I was considering "wow factor" in my bath this morning and later, put out a post on Twitter asking - "When you have stayed at hotels, what are the little things that have really impressed you?"
The number of responses were amazing and the content so informative. When they have all come in I will collate them and post them, but in the meantime, may I ask the same question here and add to the debate?
What little things have really impressed you when staying in a hotel????
Anthony Lloyd
Fallowfields Hotel and Restaurant, Oxfordshire
www.fallowfields.com
Well, its often the little things and talking about baths, I had a book rest in the bath at a hotel I recently stayed in when allowed for a lovely, relaxed long soak - loved it!. Equally, it's the little things which annoy - such as no full length mirror in the bedroom or no plug socket near a mirror and chair which would allow me to dry my hair in comfort. For me, these are essentials, but are frequently missing in what are otherwise delightful hotels.
Janet
Love the book rest idea. And as you say it is the little things. Shaver charging socket for me and hair-dryer location for my wife
polite, helpful but not slimey service
clean bedrooms
if there are toiletries, decent ones - not the caustic ones!
staff who remember my name or likes
staff who can hold a conversation with me
Calvin Hanks
www.cjgroup.co.uk
I always find I can forgive a multitude of sins as long as I receive good eye contact, a smile and sincerity.
I was one of those on twitter early this am! But happier posting here and not restricted to 140 characters
Recently it's been what ISN'T in the room that I've started to notice and be not-so-impressed with. Ironing board being the chief culprit, a decent selection of TV channels helps now that most people have freeview at home.
Quick checkout is often more a blessing rather than impersonal touch, especially for pre-paid rooms and more and more I'm choosing my hotel based on whether there's an ipod dock. I don't spend much time in the room but the time I'm there I'm usually getting ready so a blast of my own music goes down a treat!
CJ, the name remembering has come up a lot [on Twitter this morning] but I like your added twist on it. Thank you
What impresses me most about staying in a Hotel is the attention to detail and service personalisation.
Recently I was reading in a Hotel bar over Dinner and the lighting levels were a little dim making reading difficult. The waitress read the situation perfectly - she could see me struggling and subtly increased the lighting in my section of the bar, without being asked. This didn't affect any other guests but for me was just perfect!
A genuine welcome and interest creates an excellent first impression (beyond the standard "Hello, checking in, can I have your credit card please...) - Greetings like How was your journey?, Have you stayed here before?, We are delighted to welcome you...Its about the rapport and relationship building. The same can be said of checkout (chuckout!) the following morning, how often does it feel like you are simply being "processed?"
Chris
www.AssuredCustomerExperience.com
For me, it would be genuine warmth (this is actually quite rare), ability to deviate from the script (without being distracted), efficiency (no unnecessary waiting around). Oh, and free wi-fi - extra charges do not impress me in the same way as I would not be impressed to be charged for the electricity I use!
Some great comments here. Thank you.
For me the lack of full length mirrors and decent lighting on dressing tables are a bugbear!
I am super impressed if there is an iPod dock. There is nothing like being able to plug in your own music when getting ready for a night out!
Walk in showers/wet rooms are always nice too (that is, unless they overflow and you end up with a walk in bath in the bedroom!)
Decent snacks and drinks in the mini bar that don't cost a fortune!! And complimentary water always a plus point!
So many realy useful comments, thank you all. I posted the same question on Twitter and thought I would give you a compendium of the responses. Sorry this may be a bit long!
. "When a hotel remembers my name"
. Comics / CBeebies mags for my kids - and relevant to their ages.They also provided non breakable cups in the bathroom for the children which was a relief!
. When you make up a menu especially for me... (but you knew that anyway)
. Reception remembering my name, and being asked whe making the reservation if I had any special requests
. I like it even more when I come back the following year & they remember - Its one of the reasons i go back
. A suprise little apperitif before meal - room-a really nice bunch of fresh flowers& fruit bowl - also nice tea!
. For me decent toiletries are a small thing but so easy to get average ones. Though, I'd say beds but they're not small!
. Mr S has chipped in with filter coffee and cafetiere in the room rather than instant, but he is a coffee snob! ;-)
. Staff who give a damn are the most impressive thing in any hotel.
. Also (this only usually happens abroad) a welcome drink (cocktail) to immediately relax people? (first impressions)
Free babysitting service absolute top request (we are staying there for petes sake), local food all the time,available all the time,Staff that were in it for more than the money. (100% or not at all i say!) Remembering my name!
. You can always tell the difference when a place is run by a family who care about the business
. The most useful has been a free baby monitoring service, monitored by reception and they get you from the dining room if req
. Free internet
. A chair, mirror and plug socket for hair drier close to one another and full length mirror - often missing in best hotels.
. Fruit in bedroom, quality toiletries, free wifi, free welcome drink, sensitive, truly helpful concierges...
. Blueberrys and waffles and other delish non standard stuff for breakfast at Watergate bay, really made my day.
. 1.Fantastic, interesting local food 2.friendly flexible staff that go the extra mile to make your stay special 3.comfy beds
. Apart from a hotel's green credentials, for me it's usually the staff that leave the greatest impression!
. Clean bed linen, no creepy crawlies & no prossies working in the room next door! (I tend to only stay in dodgy hotels.)
. 1. Toast that reaches the table hot enough to melt butter. 2. Recognition at all stages. 3. Champagne in the room.
. A DVD player with a selection of films available from reception, a CD player, linen that smells really great with a high thread count, a great breakfast, a friendly welcome, a great and thoughtfully created info pack about what to do in the area, mini bottles of wine on arrival, fresh flowers in reception and in the room, genuine interest and like for people from staff. Hope this helps! :D
. An iPod doc in the room, a turn down service, high quality crisp white cotton bedding and a decent wine list!
. Not being asked for your address when checking in if you've already given it to make the booking. A genuinely warm welcome as if you were actually expected and known about is lovely! The best one i had was when i just gave my name & all i had to do was sign before being shown to my room. Everything spotlessly clean. Free wifi. Plenty of nice fluffy towels - I have long hair so want one for my hair as well as one for the rest of me. Comfy bed - I like memory foam topped mattresses, but I guess it could be hard to please everyone? Breakfast served late! Check out not too early, late checkout at weekends even better - Hyatt in Brum allows 2pm checkout on Sundays which is fab. Good choice for breakfast & perfectly cooked eggs. Excellent service. Shall I go on?!
. For me, it's about the toast at breakfast and the bathrooms. I hate pre-sliced bread toasted. Some fabulous breakfasts are ruined by cheap nasty toast. Anyone who goes to the trouble to buy (or even make) decent bread gets my thumbs up. The other thing is bothering to clean behind the door of the loo or bathroom. Often the door is just opened and mopped, when behind it is dusty and dirty. Ooh and having 'bath sheets' rather than just 'bath towels'.
. Fresh milk daily in the room fridge for tea/coffee, hate those UHT milks
Decent ironing board. Absolutely essential. Not one of those tiny ones that you have to kneel on the floor to use. And the flex on the ironing board needs to be long enough ...
Hair dryers...Dont get me started on hair dryers!