Do you do any "odd" things when arriving to your hotel room?
Mar 17, 2001, 11:15 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Posts: 1,025
Just a note regarding "leaving the door key on the floor" -- last year in Beijing and last month in Milan, my hotel room lights were "key activated". In other words, inserting the key in the slot by the door turned on the room lights and, of course, upon departure, removing the key, turned them off. Therefore, I always knew where my key was -- otherwise I was literally "in the dark" 
Mar 17, 2001, 1:54 pm
#17
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
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Posts: 15,978
Great stuff, guys. Especially jmiyazawa's X-ing the pillowcase.
Mar 17, 2001, 2:05 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: oma/uaprex,hiltongold,marriottsilver
Posts: 18
great ideas! thx
Mar 17, 2001, 10:43 pm
#19
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Location: I am usually found in YYC or GIG
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Posts: 1,858
1.....Do Not Disturb sign goes on the doorknob.
2.....Immediate shower and change of clothes.
3.....Pillage the mini bar.....
[This message has been edited by Carioca Canuck (edited 03-17-2001).]
2.....Immediate shower and change of clothes.
3.....Pillage the mini bar.....
[This message has been edited by Carioca Canuck (edited 03-17-2001).]
Mar 18, 2001, 3:37 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NRT/SJC/SFO
Posts: 526
In my experience, the "key activation" doesn't only activate room lights but also power outlets free for guests. Always. This means, you can't charge your laptop while you are out.
Whenever I come into this type of room while I have something to recharge, I insert a card sized paper (such as a used boarding pass) into the "key activation" slot.
Whenever I come into this type of room while I have something to recharge, I insert a card sized paper (such as a used boarding pass) into the "key activation" slot.
Mar 18, 2001, 7:08 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 446
Originally posted by essxjay:
Great stuff, guys. Especially jmiyazawa's X-ing the pillowcase.
Great stuff, guys. Especially jmiyazawa's X-ing the pillowcase.
Mar 18, 2001, 8:29 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 739
Something that I have not yet seen mentioned:
I check the network connection.
I try to stay at hotels that have Mobilestar
(wireless internet) service. Generally;
their coverage maps list only the floors on
which they provide service. Sometimes the
coverage is a bit spotty ... so one of my
first tasks is to insure that the room does
indeed have adequate RF coverage.
If the coverage is too weak, I walk the hall
with the laptop in "snoop" mode to determine
which areas have a strong signal.
-Doug
I check the network connection.
I try to stay at hotels that have Mobilestar
(wireless internet) service. Generally;
their coverage maps list only the floors on
which they provide service. Sometimes the
coverage is a bit spotty ... so one of my
first tasks is to insure that the room does
indeed have adequate RF coverage.
If the coverage is too weak, I walk the hall
with the laptop in "snoop" mode to determine
which areas have a strong signal.
-Doug
Mar 18, 2001, 12:56 pm
#23
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York City
Programs: UA MM-1P, Hilton Life Diamond, Marriot Life Gold, ICH Spire
Posts: 4,080
Now that I've finally read this thread, there are a lot of good ideas worth adopting.
I should remember to check the clock radio. Been burned on this one too many times.
I check the phone to make sure it really does have a data jack. I hate taking the phones apart in the middle of the night when I'm tired.
I check the air-cond/heating controls to make sure the thermostat actually works. It's usually tough to get the hotel engineer after midnight.
I turn on all the lights like cigarman in the other thread to see which ones are unplugged or have burned-out (or missing!) lamps.
I should remember to check the clock radio. Been burned on this one too many times.
I check the phone to make sure it really does have a data jack. I hate taking the phones apart in the middle of the night when I'm tired.
I check the air-cond/heating controls to make sure the thermostat actually works. It's usually tough to get the hotel engineer after midnight.
I turn on all the lights like cigarman in the other thread to see which ones are unplugged or have burned-out (or missing!) lamps.
Mar 18, 2001, 8:27 pm
#24
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: HAM
Posts: 257
My goodness... you must be quite bored to actually run around your hotel room, mark crosses on you sheets and wash all glasses you can find....
jmiyazawa, do you also get fresh linens every day when you are at home? No offence, I'm just curious, since I found that a lot of people have double standards - they insist on fresh linens and towels at hotels every day, although at home they would change them only once every few days...
I met this woman at a holiday resort in Egypt who always splashed some orange juice on the (tiled) floor before she left the room to make sure the floors get washed every day. Sorry, but I find that quite ridiculous and disgusting...
I also prefer fresh linen at all times, but if it's just me who slept in it the night before (esp. if it was only for 5 or 6 hours), I wouldn't get paranoid about it... Just see it as a way to protect the environment.
Aubie, don't let shrink-packaged things fool you.... haven't you come across shrink-packaged airline blankets before, which you unwrap just to find black hairs all over it...
jmiyazawa, do you also get fresh linens every day when you are at home? No offence, I'm just curious, since I found that a lot of people have double standards - they insist on fresh linens and towels at hotels every day, although at home they would change them only once every few days...
I met this woman at a holiday resort in Egypt who always splashed some orange juice on the (tiled) floor before she left the room to make sure the floors get washed every day. Sorry, but I find that quite ridiculous and disgusting...
I also prefer fresh linen at all times, but if it's just me who slept in it the night before (esp. if it was only for 5 or 6 hours), I wouldn't get paranoid about it... Just see it as a way to protect the environment.
Aubie, don't let shrink-packaged things fool you.... haven't you come across shrink-packaged airline blankets before, which you unwrap just to find black hairs all over it...
Mar 19, 2001, 6:47 am
#25
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Wisconsin
Programs: Delta, UA, SPG
Posts: 436
Daugernaut - How large is the portable humidifier and where did you get it?
Last Oct. while in MCI room and myself very dry from too much time in planes...while I ate room service and watched TV decided I would shut bed/bath room door with shower on hot to add so humidity to the room. Thought I was being pretty smart. About 10 mins into this smoke alarm goes off in my room - I opened the connecting room door and steam was everywhere - had to call to front desk and explain there was NO fire - alarm continues to go off. Opened all windows and while fanning alarm with towel - bell person knocks on door and shouts that he will disable one of the smoke alarms (2 in room). Thank goodness it was only about 8:00 PM because I'm sure other guests were concerned!!
Learned a very embarrassing
lesson and have just tolerated dry conditions since. A portable humidifier would be great!!
Last Oct. while in MCI room and myself very dry from too much time in planes...while I ate room service and watched TV decided I would shut bed/bath room door with shower on hot to add so humidity to the room. Thought I was being pretty smart. About 10 mins into this smoke alarm goes off in my room - I opened the connecting room door and steam was everywhere - had to call to front desk and explain there was NO fire - alarm continues to go off. Opened all windows and while fanning alarm with towel - bell person knocks on door and shouts that he will disable one of the smoke alarms (2 in room). Thank goodness it was only about 8:00 PM because I'm sure other guests were concerned!!
Learned a very embarrassing
lesson and have just tolerated dry conditions since. A portable humidifier would be great!!
Mar 19, 2001, 11:58 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 446
Lacanau:
It's just something I've always done. To answer your precise question, I don't sleep on fresh sheets every night at home, but then again, I'm not paying $250 per night with the expectation of daily maid service, a clean room, and fresh linens when I'm in my own house. As for the drinking glasses, I think my reasons for doing them are obvious.
To answer your more general question, no, I don't do it out of boredom.
It's just something I've always done. To answer your precise question, I don't sleep on fresh sheets every night at home, but then again, I'm not paying $250 per night with the expectation of daily maid service, a clean room, and fresh linens when I'm in my own house. As for the drinking glasses, I think my reasons for doing them are obvious.
To answer your more general question, no, I don't do it out of boredom.
Mar 21, 2001, 12:48 am
#27
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Chicago, IL (2 miles from ORD)
Posts: 660
lacanau, 1 guess they missed a blanket!
Once I was staying in a 2-double bed room. I needed an extra pillow, so I pulled the sheet back on the other bed in order to grab the pillow. Under the sheet revealed a rather hairy situation. The sheets were covered with more hair than my cats shed in a week!(well, maybe not quite that much). I guess someone occupied my bed after the room was cleaned. I did not complain, but I was a bit weasy(sick to my stomach).
Once I was staying in a 2-double bed room. I needed an extra pillow, so I pulled the sheet back on the other bed in order to grab the pillow. Under the sheet revealed a rather hairy situation. The sheets were covered with more hair than my cats shed in a week!(well, maybe not quite that much). I guess someone occupied my bed after the room was cleaned. I did not complain, but I was a bit weasy(sick to my stomach).
Feb 28, 2006, 9:19 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: UA 1k, AA Plt, MR Lifetime Plat & Amb
Posts: 1,829
This is a funny thread. Just thought I'd see if there are any new additions to be added.
Feb 28, 2006, 9:51 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Plat / HH Diamond
Posts: 192
OMG....hearing that people cycle the in room coffee maker made me laugh.
I'll NEVER use an in-room coffee pot ever again after I read what gross things
people have done in them before. Forgot what travel article I had read, but believe me, You DON'T want to know
When I check in....
1. Chuck rollerboard on the bed or rack, open and hang my clothes.
2. Put shave kit in the bathroom, check out cleanliness of floor, toilet, etc.
3. Turn down and fold up the bedspread or comforter and take it off the bed. 4. Turn down sheets to make sure clean.
5. Turn on the A/C (I like it cold!)
6. Call down and get more pillows if there is only two or three.
7. Turn on TV and see what's on the news and check the markets.
8. Fire up laptop and connect to the WiFi or LAN, check emails.
9. Check all of the windows if it's a ground floor. Make sure they're locked.
By the time I get done with all of that, it's usually time for dinner
I'll NEVER use an in-room coffee pot ever again after I read what gross things
people have done in them before. Forgot what travel article I had read, but believe me, You DON'T want to know
When I check in....
1. Chuck rollerboard on the bed or rack, open and hang my clothes.
2. Put shave kit in the bathroom, check out cleanliness of floor, toilet, etc.
3. Turn down and fold up the bedspread or comforter and take it off the bed. 4. Turn down sheets to make sure clean.
5. Turn on the A/C (I like it cold!)
6. Call down and get more pillows if there is only two or three.
7. Turn on TV and see what's on the news and check the markets.
8. Fire up laptop and connect to the WiFi or LAN, check emails.
9. Check all of the windows if it's a ground floor. Make sure they're locked.
By the time I get done with all of that, it's usually time for dinner
Feb 28, 2006, 9:52 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: AA PLT, SPG GLD, PC PLT SPIRE
Posts: 4,531
Based on a different thread, I now check the drawers for porn left by previous FTrs!