Appropriate gift suggestions for hotel employees after staying there several months?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Avis Rock Star
Posts: 1,217
Appropriate gift suggestions for hotel employees after staying there several months?
Hi,
I have been at the Hilton Easton in Columbus Ohio for roughly 3 nights/week since February. My stint in CMH is finally coming to a close in 2 weeks and I wanted to get something for the hotel employees that have been pretty great to me.
They've held dry cleaning, let me keep laundry there, altered reservations in sticky situations, given me great rooms, and just been generally super.
I want to avoid offending anyonw with an inappropriate gifts, as I am sure their tastes, etc. vary widely. In particular there are 2 front desk folks, 2 food/bev managers, and i General Manager that I'd like to get something for.
I realize this is pretty open-ended, but any suggestions based on your experiences would be very helpful!
Thanks
I have been at the Hilton Easton in Columbus Ohio for roughly 3 nights/week since February. My stint in CMH is finally coming to a close in 2 weeks and I wanted to get something for the hotel employees that have been pretty great to me.
They've held dry cleaning, let me keep laundry there, altered reservations in sticky situations, given me great rooms, and just been generally super.
I want to avoid offending anyonw with an inappropriate gifts, as I am sure their tastes, etc. vary widely. In particular there are 2 front desk folks, 2 food/bev managers, and i General Manager that I'd like to get something for.
I realize this is pretty open-ended, but any suggestions based on your experiences would be very helpful!
Thanks
#3
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: DC
Programs: AA, UA, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 159
Originally Posted by GDIW
If you don't want to give cash I would suggest a gift card of some sort. Maybe from a nearby mall or a gas card from a local gas station. I would think a thank you note with cash inside would be appreciated.
i've done the above for just a weekend stay (excellent service). even received a thank you letter back.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lafayette, CO, USA
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Posts: 9,096
I'm not big on giving gift cards. I know that people like them, but I don't see it being much different than cash and find it rather impersonal.
Flowers with a note. A local florist might can put together a special price for multiple arrangements to the same address.
A food, candy, or fruit basket can be nice, affordable, creative, and durable for travel. Especially nice if you put one together yourself with items that are unique to your own hometown.
Also, a positive note to their supervisors is always appreciated.
Flowers with a note. A local florist might can put together a special price for multiple arrangements to the same address.
A food, candy, or fruit basket can be nice, affordable, creative, and durable for travel. Especially nice if you put one together yourself with items that are unique to your own hometown.
Also, a positive note to their supervisors is always appreciated.
#5
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Plat Delta
Posts: 76
Originally Posted by sc flier
I'm not big on giving gift cards. I know that people like them, but I don't see it being much different than cash and find it rather impersonal.
Flowers with a note. A local florist might can put together a special price for multiple arrangements to the same address.
A food, candy, or fruit basket can be nice, affordable, creative, and durable for travel. Especially nice if you put one together yourself with items that are unique to your own hometown.
Also, a positive note to their supervisors is always appreciated.
Flowers with a note. A local florist might can put together a special price for multiple arrangements to the same address.
A food, candy, or fruit basket can be nice, affordable, creative, and durable for travel. Especially nice if you put one together yourself with items that are unique to your own hometown.
Also, a positive note to their supervisors is always appreciated.
Notes to supervisors/corporate are always appreciated. ^
#6
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
Originally Posted by sc flier
I'm not big on giving gift cards. I know that people like them, but I don't see it being much different than cash and find it rather impersonal.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, Avis CHM, Marriott & SPG & PC Plat., Hyatt & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,547
Originally Posted by liveon777
I have been at the Hilton Easton in Columbus Ohio for roughly 3 nights/week since February.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
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Posts: 6,187
I do a couple of things on long stays. I due Christmas cards, if in season. I also often bring in pie, cakes etc, I give them the Dessert from dinner when I come back at night. After a while they start to look forward to it. I have never been a big fan of cash or gift cards.
#9
Join Date: May 2002
Location: DTW
Programs: HH Diamond
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Don't think about what YOU would appreciate...
If you put yourself in the shoes of someone making not too much a year, I think cash wins.
Some too expensive flowers that smell nice but will die in a few days or some cold hard cash that can actually be used to put gas in your car or pay off some bills or to take your SO out for a bite to eat.
The personal thank you note(s) are what make the gift personal. The cash signifies that you are serious about being grateful.
I remember being in grad school with student loans piling up, working a job that paid me $7 an hour and getting a $120 flower arrangment as a wedding gift.
I promised myself then that I would never give someone else a useless gift.
Don't think about what YOU would appreciate...
If you put yourself in the shoes of someone making not too much a year, I think cash wins.
Some too expensive flowers that smell nice but will die in a few days or some cold hard cash that can actually be used to put gas in your car or pay off some bills or to take your SO out for a bite to eat.
The personal thank you note(s) are what make the gift personal. The cash signifies that you are serious about being grateful.
I remember being in grad school with student loans piling up, working a job that paid me $7 an hour and getting a $120 flower arrangment as a wedding gift.
I promised myself then that I would never give someone else a useless gift.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Houston
Programs: WN, Marriott, Choice
Posts: 420
Depending on your budget, a personal note with some cash in the envelope would be nice. "Thanks for your great service, go have fun" or something to that effect is what I've done in the past.
I agree that a note of commendation is appreciated, especially at review time.
I agree that a note of commendation is appreciated, especially at review time.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Thank You note and gift card
I've always left a thank you note and a gift card.
This way the user can use it anyway they wish and its the same as cash, but not tacky.
If I know someone is deeply involved in an organization or a Charity, I'll also make a donation on their behalf.
This way the user can use it anyway they wish and its the same as cash, but not tacky.
If I know someone is deeply involved in an organization or a Charity, I'll also make a donation on their behalf.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Avis Rock Star
Posts: 1,217
Originally Posted by heffa
Thinking of how much revenue you have brought to that hotel, I would say that the hotel manager should concidering giving you a gift. Not the other way around...?
Haha, I had just thought about that recently! The $500-$600/week I spend there certainly does add up over the months.
Checked in last night and one of the girls at the front desk commented that they would take very good care of me next week (my last week here).
Thanks, all, for the suggestions!
Looks like it'll be a mix of cash and gift cards.