

I prefer no service

If I could get a code to get my room key and a piece of paper of out of a secure box and drop it off into a slot when I leave, that would be ideal.

Best service for me is to hand over my credit card for the security, sign my name, be handed a key, and never speak to anyone in the hotel again.

The only other thing is to have the remote control for the tv actually work, that would be a bonus!

 

[Timba-Jet]

Recognizing loyalty and return customers is a nice touch.

When in Brisbane for work I usually stay at the Novotel. In the past I would visit every 2-3 months, but for last few years only 1-2 stays a year.

When I was there last year, I was upgraded to one of their top premier floors with the coffee machines, and there was a welcome back card in the room.

Similar thing happened in Jan when I stayed at an Starwood hotel for the first time in a year. At the Le Meridien in Amman at check-in I was given an envelope with my name on it. Inside was a letter stating how much they appreciate my return to a starwood hotel.

Just little touches like that make the difference.

In generally, staff that are genuinely helpful and not because they are seeking a tip. When things are not smooth sailing, staff who actively try to fix the issue, and provide a small gesture to apologies for any inconvenience eg. A drink voucher. It's not the monetary value, but the fact they value you.

 

[k_sheep]

Again I love the little touches - some chocolates at Le Meridien KUL, fresh fruit at some place in PEK. Things like that

Upgrades don't go astray either!

Big bouqets to the Beijing International hotel - they helped me out of a very tough situation, when I wasn't even staying there! Of course I went and booked 2 nights at the end of my stay, it was the least I could do

 

[Warks]

As a contrast to other people who enjoy the high level of personalised service

I prefer no service

If I could get a code to get my room key and a piece of paper of out of a secure box and drop it off into a slot when I leave, that would be ideal.

Best service for me is to hand over my credit card for the security, sign my name, be handed a key, and never speak to anyone in the hotel again.

The only other thing is to have the remote control for the tv actually work, that would be a bonus!

There's a chain called Formule One...:mrgreen:

 

[Hvr]

As a contrast to other people who enjoy the high level of personalised service

I prefer no service

If I could get a code to get my room key and a piece of paper of out of a secure box and drop it off into a slot when I leave, that would be ideal.

Best service for me is to hand over my credit card for the security, sign my name, be handed a key, and never speak to anyone in the hotel again.

The only other thing is to have the remote control for the tv actually work, that would be a bonus!

There's a chain called Formule One...:mrgreen:

I believe some Japanese love hotels operate this way as well.
Not speaking from experience though.

 

[simongr]

As a contrast to other people who enjoy the high level of personalised service

I prefer no service

If I could get a code to get my room key and a piece of paper of out of a secure box and drop it off into a slot when I leave, that would be ideal.

Best service for me is to hand over my credit card for the security, sign my name, be handed a key, and never speak to anyone in the hotel again.

I was like this until my 10th(ish) stay at the Conrad in HKG - I went straight to the the Exec floor, the dealt with stuff, my chap brought me a G&T and suddenly it became a hotel of choice.