Checking In and Out
SEVEN TIPS ON GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR HOTEL EXPERIENCE
We all want to get the best out of our hotel stay, whether it’s just for an overnight on business or a well deserved vacation. Checking in and out of hotels are always moments fraught with anticipation and we feel that our tips can help make your hotel experience a better one. Getting off to a good start at a lodging place can make or break your time at a hotel and many great stays can be marred by overcharges and other issues at check out time.
CHECKING IN
THE VALETS
We were headed to the Beard Awards one night in New York, “dressed to the nines” in black tie, when we decided to start the evening with a martini at the Ritz on Central Park. On our way in we started talking with the valets about the spectacular Rolls Royce parked at the door. The guys told us it was the new hotel car and to take a look. On our way out, after being properly lubricated to face the ceremony, we were saying goodbye to the valets, when they offered to take us to our destination at Lincoln Center. We explained that we weren’t hotel guests, but thanks. This, they brushed aside and insisted that they take us to the awards in the opulent new vehicle. To say the least, we arrived in style, and the cost was being friendly.
Whether you arrive in your own car, uber or donkey, it is always a good idea to start with a friendly rapport with the valets. These folks can make sure your special auto gets the treatment it deserves or park it in a scary place. They can also be super helpful throughout your stay with giving directions, handing out umbrellas, recommending running paths, making change and a myriad of other small services that make your stay easy and fun. So, be friendly and generous with the guys and girls on the door, engage in conversation and make them your friends for the stay.
2. TIP
Money may not sing or dance, as they say, but it sure does talk and so do valets, maids, concierges, bellmen and masseuses. Being generous to people who make their living on tips is just plain and simple a good thing, but in the hotel world, word will get around fast if you’re generous or stingy. If you’re generous it’s amazing how many things can come your way, in the form of the hotel car being provided when you want it, or nicer amenities appearing in your room.
3. YOU
Being polite, outgoing and friendly will do one a world of good, pretty much any time, but during the check in process, be it at a counter, desk or sofa, having a gracious attitude can make a big difference. Remember, like a gate agent at the airplane terminal, the person checking you in most likely has a lot of leeway in what category of room you will get, where in the building it is, and potentially the power to give out other perks. Dressing well and looking good will also have an impact too in many cases: if you look like you should be in the upper class you might just end up there.
4. UPGRADES
Don’t be shy about asking for a nicer room than the one you’ve reserved. You don’t have to be crass or blatant about this, sometimes just the mention that this is a special getaway, birthday or an anniversary and “you’ve always wanted a wonderful view of the park” or are “so excited to stay at Hotel Fancy Pancy”, can get you a special room. Remember the person checking you in is just that: a person, and connecting with that person sometimes has a great impact. We frequently ask the valets how busy the hotel is even before getting to the desk. If it’s not busy your chances of getting an upgraded room are much greater. And even if a free upgrade is not available, the desk person may be able to get you a much better room or say club floor access for a nominal price.
5. REQUEST A ROOM CHANGE
Our first time visiting Venice, we decided to splurge and stay at the Gritti Palace. Mark reserved a deluxe room on The Grand Canal, but when they took us to the room we were sorely disappointed as it looked like the Russian army had camped in it for a week! On top of that, there was noisy construction directly across from us; so much for the romantic interlude we had imagined. We called down to the desk and asked to move. Eva Braun, as we jokingly called her, goose stepped up to our room shortly, informed us that she only had two other rooms and one that we wouldn’t like. She was right about the first room but the second was a little jewel box on the top floor; we couldn’t have been happier. Moving made our stay.
Most of us don’t like to complain but if you feel that the room you are given is not to your liking, request a room change. Remember if you have booked a certain category of room, saying the room is too small when you knew it was only 200 square feet when you booked it isn’t going to fly. Telling the folks at the desk that it seems extremely dark or noisy etc. can be a legitimate reason to move. If you don’t like your room, call the front desk before you do anything in the room. Be polite, remember insulting the members of the hotel team won't help your cause. Ask if there is something on a higher floor, has a bathtub, has a prettier view, has more windows or whatever you would prefer and allow the desk people to look into moving you. If you haven’t heard back in fifteen minutes call back and tell them you will come down to the desk to work the issue out. Remember to keep your cool, be firm but friendly and polite. You can't always get what you’re hoping for but frequently the room you receive on the second go round will be an improvement.
CHECKING OUT
6. CHECK THE BILL THE NIGHT BEFORE
We had a long and memorable stay at La Mamounia in Marrakech one winter. We’d treated ourselves to massages, a dinner at their special restaurant, drinks at the Winston Churchill Bar, bought souvenirs in the boutique and purchased tickets through the hotel for the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, so we knew we had a substantial and complex bill prior to check out. We also knew that we had an early flight the next morning so we asked the hotel to prepare the bill the night before we were to leave. Our concern that there would be mistakes, intentional or otherwise on the bill and not in our favor were completely justified. There were numerous confusing and unjustified charges adding up to over $1000! Having the time to discuss these nefarious charges with the manager on duty was essential to getting this situation rectified at once. Once you’ve paid, it's always harder to get your money back!
Sometimes the desk staff will balk at a request to present the invoice until departure as you will have more charges. Explain that you understand that you will have further charges such as the room, breakfast or parking, but you still would like to see the itemized bill up to that night as they are obligated to present it to you. If you find items on the bill that you do not believe you incurred, highlight them and ask the desk manager to explain why they are on the invoice. We have found on almost all occasions “extra charges” are dropped at once.
7. CHECK YOUR VEHICLE CAREFULLY BEFORE DEPARTURE
On a dark and rainy day we checked out of the five star Surrey Hotel in New York, jumped into our brand new roadster and drove away. Stopping later on the parkway for gas, we realized how stupid we’d been not to inspect our beautiful new vehicle as it was covered inside and out by what looked like yellow pollen or paint! Thankfully our wonderful travel agents at Connoisseur Travel had booked the room and immediately contacted the manager. The car had to be detailed at the cost of almost $1,600.00 which the hotel covered. Although, the little card the valet gives you for your car supposedly absolves the hotel of liability, they still want satisfied customers. The moral to this story is check your car carefully upon departure and talk to the manager on duty at once if there is a serious problem.
