Hilton Lake Taupo misses out on status x 2

[japansuki]

Have just checked into the Hilton Lake Taupo, NZ, and oops, the hotel manager has made a couple of big mistakes...

1. Welcome letter outlining the benefits of being a Gold Hhonors member (I'm Diamond)
2. A card wishing me and my wife (Mr. and Mrs. xx_) a pleasant stay which was accompanied by a bottle of Sav Blanc (nice touch but I'm not married <checked in with my partner - we're gay :shock: >

I suppose these things happen but paying a little bit of attention to details goes a long way.

Check out my hotel and airline blogs (non commercial) at hotelsandairlines.wordpress.com

 

[Daver6]

Perhaps NZ is just more advanced than Aust and has equal rights when it comes to marriage?

 

[muppet]

Have just checked into the Hilton Lake Taupo, NZ, and oops, the hotel manager has made a couple of big mistakes...

1. Welcome letter outlining the benefits of being a Gold Hhonors member (I'm Diamond)
2. A card wishing me and my wife (Mr. and Mrs. xx_) a pleasant stay which was accompanied by a bottle of Sav Blanc (nice touch but I'm not married <checked in with my partner - we're gay :shock: >

I suppose these things happen but paying a little bit of attention to details goes a long way.

Check out my hotel and airline blogs (non commercial) at hotelsandairlines.wordpress.com

Big mistakes?
Not sure they're big mistakes..... but anyway... I personally understand number 2 in the list, but really, is it a big deal? NO. Firstly, where in the booking process did you indicate to the hotel that you're gay and wish to be addressed Mr and Mr? There's no way for the hotel to know in advance of your arrival. Secondly, most people aren't gay, even two dudes sharing a room aren;'t necessarily gay. I think everyone needs to stop being so precious (about heaps of stuff, not just gold status mixups and your partner being addressed as mrs). People make mistakes, and when they do they're probably not trying to offend anyone.

 

[mella2007]

To th OP

1. At least you got a welcome letter. A lot of Hilton's don't give them.
2. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't. I do agree with Muppet that the hotel has no way of knowing what people's preferences are and have done what they think is the right and polite thing by their policies. Your comment that a little bit of attention to detail is a bit unwarranted. Did you have Spouse stays free in your comments? Did you book for 2?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Like the others, I think you're reading too much into it.

Your diamond status is (in my books) the biggest stuff up as they should know your status. The gay bit...well should they know? If I'm speaking to a person and I ask if they're married (not the first question that comes up in conversation) and they say yes, I automatically (rightly or wrongly) assume they are married to someone of the opposite sex. If they respond no but I have a partner, I don't assume anything about their partners sex. Some people refer to their opposite sex de-facto as their partner (as they don't like the term de-facto) and others refer to their same sex de-facto as their partner because it's easier perhaps(?), but as far as I'm concerned, I don't mind what terms anyone uses, but I don't think a gay couple should "assume" everyone will understand the terms they use.

At a recent Hilton stay of mine, I received a nice warm welcome card which was in the room on check-in, which started with "Dear Mr and Mrs Chan".........Neither my name nor my partners name (my partner is in fact my wife) is Chan and neither of us are Asian nor Asian decendants. Are you sure the "big mistakes" were not simply a room error? Perhaps some gold HH member was wondering why they received a card telling them all about their "diamond" benefits and referring to them as Mr an Mr (or Ms and Ms as I don't know your sex). Truth is japansuki, mistakes are made. Even by Hilton and I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr and Mrs Chans Tichum Creek choc coated coffee beans!

 

[turtlemichael]

I don't have the impression that the OP is ranting or too upset here but merely making a point. Even if he registered on booking that he was checking in with his spouse that does not inevitably lead to the conclusion that they are male and female and Mr and Mrs. I too wouldn't regard them as "big mistakes" but I would be tempted to draw the fact to the attention of the duty manager, together with the incorrect status recognition, pointing out that it is not always wise to make assumptions. But I wouldn't have lost much sleep over it!

 

[beardoc]

2. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't. I do agree with Muppet that the hotel has no way of knowing what people's preferences are and have done what they think is the right and polite thing by their policies. Your comment that a little bit of attention to detail is a bit unwarranted. Did you have Spouse stays free in your comments? Did you book for 2?

I would be intrigued to know if they keep details of partners in OnQ.

 

[japansuki]

I don't have the impression that the OP is ranting or too upset here but merely making a point. Even if he registered on booking that he was checking in with his spouse that does not inevitably lead to the conclusion that they are male and female and Mr and Mrs. I too wouldn't regard them as "big mistakes" but I would be tempted to draw the fact to the attention of the duty manager, together with the incorrect status recognition, pointing out that it is not always wise to make assumptions. But I wouldn't have lost much sleep over it!

Thank you! Whoa people, I think I have opened a can of worms here....it is not a whinge, nor a rant, just a tongue in cheek observation. And of course I am happy to receive a bottle of wine. Didn't loose any sleep either, I can assure you.

