Hotels and alarm clocks!!
Dec 2, 2018, 7:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 35
Hotels and alarm clocks!!
Mini-rant here - what are everyone's thoughts as to housekeeping's responsibility to turn off alarm clocks? Stayed at the Hyatt Regency Dallas recently and the alarm clock went off at 4AM. When I enter a new room, it should be like a blank slate, right? No evidence of prior guests. First world problem?
Dec 2, 2018, 7:51 am
#2
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I’m a bit cranky after a long haul so I won’t post my very first thought. I’ll simply say that the hotel staff is not given much time to flip a room. Productivity, target goals, yada, yada, yada. Simply make checking the alarm, 30 seconds of your time tops including figuring out how to disarm that darn thing, part of your check-in ritual. Kudos to you for recognizing this is, indeed, a FWP
Dec 2, 2018, 8:27 am
#4
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I always simply unplug the alarm clock. Takes 10 seconds and avoids all hassles.
I don't think that it is a housekeeping function at anything short of a true luxury property where everything is a housekeeping (or other) function.
I don't think that it is a housekeeping function at anything short of a true luxury property where everything is a housekeeping (or other) function.
Dec 2, 2018, 8:28 am
#5
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 35
Yeah, going to have to start checking when I check-in. I had ordered room service breakfast on a card the night before and forgot to put down what time to send it so they called me at 12:30am to figure out what time to send it. That combined with 4AM alarm means annoyance all around. But all of it is pretty much self-induced so can't complain too much I guess.
Dec 2, 2018, 8:51 am
#6
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Dec 2, 2018, 9:40 am
#8
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Dec 2, 2018, 11:28 am
#10
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I am the housekeeping manager of a forty-room hotel, and alarm clock's being left on is a pet peeve of mine. I do not expect the housekeepers to check if alarms are set, but I do expect the supervisor inspecting a room to check.
Dec 2, 2018, 5:47 pm
#11
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Mini-rant here - what are everyone's thoughts as to housekeeping's responsibility to turn off alarm clocks? Stayed at the Hyatt Regency Dallas recently and the alarm clock went off at 4AM. When I enter a new room, it should be like a blank slate, right? No evidence of prior guests. First world problem?
I think a more legitimate complaint for all hotels and the fancier, the worse this is, is the weird clocks and clock radios with no manuals that it takes an MIT engineer to figure out how to set or even turn on the radio. Now with USB Lightning, docking stations, dual time zones.
But no instructions, and no list of radio stations so if you do figure it out it awakes you with the all EDM radio station or worse the all string quartet station which is so soft you can't wake up to it.
In a hotel like Hyatt it is reasonable to think other than the grand opening, that there were prior guests, no evidence needed. If you want evidence, not recommended, but turn on a UV light. Eek!
Dec 2, 2018, 8:54 pm
#12
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The housekeeping supervisor who signs off on the room should have this on their checklist even if the housekeeping staff themselves don't get around to do it.
It just avoids problems such as guests complaining. Especially rooms coded VIP (Suite, Club, Tier Guests).
It just avoids problems such as guests complaining. Especially rooms coded VIP (Suite, Club, Tier Guests).
Dec 2, 2018, 10:36 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I’m a bit cranky after a long haul so I won’t post my very first thought. I’ll simply say that the hotel staff is not given much time to flip a room. Productivity, target goals, yada, yada, yada. Simply make checking the alarm, 30 seconds of your time tops including figuring out how to disarm that darn thing, part of your check-in ritual. Kudos to you for recognizing this is, indeed, a FWP
As someone noted, it's supposed to be on the checklist for turning a room vacant/ready.
This doesn't happen nearly as often as it used to, fortunately.
Dec 2, 2018, 10:50 pm
#14
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Agree, it should be on the checklist of housekeeping. as they would check this in all rooms, they would know in an instant how to set the right time, turn off the alarm, set/unset DST... and would not need to be an MIT engineer.
I have woken up many times because of the alarm around 4 am, especially at airport locations..
I have woken up many times because of the alarm around 4 am, especially at airport locations..
Unplug it and put it in a drawer wrapped with the extra blanket. Or unplug it and take out the backup battery. Use your own clock. Or check to see if it is on and turn it off.
I think a more legitimate complaint for all hotels and the fancier, the worse this is, is the weird clocks and clock radios with no manuals that it takes an MIT engineer to figure out how to set or even turn on the radio. Now with USB Lightning, docking stations, dual time zones.
But no instructions, and no list of radio stations so if you do figure it out it awakes you with the all EDM radio station or worse the all string quartet station which is so soft you can't wake up to it.
In a hotel like Hyatt it is reasonable to think other than the grand opening, that there were prior guests, no evidence needed. If you want evidence, not recommended, but turn on a UV light. Eek!
I think a more legitimate complaint for all hotels and the fancier, the worse this is, is the weird clocks and clock radios with no manuals that it takes an MIT engineer to figure out how to set or even turn on the radio. Now with USB Lightning, docking stations, dual time zones.
But no instructions, and no list of radio stations so if you do figure it out it awakes you with the all EDM radio station or worse the all string quartet station which is so soft you can't wake up to it.
In a hotel like Hyatt it is reasonable to think other than the grand opening, that there were prior guests, no evidence needed. If you want evidence, not recommended, but turn on a UV light. Eek!
Dec 3, 2018, 3:42 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: DCA
Posts: 292
In an ideal World, Housekeeping would have a ton of time to attend to everything. Realistically, a clean room is the most important thing. The alarm clocks can be tricky, and let’s face it, most people don’t know how to operate them. So, just unplug it when you get in the room, or turn off the alarm and you’ll be good to go. I haven’t used one in years. My phone is sufficient. I’d be okay with them getting eliminated from hotel rooms in the near future.