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Hotels That Serve Glorified Prison Food For Breakfast {Gadling}
Aug 18th 2012 4:51PM Thank you from a front desk associate.
I just wanted to give you a big thank you for addressing the actions of the front desk person.
Contrary to popular belief we need to know about problems. We may not enjoy hearing them and unfortunately there are some bad apples among us. However we are not all knowing, and all seeing. To try to fix a problem or at least bring it to someone's attention we have to know the problem exists.
I can't tell you how many reviews I have read that just completely tear apart our property without the guest bringing the issue up during their stay so we have a chance to do something about it while you are actually on the property.
Depending on the circumstance we may not be able to completely solve the problem but we do the best with what we have. Sometimes there flat out are no other rooms to move you to and the best we can offer is a discount on the room.
Sorry - I went a little off topic but again. Thank you for acknowledging the front desk associate.
Hotels That Serve Glorified Prison Food For Breakfast {Gadling}
Aug 18th 2012 4:35PM This situation is a tough one indeed. Sure on your side you would like to have something to eat. On the hotel's side it is an extra cost for something that is somewhat minor. (not to you personally but as a whole)
I can't say for sure but consider calling the hotel directly try to contact someone that is not just one of the front desk "grunts" Often times we just wouldn't know something like that.
Once you've contacted one of the managers discuss it with them. Depending on the situation they might be able to work something out for you. Especially if you are staying several nights. It may just be a case of them taking a couple dollars per day off your bill since you are unable to utilize the "free" breakfast. Or if you call far enough in advance they might be able to put in an order to the supplier for a couple special items or something.
It never hurts to ask and the more we know the more we can try to help. (hopefully)
Happy Travels :)
Hotels That Serve Glorified Prison Food For Breakfast {Gadling}
Aug 18th 2012 4:19PM I'm going to try to address a little bit of this without seeming crass or rude. First of all it does seem odd that there isn't at least some kind of discount for a long stay. The problem from the hotel side of things is that often times contractors and the like (no offense) expect such a low rate that if they did stay a long time it changes from a quick "heads in beds" situation to a flat out loss.
In the case of you calling and extending your stay and the rate changing - Again from the hotel perspective for all the front desk person knew you were due to check out then you call up and extend and extra night where if the rate stayed the same it would be less than half what could be made. When it comes to special events and tourist type seasons hotels have to make whatever they can when they can to either get a boost in revenue to help with upkeep issues that may not be visible on the surface or in my case to literally make sure we make enough during the busy summer to survive the dead winter.
Here is a small tip for you that might help you as a contractor looking for a long stay in a hotel.
-Call as much in advance as your work schedule will allow.
- Call during the day when it is likely someone beyond the front desk "grunt" is working.
-Try to get an assistant General Manager or front desk manager.
-Once you've gotten in touch with someone like that explain your situation and how long you are looking to stay. Most of the time hotels are willing to work something out.
-If you are not entirely sure if it will take 15 days or 17 days book the 17 days so the room does not get sold when you need it (especially during the busier seasons etc)
Again - most of the time (in my experience) hotels are willing to work with you. It is much easier from the hotel side to check you out a day or whatever early than it is to try to cram an extra day on when the hotel is close to being full.
I hope this helps in some way - again I am not trying to be condescending or anything just trying to give you some potentially useful info.
Good luck!
Hotels That Serve Glorified Prison Food For Breakfast {Gadling}
Aug 18th 2012 3:19PM Just a little insight into the towel situation from someone who works in a busy summer hotel. Often hotels are just so busy that we can't pay attention to every single reservation that comes through as in how many kids adults etc. The rooms are cleaned and stocked (in most cases) to a flat standard. Some vary on the number of beds - IE: 2 beds = an assumed 4 people = 4 sets of bathroom linens. 1 bed = an assumed 2 people = 2 sets of bath linens.
A simple way to assist is to just give a quick call to the hotel the night before or even the day of your arrival and request what you need. The more (and fresher) information we have the better. In most cases we really don't mind a quick call from you just to confirm and request various things. (yes there are bad apples who just have a plain bad attitude) but most of us really do want you to be happy.
Happy Vacationing :)
Hotels That Serve Glorified Prison Food For Breakfast {Gadling}
Aug 18th 2012 2:54PM I am SO sick of OTA's! They do the hotel industry no good in the long run. The really have us over a barrel these days due to sheer volume. This online conditioning that people have gone through causes so many problems. They just look at the price and just assume that they are getting the top of the line ocean front room for 97$ in the middle of the summer. And us, the ones that are actually at the hotel are left to deal with the fallout and get blamed for "ruining your vacation" . I understand everyone wants to save money but by booking through an online service those "Savings they pass on to you" literally takes cash straight out of the hotel's pockets. Money we could be using to upgrade, renovate, and provide more and better services.
Ill just agree and advise people to call the hotel directly at least you are talking to someone on property (most of the time) unless we are very busy (in my case) we will have to transfer you to a central reservation number.
In addition PLEASE travelers if you see a hotel that is pet friendly don't just simply assume that every single room is "pet friendly" and just show up out of no where with your dog. Please Please call us and let us know. And if you DO book online just give a quick call to the actual hotel to confirm the details so that you and us at the hotel have a chance to correct an issue. Many times on online sites it is a prepaid situation and by the time you arrive out hands are tied and we have very few (if any) options. It takes just a minute or two of your time and saves everyone an awkward stressful situation.
I could go on just about forever but I'll shut up now.
Hotels That Serve Glorified Prison Food For Breakfast {Gadling}
Aug 18th 2012 2:14PM That was suppose to be "every hotel that I know of has free breakfast" oops.
