What Are Your Top Hotel Pet Peeves, 2012 Edition
May 9, 2012, 1:08 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
1) Too many pillows and not one of them is a good enough thickness. Hey if you are going to have 1000 pillows on my bed, why not vary the thickness instead of the shape?
2) I forgot to put a Do Not Disturb sign, but I shouldnt have to expect housekeeping at 8:30 in the morning to clean my room. I should have a right to sleep undisturbed till 9. A maid walked in on me lying on the bed without clothes. This despite me saying "I am in" when I heard the door opening(no knock). This was not too long after the DSK scandal. So while I was not personally offended, I was thinking damn, did the maid have to be cute? Luckily the sheets were nearby to cover me after a second.
3) Less than pristinely cleaned toilets. Seriously, I do not need you to make my beds perfectly. I ened up throwing away half your pillows and loosening the sheeets so I do not feel trapped inside. use more effort in cleaning the toilet and less on making the bed, if for some reason you do not have the time to do both perfectly.
4)WIFI: Other than the pay for wifi issue, what is worse is you pay for it, then they restrict you to one connection and you have to complain in case you have two laptops and then get a waiver. Also paid or not, slow connections are unacceptable. A lot of the HIlton properties, especially Homewood Suites have incredibly slow connections.
5) low shower heads and low pressure showers.
6) if you are in Europe, ridiculous design of their bathtub based showers. THey have a half a freaking glass on their tub. Is the shower curtain concept alien to people in England and parts of Europe?
2) I forgot to put a Do Not Disturb sign, but I shouldnt have to expect housekeeping at 8:30 in the morning to clean my room. I should have a right to sleep undisturbed till 9. A maid walked in on me lying on the bed without clothes. This despite me saying "I am in" when I heard the door opening(no knock). This was not too long after the DSK scandal. So while I was not personally offended, I was thinking damn, did the maid have to be cute? Luckily the sheets were nearby to cover me after a second.
3) Less than pristinely cleaned toilets. Seriously, I do not need you to make my beds perfectly. I ened up throwing away half your pillows and loosening the sheeets so I do not feel trapped inside. use more effort in cleaning the toilet and less on making the bed, if for some reason you do not have the time to do both perfectly.
4)WIFI: Other than the pay for wifi issue, what is worse is you pay for it, then they restrict you to one connection and you have to complain in case you have two laptops and then get a waiver. Also paid or not, slow connections are unacceptable. A lot of the HIlton properties, especially Homewood Suites have incredibly slow connections.
5) low shower heads and low pressure showers.
6) if you are in Europe, ridiculous design of their bathtub based showers. THey have a half a freaking glass on their tub. Is the shower curtain concept alien to people in England and parts of Europe?
May 9, 2012, 1:35 pm
#17
Ambassador: Finnair Plus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Priority Club Plat Amb, Miles and Smiles Elite
Posts: 5,295
I am constantly amazed how difficult it is to find power outlets in convenient locations, even in otherwise very good hotels. I don't want to move furniture around to be able to reach that one free power outlet...
May 9, 2012, 1:39 pm
#18
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
- Horrendously expensive parking at upscale chains or too few parking spots at lower-scale chains. Especially annoying in winter or when carrying a lot of bags.
- Concierge services that suggest the hotel restaurant despite me asking them to suggest a restaurant for dinner not in the hotel.
- No outlets near the bed where I like to keep my phone with its convenient alarm.
- Concierge services that suggest the hotel restaurant despite me asking them to suggest a restaurant for dinner not in the hotel.
- No outlets near the bed where I like to keep my phone with its convenient alarm.
May 9, 2012, 1:58 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Michigan's Capital Region
Programs: DL GM, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 223
I dislike continuously receiving a printed guest folio under my door at checkout, when I have repeatedly requested at check ins not to receive one, because the electronic one can be readily uploaded for expense report submission. If staff is unable to deliver one, do not ask me at check in if I would like an electronic folio and then fail to follow through.
