SOME SMALL THINGS I’VE heard while traveling …

Mar 3

A FEW DANGEROUS THOUGHTS ON UPSCALE HOTELS.

IF you’ve been around a hot minute, you know I love a SPOILY hotel. Some we’ve enjoyed over the years include: Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental, Savoy, The Peninsula, Four Seasons, One and Only, The Taj, St Regis, Ritz Carlton and a great many independent hotels as well.

And, one of my favorite parts of world travel is that you get to chat with lots of different people. You know, the really fun stuff … where are you going? Staying? What was your experience. All the good things.

So, I thought I’d share a few of the small, fixable things most travelers seem to say about their trips/tays. Please don’t get me wrong - these hotels are the epitome of customer service (spoiling), tastefully appointed and let’s not forget the food! But, as with everything (and each of us), teeny improvements can always be made.

Here are some thoughts/peeves for hotels:

CHECK INS: Make this easy & welcoming. Lines should be few and far between. This is not Vegas. Have comfortable seating and a signature “welcome” drink as customers sit down. Repeat clientele? Conduct check in in their suite (The Peninsula did this for us at 2 am in Hong Kong). If guests are arriving via hotel car or car service coordinated by Concierge - know their names.

ROOM ARRIVAL: Check temperatures in rooms. No extremes necessary. Be sure the client can adjust this to their personal level.

LUGGAGE DELIVERY: Make this prompt. No one wants to wait after a long flight. My first mission is to freshen up!

BATHROOMS: Buckle up - we seem to hit the jackpot with this one! So. much. input. here. Please have a decent hair dryer in room that will actually dry my hair in a fair amount of time. And, yes, we know those “pump” things in the shower save you money on amenities, but it should be doable to have an adult-sized bar of fabulous soap included. Ahhhh, the bathroom tissue was a hot issue. Being able to read print through your tissue is NOT a thing. Hotel research shows that bulk purchase of higher grade toilet tissue actually saves you money! Above all, please don’t make me walk INTO the shower to turn it on - I am NOT a cold plunge fan!

TOWELS: Again, think upscale branding. You are charging luxury rates - which this demographic is happy to pay - PLEASE consider providing thick, luxurious bath sheets rather than those thin, small threadbare towels that do not belong in your hotel.

CHECKOUTS: Make departure an invitation to book again. No wants to stand in a line to leave. Yes, I do want to see my invoice. Slip my Invoice under the door the night prior to departure or, have it available on my TV screen so I can handle it over coffee. Many of you already do these things and we all appreciate it!

This is the most assertive blog I’ve ever written and hope it does not offend. Just some simple adjustments that would make this demographic cheer!

For my fellow travelers, please let me know what your pet peeve is when you visit a luxury hotel.

Until next time, travel safely and enjoy the world,

XOXO, ROSANNA