Servicing of rooms

[opusman]

To an extent I can see how it can happen though. DND is hanging on the door, but the front desk wants to contact you. Is it realistic to expect them to send someone up to see if you have DND hanging on your door before they go back down and call?

Take the phone off the hook if you really don't want to be disturbed. DND is to stop people walking in while you have no clothes on, not to stop them contacting you at all.

 

[Dr Ralph]

This is something that I'm always interested in, as I've found the times various enormously. The best approach I've found is to be proactive about it. That is, speak directly to the cleaner or the front desk and tell them you will be out of the room for the next couple of hours and you want the room serviced during that time. If it's not done in that time I go ballistic.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thank you note with tip should assist in avoiding the odd spit or toothbrush incident.

I must get a lot of people doing this to me as I refuse to ever tip a maid. They are a hotel employee, being paid by their employer. It's not up to me to pay for my room and then expect to pay the employees wage as well.

 

[opusman]

I must get a lot of people doing this to me as I refuse to ever tip a maid. They are a hotel employee, being paid by their employer. It's not up tome to pay for my room and then expect to pay the employees wage as well.

I'm sure all those employees earning $7/hr appreciate your principled and well reasoned stance on the issue.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Seems to be the thread for asking this question:

A few years ago, especially in the USA there was a trend to offering the option of 'no room servicing' in exchange for a lower room rate for stays > 1 night. This occasionally appealed to me and was good value.

I'd definitely go for that. But would need a substantial discount. Say 40%?

 

[Dr Ralph]

I'm sure all those employees earning $7/hr appreciate your principled and well reasoned stance on the issue.

$7/hr. Unlikely. You might want to do some checking on that. That was the minimum wage about 5 - 8 years ago.

Its their choice to earn that sum of money in a country that places such a value on their labour, not mine. If they aren't happy with their wage they need to get a job somewhere else.

Provide a superior level of service and I'll consider leaving a tip. Simply do your job and expect me to pay you more than your wage, never.

 

[drron]

I'm sure all those employees earning $7/hr appreciate your principled and well reasoned stance on the issue.

In NYC they actually earn quite a lot more-
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/11/n...rs-contract-may-grow-more-lucrative.html?_r=0

 

[opusman]

Any other doctors want to chime in with their thoughts on how well paid hotel service staff are?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Any other doctors want to chime in with their thoughts on how well paid hotel service staff are?

Have you actually read the posts? No one has claimed that hotel staff were well paid.

 

[drron]

Any other doctors want to chime in with their thoughts on how well paid hotel service staff are?

Obviously didn't read the link I gave so to summarise-hotel maids in NYC signed a deal that will run for 10 years.Their pay will increase by $1 per hour each year.At the end of 10 years they will be getting nearly $38 per hour.Just slightly north of your $7 per hour.And it was your statement I was replying to.

 

[amaroo]

I must get a lot of people doing this to me as I refuse to ever tip a maid. They are a hotel employee, being paid by their employer. It's not up to me to pay for my room and then expect to pay the employees wage as well.

I get more enjoyment leaving a tip and thank you note for housekeeping than I ever get leaving a tip for a waiter ... order a few nice bottles of something and they're raking it in.

 

[Pushka]

I think its going to be deja vu. 'Clean room' signs up everywhere. I think they are understaffed but currently the person spends over 30 mins per room. Sometimes a room can be too clean. Spoke to front desk yesterday and thanked the same person for the quick clean. She said that 5pm in Spain is like the middle of the day. She has a lot to learn.....
At the pool bar. Its just after 1pm and they've already run out of towels and our room towels are damp.
Another thing. Why do Hotels ask you (appropriately) to conserve the environment by re-using towels and then provide no hooks for them to dry.

 

[Hvr]

<snip>

Its their choice to earn that sum of money in a country that places such a value on their labour, not mine. If they aren't happy with their wage they need to get a job somewhere else.
<snip>

Wow, often there is no choice about working in a poorly paid role and the glib comment to get another job suggests you really do not understand just how hard it can be to find a new job.

 

[Foreigner]

Starwood WP have the option of passing on room service for 2 out of every 3 days in exchange for some bonus points, IIRC.

Novotel Darling Harbour offered voucher for 20% off food bill if guest was to forgo housekeeping.

 

[Anna]

25 years ago in a 5 star hotel it was quite common to have the room serviced 3 times a day, morning, afternoon and evening turn-down. I remember several times having to put the DND sign on the door just to get some peace and quiet from the constant housekeeping attention, at least in Singapore and Hong Kong (not to mention the separate visits from the minibar attendant).

Now some 5 star places don't even offer twice daily-service. How things change!

 

[burrco]

At a truly upscale hotel I pretty much expect the room to be serviced as soon as I leave and have the make up room light on. At a semi-upscale place I will sometimes give my preference for when I want the room serviced (late morning etc) - these have always been meet. Otherwise 4.00pm is my cut off and will normally result in a polite (passive aggressive) enquiry whether house keeping has forgotten to clean my room and an estimated time frame for such cleaning to occur.

Sadly I also participate in the economic servitude of housekeeping as I don't leave a tip anywhere except the USA.

 

[JohnK]

Thank you note with tip should assist in avoiding the odd spit or toothbrush incident.

Extortion in other words?

I will tip if they have done something out of the ordinary. If we stay in a hotel for 2 nights we do not ask for room to be cleaned on 1st night so that is a huge tip right there. It is not my responsibilty to ensure they are well paid. It is their employers responsibility.

And you can't get any lower than spitting or washing toilets with someone's toothbrush. I try not to have any contact with housekeeping other than the usual polite greetings when our paths cross.

 

[amaroo]

Extortion in other words?

I will tip if they have done something out of the ordinary. If we stay in a hotel for 2 nights we do not ask for room to be cleaned on 1st night so that is a huge tip right there. It is not my responsibilty to ensure they are well paid. It is their employers responsibility.

And you can't get any lower than spitting or washing toilets with someone's toothbrush. I try not to have any contact with housekeeping other than the usual polite greetings when our paths cross.

Thought you'd want to avoid all topics concerning teeth/tooth at the moment

 

[JohnK]

Thought you'd want to avoid all topics concerning teeth/tooth at the moment

The tooth ache should be fine in 11 days.

I am still hurting from the ~$500 housekeeping stole from my wallet in 2005. Luckily they returned the wallet to me and didn't take all the money from the wallet.