I also travel solo for business and dread checking into hotels without advance notice of a rowdy convention or large group checked in, overcrowded hotel bars and restaurants result along with the late night hall noise mentioned by others.
I also travel solo for business and dread checking into hotels without advance notice of a rowdy convention or large group checked in, overcrowded hotel bars and restaurants result along with the late night hall noise mentioned by others.
May 9, 2012, 2:20 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 622
What about flat screen TVs with NO HD programming and the SD programming is in terrible stretch mode and even worse is you do not even get good SD quality either. They might as well have left the old tube TVs in there.
I don't care about TV in resort hotels because I rarely watch TV when I am on vacation, but in business hotels on weekdays, I expect a good selection of HD channels.
I don't care about TV in resort hotels because I rarely watch TV when I am on vacation, but in business hotels on weekdays, I expect a good selection of HD channels.
May 9, 2012, 3:20 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,539
Or TV that defaults to an ungodly loud volume setting every time you turn it on
May 9, 2012, 4:58 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
Is it inside the box in this thread to ask SanDiego1K how far this relationship with Frequent Business Traveler might go?
I think it's outstanding if it's considered a first gambit with the hope that all things are possible.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Otherwise, they have my "rank" order. But the one they did miss, IMO, was the TV volume set - set, not just left by the last guest or housekeeping - really high, so that I briefly panic that it'll wake up the next door guest. To me, it's set when it opens with a blast everytime I turn it on.*
Oh, oh, and unsprinklered hotels!
Anyway, thanks for the opportunity. Fun its own way.
*****************
EDIT: Whoops, guess I could have hattipped to Redhead with "+1". I need to post when I write, and not just leave it to sit when there's a distraction.
I think it's outstanding if it's considered a first gambit with the hope that all things are possible.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Otherwise, they have my "rank" order. But the one they did miss, IMO, was the TV volume set - set, not just left by the last guest or housekeeping - really high, so that I briefly panic that it'll wake up the next door guest. To me, it's set when it opens with a blast everytime I turn it on.*
Oh, oh, and unsprinklered hotels!
Anyway, thanks for the opportunity. Fun its own way.
*****************
EDIT: Whoops, guess I could have hattipped to Redhead with "+1". I need to post when I write, and not just leave it to sit when there's a distraction.
Last edited by Firewind; May 9, 2012 at 5:14 pm
May 9, 2012, 5:04 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Northern Italian Lakes
Programs: BA, *A, Hertz Goldstar, Mucci wannabee, Waitrose, safari Oleg
Posts: 1,545
Rooms that stink of various sprays for cleaning and with layers of sprays that build up over time in the room because they think they can cover up smells like last month when some guy smoked a cigarette in the room just by spraying something. Rooms that somehow never smell fresh because of this. All hotel room windows should be opened (and be able to be opened) regularly to freshen the room.
May 9, 2012, 6:39 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: GSP
Programs: DL FO, US Silver, MR Plat, HH Silver
Posts: 356
Ditto the SD programming on HD TVs.
Also can't stand showers that leak. Its seems to be more and more common as more hotels seem to have walk in showers. I hate stepping out into a puddle of water. It would also seem to be a liability issue.
Also little maintenance things that housekeeping should be reporting. Like this week the temp knob on my shower clearing isn't installed correctly. The maids should be pointing this stuff out.
Also can't stand showers that leak. Its seems to be more and more common as more hotels seem to have walk in showers. I hate stepping out into a puddle of water. It would also seem to be a liability issue.
Also little maintenance things that housekeeping should be reporting. Like this week the temp knob on my shower clearing isn't installed correctly. The maids should be pointing this stuff out.
May 9, 2012, 7:26 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SFO/RDU
Programs: United Hotcake Preferred
Posts: 531
I have many minor complaints that probably aren't worth mentioning here but my one HUGE pet peeve is that nearly every hotel I stay at, no matter how expensive, has supremely crappy irons. They produce zero steam even on the correct setting and somehow manage to kind of stick to your clothes. If I owned a hotel, particularly one that catered to business travelers, having decent irons in the room would be a top priority.
