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What do you expect from a hotelFollow

#1 Aug 18 2012 at 5:29 PM Rating: Default
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So, the other day I had to reluctantly stay a night in another city and pay for a hotel. After a few reviews/prices of hotels, I had two choices, 4 star hotel or dirty low budget hotel. Since I've been doing the latter on my "Tour de Asia" and probably again during my "Tour de South America", I decided to stick with a "reasonable priced" 4 star. They gave me a room for $129 + a billion in taxes.

Now, when I got to my room, the room was spacious with a nice bed and TV, but I had no refrigerator, no microwave and no free Internet. As I took the glass elevator down passed the water falls that lead to "very large" sized swimming fish, I learned that I also didn't have any continental breakfast in the restaurant sized dining.

Now, I wasn't too upset because I see this all of the time in so called 4 and 5 star hotels. The cheaper hotels tend to have the refrigerators, microwaves, free breakfast and the free Internet. The 4 and 5 star hotels tend to have the ice sculptures, large lobbies with nice furniture, waterfalls and other cosmetic features.

What do you care more about?
#2 Aug 18 2012 at 5:48 PM Rating: Excellent
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I'm guessing the idea is that if you're staying in an upscale hotel, you're less likely to be eating microwave dinners in your room while watching the free HBO. Since my hotel stays usually involve a wife, a teenager and trying to find a secluded corner to stick a toddler in a Pack n' Play I care more about the microwave and mini-fridge than I do the ice sculpture. Also, free continental breakfast. I don't know if I've ever used a hotel amenity beyond the pool; no business lounges or health stations or day spas or on-site dry cleaning. The on-site bar/restaurants are almost always overpriced. All I really need is a clean room with enough space to put everyone.

Half on-topic, Flea and I cashed out some expiring frequent flyer card miles on a hotel stay at Trump Tower for our anniversary. The room itself is something like $700 a night which means we're probably still dropping a hundred twenty-five bucks in taxes that the miles don't cover. I'll let you all know if it was worth it. On the plus side, it says it comes with a full featured kitchen AND free internet!

Whatever I may feel about Trump as a person, he builds a fine lookin' mixed use skyscraper.

Edited, Aug 18th 2012 6:51pm by Jophiel
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#3 Aug 18 2012 at 5:52 PM Rating: Excellent
I care that Ugly owns the hotel. That's about it. Smiley: grin

Usually I'm more concerned with price. I don't usually INTEND to spend much time in the hotel room unless I'm sleeping or having sex, and while the free internet might help enhance the latter, a fridge, microwave, or continental breakfast are not needed for these things. I'm mostly concerned with whether or not I feel comfortable laying naked in the bed than whether or not I have the other amenities.
#4 Aug 18 2012 at 5:56 PM Rating: Excellent
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Belkira wrote:
I'm sleeping or having sex, and while the free internet might help enhance the latter, a fridge, microwave, or continental breakfast are not needed for these things

What are you, Amish?
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Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
#5 Aug 18 2012 at 5:58 PM Rating: Good
Jophiel wrote:
Belkira wrote:
I'm sleeping or having sex, and while the free internet might help enhance the latter, a fridge, microwave, or continental breakfast are not needed for these things

What are you, Amish?


Only when I'm on vacation, apparently.
#6 Aug 18 2012 at 6:01 PM Rating: Good
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Jophiel wrote:
I'm guessing the idea is that if you're staying in an upscale hotel, you're less likely to be eating microwave dinners in your room while watching the free HBO. Since my hotel stays usually involve a wife, a teenager and trying to find a secluded corner to stick a toddler in a Pack n' Play I care more about the microwave and mini-fridge than I do the ice sculpture. Also, free continental breakfast. I don't know if I've ever used a hotel amenity beyond the pool; no business lounges or health stations or day spas or on-site dry cleaning. The on-site bar/restaurants are almost always overpriced. All I really need is a clean room with enough space to put everyone.

Half on-topic, Flea and I cashed out some expiring frequent flyer card miles on a hotel stay at Trump Tower for our anniversary. The room itself is something like $700 a night which means we're probably still dropping a hundred twenty-five bucks in taxes that the miles don't cover. I'll let you all know if it was worth it. On the plus side, it says it comes with a full featured kitchen AND free internet!

