ON THE RADAR
Welcome to our blog where we share our insights and ideas
6 Basic Amenities and Services Airport Hotels Should Offer Guests
by Aditya Rajaram for Hotel Chatter
Got a layover, need a room, but dreading a stay at an airport hotel? We feel your pain. Our Front Desk Guy has put together a list of basics airport hotels should offer for its guests to make staying in an airport hotel pleasant for all.
'Welcome Back': The Art (and Science) of Recognizing a Loyal Guest
by Aditya Rajaram for Hotel Chatter
Recently, a reader and frequent hotel guest was exasperated that a hotel did not recognize his repeat stays, asking the forced and scripted question,"Have you stayed with us before?" each time he checked in. We turned to our Front Desk Guy, Aditya Rajaram to answer why this happened. As hotels ramp up their "let's be friends" and "we care about you, really" marketing schemes to entice the "new generation" of travelers, we thought this was an important aspect of the hotel experience to analyze. Here's his take on it all...
How Do Hotels Decide Which Room to Give You?
by Aditya Rajaram for Hotel Chatter
Ever wonder what goes on behind the computer screen behind the front desk? Like, how did they decide to put you in the smoking room when you asked for non-smoking? Or how did they give you a deluxe room with an ocean view when you only paid for a standard city view? Our Front Desk Guy, Aditya Rajaram, is here to tell you all about it. Got a question about the front desk? Let us know.
What to Remember About Using a Credit Card to Pay For Your Hotel Room
by Aditya Rajaram for Hotel Chatter
What's worse than leaving something behind at the hotel? Leaving your money behind. Our Front Desk Guy, Aditya Rajaram is here with a few gentle reminders about credit card security at hotels.
The #1 goal of any hotel should be safety and security. Not just the safety and security of its guests and their belongings, but also their financials, i.e. credit cards, money, checks etc.
The security of these starts not when a guest checks in but rather, when they make the booking. In my years working at hotels across many operators, there are clear procedures and protocols that serve to protect guest information and their financials.
Still, guests should always be on guard when handing over their credit card. There are a lot of bad scams out there and sadly, you can't trust anyone. We know you already know most of these tips but here are a few things to remember...
What You Need to Know About Tipping in Hotels
by Aditya Rajaram for Hotel Chatter
Now that Marriott Hotels are encouraging guests to leave tips for housekeepers by placing tip envelopes in the room, we thought it was a good idea to have our front desk guy, Aditya Rajaram offer some of his own, er, tips, on tipping in hotels.
The never-ending question of whether to tip, how much to tip, and who to tip at a hotel drives all guests a little crazy. In some parts of the world, it is frowned upon to give a tip and in others it is customary. In U.S. cities that are heavily unionized, well, you are pretty much booed if you don't.
Here are a few careful thoughts on tipping in the hospitality industry...
Is There Any Way Around Those Hidden (And Not Hidden) Hotel Fees?
by Aditya Rajaram for Hotel Chatter
Our former front desk guy has given valuable tips on effectively complaining to the front desk when something goes wrong. Now, he's got a few tips on getting around those pesky hotel fees that pop up from out of nowhere on your bill.
Hotels have been notorious for offering "convenient" products and services, then finding a way to tack on the extra charges to your hotel bill before you leave. According to a recent report, those fees will total up to $2.25 billion for hotels in the U.S. for this year alone.
While some fees and surcharges are unavoidable, i.e. the infamous Javits Convention Center tax in NYC and state and municipal taxes, there are other fees that aren't always clearly marked, like that daily newspaper charge that is actually optional or the pool towel fee that isn't listed anywhere except in small print at the bottom of a sign far away from the pool entrance.
Here are some ways to ensure you avoid these fees and if they are unfairly charged, how to get them removed...
10 Basic Things a Hotel Must Offer Guests
by Aditya Rajaram for Hotel Chatter
There's a lot going on in this room but are the basics all there?
He's told us how to deal with getting walked and how to effectively complain to the front desk. Now our former front desk manager has returned with some helpful advice for all the hotels out there.
Some of the most imaginative hotels in terms of design and service offering are being developed around the world. From underwater hotels to treetop hideaways, new properties are pushing the boundaries of what a typical hotel experience should feel like.
Although these hotels are innovative in their delivery of service and product, there are still some "basic" requirements that all hotels should have to make their experiences both welcoming and comforting to guests.
