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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Veronica: 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?</font> Be a very regular guest at the hotel. Once you start stayin at a place al lthe time, you can pretty much always get a room there. |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by g_leyser: If hell froze over I STILL wouldn't pay corkage fees at a hotel!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif Seriously, here's the deal. The hotel doesn't need to know what you bring into your room. Unless you make a huge mess with beer bottles all over the place, the hotel is NOT going to try and charge you for this. I equate this with sneaking a candy bar into a movie theater that doesn't allow "outside food." The only time I charged people corkage fees was when they asked for glasses and/or corkscrew from the hotel. No one ever made a fuss. It was only $10 - not unreasonable in my opinion. Now, as for restaurants - thats another story. Corkage fees for bringing your own wine is par for the course at any restaurant IMHO. Its a way for the restaurant to recover a little bit of the revenue they are losing by you not buying their wine. I suppose if you "refused" they may let you off just to avoid confrontation, but that would be a pretty obnoxious thing to do. Hope that helps Doppy, nice to hear from ya! </font> However, he was happy to stand there and watch 3 of us pound two beers each on the front steps of the hotel. Then we were able to enter with no problems. That security guard really earned his paycheck that day. |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pinniped: My one story involving hotels and My Beer. About 5 years ago, we spent NCAA opening round weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas. Major party weekend. One night, we were bringing a 30-pack of beer back to the hotel, when the guard stopped us and said the maximum allowable amount of beer to be brought in from outside was one case. He wasn't going to budge and let us slip past with the 30-pack. However, he was happy to stand there and watch 3 of us pound two beers each on the front steps of the hotel. Then we were able to enter with no problems. That security guard really earned his paycheck that day.</font> ------------------ "I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you" -Dr. Rumack |
I find the contrast of the security guard and the cabbie interesting. the guard made a fuss over 6 cans while the cabbie gave you the opener even though he could have gotton a big ticket for open alcohol in the car while driving.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nindobe: I find the contrast of the security guard and the cabbie interesting. the guard made a fuss over 6 cans while the cabbie gave you the opener even though he could have gotton a big ticket for open alcohol in the car while driving.</font> ------------------ "I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you" -Dr. Rumack |
A new question:
Why do many of the "better" hotels give their valets, door men, and bell staff such ridiculous uniforms? Some of them have enough gold braid and whatever those rope things called that they look like they are drum majors or third world dictators. I would much prefer if they instead just wore a simple business style shirt and tie, since I am sure that part of my bill goes to the hotel's increased overhead by having to first off buy the uniforms and then dry clean them. I supose that some could argue that the uniforms help to identify them, but isn't it obvious that if someone with a hotel name tag is overing to park your car that he or she is a valet, and if someone is offering to take your luggage to your room that he or she is part of the bell staff, and so forth? I just want a room where I can get a good night's sleep; not all the silly stuff that adds no true value. |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by g_leyser: Actually I think you are allowed to drink in a cab in Vegas as long as you aren't driving.</font> Regardless of the legality, gambling town cops are usually pretty lax as long as you're not causing a scene and are polite to them. d |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by amanuensis: A new question: Why do many of the "better" hotels give their valets, door men, and bell staff such ridiculous uniforms? Some of them have enough gold braid and whatever those rope things called that they look like they are drum majors or third world dictators. I would much prefer if they instead just wore a simple business style shirt and tie, since I am sure that part of my bill goes to the hotel's increased overhead by having to first off buy the uniforms and then dry clean them. I supose that some could argue that the uniforms help to identify them, but isn't it obvious that if someone with a hotel name tag is overing to park your car that he or she is a valet, and if someone is offering to take your luggage to your room that he or she is part of the bell staff, and so forth? I just want a room where I can get a good night's sleep; not all the silly stuff that adds no true value.</font> Sorry i took so long to reply, I have been slacking on my duties. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif I agree that the uniforms are ridiculous. These uniforms are found mostly at upper scale hotels because that is what the people wore at upper scale hotels "back in the day." Its supposed to look "classic." Also, the idea is to have consistency throughout the staff: color coordination, easily distinguishable to the guests, etc, etc. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if the uniforms start disappearing, they are already starting to look more "normal" at some hotels. Just suit and tie will do 99% of the time. As far as the overhead cost you mentioned, it is pretty minimal. These suits are cheap (trust me, I've had to wear them before), and a lot of hotels have in house dry cleaning. I think most valets, bellhops, etc would rather have the uniform than pay for their own suits and drycleaning. At least I would. Safe travels http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif ------------------ "I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you" -Dr. Rumack |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by g_leyser: Hi SeAAtle! I grew up in Seattle and Bellevue and am very depressed that the Mariners didn't make the playoffs, but I digress. The only way to GUARANTEE that you can check in that early in the morning is by paying for the night before, and no, there is no discount or half day rate or anything like that, I'm afraid. This is very common and should be no problem should you choose to go this route. All you will need to do is tell the hotel ahead of time that you will not be checking in until the next morning. This is called an Advance Check-in. The front desk will check you in before midnight using the credit card you made the reservation with. It is always a good idea to confirm this with the hotel the night before, just in case. Other options: If you have an AMEX Platinum card, some hotels offer early check-in as a benefit. Usually, it is only noon or so, but worth looking into. If the hotel has rooms clean and vacant at that hour, chances are they will go ahead and let you check in early. Do your homework. Because Orlando is a convention town, the hotel should be able to predict how full they are going to be. Find out what conventions are in town and how full the hotel is expecting to be the night before. If they aren't expecting many guests, then you can bet there will be empty rooms for you in the morning. Good luck, let us know how it goes! </font> On another topic, at least we have Edgar M for another year. |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Veronica: 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?