Hello again monahos!
Although no hotel work can ever be described as "typical", most hotels operate under 3X8 shifts and most staff will work 40 hours a week - in theory. The reality is that although management will try to keep all staff at 40 hours (to save on overtime costs), it is often very difficult. Hotel work requires you to be very flexible: you can't just clock out after 8 hours at the front desk if there are 15 people in line. Often times I would work late and then come in late the next day, for example.
Because a hotel is a 7 day a week, 24 hour a day operation, it is very common to work different hours every week. A hotel week is Mon-Sun. The ideal schedule would be to work 10 days in a row and then have 4 days off, but often times days off were staggered depending on projected occupancy rates.

If you don't feel comfortable asking for an employee's name, then perhaps it would be a good idea to write it down from the name tag, and deliver the gift in a sealed envelope with his/her name on it.
When you are dealing with tips for bellman or valets, etc. - be careful. Never give another employee cash and say "could you please give this to Joe", etc. The unfortunate reality is that often times, they will just keep it for themselves. It is important that you have it delivered to the bell captain or other manager so that it is delivered correctly.
Hope that helps!


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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

I STILL HAVE FAITH! I STILL HAVE FAITH!
At least the Yankees lost, right? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif
Next year the M's will be a force to be reckoned with, I'm sure of it!

If you are arriving a day early for the convention you should have a better chance (make sure there is not another convention before hand!), but calling from MIA is definitely still highly recommended! Good luck!

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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

Another excellent question Doppy!
Its funny, because I played the same game in Vegas earlier this year myself!
And it really is a game. What the hotel doesn't know won't hurt 'em, IMHO. I would never admit to having more than two people staying in the room, personally. When you check in make sure the other people are not hanging out at the front desk with you (duh!). Once you check in, if you need an extra bed call housekeeping directly, DO NOT call the front desk, because they might try and charge you. It is highly unlikely that housekeeping will make the effort to call the front desk to charge you - they have better things to do. If housekeeping gives you any trouble over the phone, then you can just grab a housekeeper out of the hallway and give them $10 to get you a bed.

99% of the time hotel staff are too busy to worry about busting people for this. It is possible that you may have one or two anal "by the book" types, but doubtful. The only times I have ever seen anyone charged for this was when they were making a lot of noise and/or made an exceptionally big mess for housekeeping. If you don't attract attention, it is highly unlikely anyone will notice or care.
Doppy- I am noticing a common trend in your questions, maybe you should change your handle to "The Fee Dodger"! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

Vetteset: Thank you for your comments.
Just to clarify: I do NOT think that crews aren't entitled to a Hilton. I AGREE that crews provide valuable revenue to hotels. I have NO DOUBT that you and many of your coworkers are courteous and professional. Unfortunately, many of your colleagues are not. Is it a generalization, YES! Is it 100% fair, NO!
But, the question was asked and I answered it honestly: flight crews have a reputation among hotel employees as being difficult. That is a fact. My colleagues that have worked at hotels which hosted flight crews have told me time and time again, and at least one other ex-hotel worker has backed me up on this thread. I sincerely hope that you continue to prove otherwise!
Let's not start a debate here. Let's just keep this thread to hotel questions only. Thank you. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif


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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

new228-
Just to get back to you-
After talking with some friends it seems the consensus is that a tip for the wedding planner IS appropriate, but NOT required. If you are very pleased with how things turned out and the planner was professional and pleasant to work with, I'm sure they would be very appreciative of $100 or even less. I think a nice bottle of wine or something to that effect would also be just fine. Tipping is NOT expected in this situation, but it does seem to be a fairly common practice. I would tip based upon how good the planner's service was.
Hope that helps! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif


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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

[This message has been edited by g_leyser (edited 10-14-2002).]

Thanks for the info. Do you have any experience with Parisian or Roman hotels? I'm going in late December both cities.

My husband has a theory about tipping - when you get your car washed, he says to tip the guy BEFORE he does the car. That way you are more assured he will do a good job. Could this be true for housekeeping or other services?

Do hotels mind if you ask questions about the area when you make a reservation or would they prefer you show up first?

Hi z, welcome to FT!
I'm afraid I do NOT have experience with Parisian or Roman hotels.
I can however, answer your other questions:

As far as tipping is concerned, i would say that, Yes, tipping ahead of time for some things can definitely improve your service. Housekeeping, however, is NOT a very good example of this because rooms are not assigned to housekeepers until the same day, so it would be difficult to coordinate who to tip. Other services, such as valet parking, concierge, bell service, etc, may be a good time to tip ahead of time.
This practice is certainly not expected, but you may find you receive better service this way.

