30 Hotel Workers Share Red Flags To Look Out For.
Some great tips to keep in mind during your next stay.
Published 2 years ago in Ftw
6
I used to work in a hotel kitchen preparing and cleaning after the breakfast buffet. Tip 1: If there is anything missing or anything extra you would like, I`d be happy to bring it to you. As long as you ask for it nicely and respect that it might take some time if its really busy. If you are demanding anything, or being rude, I will probably claim that we`re out, and ignore the dirty plates on your table until you leave. Tip 2: if you have any allergies, don`t eat the food in the buffet, most guests are pigs, and will use the same serving spoon in different dishes. I usually prepared special plates using unopened food for people with allergies, they usually got a bit extra too. Tip 3: Even though I`m paid to be there, it does not mean I`m your personal slave, there are 200 other guests to take care of too, and my pay is not high enough to for me to care about your special needs. One more thing, kids..While I`m working I don`t give a s**t about your kids. I do not think its cute when people`s barefooted kids are left to roam around the dining room or kitchen, bumping into me while I`m carrying boiling water or sharp knives. I will not watch them, I`m a stranger and you should not trust me.
7
Ask the hotel to remove such fees as Wifi, newspaper, gym and pool. These are often included but they will remove if requested. Also, if you need to cancel but are too close to reservation date call and change to a date a few months out. There's usually no charge for this. Then, call back and cancel that reservation.
8
A front desk employee here. If we are at low occupancy at my hotel, we will often upgrade, if requested. But don't be a d**k about it. Do: "Is it possible to have an upgrade?" Don't: "Hey hook me up with the Prez suite! Haha JUST KIDDING. But, no, really, is there an upgrade for free?" Often times, if you are just really nice to the front desk... without saying anything we will upgrade you. Also, don't be afraid to ask for extra tolietries, towels, linens, or coffee. We don't care how much you take, all you have to do is ask.
9
The thinness of the sheets and roughness of the towels from being washed too many times. My family has owned two hotels since the 60's and about every decade we hire some consultant to come and tell us what we are doing wrong because we aren't managing owners. Without fail every single one will tell us we are scrapping our worn linens too early, that we can get another six months out of them and without fail it is the one piece of advice we always ignore. We did a cost analysis and it is worth the cost of having happy guests rather than saving a marginal amount by having sheets you can read a newspaper through or towels scratchy enough to sand paint.
10
Been working in a big-name chain hotel for a year. Biggest piece of advice is to just be polite to the front desk person, and we will go the extra mile every time. Bottle of wine, freshly baked cookies in your room, late check-in, hints of the best local eateries, whatever. Also, don't be afraid to try and talk the front desk person down a little for a lower rate. Don't be obnoxious about it, as we'll lie and say it can't go any lower!
11
if you have medicine that needs to be refrigerated, don't show up and assume all the rooms have fridges. Also, don't get all bitchy at the staff for not being responsible for your insulin/allergies/ etc. A lot of hotels have rooms without fridges ( Holiday Inns, Hampton Inn, Ramada, etc.) and will typically have several to rent out. Call ahead and be responsible with your condition.
15
Often you can find "treasures" left behind by former guests. Rip the room apart! Look under mattress and box spring. In vents. move the night stand and dressers. just be sure to put it back together before you leave. If you stay in enought hotels and do this you will find something left behind. House keepers generally have 10-15 min to clean each room. Don't forget to tip! former housekeeper here.
17
As a person who stays in hotels and... well... I'm Canadian... I wonder if there's anything we can do to make it easier on the housekeeping staff? I always tear the sheets and blankets off the bed and leave them in a bundle at the foot, with the pillowcases. I also throw all used towels in the tub/shower, as requested. I never touch the extra stuff, like the cups, so they never have to replace any of that s**t, but I always take the shampoo for future traveling that may not include a hotel. I leave between two to ten bucks (depending on the length of my stay) on the nightstand with a thank you note, and I always make sure to take care of any of the bending - for example, if I've put anything in the trash can, I will take the bag out myself, or leave the trash can on the desk/table. I have a bad back, so I know how much it can suck to have to bend over constantly, every day. Is there anything else I could be doing?
21
If something did not meet your expectations (slow internet, cold water, dirty room), complain about it (NICELY). You might get free points for the inconvenience (sometimes as many as the value of one night stay). If you are staying at a hotel of a chain, and the front desk offers only an apology, call the hotel brand (e.g. reservations/customer care). Hotels of the popular chains are typically franchises, and the management company loves to receive feedback, because a sub-par hotel can affect the reputation of the brand.
23
When you book with a website (not the hotel's), you often can't change your reservation with the hotel because your contract is actually with whatever site you used. Cancellations, refunds and the like are out of our hands. It usually doesn't matter, but it's always good to know. Prices can also vary, you won't always get a better deal on the travel site. You essentially now have two people making money off of you instead of one. It really depends on availability and nightly rates, which change all the time.
30
be prepared if you have a special diet, are allergic to gluten, or are vegan. Ask about the food options in the area but don't be surprised if the desk agent doesn't know any good places to get gluten free food, especially if the person you're asking probably eats just about anything seeing as how they're overweight.
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