Whatever I may feel about Trump as a person, he builds a fine lookin' mixed use skyscraper.

Edited, Aug 18th 2012 6:51pm by Jophiel


Use this as an excuse to take pics of yourselves eating caviar and drinking champagne in trump real estate, so you can pretend to your Facebook friends that you won the lottery.
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#7 Aug 18 2012 at 6:02 PM Rating: Good
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Belkira wrote:
I care that Ugly owns the hotel. That's about it. Smiley: grin
This is the correct answer. You all could learn a lot from this brilliant woman.

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#8 Aug 18 2012 at 6:04 PM Rating: Excellent
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Jophiel wrote:
Belkira wrote:
I'm sleeping or having sex, and while the free internet might help enhance the latter, a fridge, microwave, or continental breakfast are not needed for these things
What are you, Amish?
I, too, wonder how many Mennonite she goes through.
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#9 Aug 18 2012 at 6:56 PM Rating: Decent
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Jophiel wrote:
I'm guessing the idea is that if you're staying in an upscale hotel, you're less likely to be eating microwave dinners in your room while watching the free HBO.


Pretty valid point. My reasoning is that if I'm paying twice as much for an upscale hotel, I expect to have all of the stuff that a lower scale hotel has. I get no utilities from the ice sculptures. They don't necessarily need to go away, but utilities shouldn't suffer in support of them. If it's upscale, people will pay for it regardless, so don't take utilities away.

I just believe there should be a greater serving aspect with the more money that I spend. The thing that got me with the breakfast is that the restaurant serves all three meals. It's a nice restaurant, why not just include 3 basic meals in the price? Why not include the Internet in the price? I can think of many reasons NOT to do those things, but the more I pay for a room, the less I feel like I have to do to get something.

Belkira wrote:
Usually I'm more concerned with price. I don't usually INTEND to spend much time in the hotel room unless I'm sleeping or having sex, and while the free internet might help enhance the latter, a fridge, microwave, or continental breakfast are not needed for these things. I'm mostly concerned with whether or not I feel comfortable laying naked in the bed than whether or not I have the other amenities.


Just had some interesting thoughts just now..
#10 Aug 18 2012 at 7:28 PM Rating: Good
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If it's upscale, people will pay for it regardless
But that's why we charge you more...because you will pay for it. On the plus side, they only pay for what they use, whereas in mid scale, economy or budget, you pay for everything even if you don't use it.
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#11 Aug 18 2012 at 7:37 PM Rating: Default
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Uglysasquatch wrote:
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If it's upscale, people will pay for it regardless
But that's why we charge you more...because you will pay for it. On the plus side, they only pay for what they use, whereas in mid scale, economy or budget, you pay for everything even if you don't use it.


Exactly. Yet, paying for everything in a mid-scale, economy or budget hotel is still cheaper. I'm with Belkira on this one (OMG, the world is ending), I care more about price, then luxury if I'm with someone.
#12 Aug 18 2012 at 7:39 PM Rating: Excellent
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Belkira is married, Alma. Quit creepin'.
#13 Aug 18 2012 at 7:56 PM Rating: Good
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Bed Lice... Is what I've learned to expect. Needless to say I'm very thrilled when I don't get it. (Yes, I've had that happen...at first I thought I had crabs, but I hadn't had sex in 2+ years at that time).

I'm very thrilled however if a hotel has the following:
-First floor room w/private door (Quite a few of the Super 8's and other similiar level of hotels around the midwest use them, so it's very common). Parking by your room is a plus, and the door is very nice if the room is smoke free so you only need to step outside.
-Cable
-Internet (Wifi gets bonus points, because we do bring the laptop)
-Pool (Bonus points if there is a Jacuzzi or Sauna)

I can live without the Continental Breakfasts because aside from a glass of OJ or something in the morning, I'm not a big eater when I wake up, and most of the hotels I've been too think donuts qualify as breakfast.
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#14 Aug 18 2012 at 8:03 PM Rating: Good
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Dyadem, pet mage of Jabober wrote:
most of the hotels I've been too think donuts qualify as breakfast.
Welcome to the craptastic that is Super 8's and similar level hotels. Although, Super 8's have improved their breakfast over the years and are upgrading yet again.


