Luxury hotels on TV - never lives up to expectations
Nov 29, 2018, 2:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,378
Luxury hotels on TV - never lives up to expectations
It's funny how my experiences never compare with how these hotels are portrayed on TV. The service is never as good as it should be. For example, in the Savoy in London the housekeeper was saying she runs her finger checking for dust in each room. But when I stayed there I found some dust behind the TV. In the Mandarin in London, i never got a cake for my birthday.
Nov 29, 2018, 2:42 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,600
It's funny how my experiences never compare with how these hotels are portrayed on TV. The service is never as good as it should be. For example, in the Savoy in London the housekeeper was saying she runs her finger checking for dust in each room. But when I stayed there I found some dust behind the TV. In the Mandarin in London, i never got a cake for my birthday.
Few variables that should be taken into consideration when evaluating these so-called documentaries: who commissioned them, what perspective is shown, what is it doing to expectations of most guests, what is the underlining message, etc.
Think average audience will not stay at either MO London or The Savoy. Also think that the alleged guests in almost all of the shows came across very bizarre.
Maybe you did not stay during your birthday?
Nov 29, 2018, 2:51 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,378
For me it's the other way round... did not get to watch all these TV shows but the few glimpses I had it was not something I was very keen to experience. I would say many of my hotel and resort experiences have been lightyears ahead of what was shown on TV.
Few variables that should be taken into consideration when evaluating these so-called documentaries: who commissioned them, what perspective is shown, what is it doing to expectations of most guests, what is the underlining message, etc.
Think average audience will not stay at either MO London or The Savoy. Also think that the alleged guests in almost all of the shows came across very bizarre.
Maybe you did not stay during your birthday?
Few variables that should be taken into consideration when evaluating these so-called documentaries: who commissioned them, what perspective is shown, what is it doing to expectations of most guests, what is the underlining message, etc.
Think average audience will not stay at either MO London or The Savoy. Also think that the alleged guests in almost all of the shows came across very bizarre.
Maybe you did not stay during your birthday?
Nov 29, 2018, 4:53 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,718
The documentaries always make out the Butlers, etc. are terrible status obsessed clueless make believe artists. I thought a documentary on the Burj al Arab was particularly painful. The multi-part series on the Savoy from when it reopened was a bit better, but even there the Head Butler came across as a fantasist. It's a shame as I know quite a few of the Savoy staff from the opening and at the moment and they're by and large an incredibly professional and sensible bunch.
Nov 30, 2018, 2:35 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,378
The documentaries always make out the Butlers, etc. are terrible status obsessed clueless make believe artists. I thought a documentary on the Burj al Arab was particularly painful. The multi-part series on the Savoy from when it reopened was a bit better, but even there the Head Butler came across as a fantasist. It's a shame as I know quite a few of the Savoy staff from the opening and at the moment and they're by and large an incredibly professional and sensible bunch.
Nov 30, 2018, 3:27 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,718
The picture painted was of Disney Prince and Princesses obsessing over the number of pleats on a uniform, whereas most of the Savoy's customers are called Dave and are on holiday from Des Moines to see Les Miserables.
Nov 30, 2018, 7:31 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,378
I am a bit OCD and a perfectionist, but sometimes I cannot help but complain. At the Mandarin DC, the towels in the bathroom were not in a straight pile and the bedsheet was 1.7cm longer on one side of the bed. I know this seems very petty but especially when paying £1000s per night I think I have a right to be.
Nov 30, 2018, 11:53 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,600
I am a bit OCD and a perfectionist, but sometimes I cannot help but complain. At the Mandarin DC, the towels in the bathroom were not in a straight pile and the bedsheet was 1.7cm longer on one side of the bed. I know this seems very petty but especially when paying £1000s per night I think I have a right to be.
Nov 30, 2018, 12:02 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
"£1000s per night" - one of top 2 suites? more like £2k or £10k?
closer to £10k i agree managers should have attention to detail
re DC there is also FS for example with expensive top 4 suites
consider unbranded properties with few rooms and high rates
but mainly pay close attention to discussion on this forum
even when dedicated staff, depends on the staff in question
when booking top suite, absolutely do detailed stay lists etc
closer to £10k i agree managers should have attention to detail
re DC there is also FS for example with expensive top 4 suites
consider unbranded properties with few rooms and high rates
but mainly pay close attention to discussion on this forum
even when dedicated staff, depends on the staff in question
when booking top suite, absolutely do detailed stay lists etc
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 30, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Nov 30, 2018, 5:25 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,378
Not at first but after watching a lot of these so called "documentaries" I carry a small tape measure. I also use it to measure the gap between cutlery and plates in 3 Michelin starred restaurants. As I've said I do have OCD.
Nov 30, 2018, 5:38 pm
#15
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222