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Quote:
Originally Posted by CNWO4LIFE
If it means having a coffee maker in the room the yes it is better. Pretty dumb not having coffee makers.
Did you ever consider there might actually be a reason for not having them? Yes, it might be a "good" reason (like fire safety) or a "bad" reason (like gouging the customer), but it is rarely "dumb."
Many hotels in the US still do not have coffee makers in the guest rooms. In fact, I'm old enough to remember when most did NOT. It's an item that has become somewhat "de rigueur" in the US only within the past decade or two. So I guess US hotels were "dumb" before then.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KathyWdrf
Did you ever consider there might actually be a reason for not having them? Yes, it might be a "good" reason (like fire safety) or a "bad" reason (like gouging the customer), but it is rarely "dumb."
Many hotels in the US still do not have coffee makers in the guest rooms. In fact, I'm old enough to remember when most did NOT. It's an item that has become somewhat "de rigueur" in the US only within the past decade or two. So I guess US hotels were "dumb" before then.
Also, it is a question, whether the black substance produced by these contraptions actually qualifies as coffee. Certainly not by Italian standards.
I have only seen two places with an upgrade over the tired old pouch of coffee machines: the Hilton in Cologne, Germany has new cartridge-based espresso machines in some rooms. On NCL cruiseships, the better suites get a Saeco espresso machine.
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.
I agree 100%. Let's not forget that you are paying for your hotel room, which does indeed come with certain amenities, and at least the basics. Would you pay to have extra towels or ice to be delivered? I don't think so.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justforfun
I agree 100%. Let's not forget that you are paying for your hotel room, which does indeed come with certain amenities, and at least the basics. Would you pay to have extra towels or ice to be delivered? I don't think so.
I a US hotel you would pay by tipping....
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That's not really the point though. In a European hotel(or any hotel, for that matter) you would not be charged for the delivery of towels, pillows or ice. The argument is being made that hot water falls into this category of basics that are delivered to your room without a formal charge.
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New York to London via Bangkok....Is there really any other way?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justforfun
That's not really the point though. In a European hotel(or any hotel, for that matter) you would not be charged for the delivery of towels, pillows or ice. The argument is being made that hot water falls into this category of basics that are delivered to your room without a formal charge.
Towels and pillows, I agree. Ice? I would not be surprised to pay and would not mind. I prefer if they charge for every extra service and do not add a general overhead to the roomrate.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ittboss
Anybody that travelled to Italy knows that a hot water urn (the ones that come standard in most hotel rooms to make coffee and the likes) is officially illegal in hotel rooms throughout Italy.
I don't think it's illegal right now. I've been noticing and using them several times in hotel rooms in Italy and they're reported as room features in websites.
Perhaps it's a SPG/Hotel decision, eg for safety, or they're going to be illegal because of the new umpteenth EU regulation on safety in workplaces or something like that.
When I called Guest Services and asked for an Aspirin, I got it within 5 min with no charge.
Luxury hotels have to be understanding, why not charge a delivery fee to bring up a toothbrush as well??
Because toiletries, etc. fall under the Housekeeping category. At 5***** luxury hotels, the list of such complimentary items, available on request, is often 1 page long.
A beverage of any kind (incl. water), on the other hand, would fall under the [chargeable] Food and Beverage category, just like mini-bar items, room service, hotel restaurants, etc.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KVS
Because toiletries, etc. fall under the Housekeeping category. At 5***** luxury hotels, the list of such complimentary items, available on request, is often 1 page long.
A beverage of any kind (incl. water), on the other hand, would fall under the [chargeable] Food and Beverage category, just like mini-bar items, room service, hotel restaurants, etc.
I guess so.
I still do think that under the circumstances and the fact that it took several phone calls, it should have been comped.
I just hate it when some hotels try to get every single penny out of you.
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I still do think that under the circumstances and the fact that it took several phone calls, it should have been comped.
I just hate it when some hotels try to get every single penny out of you.
Thank you, very well said. Especially in my case it is clear to me that she had asked the supervisor who told her to say no. The hotel was totally empty, 2 out of their 3 buildings were completely closed, it just didnt feel right that they wanted to charge me.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sbtinme
However, fine hotels should also make some consideration for guests in situations like the OP's and see fit to not always charge for services as small as this one.
Fine hotels always charge for room service delivery. There is no rational reason to treat a baby bottle any differently than a cold beer. When you choose to travel with young children, you should be prepared to pay for all services related to having them in tow.
