How many times have you stayed in a hotel and found it to be perfect and satisfy your every whim? Probably not many. Are your expectations realistic? Perhaps yes and maybe no. But, there are specific things that seem to drive people around the bend.
The number one complaint:
If there’s no WiFi, people cry foul and will often book a room in another hotel. In addition, WiFi had better be free. Even though there are no supplemental charges when you’re staying in a Holiday Inn, stay in a some really chi-chi hotels in London or Paris and other countries and there may be hefty fees. Unless you’re one of the super rich, what-me-care types who never looks at bills, this causes major resentment since you’re already paying big bucks (or euros) to stay in the deluxe “palace” hotel.
Another gripe comes when logging on is so difficult you’re forced to wait for an IT person to appear in order to access your email. Not everyone travels with a computer, but an increasing number of people don’t leave home without a smart phone, a digital reader, an IPad and the list goes on. Many require WiFi connects. I don’t even want to think about the cell phone bill I discovered when I returned from Asia and was confronted with roaming charges.
Even when you’re on vacation, it’s irritating not being able to surf the Internet in case you and your family want to go sightseeing or out to dinner and want to check directions, hours and take off prepared.
Bark Not:
An increasing number of hotels have become “pet friendly.” One person complained she was awakened by a dog at 4:30 a.m. Apparently Fido’s owners were out cold or didn’t feel like walking their charge. So he barked for 30 minutes before he was taken out to do his stuff. Sue, who was in the adjoining room, wasn’t happy and suggested to the management they have pet friendly rooms in a separate part of the hotel. Some people feel that way about children — but let’s not go there.
Being Green:
Environmentally conscience people resent the amount of waste hotels generate. One friend said he doesn’t need his sheets changed more than once a week and even when he asks, they’re changed more frequently. Robin also gripes about all of the tiny bottles of plastic shampoos, lotions, etc. that aren’t bio-degradable. When are hotels going to get smart and have large, refillable dispensers? It’s a win-win since everyone will end up saving.
Housekeeping and people responsible for checking the mini-bar:
Jim said, “I don’t like housekeeping trying to open the door when I am inside the room. This happens even when I have placed a do not disturb sign on outside of the door. I always put the safety locks on too and anyone trying to open the door makes me jump. I travel a lot, may sleep weird hours and work even stranger ones.”
Other gripes emerge when someone from housekeeping (or maintenance) decides they can vacuum or start banging at 7 a.m. They may be awake but many guests aren’t and why do they feel the need to yell from one end of the hall to another?
Pillows, blankets and hangers:
People want good pillows and not the cheap foam ones that keep your head cranked up in an uncomfortable position. Then there the lumpy or hard as rock ones. Personally, I’ve given up and travel with my own pillow. It’s been with me around and around the world again and is a real constant in my life.
In addition to enough pillows, people want extra blankets that should be wrapped in a cover, a signal they’ve been cleaned. Many hotel guests are all for duvets where the cotton covers are changed between (or even during) each stay.
Hotels tend to skimp on hangers and one person remarked she is invariably annoyed when to hangars can’t be removed from the rod and she has to fight to hang up her clothes. Jean said she might understand if she was checkiing into a cheap motel but has zero tolerance when she’s staying at a good hotel.
It goes without saying, there are laundry list of wants such as fluffy towels, a robe, good lighting and items that have been covered in other ConsumerTraveler articles. And yes to flat screen televisions, black-out curtains and showers with sufficient water pressure and not so many dials that you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to turn it on and off while not getting scalded in the process.
Suggestions:
One person said there should be a housekeeping menu card when you check in with a list that clients can check off regarding their wants and needs. That’s not a bad idea. But you must have others. Please feel to post your hotel irritations and some remedies as how you can have your requirements met with a minimum of stress.
Karen Fawcett is president of Bonjour Paris.
Photo: dimensionsguide.com
Karen Fawcett loves to travel anywhere. Karen was a founder & president BonjourParis.com while living in Paris for more than 25 years. She has traveled across Europe and the rest of the world. She is now based in Washington, DC.
