is the stay defined by expectations?
Maybe I have impossibly high expectations. And that is why when something is purported to be great (Michelin star, wonderful service) I am almost always disappointed.
Is it possible to enjoy luxury hotels with high expectations? If you think you are paying a lot does that mean setting yourself up for disappointment? Are the people who enjoy the high-end stuff just used to spending lots of money and not thinking it is splurging? Caveat: I don't know if I've ever stayed at a true luxury hotel, as per this forum. Many were top-end for a chain, the highest being Mandarin Oriental. |
Of course expectations always define a stay. You also can´t expect the same at every hotel, it depens on location, size and of course the price. I´m lucky enough, that I´m mostly not disappointed, even if I expect much.
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Originally Posted by offerendum
(Post 27768612)
Of course expectations always define a stay. You also can´t expect the same at every hotel, it depens on location, size and of course the price. I´m lucky enough, that I´m mostly not disappointed, even if I expect much.
I think it's more adjusting expectations based on previous experiences. Not all Michelin 3* restaurants are created equal nor are 5* hotels. |
Originally Posted by s0ssos
(Post 27763940)
Is it possible to enjoy luxury hotels with high expectations? If you think you are paying a lot does that mean setting yourself up for disappointment? Are the people who enjoy the high-end stuff just used to spending lots of money and not thinking it is splurging
The same thing applies to "aspirational" guests of fine restaurants vs. those who are accustomed to dining at that level (esp. regulars). The former group might expect perfection before even walking in the door, and therefore come in with a bias that makes them less apt to enjoy the experience. The latter group has a more highly developed sense of what to expect, and is more likely to relax and enjoy the overall experience, focusing on the positive aspects and perhaps not thinking as much about minor problems or service issues. There's absolutely nothing wrong with splurging on something special, but I think it helps to make sure one's expectations are realistic. Also, try to relax, enjoy, and look for the good points about the experience. It can also be easy for people who "splurge" on top end hotel accommodation in very expensive cities to feel disappointed, because the rates are so high more because of demand than for any other reason. It's very possible to pay $1,000 a night for a rather unremarkable hotel room and not really get anything special in those cases. So, again, realistic expectations are important, as is knowing when to "splurge" and when it may not be worth it. |
I just wonder if someone who is constantly thinking about value can enjoy these things. You hear of these billionaires nitpicking on expenses, and I doubt Sam Walton would have enjoyed staying at a fancy hotel.
So maybe some people define "worth it" differently. Even if they all have the same quantity of money. |
Originally Posted by s0ssos
(Post 27773404)
I just wonder if someone who is constantly thinking about value can enjoy these things. You hear of these billionaires nitpicking on expenses, and I doubt Sam Walton would have enjoyed staying at a fancy hotel.
So maybe some people define "worth it" differently. Even if they all have the same quantity of money. |
I think it is about setting the right expectations but also about your mindset. When I go away on holidays - especially to a very expensive hotel, I want to enjoy myself and I believe that the hotel that I stay in, want the same for me. However, I do not expect them to be able to read my mind in terms of knowing exactly what I need and want in order to be able to have an enjoyable stay. Therefore I make sure to communicate my wishes to them - some in advance, some upon arrival and some ad hoc during the stay. If something goes wrong, the mindset part comes into consideration. My mindset is, as said, that I want to enjoy, and I do not want to let mistakes ruin this. Therefore, if something happens, I deal with it immediately to get it out of my mind. This clears my brain for further enjoyment and also gives the hotel the chance to correct the mistakes and improve for the rest of the stay. For me this works most of the time.
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Originally Posted by s0ssos
(Post 27763940)
used to spending lots of money and not thinking it is splurging?
Originally Posted by MikeFromTokyo
(Post 27772639)
People who feel they are splurging can sometimes have expectations that are a bit unrealistic, and might therefore be less able to just relax and enjoy their stay.
"aspirational" i dont know what aspirational applies to, but it applies to basically no one in this forum. because >
Originally Posted by s0ssos
(Post 27773404)
I just wonder if someone who is constantly thinking about value can enjoy these things. You hear of these billionaires nitpicking on expenses, and I doubt Sam Walton would have enjoyed staying at a fancy hotel. So maybe some people define "worth it" differently. Even if they all have the same quantity of money.
some of us have given up a lot of nights/weeks of (expensive luxury) travel in exchange for fewer nights at even higher cost. stereotypes frequently come up here re travel and forum members. stereotypes really do not work. in the case of travel, each stereotype originated within limited context of a certain type of "hotel" etc. but luxury "hotels" vary, and many do not resemble "hotels" in any way.