Edited, Aug 18th 2012 11:05pm by Uglysasquatch
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#15 Aug 18 2012 at 8:32 PM Rating: Default
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Uglysasquatch wrote:
Dyadem, pet mage of Jabober wrote:
most of the hotels I've been too think donuts qualify as breakfast.
Welcome to the craptastic that is Super 8's and similar level hotels. Although, Super 8's have improved their breakfast over the years and are upgrading yet again.


Edited, Aug 18th 2012 11:05pm by Uglysasquatch


Most breakfasts are pretty pathetic, maybe a muffin, but that's what it makes it worse. So, out of the $100+ that I spend a day, I can't even get a Pop Tart? The hotel that I'm living in now, before I move once again, serves actual food and I only pay $300 a week.
#16 Aug 18 2012 at 8:40 PM Rating: Excellent
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Stop staying at economy and budget hotels. Most mid-scale limited services include a hot breakfast. Actually, I can't think of one that doesn't.
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#17 Aug 18 2012 at 8:52 PM Rating: Good
You own any places in Hawaii, Ugly?
#18 Aug 18 2012 at 8:58 PM Rating: Good
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#19 Aug 18 2012 at 9:05 PM Rating: Default
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Uglysasquatch wrote:
Stop staying at economy and budget hotels. Most mid-scale limited services include a hot breakfast. Actually, I can't think of one that doesn't.


I don't think I have a good idea on what "mid-scale" hotels are. If I go by prices, anything $75 or more is at least mid scale to me and I haven't experienced that treatment in the U.S. Overseas, I get hot meals with $40 hotels all of the time, like the US one I'm staying in now. Besides, I'm not a breakfast person anyway, it's just the principle of the fact. I never expect hot meals and am perfectly satisfied with an apple with some juice or water. I just think a hotel that charges more than $100 a day should at least have that.
#20 Aug 18 2012 at 9:05 PM Rating: Excellent
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I've actually seen an uptick in the breakfasts at the hotels lately but my anecdotes probably aren't statistically significant. I'm used to "bowl of apples and a couple doughnuts" but have seen more hot food trays (eggs, sausage), waffle making machines, some gizmo that produces pancakes off a conveyer belt and stuff like that. Beats a bowl of cold cereal with questionably refrigerated milk.
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#21 Aug 18 2012 at 9:15 PM Rating: Good
Uglysasquatch wrote:
Does it count if they're in my dreams?


No. Smiley: frown
#22 Aug 18 2012 at 9:27 PM Rating: Good
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I assume you were hoping I could help on a rate, so this is the best I can do for that.
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#23 Aug 18 2012 at 9:46 PM Rating: Good
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I've had some really good hotel meals in Africa and China, of all places.
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#24 Aug 18 2012 at 11:20 PM Rating: Good
Uglysasquatch wrote:
I assume you were hoping I could help on a rate, so this is the best I can do for that.


Not really, but thank you! I just would've given any hotels in your chain preference. We can already get the kama aina rate, which is helpful. Smiley: smile
#25 Aug 18 2012 at 11:46 PM Rating: Excellent
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I require electricity, a bed that is long enough, and working temperature controlls. Working internet locally is nice, but if not, I bring my own easily enough. Other than that, I don't really expect to spend all that much time in the hotel for the most part. It's generally a place to sleep, recharge my batteries (literally in this case) and check up on things before I head to wherever I am actually going.
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#26 Aug 19 2012 at 12:52 AM Rating: Good
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I only require that they accept my employee discount card. Well, that and the basics(no bugs, working plumbing, bed in working order).
Jophiel wrote:
I've actually seen an uptick in the breakfasts at the hotels lately but my anecdotes probably aren't statistically significant. I'm used to "bowl of apples and a couple doughnuts" but have seen more hot food trays (eggs, sausage), waffle making machines, some gizmo that produces pancakes off a conveyer belt and stuff like that. Beats a bowl of cold cereal with questionably refrigerated milk.
I still find it kinda funny how many people are amazed that our scrambled eggs are yellow. Apparently a lot of hotels have been unable to figure out how to prevent their eggs from turning green.
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