Hotel doesn't have any umbrellas to loan, but they have one to sell...
Apr 23, 2015, 6:23 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: IHG Spire, Marriott
Posts: 574
Remember seeing one at the element in NYC though, perhaps because it's a long-stay hotel.
The amenities in southeast asia hotels are so much better, making hotels in other countries laughable. For us, even at the cheapest Holiday Inn you can expect a full size safe, toothbrush, slippers etc waiting for you in the room. You will find an umbrella in the closet every time.
Apr 23, 2015, 6:59 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
Next thing you know, they will be charging for rooms instead of loaning them for free to travelers who need one.
Apr 23, 2015, 7:00 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
I guess I take the other side.... I never expect the hotel to provide an umbrella... it is nice if they do.
But think about it.... how many umbrellas would a hotel need to have on hand.... especially in a place like NYC? 10 or 50? or more? What happens when they run out? Details of managing check out and return.
Also, considering you can find an umbrella in every corner store in NYC.... I guess I would have grabbed one when I knew it was going to rain.
The hotel provides an option....purchase what you need. Yes, I know it could be considered nickel and diming... but it is what it is.
But think about it.... how many umbrellas would a hotel need to have on hand.... especially in a place like NYC? 10 or 50? or more? What happens when they run out? Details of managing check out and return.
Also, considering you can find an umbrella in every corner store in NYC.... I guess I would have grabbed one when I knew it was going to rain.
The hotel provides an option....purchase what you need. Yes, I know it could be considered nickel and diming... but it is what it is.
Apr 23, 2015, 7:54 pm
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,135
Apr 23, 2015, 8:26 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MEL
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat. WOH Glob. SQ Gold
Posts: 1,637
I've also found a tip to a doorman often results in one suddenly being found out the back.
Apr 24, 2015, 11:38 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: From: PWM
Programs: United GS, Fairmont Platinum,SPG LTPlat, Hilton Diamond, MarriottGold..like the rest of the world
Posts: 4,401
Domestically, I have no expectations that most hotels have umbrellas to loan. In the rare occasion that I've needed one and they do have loaners, I'm grateful, but that's been perhaps 3 times in 30+ years?
OTOH, in Europe, I can't actually recall ever needing an umbrella and a hotel NOT having them to loan.
OTOH, in Europe, I can't actually recall ever needing an umbrella and a hotel NOT having them to loan.
Apr 24, 2015, 9:37 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
I guess I take the other side.... I never expect the hotel to provide an umbrella... it is nice if they do.
But think about it.... how many umbrellas would a hotel need to have on hand.... especially in a place like NYC? 10 or 50? or more? What happens when they run out? Details of managing check out and return.
Also, considering you can find an umbrella in every corner store in NYC.... I guess I would have grabbed one when I knew it was going to rain.
The hotel provides an option....purchase what you need. Yes, I know it could be considered nickel and diming... but it is what it is.
But think about it.... how many umbrellas would a hotel need to have on hand.... especially in a place like NYC? 10 or 50? or more? What happens when they run out? Details of managing check out and return.
Also, considering you can find an umbrella in every corner store in NYC.... I guess I would have grabbed one when I knew it was going to rain.
The hotel provides an option....purchase what you need. Yes, I know it could be considered nickel and diming... but it is what it is.
Apr 24, 2015, 9:39 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Apr 24, 2015, 9:47 pm
#24
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,135
Apr 25, 2015, 4:49 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
I expect it in a five star property. A true five star property is supposed to make staying there easy, proactively detecting and meeting needs. The availability of umbrellas for guests to use is a part of that equation.
Apr 25, 2015, 4:52 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MEL
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat. WOH Glob. SQ Gold
Posts: 1,637
Apr 25, 2015, 8:54 am
#28
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,135
Not relevant to the property in question.
I suggest you avoid New York, then. Doormen in New York use anything less than a $10 bill to wipe their shoes.
I suggest you avoid New York, then. Doormen in New York use anything less than a $10 bill to wipe their shoes.
Apr 25, 2015, 8:55 am
#29
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Apr 25, 2015, 10:02 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Yeah, I remember. Very different from Asia, where doormen, wait staff, etc., actually do their jobs in exchange for the compensation paid by their employers. What an odd concept, very rare in the U.S.