</font> I had a friend (really - I would never have thought of this) who wanted a room for the weekend (Thu-Sun) during a special event when the whole city was pretty much sold out. He called the hotel (a very large hotel, part of a national chain) and was told nothing was available. He hung up the phone, called back, and asked for a room checking in that Thu and staying for something like three weeks(!). I guess the hotel wanted the revenue for all those extra nights, because he got the reservation. The next week, he called back and changed his checkout date to Sunday, for the 3 night stay he always wanted. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif |
swag-
Yes this is a good one! I have personally seen this work. Make sure there is no penalty for changing check out date first! ------------------ "I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you" -Dr. Rumack |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SeAAttle: Worked like a charm. I called the hotel when I arrived in Miami, connecting on the Orlando. They said rooms were available and when I arrived about 9am, they checked me in. Of course, three tries to get a non-smoking room that did not reek of cigarette smoke is another story. On another topic, at least we have Edgar M for another year. </font> For some reason people who smoke often ask for non-smoking rooms and then smoke in them anyways. Some hotels will offer ozone machines to clear the air, but you have to be out of the room while these machines are on. It can be frustrating especially if you are allergic to cigarette smoke. Yes! We still have Edgar and Dan Wilson, now we just need a coach. Looks like it will NOT be Dusty Baker http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/frown.gif . We'll see. ------------------ "I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you" -Dr. Rumack |
Hi,
I found this amazing thread during a search for a hotel. My question: I was walked from the Hyatt Wash DC on a prepaid conference package. I know that being walked, the night is on the offending hotel. Even worse I was sent across the street to the Holiday Inn on the Hill-obvious downgrade (it was 1am after a delayed flight into IAD). Received nothing from the hotel. No offer of a refund for the night on whatever the contracted rate was. No food/drink/upgrade etc. I asked about a refund and they said there was nothing they could do, I would have to contact the conference, they would just pay for the hotel room and tax. So what is the skinny on being walked? Was I due compensation for the prepaid night? It seems like someone double-dipped. What about the move to a Holiday Inn? What is the hotels obligation? Room and tax?Thanks Mike |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mikesinla: Hi, I found this amazing thread during a search for a hotel. My question: I was walked from the Hyatt Wash DC on a prepaid conference package. I know that being walked, the night is on the offending hotel. Even worse I was sent across the street to the Holiday Inn on the Hill-obvious downgrade (it was 1am after a delayed flight into IAD). Received nothing from the hotel. No offer of a refund for the night on whatever the contracted rate was. No food/drink/upgrade etc. I asked about a refund and they said there was nothing they could do, I would have to contact the conference, they would just pay for the hotel room and tax. So what is the skinny on being walked? Was I due compensation for the prepaid night? It seems like someone double-dipped. What about the move to a Holiday Inn? What is the hotels obligation? Room and tax?Thanks Mike</font> Thanks for dusting off this thread. I'm glad you found it useful. Sounds like a classic case to me. You got in late, so they gave your room to someone else. That's why you should always call to confirm a late arrival and have them hold a room for you. But I won't lecture you. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif Maybe Hyatt has a new policy, but you should NOT be charged for the night that you were walked from. ESPECIALLY if you were moved to a lesser hotel. Were you paying for the room on your credit card, or was it billed directly to the conference? By "prepaid" do you mean by you, or by the conference? How many nights was your reservation for, just out of interest? Were you walked for all nights, or just the first? You should not have to pay no matter what, but I'm just curious to see what the situation was here, so that I can understand Hyatt's logic, because this makes no sense at all. Look at it this way: lets say Hyatt's reduced rate for your conference is $175/night, and the Holiday Inn across the street is $125/night. You just overpaid by $50, and Hyatt keeps the difference!!! That is obviously not right. You are owed the money for that night, without question. As far as compensation beyond that, there is no obligation, but usually you are allowed one free long-distance phone call. Mike, there are no two ways around it: you got screwed. I would certainly call and politely demand your money back, or that the conference be credited that amount. Please let us know how this develops. ------------------ "I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you" -Dr. Rumack |
This is a generic question.
When I book a hotel room, outside of the rates, what should I ask specifically about the features/amenities about a given room, or the hotel, without or with extra fees? Some ones I can think of: -floor number -location of room on a floor - ie near an elevator, near the ice machine, near the stairs, corner room (is the corner room the largest standard size room, on a floor? -view -availbility of microwaves, fridges/minibars -internet access -either through your laptop, or the room TV/business center/centre computer -are local phone calls, free or not -do toll-free calls have an acess charge, or not? -is there an ice/vending machine, on the floor -swimming pool - outdoors, indoors, or both -are newspapers delivered to one's room (on a complementary basis)? -hotel shuttle (complementary, or otherwise) to airport, shopping malls, or other tourist attractions [This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited 02-11-2003).] |
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