 

[japansuki]

Hi Muppet,
Actually we checked in together and we received a 'Welcome Mr. X and Mr. Y', were taken to our (oh, I forgot to mention, upgraded Jnr Suite) room, and then 20 mins later received a knock on the door with a letter addressed to Mr. And Mrs. Xx. I don't know but you would think somewhere between checking in and receiving the letter someone would have noticed. But hey, maybe not.

And Muppet, neither did I state I was offended. After 8 years together and checking into countless hotels over the years across and number of brands and countries, yes, it does become an expectation that we are a straight couple. But we aren't. And I'm not offended. Just amused and making a point. Thanks for your comments though

 

[japansuki]

The gay bit...well should they know? If I'm speaking to a person and I ask if they're married (not the first question that comes up in conversation) and they say yes, I automatically (rightly or wrongly) assume they are married to someone of the opposite sex. Truth is japansuki, mistakes are made. Even by Hilton and I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr and Mrs Chans Tichum Creek choc coated coffee beans!

Um, yes. Especially as we checked in together and were escorted to our King room. And, I never said I was married. And yes, mistakes are made and when they are, should be rectified. I rectified this mistake by telling the lovely lady at the reception desk when I went past later on.
What you do, and what you believe is totally up to you. Again, the intention of this post was to make a point.

 

[japansuki]

To th OP
Your comment that a little bit of attention to detail is a bit unwarranted. Did you have Spouse stays free in your comments? Did you book for 2?

I so disagree with you here. Unwarranted? Please.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Um, yes. Especially as we checked in together and were escorted to our King room.

Bear in mind the welcome letter is often handled by staff other than check-in, so whoever wrote it may not have seen you.

BTW, just had a look at your blog. Very comprehensive and I'm really looking forward to reading your comments about Conrad Rangali (don't have the time right now however). I'm a bit wary of a pilot wearing thongs (feet variety) though!

 

[mella2007]

I so disagree with you here. Unwarranted? Please.

As I said, they have no idea on check in if you're married, single (unless of course you have written HHonors Spouse Stays free in the comments section). With things being so politically correct in the world today, what would have happened if they addressed the card to Mr and Mr and it turns out you were single? or straight? Then imagine the complaints!!! And you didn't answer my question if you booked for 2 or not and what your comments were.

In relation to the card welcoming you as Gold...perhaps a mistake with the envelope? I still think getting a card is better than no card at all.

 

[japansuki]

And you didn't answer my question if you booked for 2 or not and what your comments were.

In relation to the card welcoming you as Gold...perhaps a mistake with the envelope? I still think getting a card is better than no card at all.

I booked for two like I always do and wrote in the comments section that my partner is celebrating HIS birthday.
A card is not a big deal. I work in the industry and believe it or not it is expected at this status level. And the card also said Mr. and Mrs. X FYI.

Again, not a complaint. You are reading this the wrong way. I am a raving fan of Hilton! I just thought it funny. Chill!!

 

[mella2007]

I booked for two like I always do and wrote in the comments section that my partner is celebrating HIS birthday.
A card is not a big deal. I work in the industry and believe it or not it is expected at this status level. And the card also said Mr. and Mrs. X FYI.

Again, not a complaint. You are reading this the wrong way. I am a raving fan of Hilton! I just thought it funny. Chill!!

So did you call down and let them know? Surely they would have been embarassed by their mistake?
Yes it's expected, but not all Hiltons do them whether you are Gold or Plat.

 

[medhead]

I just hope you refused to accept the bottle of wine because of the grave insult to your good self.

 

[japansuki]

So did you call down and let them know? Surely they would have been embarassed by their mistake?
Yes it's expected, but not all Hiltons do them whether you are Gold or Plat.

Actually yes, I did tell them it was a lovely gesture but corrected them that we were not Mr. and Mrs.
And yes, it has become an expectation being Diamond status over the past 2 years everytime I stay at Conrad or Hilton across the Globe I receive wine, chocolates, cards, upgrades. Perhaps I'm a big shot VIP on their system? Who knows.

 

[mella2007]

Actually yes, I did tell them it was a lovely gesture but corrected them that we were not Mr. and Mrs.
And yes, it has become an expectation being Diamond status over the past 2 years everytime I stay at Conrad or Hilton across the Globe I receive wine, chocolates, cards, upgrades. Perhaps I'm a big shot VIP on their system? Who knows.

Well clearly you're not a VIP if they got the Mr and Mrs part incorrect and the Gold member card. And that's not meaning to be rude, but you came on to complain...didn't give a review of the hotel and now insulting other people. Not cool.

 

[turtlemichael]

Like a lot of threads this one is degenerating into a slanging match. For what it is worth I think as a regular guest in a good hotel I should be addressed properly. The hotel should have a system in place as to how it addresses all guests so that the assumption is not made that ever couple is a Mr and Mrs. Is it worth commenting on to the hotel? Yep, if the opportunity arose. Is it worth losing any sleep over. Nope.

 

[beardoc]

I think that we can all agree that things like this do happen. One of the things that I like about Hilton is that service recovery is usually good - they usually are very good at fixing things when it is brought to their attention. To that end, may I inquire, japansuki, as to what happened when (or if) you brought these things to the hotel's attention? Did they resolve things satisfactorily?