United747

There’s quite the side discussion happening in the StR NYC thread about bath amenities and whether or not they factor into someone’s hotel choice.

I’m curious if any of you take small details like that into account when choosing a hotel?

I for one, don’t really care about the bath amenities, though do have preferences. I dislike Acqua di Parma, but enjoy Hermès and some other.

As for other things, I expect the air con to go low, ~65F and stay there. But again, I don’t choose hotels based on that.

Are there any any other small details you all look for?

FlyingDoctorwu

I would suspect that some find air con not to be minutia but a big big deal......

I for one loathe L'Occitance bath products (they make my head itch)... however, it doesn't deter me from a hotel. I just request alternate products (and thankfully FS seems to know to provide me such without even requesting).....

FDW

Vaterland

The attention to minutia is what delineates a true luxury hotel from a simply nice 4* property. L'occitane bath products at a Kimpton? Sure, that's fine. Oh, but there would be hell to pay if I saw that stinky, sticky goo in a Four Seasons bathroom.

callmedtop

I have never looked twice at bath amenities before booking a property. Never.
The minutia that I do consider include: dual vanities (there is an extensive conversation around this topic somewhere) and a walk-in shower if it can be had (no bathtub needed). Finding a property with a complimentary mini-bar is gold - not even because we drink very much, but just because sometimes I like to grab a Diet Coke and don't like being gouged. I know it's priced in the room, but leave me alone!

In the meantime, I'm sitting in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt ICN and just paid $18 US for two cups of coffee (one cup + refill). Now THAT is gouging!

MattEvan

The thing about bath products at hotels is that 1) they mostly all come off the same production lines and are made from the same raw materials, and 2) what hotels pay for them are not in line with what people might expect. That said, I will reconsider if they have Aesop!

Aventine

I appreciate places that take care of all the minutiae things involved in a hotel stay. And I'll pay for that kind of service or thoughtfulness.

Nizar

For me, hotels which offer rooms with shower/tub combo immediately rule themselves out of consideration.

jp-mco

Cityflyer10

The less smells the better. That includes in the air and in the toiletries (perfumed soaps and lotions are really not good for your skin, luxury or otherwise).

United747

MattEvan

One of the many reasons why Las Vegas is the worst place on earth.

Aventine

+2
I also really dislike this.

passionforhotels

Hard to answer the question. I don't think I'd really factor in the brand of toiletries or type of turndown gift as a major reason for choosing one hotel over another - it's the location, room and facilities that are my main concerns - but I travel more for business than pleasure. But then, if it came down to a choice of two hotels that were equally appealing in terms of location, room and facilities, then yes, maybe it would be the minutiae that swing it one way or another.

While there are people posting that the minutiae don't matter to them, the heated conversations on other threads regarding things such as toiletries suggests otherwise. Certainly, you read in reviews how people are looking forward to their Bentley or Rolls Royce airport pickup from hotel x, so it clearly does have some kind of influence on decision making. Just maybe not the main the factor.

Musken

Such small things are generally not part of the decision making process for me in choosing between several hotels. Most often I will already make a decision before thinking of such things, based on location, rooms, service, pool etc. However, in terms of choice of rooms within the specific hotel, I look more closely at room layout, bathroom size (two vanities, separate shower and bathtub etc.). I do not care very much absolut toiletries, most often I bring my own anyway or if I use what is provided, my hair and skin often enjoy the variation. However, if I dislike the fragrance, I would ask for something else, but this has happened only 2 or 3 times.

Annalisa12

The little things don't worry me. I can always bring my own shampoo or buy drinks to have in the room instead of the stuff I don't like in the mini bar but I can't bring my own bed and crisp sheets etc.