Hotels: a general critique

[codash1099]

I don't travel as much as many (most?) of you but most is for leisure and usually for multiple nights. Over the years, I've developed a number of pet hates that may strike a chord with other travellers. I've listed a few in no particular order.

1. Is soap the most expensive item in running a hotel? If not, give me decent sizes and one each for the shower and hand basin. And renew it when obviously needed.

2. Define descriptive location terms such as "a stone's throw", "a few steps from". In most cases, it's neither.

3. Two single bed pushed together does not make a double bed!

4. If you must cut the power when I leave the room, leave the power system on so I can charge my battery powered devices. In one hotel, it cut the power to my charger but left the air conditioning running!!!

5. Towels wear out. When they resemble sheets, replace them.

6. Power points should be located near beds and desks, not hidden under tables or behind the TV.

7. Make WiFi free and fast. Don't offer me dial-up speed free but charge outlandish fees for anything faster and still claim you offer free WiFi.

8. Position the toilet roll so that I can actually reach it without contortions. And don't get me started on toilet paper quality.

There are many more, so feel free to add your own.

 

[get me outta here]

If I turn up early and my room is ready please at least let me drop my bag and use the bathroom. It won't cost very much more.

 

[codash1099]

More of the same here:

10 Worst Hotel Rip-Offs - SmarterTravel.com

 

[markis10]

The soap issue is an interesting one, make the bar larger so more gets thrown out? Many hotels are going towards the dispenser of body soap instead, I am not sure what is better. Maybe the Tunes model of BYO towel etc or pay is something worth considering ??

 

[RooFlyer]

Excellent list, to which I add:

* Have the cleaners or some-one check the aircon between customers. If its not working, FIX IT !

* If room doors must self close, put a damper on it so it doesn't BLOODY SLAM!

* If there are lawns or a pool or any other hotel facility, let them be for the guests. Don't re-sell those areas for private functions and deprive paying guests of their amenity and allow guests to be free of noisy nightclubs in marquees right in front of rooms!

*If there are hotel renovations or noise coming in from the building site next door, have the decency to advise that on your web site.

* Have some-one sweep all corridors for used room-service plates and trays at least hourly. A plate of food scraps in the hallway a day later doesn't say much for your sense of hygiene.

 

[zig]

Sounds as though we must have stayed in a lot of the same hotels RooFlyer.

 

[boomy]

If there are lawns or a pool or any other hotel facility, let them be for the guests. Don't re-sell those areas for private functions and deprive paying guests of their amenity and allow guests to be free of noisy nightclubs in marquees right in front of rooms!

Totally agree, I hate when hotels are doing that. Like when HSP sometimes close half of its exec lounge (the half with the better view) for private functions and hotel guests are left without a place to sit. Anything for a penny...
My addition - thick walls and double glazed windows. The most important thing for me when staying in a hotel is to get a good night sleep. I don't want to hear what people in the next room are doing at 2am and I don't like to wake up in the middle of the night by an ambulance/police/train/plane noise.

 

[Alanslegal]

One of my biggest dislikes is "adding a charge" to things which I expect the hotel to be provided for free. This usually happens at resorts where they want to charge you $x for a beach chair for example.

 

[docjames]

OMG there's a million of these; here's a few more.

One weight machine and one rowing machine for a 300+ room hotel isn't a "gym".

One 1995-era computer and a non-functioning printer is not a "business centre".

Anything needing more than 10 mins in a shuttle to get there isn't an "airport hotel".

 

[boomy]

One 1995-era computer and a non-functioning printer is not a "business centre".

Like the "retro" computers at Hilton ADL exec lounge. Sometimes I need to print some documents and I always feel I'm going back in time when using them

 

[Hvr]

Like the "retro" computers at Hilton ADL exec lounge. Sometimes I need to print some documents and I always feel I'm going back in time when using them

The retro computers match the retro web site. Hilton seems to have forgotten that their web site is the primary means for customers to interact with them. And if possible even book with them.

I've just completed a series of bookings in the US and it was hard, too damned hard to be honest.

 

[DeKa]

The retro computers match the retro web site. Hilton seems to have forgotten that their web site is the primary means for customers to interact with them. And if possible even book with them.

I've just completed a series of bookings in the US and it was hard, too damned hard to be honest.

You haven't seen their "Direct Connect" site for employees of companies with corporate negotiated rates. So ancient!

 

[JohnK]

LOL! I think most of us encounter these issues in most hotels.

 

[rioter]

Easy to locate light switches. Have had to use a bathroom in the dark on more than one occasion.

 

[JohnK]

Easy to locate light switches. Have had to use a bathroom in the dark on more than one occasion.

Do hotel rooms have light switches?

 

[dcm]

plugs in sink/bath that do their job.

 

[davlaw]

Don't know how many hotels I have stayed at where they either don't deliver the paper (even though they say they will) even after you complain you never got one!

I have stayed at some places several times and for 3 or 4 days at a time and they still can't get your paper to you.

My other bugbear is most rooms I stay in have a leaking tap or toilet - its not the noise just the waste of water - especially when they have a sign saying to conserve water and reuse your towels. Double standards.

 

[Warks]

Ah one of my favourite topics that comes up from time to time. Nodding my head at each point made. Think I've got concussion now...

- decent shower roses - not those $10 jobs from Bunnings that fall on you.

- tighten up the nuts on the taps! With a spanner! Every, and I mean every, hotel and motel I ever stay in has loose taps.

- I know people like the quiet but I'd also like the chance to open a window to get some real air - probably not advisable in some cities though.

- have a TV remote that works, if the batteries fall out each time it's picked up it's time for a new one.

- if you have cable channels and in-house movies, please check they are working. I've stayed in places over several months where certain channels never work properly. Also the in-house movie volume always seems to be set at 120 decibels above the normal channels.

- at peak check-out times like 7-9 am try having more than one staff member on reception.

 

[BettyLeB]

Paying for internet in 4 and 5 star hotels really irritates me. Internet is a necessity these days. Include it in the cost of the room. I travelled in France and Spain for 2 months last year and most hotels - even small 2 star hotels had free wifi.

 

[fairhsa]

Supply (Note - you Korean hotels!) and then top up tea, coffee AND SUGAR between each guest.
If my sign says "Do not disturb".... then DO NOT DISTURB!
Please ensure the plug sockets are capable of being used with an adapter and not so close to the floor/furniture/each other than it is impossible to plug anything in.
Please check the amenities and top up between guests ... yes, I do use the shower cap.
Please carpet your hallways ... wood may look nice but every set of high heels or wheeled trolleys that pass my door echo like hell.
It I turned off the air-conditioning, DON"T TURN IT BACK ON while I am out! I actually prefer not to have to bring my cardigan just to sit in my room.
Please don't throw away anything that is not in the bin. i know that pile of little bits of paper look messy, but they are called receipts and I need them for my expenses! Similarly, sometimes I don't get around to reading the newspaper in the morning.. I would like it to still be IN THE ROOM by the time I get back in the evening!