Mediocre crowds at luxury hotels
#17
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
I've definitely felt like one of the mediocre guests at times and I avoid more glitzy/trendy places simply because I don't fit in.
I've noticed a difference in crowds between Marriot's and Four Seasons myself, and honestly I probably belong more in the former... but oh well, I'm in the splurge mode right now.
I've noticed a difference in crowds between Marriot's and Four Seasons myself, and honestly I probably belong more in the former... but oh well, I'm in the splurge mode right now.
#19
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: SPG GOLD
Posts: 413
My expectations for a guest at a luxury hotel are my same expectations for proper behavior anywhere. Treat the staff and fellow guests with respect, maintain basic hygiene and mind your surroundings. You're not entitled to impair your fellow guests enjoyment of the property because you're paying $800/night+ because that's what your fellow guests are paying, or more.
#20
Mediocre crowds at luxury hotels
Just remember that mediocre crowds is in the eye of the beholder. While I value a quiet intimate experience the next guy will bemoan that and want a crazy loud over the top one. That guy will also probably be able to buy and sell me 100x over.
Fdw
Fdw
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
#22
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
The crowd at the bar on the sixth floor is pretty bad as well, perhaps the innermost circle of hell? That or breakfast at the "French Kitchen"...
Last edited by MikeFromTokyo; Apr 17, 2015 at 10:30 am
#23
formerly gohima
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 519
For me, guests that keep to themselves and don't bother others are the perfect crowd. Also, basic manners and being polite to everyone, including hotel staff.
Sleazebags and hookers be damned, if you are not disturbing others, its none of my business..
Sleazebags and hookers be damned, if you are not disturbing others, its none of my business..
#24
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
For me, two examples stand out:
At the Lanesborough, London, we were dining at the ** Michelin restaurant and made an effort to dress up little. Not a tie for me, but smart casual with Ferragamo flooring, And at the next table was a couple in T-shirts, shorts and sneakers drinking Coke.
At Anassa in Cyprus, a hotel we hated, at breakfast there were children playing football in the restaurant with balls literally landing in guests' plates. Their parents thought this was a huge joke. Sorry, we didn't.
HOWEVER, last month in Antigua, Guatemala, at the Meson de Maria, not a deluxe hotel, our neighbour in the next-door room was Stephen Fry.
At the Lanesborough, London, we were dining at the ** Michelin restaurant and made an effort to dress up little. Not a tie for me, but smart casual with Ferragamo flooring, And at the next table was a couple in T-shirts, shorts and sneakers drinking Coke.
At Anassa in Cyprus, a hotel we hated, at breakfast there were children playing football in the restaurant with balls literally landing in guests' plates. Their parents thought this was a huge joke. Sorry, we didn't.
HOWEVER, last month in Antigua, Guatemala, at the Meson de Maria, not a deluxe hotel, our neighbour in the next-door room was Stephen Fry.
Last edited by Pausanias; Apr 18, 2015 at 12:57 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Delta Silver Medallion, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 14,108
This. I suppose I never did go all ga-ga over glitzy places that attract new money crowds in any event, having grown up in a different era and with entirely different values. When people (and places) have to scream at you how "money" they are, I run, run, run in an entirely different direction.
#26
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYZ/SFO
Programs: AS MVPG, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 271
For me, two examples stand out:
At the Lanesborough, London, we were dining at the ** Michelin restaurant and made an effort to dress up little. Not a tie for me, but smart casual with Ferragano flooring, And at the next table was a couple in T-shirts, shorts and sneakers drinking Coke.
At the Lanesborough, London, we were dining at the ** Michelin restaurant and made an effort to dress up little. Not a tie for me, but smart casual with Ferragano flooring, And at the next table was a couple in T-shirts, shorts and sneakers drinking Coke.
#27
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
For me, two examples stand out:
At the Lanesborough, London, we were dining at the ** Michelin restaurant and made an effort to dress up little. Not a tie for me, but smart casual with Ferragano flooring, And at the next table was a couple in T-shirts, shorts and sneakers drinking Coke.
At Anassa in Cyprus, a hotel we hated, at breakfast there were children playing football in the restaurant with balls literally landing in guests' plates. Their parents thought this was a huge joke. Sorry, we didn't.
HOWEVER, last month in Antigua, Guatemala, at the Meson de Maria, not a deluxe hotel, our neighbour in the next-door room was Stephen Fry.
At the Lanesborough, London, we were dining at the ** Michelin restaurant and made an effort to dress up little. Not a tie for me, but smart casual with Ferragano flooring, And at the next table was a couple in T-shirts, shorts and sneakers drinking Coke.
At Anassa in Cyprus, a hotel we hated, at breakfast there were children playing football in the restaurant with balls literally landing in guests' plates. Their parents thought this was a huge joke. Sorry, we didn't.
HOWEVER, last month in Antigua, Guatemala, at the Meson de Maria, not a deluxe hotel, our neighbour in the next-door room was Stephen Fry.
#28
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
I was at a restaurant one time and a family with a down-syndrome child came in and this elderly couple was aghast that they sat at the table nearby. I kept hearing them mutter and complain.
I'll take the partier with unruly kids over the grumbler any day.
I'll take the partier with unruly kids over the grumbler any day.
#30
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: DME
Posts: 54
I sometimes think that certain people have unrealistic expectations of luxury hotels.
I remember one occasion at the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados where I overheard an American woman complaining that there were actually families with children staying at the hotel and how she would never bring her own children to a luxury hotel.
I just felt sad for her children that this woman would go off to a luxury hotel and not bring her children along as well.
The kids I saw there certainly weren't badly behaved in any way, this woman was just genuinely shocked that people would bring their children to a luxury hotel.
It also shows that it pays to do your research as she was staying there in February during the British schools half term holidays and Barbados is a very popular destination during that week for wealthy British families - well at least the ones that aren't going off skiing anyway.
I remember one occasion at the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados where I overheard an American woman complaining that there were actually families with children staying at the hotel and how she would never bring her own children to a luxury hotel.
I just felt sad for her children that this woman would go off to a luxury hotel and not bring her children along as well.
The kids I saw there certainly weren't badly behaved in any way, this woman was just genuinely shocked that people would bring their children to a luxury hotel.
It also shows that it pays to do your research as she was staying there in February during the British schools half term holidays and Barbados is a very popular destination during that week for wealthy British families - well at least the ones that aren't going off skiing anyway.