My other pet peeve is the inability to get a good level of darkness in the room. With so many technology devices present these days, I spend a fair amount of time unplugging things and placing objects in front of them.
My other pet peeve is the inability to get a good level of darkness in the room. With so many technology devices present these days, I spend a fair amount of time unplugging things and placing objects in front of them.
May 9, 2012, 7:28 pm
#27
Join Date: May 1999
Location: CVG
Programs: DL DM 4MM, Lifetime Marriott Plat Elite, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,429
For me, I can relate to all of the "peeve's" already stated, but my most irritating expands on the motion sensing thermostats that leave the room frigid in winter and sweltering in summer. 1. Even better is when they limit the range of temperature! E.g., Embassy Suites Seattle - North Lynnwood. Maximum cooling 72 F. Shuts off after 15 minutes of no movement. I don't move much when I sleep and awaking to sweltering room in a pool of sweat is not my idea of fun.
Now I have learned how to override these thermostats (mostly because of the lousy stay at ES), but a guest should be able to request what is comfortable to them.
2. Further, I like to sleep with the fan ON - I like the white noise. Many of these systems will not allow this and turn on and off incessantly! Not to mention the noise level of the unit kicking on!
3. Somebody else's hair in the bathroom or god forbid the bed.
4. Hotels that don't launder the duvet between each guest.
5. Hotels that have flat screens TV, yet no HD.
6. Paltry TV channel selection.
7. Lousy in room coffee. Marriott especially!! Starwood uses starbucks.
8. Hot water. Need I say more? Try taking a shower in the early morning at the Rome or London airport Hiltons.
9. Water saving - I hate the shower heads (think Seinfeld episode), but I am now seeing these devices on the sink. Marriott's especially. Come on, does it save that much versus losing a customer? If it takes 90 seconds to fill a kettle, you've gone to far.
10 Lighting. I fully understand the need to use CFL for energy saving, but at least put in a decent wattage exchange. A 40 watt equivalent CFL is not a suitable reading light.
11. Overly expensive for no reason.
Now I have learned how to override these thermostats (mostly because of the lousy stay at ES), but a guest should be able to request what is comfortable to them.
2. Further, I like to sleep with the fan ON - I like the white noise. Many of these systems will not allow this and turn on and off incessantly! Not to mention the noise level of the unit kicking on!
3. Somebody else's hair in the bathroom or god forbid the bed.
4. Hotels that don't launder the duvet between each guest.
5. Hotels that have flat screens TV, yet no HD.
6. Paltry TV channel selection.
7. Lousy in room coffee. Marriott especially!! Starwood uses starbucks.
8. Hot water. Need I say more? Try taking a shower in the early morning at the Rome or London airport Hiltons.
9. Water saving - I hate the shower heads (think Seinfeld episode), but I am now seeing these devices on the sink. Marriott's especially. Come on, does it save that much versus losing a customer? If it takes 90 seconds to fill a kettle, you've gone to far.
10 Lighting. I fully understand the need to use CFL for energy saving, but at least put in a decent wattage exchange. A 40 watt equivalent CFL is not a suitable reading light.
11. Overly expensive for no reason.
May 9, 2012, 8:16 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: KBOS
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 921
Those damn coat hangers you can't remove from closets.
May 9, 2012, 8:24 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT/CNX
Programs: UA dirt... and btw, THE innovator of the phrase 'gate lice'. Yeah, that's right.
Posts: 2,874
My major pet peeve... lack of power outlets. Period.
May 9, 2012, 8:36 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 152
the biggest one I have:
no wall hooks, sepcifically the type that can support an opened garment bag, a-la instant closest basically.
I've NEVER seen it in any hotel.
Do you know the extraordinary temptation to pound in .............. well never mind
no wall hooks, sepcifically the type that can support an opened garment bag, a-la instant closest basically.
I've NEVER seen it in any hotel.
Do you know the extraordinary temptation to pound in .............. well never mind