Every day, I see the same problems. Justin Aldrich
Over 7 years I have worked in a hotel and I see many things that I wish my guests would abandon.
You can't cover up the fact that you've smoked in your bedroom, so don’t be surprised if you are fined.
It is not common to assume that you will be able to have an early check in or late checkout without being asked.
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Being a frequent traveler, and having worked at Marriott for seven years I have a good understanding of how to navigate a few hotels.
You don't want to do these things, no matter if you are visiting the hotel for business, pleasure, or personal reasons. These tips could even earn you some freebies.
Continue reading to see the top things people should stop doing while staying at hotels.
Do not be surprised if we don't offer the same amenities or menus as the property in another city.
While some brands, such as Hilton or Marriott, do their best to keep consistency around the globe, others, like Hilton and Marriott, don't always succeed.
My Tennessee location would love for you to enjoy the fresh seafood that you found in Florida during your trip, but it is too expensive to make a profit.
It is important to look at amenities and menus before you make a booking. This will ensure that we have options on-site that meet your needs.
Incidental holds are a common practice. Don't argue us about this.
Every day we have guests who will fight to prevent their credit cards from being charged an additional $25 incidental hold. This is what the hotel needs to file in order to cover any damages or charges you may have left behind.
My most frequent claim is that no other hotel has ever had more money. This is a bunch of crap!
They most likely authorized your card for a little more and didn't explain to you. However, it's not necessary to be angry. I guarantee that the money will be returned to your card within three to five business days if you do not leave any damages or order a pay per view movie.
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You will pay the same price as the online rate.
If I reduce a guest's rates, I could be in serious trouble. Justin Aldrich
Booking directly via the brand website will get you the best rate. Expedia rates are more confusing than you can imagine.
It may seem cheaper, but as an employee, I don't know where the screenshot came from and I can't match it. I would be putting my manager at risk if I reduced the rate.
My hotel offers a way for guests to add their AAA, AARP or hotel reward number to their reservation. This can help them save between $10 and $30 per night, depending on where they are located. If you are a member, I can verify it and lower your rate.
Your elite status is not a reason to be publicized - I have it in front of my eyes
We love our customers and strive to provide the best service possible for them. It's actually what we are trained to do.
Despite that, we knew you were coming so we applied all the upgrades and freebies we could to your reservation. While I appreciate the confidence shown by entry-level members when they ask for upgrades, it is not going to help you get anything more.
You can find a hotel brand that you like and then stay there whenever you travel. You will eventually see your points earn more as you stay longer.
Yes, the gas station has the same snacks as us for a cheaper price, but we don't need you to tell them.
Everything about the hotel is luxury and convenience once you are there. This is also reflected in the prices we charge for snacks and miscellaneous items.
We all know that the prices are very high. We know that the prices are high. I think $40 for two sodas, one Lunchable and a small box of candy is absurd.
It's like this: The gas money you saved by not going to the store goes into our prices.
We will ask you to pay a fee if you smoke in our rooms.
Every trick people believe covers up cigarette smoke has been tried, and everyone who was caught has received a $250-500 fine. You don't get what you think the towel under the door, bathroom vent, or candle do.
Each room is inspected before guests arrive. The ash and smell on the carpets could only have been caused by previous guests. Don't let this happen to you.
You can just smoke outside to put the money towards another trip.
If you want to be there early, plan ahead. Simply popping in is a recipe of failure.
You should remember that the hotel might be sold out for the night before you arrive. If you arrive early, there may not be a place to stay.
We also accommodate rewards members who arrive early so that you don't have to show up seven hours before check-in.
We can arrange for an early check-in if you call us the day before or morning of your arrival. We can hold your room or prioritise cleaning of your particular room type.
One property that I worked for was slow to transform spa rooms and suites because the housekeepers were terrible at cleaning them. We could get the room ready for you if you called before 10 a.m. It was difficult to find a room until after 3 p.m.
Do not complain about missing features in your room when you have all the information online.
You get what you see online in your hotel room. Jacob Sarkisian
Every week, hotel reviews in the US are scathing because guests don't like the design of the rooms or say they didn't know about missing features. All details can be found online.
Before you make your booking, take a look through the listing to see if you require a microwave or dresser with drawers for your bedroom. We can't make it any better once you have booked, arrived, and unpacked.
It is absurd when people book minimalist hotels such as Aloft, Moxy and Element, then complain to the front desk about not having couches in their rooms.
It will make your next stay even more enjoyable if you take 10 minutes to look through lobby and room photos before you book.
Asking for permission is the best way to obtain a late checkout.
We can usually grant most late-checkout requests as long as we are not busy the following day. To better accommodate guests, most hotels have changed their standard departure times to 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
The rooms are not assigned to guests in advance. It is possible to request a 1 or 2 pm checkout. Housekeeping has a lot of work, so if your room isn't cleaned up by the time you return, it won't be a problem.
However, if you stay later than you expected and don't communicate with us, it can cause you to be locked out of your room and could lead to additional charges.
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