As far as asking the hotel ahead of time about the area:
You CAN do this if you are staying at a decent hotel with concierge service.
What many people don't know is that a decent hotel will allow you access to the concierge anytime between when you make the reservation and when you arrive. They can make dinner reservations, get tickets to shows, etc, etc. I have seen people do this even ONE YEAR in advance! Call the hotel and ask to speak with the concierge. They should be able to help you, or will at least call you back when they have a free moment. Do not try asking the reservations agents or the front desk, as they will be less patient with you. Good luck and have a great trip http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif!


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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

Hi g_l,
I'm wondering if you have any idea how frequently hotels (i.e. better chains like Hilton, for example) typically replace their mattresses? Are the mattresses in the executive rooms/suites rotated more frequently or do they have higher quality bedding to begin with?

Can you tell me any helpful hints in securing a reservation when they say there are no rooms available? When they tell me this 4 months prior to the date requested -- I have a hard time believing there are absolutely no rooms available. Got any tips?

Hi g_l,

what a great thread, thanks for your excellent input!

My question: Any necessity to tip a Ritz-Carlton Club concierge for regular service (serving free drinks etc.) ? Guessing you must have worked either at FS or RC Chicago any recommendations on which of both to choose ? Any comments on Swissotel Chicago ?

ngfan

Hello fellow Chicagoan! and thanks for the thread

now is time for an ethics question

I used to work for a corporate housing company, not a big one and my company also had a franchise in a hotel. Through my hard work in the company, I was presented with an employee rate card that is still good through the end of the year.

My question is this. Now that I am no longer employed with the company, do I have the right to use it? and if I do, what are the chances that the hotel that I check in to will verify my employment? Also, what if the franchise is no longer a franchise?

I have enjoyed tremendous rates for the last 2 years and will be sad to see it go away http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Thanks in advance

A higher end hotel will ROTATE their mattresses once a month, but will REPLACE them depending on a number of variables. Most importantly: budget. I can promise you no hotel replaced all their mattresses last year. Mattresses are a VERY expensive item and most hotels will stagger the replacements to spread the cost over several months or even years. I would say that between 5 and 10 years is the lifetime of a hotel mattress.
As far as the executive suites go, these mattresses are most likely the EXACT same as the mattresses in a regular room. At least they were where I worked, and they were rotated on the same schedule as all other rooms.

Hi Veronica-
I'm afraid if a hotel says it's full 4 months out, there is not a lot you can do. This means that there is a convention in town or a large group staying at the hotel and they are very confident that they will have a full house.
Your best options are to waitlist and keep checking back. Be flexible on your room type, tell them you will take the first available be it double beds, smoking, whatever. If you have status make sure they note that on your waitlist. Find out how many people are ahead of you and what your chances are.
And just keep calling back, even the day before or the day you want to check in.
Sorry I don't have any tricks on this one http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

ngfan-
I will never tell where I worked http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif, however I am familiar with all three of these hotels in Chicago.
The Swissotel is very nice and IMHO has better bang for the buck. Yes, it has one less star than the others, but I don't think that it's a big deal. Room rates can be HALF as much as the other two. Also, the Swissotel is downtown and therefore more convenient for business travel, but the other two are on the Magnificent Mile which might offer more for family weekend travel.

Keep in mind that the Ritz Carlton in Chicago is a Four Seasons. So, both have the same level of service (which is very good), both have great restaurants. But if I had to choose I would go with FS because it has higher floors (better views) and is rated slightly higher.

As far as tipping the RC Club concierge: Yes, absolutely. A couple of bucks is always appreciated and like you say the drinks are free anyways, so you can afford it!
Hope that helps.



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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

Hi indo79, my kind of town http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif
Ahhh, the ethics question.
Do you have the right to use it? Probably not. (What does the back of the card say?)
Could you get away with it? Probably yes.
It is unlikely (but possible) that the hotel will verify your employment status, especially if the hotel is pretty empty that night. However, it is common practice for the front desk to ask for a business card when you check in. (Did they ever ask you for one before?)
Just be prepared to pay up if you get caught.
Now, if there is no longer a franchise and your ex-company no longer has a stake in it, then this probably won't work.

Find out as much as you can before you make the reservation. Make sure your card has not been deactivated. If you're traveling with family or friends, make sure they aren't there at the desk when you check in.
Good luck!


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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack