Programs: US2, OnePass Gold, StarwoodPlat, Hilton Diamond, MarriottSilver ... like the rest of the world
Posts: 3,129
I put this scenario in the very same category as fine hotels that have no ice machines for guests. One must call for ice delivery and, of course, one always tips when it's delivered.
I would not be pleased to be charged for ice in any hotel.
I really think this property should reconsider their fees for warming bottles.
Programs: UA 1k, AA Plt 2MM, HH Gold, *wood Gold, assorted junk memberships, Amex Centurion
Posts: 285
Quote:
Originally Posted by room service
It is outrageous. It is also outrageous that no hotels have coffee pots in the room when all US Hotels have them. I now travel Europe on cruise ships where everything is included and priced in dollars.
As an European by birth, I have to say: to your attitude.
I assume that not only you, but Europe as well, are better off by your new choice of vacation venue.
Last edited by colonius; Dec 22, 08 at 9:01 pm.
Reason: Edited for clarity
Programs: UA 1K, BD*G, AA EXP, EK GOLD, Hyatt/HH DIA, IC RA, PC/Marriott/SPG Platinum, National EE
Posts: 6,955
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbtinme
I put this scenario in the very same category as fine hotels that have no ice machines for guests. One must call for ice delivery and, of course, one always tips when it's delivered.
In my experience really good quality hotels seems to magically fulfill the ice bucket every night without having to prompt at all.
In my experience really good quality hotels seems to magically fulfill the ice bucket every night without having to prompt at all.
I do not remember where, but I knew some very expensive hotels have butler service and ice, tea, coffee were not in a room.
Everything, you have to ask butler to bring whenever you want.
Of course, it is not convenient, but guests do nothing, always a Butler does for the guests.
We pay tip everytime or one time large amount.
The fact that they put a sign in the room seems to indicate that many guests expect a coffee maker or similar in the room. If they're not allowed to put one in the room, I think it would be reasonable to have one centrally-located. Sounds like they've come up with a good excuse in order to increase room service revenue from coffees and teas.
It is also outrageous that no hotels have coffee pots in the room when all US Hotels have them. I now travel Europe on cruise ships where everything is included and priced in dollars.
As an American by birth, I need to kindly ask you to stop embarrassing the rest of us!!
room service, If you wanted to drink crap coffee in the comfort of your room, and pay for everything in US Dollars - then why not just stay in Imperial, CA?
While I empathize with the OP's predicament, and I'm sure that traveling with an infant is difficult - I don't think that the hotel acted improperly by any means. Had they been notified that special accommodations would be required when you checked in, you might have had a different outcome, but depending on the time of day that you needed boiling water (the crying infant in the middle of the night scenario), I can see where the staff might have missed your expectations on this one.
SPG.com almost always has a list of in-room amenities, and you simply need to plan ahead. If my room doesn't have a freezer and a microwave, I'm not going to show up with a bunch of frozen pizzas and expect the hotel to let me in the kitchen to make my own dinner!! likewise, without a fridge I won't be bringing any sushi leftovers back to the room!
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, Starwood Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 389
Quote:
Originally Posted by ittboss
To make a baby bottle you need boiling water just like a tea.
Dude... first baby? To make a baby bottle you need a little lukewarm water if your child will tolerate it. If you're afraid of the sterilization issue, you aren't going to get it with even boiled water. Most experts hold to boiling for 5 minutes to sterilize water - you don't get those sustained times in a water kettle.
__________________ Save me from a villainous imagination...
Programs: Lord OPebble - Mucci of the Hour. Diamond Class MUCCI.
Posts: 3,650
Quote:
Originally Posted by craz
How much was a cup of tea? after all that too is but hot water along with a 5 cent tea bag
Its probably more for the room service then anything, it would have been nice if they gave it to her at the restarurant, but once RS has to do it there are mins that are charged.
Wonder if the OP asked the MOD for it to be removed?
IMHO 6 Euros is a very cheap overhead for room service in Europe!
Programs: Severals Golds (BA, BD, AB and LH), Highest tier with HH, SPG and ICRA, lawyer, sometimes a nice guy
Posts: 4,933
Quote:
Originally Posted by OPebble
IMHO 6 Euros is a very cheap overhead for room service in Europe!
I don't think that it is only cheap in Europe. It would be the same in the US. We call it overhead, you would call it tip. I do not feel obliged to give absurd tips to a waiter in Europe. In the US the overhead might be lower, but it is mandatory to tip what I would not do for room service in Europe.
__________________
Do not feel offended by my posts - remember, I am a simple minded litigation lawyer.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; Dec 24, 08 at 6:51 am.
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH nobody, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Royal Ambassador, hungry BA Gold in CE
Posts: 7,361
Quote:
Originally Posted by OPebble
IMHO 6 Euros is a very cheap overhead for room service in Europe!
6EUR for a pot of tea would be a normal room service price in my opinon. That you were going to use the water for a bottle doesn't matter.
I would agree that the restaurant should have given you water, but that wasn't the reason for your post.
I have a newborn and she travels with us all the time.
Toto, you are not in Kansas any more, so don't expect for things to be like in Kansas.
I had a co-worker with me on a Hong Kong business trip. He was a North African Arab, raised in Belgium (just to show he was not a farmer boy on his first trip out). He ordered a tea in the lobby and was asked "Chinese or English", to which he answered Chinese. When his tea arrived he complained profusely that he had been given no milk or sugar. I explained that neither was served with Chinese tea, but he spent the next 15 minutes ranting about the poor service.
I agree with the sentiment of most posters here, namely that 6 Euros is a reasonable price to pay for room service in a decent hotel.
What is strange, in my opinion, is that the OP was unsuccessful in obtaining the hot water himself, without the room service. As ridiculous as EU regulations can be, I'm sure that it's not an OH&S issue. I would certainly expect a little flexibility from such a hotel, particularly after he had been directed to go down to the kitchen by Guest Services. If room service is worth 6 Euros, then the OP's time in going downstairs and back up at their direction is certainly worth as much (that is, of course, tongue-in-cheek).
So in short, 6 Euros is a normal price to pay for room service, and this is definitely room service. What should be addressed is (a) the lack of facilities, and (b) a lack of flexibility once the OP had been directed downstairs by GS.
When I worked in a luxury European hotel in room service, some requests for things like glasses, hot water, electric water kettles, ice, etc. were handled by room service but there was *not* a charge for the service.
Some guests would tip, but that was it. There was never a charge to deliver such courtesy items.
To me it's basically the same thing as requesting extra towels, blankets, soap, etc. Just because something is internally delivered by a different set of staff doesn't mean that it should be charged.
You are kidding, right?
to your attitude. 