Originally Posted by Musken
(Post 27773714)
I make sure to communicate my wishes to them - some in advance, some upon arrival and some ad hoc during the stay.
edit - posted today in another thread >
Originally Posted by KI-NRT
(Post 27775493)
We choose locations/properties that are limited in tourist #s by the number of rooms. For instance, in Botswana camps, even if all of them are fully booked you're still going to get a pretty good wilderness experience since there's only a finite # of people that can be there at one time.
Originally Posted by LM225
(Post 27775746)
find properties during this time that won't feel crowded (i.e. small properties with no kids
some do not care about number of rooms. some prefer larger properties, although there are small properties with equivalent facilities. some do not care about crowds, and some prefer having a crowd in terms of the kind of atmosphere and ambiance they prefer. others prefer fewer rooms, fewer people, whether they care about facilities and other things or not.
Originally Posted by s0ssos
(Post 27763940)
I am almost always disappointed.
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Over the years we had the opportunity to stay in many different luxury hotels. Each time we try a new one I fear that my expectations have been increasing and that I might be disappointed. So I try to leave room for surprise, and experience helps to choose wisely. It's a mindset: I don't expect perfection. And it works :)
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Expectations are everything these days in luxury hospitality -- been saying this for years.
Originally Posted by MikeFromTokyo
(Post 27773602)
I often feel I am getting better value at high end hotels and resorts than I would be getting at more moderate hotels. It's hard to put a price on the experience of a great hotel stay. If that added value outweighs the cost difference, then it's absolutely worth it.
On a different note: George V aside, it is so much easier these days to make money with a mediocre 3 star hotel than with a luxury property. It can be done, yes, and some popular hotels and resorts are great examples for it, but generally difficult. |
Originally Posted by scented
(Post 27777302)
George V aside
silverlink / aman losses > http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post22840373 |
To answer the thread question I would have to say yes, I agree.
I have stayed at a $3,000/night accommodations and been very disappointed and I've stayed at $400/night accomodations and been absolutely blown away - as my expectations are alot less at this price point. As you go higher up in price point it is usually - at least for me - the soft product which tends to disappoint. Although my expectations these days are much more waned compared to when I first started staying at what I call a luxury hotel. These days I know and kind of expect some degree of mistake/lapse to occur so it's more the service recovery I look out for. |
Originally Posted by Musken
(Post 27773714)
I think it is about setting the right expectations but also about your mindset. When I go away on holidays - especially to a very expensive hotel, I want to enjoy myself and I believe that the hotel that I stay in, want the same for me. However, I do not expect them to be able to read my mind in terms of knowing exactly what I need and want in order to be able to have an enjoyable stay. Therefore I make sure to communicate my wishes to them - some in advance, some upon arrival and some ad hoc during the stay. If something goes wrong, the mindset part comes into consideration. My mindset is, as said, that I want to enjoy, and I do not want to let mistakes ruin this. Therefore, if something happens, I deal with it immediately to get it out of my mind. This clears my brain for further enjoyment and also gives the hotel the chance to correct the mistakes and improve for the rest of the stay. For me this works most of the time.
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Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri
(Post 27775814)
disagree but i guess it is how "splurge" is being defined.
i dont know what aspirational applies to, but it applies to basically no one in this forum. because > I was referring to how less experienced travelers can perceive room rates and incidental charges at luxury hotels as "overpriced" and how this can impact their enjoyment of a stay. It is very common to see trip advisor reviews that say an hotel was good but "not worth it" or that F&B was "overpriced" When in fact pricing at those properties is consistent with their competitors' and not abnormally high by luxury hotel standards. I don't really understand what the OP is getting at with this thread. He asked if it were possible to enjoy luxury hotel stays if one has high expectations. The answer is absolutely yes, and why wouldn't one have high expectations? |
Originally Posted by s0ssos
(Post 27782813)
I think that is a great attitude to have. It would bring you enjoyment anywhere, regardless of whether it is a luxury hotel or not. But I'm not as strong-minded.
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