I read an interesting piece in the Telegraph by TV's Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi listing her 10 biggest bug bears in hotels.
They include towel art (i.e. bath linen contorted to look like kissing swans etc) and bath butlers and Alex goes into plenty of detail as she explains why she finds them so abhorrent.
It got me thinking about my own hotel nightmares... the towel art I can live with but a room with a completely sealed window that won't allow the slightest bit of fresh air in is utterly vile. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, I feel like I'm suffocating if I can't open the window just a tiny bit.
What pet peeves do you have when it comes to hotel stays?
I think towel art is fine, but I agree a stuff hotel room with windows that won't open is the worst. Not so common these days, but rooms that still smell of smoke are awful too. I remember staying in an ex-Communist spa hotel in Budapest where every single room was like this. The surly FOH staff couldn't have given less of a damn. I spoke the guy on the reception about it a couple of time. I have never met a man who could sound so exasperated with such little provocation. It was almost impressive.
several things annoy me:
1. dirt- it is not hard to keep things clean!- I dont want to bath in the previous occupants hair
2. things that dont work- I dont just mean lack of batteries in remote controls - I am talking about shower curtains that aren't big enough, cupboard doors that don't open as there is a desk in the way, no where to plug the kettle in etc - things that a manager should be checking
3. children's menus - who decided that my children will only eat pizzza and nuggets for 7 days? erum they actually like vegetables, fish, meat and proper cooked food!!
Calvin Hanks
www.cjgroup.co.uk
Good call CJ - I had forgotten about children's menus. That is a major bugbear for me too. There is far too little variety.
And good call on
CJ: 2. things that dont work- I dont just mean lack of batteries in remote controls - I am talking about shower curtains that aren't big enough, cupboard doors that don't open as there is a desk in the way, no where to plug the kettle in etc - things that a manager should be checking
Management/housekeepers really need to look at and experience a bedroom through the eyes of their guests. If that means having a quick sit down on the loo to spot that the towel hook on the back of the bathroom door is falling off, then that's what they should do. It's amazing how many things get missed because a room is only examined from the perspective of a person walking in, around and out again.
i agree Janie
when I was GM, i often got laughed at as i sat fully clothed in an empty bath- it's amazing what you see from that angle, or on a closed toilet. I always taught my staff to do the same - conference porters to actually sit on chairs they had set out to see if it was even possible to get your legs in the space they had set out, or check for pillars obstructing views. Also seats in restaurants by toilets/draughty doors/dumb waiters etc!!
Childrens menus are fine if done nicely and with variety. Bugbears for me;
1. Thin walls - I dont want to hear my neighbours conversations.
2. No welcome info/literature - gives the impression the hotel just want to take your money.
3. Those horrible anti-slip bath mats, that are left a bit wet and have a horrible disgusting smell!!!
4. Lack of interaction/knowledge from hotel employees
5. No Wi Fi (or chargeable Wi Fi)
6. Guests using their mobiles at dinner or insist on having loud conversations
7. Unseasonal menu's
8. Hidden charges - i.e parking/WI FI/F&B etc
9. Poor service
Chris
www.AssuredCustomerExperience.com
Given your sixth point, you might like this:
http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/20/08/2012/345017/LA-restaurant-offers-discount-for-diners-who-put-away-their.htm
Funnily enough, Chris, many of your points appeared in a Telegraph follow up to Alex Polizzi's piece. Its reader got in touch with their complaints and the Telegraphy compiled the top 15.
Hoteliers should take note!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/9494953/What-you-hate-about-hotels.html?frame=2318160
Hi Janie,
Thanks for your message - that's interesting (although I had not seen the Telegraph piece!). I feel a lot of the gripes can be averted if the hotel websites/marketing portrays an accurate description of the property and facilities, thus the guest's expectations are met.
Regards,