I always check the alarm clock as i am a terrible sleeper and have never needed an alarm to go off, so I want to make sure its off. I do a lot of hampton inns and yes I have had to actually have someone from maintenance come up to reset the time and they had to use a screwdriver to make the time adjustments. unplugging does not unpower the lock. a real pain!!

My experience too. Huge pain in the rear.

I wasn't calling you foolish. If that's how you took it, I apologize. I was referring to the procedure you suggested to determine the time.

Why ask a guest to find the TV remote, figure out which button turns on the TV, randomly scroll through stations to find a news station (that isn't on a commercial), find the time on the screen (without glasses/contacts for some), and decipher the time zone when a simple alarm clock does the same task instantly? That just seems like a very guest-unfriendly concept.

Seemd like the time is often incorrect on hotel alarm clocks and there is no way to set the time. Also, most have battery backups so unplugging them may not do any good. I never set the alarm, relying on my mobile phone's built in alarm.
Ok... Occasionally, I set the clock if I have to get up very early and the people next door have kept me awake with a loud TV or partying. Then, I might set the alarm to a local radio station, preferably RAP, and crank the volume WAY up and program it to go off a couple minutes after I leave the room.

I always forget to check if they are set or have been left set by a previous guest. 2:00AM off it goes...totally dark and I have no idea how to turn it off. I guess beating on the top of it I must have it something to shut it off. I would never trust one if I really needed to get up at a certain time. Always, phone alarm and wake up call.

Kensterfly....what about the people in the room on the otherside...the ones that didn't disturb you?

But it shouldnt be. Its the job of hotel to ensure all features of the room are in working order and in case of alarm clock it means alarm should be disabled before new guest checks in.
Two nights comp is excessive but i see grounds for complaint.

You are staying at a lot different hotels that I am. You say most, I say 5%...maybe less.

Maybe it's a UK thing. Hilton is the only chain I have stayed at recently that always have separate alarm clocks. The last two I stayed at had an alarm clock in the room and a clock built into the TV that could be set as an alarm.

Most of the Hamptons , HGI's, and Homewood's I've stayed in have the same type alarm clock that you can't change the time (unless you have your little screw driver and know how to take the faceplate off to adjust). The last two hotels I was in the time was off; one 48 minutes slow, and this stay exactly 12 hours off; i.e. am and pm time were reversed. While not getting woken in the middle of the night, you won't get your alarm on time if am/pm is wrong, so I always verify this. And always set a wakeup call and/or phone reminder too if it's for an early flight.

Perhaps you might consider getting one of those things called a "watch"? :-: