random hotel pet peeves....
Aug 4, 2002 | 8:14 pm
#31
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Thanks obscure2k-
I have posted an open forum in the Airlines, Hotels, and Car Rentals page.
Ask away....
I have posted an open forum in the Airlines, Hotels, and Car Rentals page.
Ask away....
Aug 5, 2002 | 6:24 am
#32
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
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Hotels in the States never seem to offer toothbrushes along with the shampoo which they always offer.
I guess rather than saying I do not like this about U.S. hotels, I will simply say I really like it about Asian hotels.
Mike
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[This message has been edited by mjm (edited 08-05-2002).]
I guess rather than saying I do not like this about U.S. hotels, I will simply say I really like it about Asian hotels.
Mike
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My Starbucks City Mug Collection Page
[This message has been edited by mjm (edited 08-05-2002).]
Aug 5, 2002 | 8:32 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: A Southern locale that ain't the South.
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Regarding the ethernet cable issue... I carry a small wireless ethernet access point with me and plug in... works like a champ and I get coverage all over the room. I figure if someone wants to do the work to break the WEP key just to share the connection, so be it. I also carry a small powerstrip with me, I KNOW I'm not gonna have enough outlets. It's thin, flat and takes up virtually no space in the suitcase. Add to that a roll-up phoneline (a 25ft retracting phone cord that fits in a cassette tape sized case... there's also an Ethernet version) and I don't have problems anymore when I stay in non-technology friendly hotels.
MY big annoyances :
* Slow roomservice : I hate it when I arrive at 12 AM, haven't had a chance to eat, and just want to get ANYTHING and go to sleep and it takes them an hour to get it up to me.
* Poor A/C : I like it cold, I also need lots of airflow to be comfortable. I HATE hotels (the Berkeley in London comes to mind) that have ancient piped ventilation systems... yes they may eventually reach a temperature that approximates what I want but the air is so still/stale in the room it drives me insane. Opening a window isn't an option in most hotels and invariably when it is there's 24 hr. traffic.
* Old and outdated furnishings : (Westin Oaks in Houston... one of the worst offenders, the Renaissance Greenway was but recently was very nicely redone) Nothing chaps me more than paying a stratospheric rack rate and checking into a room that hasn't seen a new bedspread since I was in diapers (I'm 29). I understand if it's a budget hotel or whatever but when I'm paying in the mid triple digits for a room in a property that's a prime location I expect better.
[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 08-05-2002).]
MY big annoyances :
* Slow roomservice : I hate it when I arrive at 12 AM, haven't had a chance to eat, and just want to get ANYTHING and go to sleep and it takes them an hour to get it up to me.
* Poor A/C : I like it cold, I also need lots of airflow to be comfortable. I HATE hotels (the Berkeley in London comes to mind) that have ancient piped ventilation systems... yes they may eventually reach a temperature that approximates what I want but the air is so still/stale in the room it drives me insane. Opening a window isn't an option in most hotels and invariably when it is there's 24 hr. traffic.
* Old and outdated furnishings : (Westin Oaks in Houston... one of the worst offenders, the Renaissance Greenway was but recently was very nicely redone) Nothing chaps me more than paying a stratospheric rack rate and checking into a room that hasn't seen a new bedspread since I was in diapers (I'm 29). I understand if it's a budget hotel or whatever but when I'm paying in the mid triple digits for a room in a property that's a prime location I expect better.
[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 08-05-2002).]
Aug 5, 2002 | 3:16 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: So Cal
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Grunchy Carpeting Worn Furniture Unwashed Blankets and Bedspreads Lukewarm ACand the thing I hate most,
Being Lied To about Amenities, Upgrades, Breakfast, Anything
Aug 5, 2002 | 3:50 pm
#35
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The electrical outlets thing, yes that is one of my peeves too. Even new hotels do not seem to have sufficient outlets.
But my major peeve is poorly made beds or lumpy beds etc. I am moderately tall and many times the bed is not made right, the sheets do not extend to the end of the bed, or the sheets come untucked during the night, the mattress pad is lumped up, etc.
To most people this seems like a minor point (it is.) But I find it faintly disheartening and all too common.
But my major peeve is poorly made beds or lumpy beds etc. I am moderately tall and many times the bed is not made right, the sheets do not extend to the end of the bed, or the sheets come untucked during the night, the mattress pad is lumped up, etc.
To most people this seems like a minor point (it is.) But I find it faintly disheartening and all too common.
Aug 5, 2002 | 6:38 pm
#36
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Join Date: Jan 2000
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Supposedly "nice" hotels in Europe that have phones which are hard-wired to the walls!!!!
As to the comments above referring to housekeeping...... I respect these people and want them to go home, make their lives easier, etc. I was not referring to a day when people check out, I was referring to days when I am staying that night. Once again, when the DO NOT DISTURB sign is up, it means DO NOT DISTURB. I do not have to call housekeeping because I do not want my room DISTURBED. Maybe I don't want to talk to anyone....maybe I'm ill. Maybe I am not in my room and do not want people disturbing my things.......Maybe I was out the night before and do not NEED the room cleaned. Maybe I am not in the room, but do not want something in the room disturbed - Equipment, money, valuables, whatever. THAT IS WHY THE SIGN IS ON THE DOOR!
The SYA position of smarter hotels is to leave you a message which says, "We were going to clean your room at 00:00 and you had the DO NOT DISTURB sign on your door, so we didn't DISTURB YOU, please call ext. 999 if you would like your room serviced." VEry simple really!
As to the comments above referring to housekeeping...... I respect these people and want them to go home, make their lives easier, etc. I was not referring to a day when people check out, I was referring to days when I am staying that night. Once again, when the DO NOT DISTURB sign is up, it means DO NOT DISTURB. I do not have to call housekeeping because I do not want my room DISTURBED. Maybe I don't want to talk to anyone....maybe I'm ill. Maybe I am not in my room and do not want people disturbing my things.......Maybe I was out the night before and do not NEED the room cleaned. Maybe I am not in the room, but do not want something in the room disturbed - Equipment, money, valuables, whatever. THAT IS WHY THE SIGN IS ON THE DOOR!
The SYA position of smarter hotels is to leave you a message which says, "We were going to clean your room at 00:00 and you had the DO NOT DISTURB sign on your door, so we didn't DISTURB YOU, please call ext. 999 if you would like your room serviced." VEry simple really!
Aug 5, 2002 | 7:51 pm
#37
Join Date: May 2001
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People who SLAM doors anytime.
People that conduct conversations in the hallways.
Parents with screaming children in hallways and say nothing to the children.
Flat sheets that pull out when preparing for sleep. MARRIOTT!!!
Flat sheets that are ahort sheeted at the foot of the bed. MARRIOTT!!!
(Even my so-so Hampton roooms of late have nice fitted sheets!)
Guests that turn up their TV volume to a deafening level.
Hotel employees that haven't a clue!
People that conduct conversations in the hallways.
Parents with screaming children in hallways and say nothing to the children.
Flat sheets that pull out when preparing for sleep. MARRIOTT!!!
Flat sheets that are ahort sheeted at the foot of the bed. MARRIOTT!!!
(Even my so-so Hampton roooms of late have nice fitted sheets!)
Guests that turn up their TV volume to a deafening level.
Hotel employees that haven't a clue!
Aug 6, 2002 | 1:08 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
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Do not Disturb signs work pretty well for me. Sometimes, too well.
I started to hang them on my door after the housekeeping staff started the habit of *lightly* tapping on the door in the morning, then barging in 2 seconds later. A little awkward if you are getting dressed or just stepping out of the shower. Not sure why they need to get int othe room so early.
Anyway, the problem is that sometimes I foget to take the sign off the door when I leave. So, when I get back to the room, its exactly the way I left it. Not made up.
So, they do exactly what I tell them to do. I have to "live" with a "dirty" room. In fact, I think I did it today. I don't think I took the do not distrub sign off the door. OH well. I have plenty of towels, and I can climb into an unmade bed.
I started to hang them on my door after the housekeeping staff started the habit of *lightly* tapping on the door in the morning, then barging in 2 seconds later. A little awkward if you are getting dressed or just stepping out of the shower. Not sure why they need to get int othe room so early.
Anyway, the problem is that sometimes I foget to take the sign off the door when I leave. So, when I get back to the room, its exactly the way I left it. Not made up.
So, they do exactly what I tell them to do. I have to "live" with a "dirty" room. In fact, I think I did it today. I don't think I took the do not distrub sign off the door. OH well. I have plenty of towels, and I can climb into an unmade bed.
Aug 7, 2002 | 7:15 am
#39
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Housekeeping staff that takes away used shower caps and body lotion bottles without replacing them, and room service breakfast that doesn't arrive anywhere near the time promised.
Aug 8, 2002 | 12:50 pm
#40
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: NY, NY, USA
Posts: 148
*It's been mentioned before but I hate when I prepare for bed and all the sheets become loose. Like I am in the mood to retuck the sheet after a 20 hour work day. Also, because the sheet is not fitted, I end up tangled in a heap of sheets by morning.
*The mattress cover is not fitted correctly. How many times is it over hanging one side by six inches and is short on the other side of the bed?
*Pillows too mushy. I know a lot of people like goose down pillows but I like a little support. Most of the time, I wake with such a crick in my neck that I am in serious need of a neck brace.
*Maids barging into your room at any given time esp when I just checked in. Um, I just checked in an hour ago and haven't a chance to muss up the room. Why are you here?
*I won't touch those inroom coffee makers. One time I saw one encrusted with dust (Hyatt). Yuck. I'd rather go hunting for a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.
*Inadequate lighting in the tub area. Why do hotels think one light in the middle of the bathroom is enough to illuminate the tub area after the solid colored plastic and fabric shower curtains are closed?
*Hair in the bathtub or sink that isn't mine.
*Signs that say conserve water and only put towels you want replaced in the bathtub. I've tried to conserve several times and they just end up replacing them anyway. So what kind of futile exercise is this?
*Rooms that smell of smoke. I'm a smoker but there's no reason not to try and deodorize the smoking rooms. Washington D.C. and NYC are the worst offenders. In these instances, I hate the hotels whose windows don't open. I tend to carry incense, Fabreze or air freshener when I travel now.
*Stuff in drawers. Ever try to unpack and the hotel has stuff in practically every drawer?
*Getting charged for snack bar items eaten before your check-in date. Um, HELLO????
*The mattress cover is not fitted correctly. How many times is it over hanging one side by six inches and is short on the other side of the bed?
*Pillows too mushy. I know a lot of people like goose down pillows but I like a little support. Most of the time, I wake with such a crick in my neck that I am in serious need of a neck brace.
*Maids barging into your room at any given time esp when I just checked in. Um, I just checked in an hour ago and haven't a chance to muss up the room. Why are you here?
*I won't touch those inroom coffee makers. One time I saw one encrusted with dust (Hyatt). Yuck. I'd rather go hunting for a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.
*Inadequate lighting in the tub area. Why do hotels think one light in the middle of the bathroom is enough to illuminate the tub area after the solid colored plastic and fabric shower curtains are closed?
*Hair in the bathtub or sink that isn't mine.
*Signs that say conserve water and only put towels you want replaced in the bathtub. I've tried to conserve several times and they just end up replacing them anyway. So what kind of futile exercise is this?
*Rooms that smell of smoke. I'm a smoker but there's no reason not to try and deodorize the smoking rooms. Washington D.C. and NYC are the worst offenders. In these instances, I hate the hotels whose windows don't open. I tend to carry incense, Fabreze or air freshener when I travel now.
*Stuff in drawers. Ever try to unpack and the hotel has stuff in practically every drawer?
*Getting charged for snack bar items eaten before your check-in date. Um, HELLO????
Aug 8, 2002 | 6:33 pm
#41
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Ah, I almost forgot..... PUSHY Mini BAr counting peopel that barge in as much as maids, often without even the perfunctory knock first!
Aug 9, 2002 | 2:42 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Speaking of minibar inspectors...
Usually when I check out in the morning, the reception staff will just ask if I've taken anything from the minibar, and accept it when I state "no".
However, at one Sheraton property I stayed at last week, the staff actually walked to a far corner and whispered my room number into a walkie-talkie. She must have thought I didn't understand the local language - admittedly I don't, but having spent way too much time in their airports, I can recognise numbers. That really pissed me off! It's a minor thing, but it still rubbed me the wrong way.
Usually when I check out in the morning, the reception staff will just ask if I've taken anything from the minibar, and accept it when I state "no".
However, at one Sheraton property I stayed at last week, the staff actually walked to a far corner and whispered my room number into a walkie-talkie. She must have thought I didn't understand the local language - admittedly I don't, but having spent way too much time in their airports, I can recognise numbers. That really pissed me off! It's a minor thing, but it still rubbed me the wrong way.
Aug 9, 2002 | 4:34 pm
#43
Join Date: Oct 2000
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My biggest pet peeve: towel racks over the toilet (splash!)
SteveH
SteveH
Aug 11, 2002 | 8:33 am
#44
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Gripe de jour...
Kleenex boxes with only four or five tissues left. (I just checked in last night - I have a raging upper respiratory infection - and did not like having to get up at 2 am to go grab a roll of toilet tissue to blow my nose with when the Kleenex ran dry.)
Kleenex boxes with only four or five tissues left. (I just checked in last night - I have a raging upper respiratory infection - and did not like having to get up at 2 am to go grab a roll of toilet tissue to blow my nose with when the Kleenex ran dry.)
Aug 12, 2002 | 12:55 am
#45
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: HI, USA
Posts: 288
My unfavorite is when I have used the tp down to the almost end and the maid doesn't replace it and the room doesn't have a spare.