The hotel is perfect, the staff is so helpful ....the hotel is horrible, the staff was the worst.... ???
Aug 7th, 2006, 09:25 AM
#22
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I find the reviews on TripAdvisor sometimes laugh out loud entertaining.
A bad review has never stopped me from staying at any particular hotel.
I do my research with Fodor's or other travel guides and especially from the reviews on this board.
A bad review has never stopped me from staying at any particular hotel.
I do my research with Fodor's or other travel guides and especially from the reviews on this board.
Aug 7th, 2006, 09:47 AM
#26
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We have a nut case female in-law who insists on seeing at least four hotel rooms before she settles in. Do we listen to her perpetual gripes? Do we allow for the fact she came from dirt and thrives on her husband's vaunted business position? Hardly.
Aug 7th, 2006, 09:57 AM
#27
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Happens all the time , Christina, as lby(and I ) mentioned. Often lots of good reviews on Trip Advisor and then a couple of very bad ones (for the same hotel). But that is human nature . I found out years ago that it is hard to please everyone!
It's easier to take the discrepancies with a "grain of salt" ,as other have said.........and weigh the difference in opinions in whatever way you feel comfortable.
(It's often a "gamble" anyway with accommodations...and that makes for more fun and interesting travels!
>
It's easier to take the discrepancies with a "grain of salt" ,as other have said.........and weigh the difference in opinions in whatever way you feel comfortable.
(It's often a "gamble" anyway with accommodations...and that makes for more fun and interesting travels!
>
Aug 7th, 2006, 10:09 AM
#28
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In these days of Priceline and other travel "deals", it's impossible to know how much the reviewer paid for the hotel room (unless they put it in their review). Reviewers (including me) often review based on the value they perceive...I'll be a lot more forgiving of less than perfect aspects of a $79 room than at a $350 per night rom.
I recently blasted a hotel on Trip Advisor. I was there at a very busy time and had to pay rack rate...if the hotel had cost about $120 less a night, it would have been adequate for the price. As it was, it was a cheap motel pretending to be a fancy hotel and it wasn't a good value.
I recently blasted a hotel on Trip Advisor. I was there at a very busy time and had to pay rack rate...if the hotel had cost about $120 less a night, it would have been adequate for the price. As it was, it was a cheap motel pretending to be a fancy hotel and it wasn't a good value.
Aug 7th, 2006, 10:30 AM
#31
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I always review for tripadvisor, even if it's just an overnight random stay. I've had a few experiences which were so incredible that the story had to be told (such as the time they had to break a bathroom door down and then just left the room, lol.) The new format on TA doesn't allow you to enter your email address, which I don't like. I trust people more when that info is there. I've talked to many hotel people who are very aware of and sensitive to TA reviews. I always hope that people will take the time to be fair and honest- when they talk about rude staff I always wonder about how THEY treat people.
Aug 7th, 2006, 10:59 AM
#33
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Underhill, I read or was told very early on in my travels that Europeans ask to see the room(s), while Americans (me included) just take the room that is offered.
Most of the time when we reach our destination, the hotel is fully booked, or so they say, and you are stuck with that room, like it or not, until and if, they will move you, or you can change hotels.
At the highly recommended Monna Lisa (correct spelling) in Florence years ago, DD and I were given a room facing the street. After 10:00PM, it was NOISY. Apparently there was a bar or club near by and people congregated under our window until the wee hours of the morning.
We immediately complained to the front desk, but apparently they had forgotten the excellent English that they had spoken when we checked in. All they would say is that they couldn't understand English, although the majority of the guests that we saw and talked to, were affluent and well traveled Americans. They ignored our repeated requests to change rooms, for several days.
On the second evening, we were told by another guest that they had a lovely and quiet room overlooking the garden, and that they would be departing the next moring. I immediately asked the front desk for that room, offering to pay more if necessary. They said that the room was already booked (they did remember _some_ of their English from time to time).
The next morning at breakfast we met the new inhabitant of that garden room - an American man who had called from the train station about one hour earlier and was told that they had a vacancy and he rushed right over!
Considering that we were booked for eight nights, I guess they thought that we were a captive audience. For half of our 8 night stay, we were uable to sleep for more than a few hours at a time. From Day #2, we tried to find another hotel, but Firenze was booked solid.
Finally after the fourth sleepless night, and because it actually happened - we told the front desk staff in a calm voice, just loud enough to be overheard by other nearby guests, that the night before when we returned home late, we had seen 'the boys' having a pissing contest on the wall directly below our room. I cleaned it up by saying 'urinating'.
I was shushed up and the next morning, we were moved to a quiet room in the back for our remaining four nights.
The funny thing is that we had been warned by several woman who had stayed there, that they were known for giving the noisy street rooms to woman, because women were more willing to accept adverse conditions and not to complain....boy were they wrong! Also, I guess they thought that men tip more.
In those days, 1982, there were no on-line boards etc... no way to advise other travelers. Every review I have read either before or after our miserable stay there, has been nothing but positive. Except for the room, it was a lovely place, a beautiful garden, immaculate, etc.. For $47 US, it was a bargain. Last I heard years ago, it was closer to $300 a night.
Nina
Most of the time when we reach our destination, the hotel is fully booked, or so they say, and you are stuck with that room, like it or not, until and if, they will move you, or you can change hotels.
At the highly recommended Monna Lisa (correct spelling) in Florence years ago, DD and I were given a room facing the street. After 10:00PM, it was NOISY. Apparently there was a bar or club near by and people congregated under our window until the wee hours of the morning.
We immediately complained to the front desk, but apparently they had forgotten the excellent English that they had spoken when we checked in. All they would say is that they couldn't understand English, although the majority of the guests that we saw and talked to, were affluent and well traveled Americans. They ignored our repeated requests to change rooms, for several days.
On the second evening, we were told by another guest that they had a lovely and quiet room overlooking the garden, and that they would be departing the next moring. I immediately asked the front desk for that room, offering to pay more if necessary. They said that the room was already booked (they did remember _some_ of their English from time to time).
The next morning at breakfast we met the new inhabitant of that garden room - an American man who had called from the train station about one hour earlier and was told that they had a vacancy and he rushed right over!
Considering that we were booked for eight nights, I guess they thought that we were a captive audience. For half of our 8 night stay, we were uable to sleep for more than a few hours at a time. From Day #2, we tried to find another hotel, but Firenze was booked solid.
Finally after the fourth sleepless night, and because it actually happened - we told the front desk staff in a calm voice, just loud enough to be overheard by other nearby guests, that the night before when we returned home late, we had seen 'the boys' having a pissing contest on the wall directly below our room. I cleaned it up by saying 'urinating'.
I was shushed up and the next morning, we were moved to a quiet room in the back for our remaining four nights.
The funny thing is that we had been warned by several woman who had stayed there, that they were known for giving the noisy street rooms to woman, because women were more willing to accept adverse conditions and not to complain....boy were they wrong! Also, I guess they thought that men tip more.
In those days, 1982, there were no on-line boards etc... no way to advise other travelers. Every review I have read either before or after our miserable stay there, has been nothing but positive. Except for the room, it was a lovely place, a beautiful garden, immaculate, etc.. For $47 US, it was a bargain. Last I heard years ago, it was closer to $300 a night.
Nina
Aug 7th, 2006, 12:04 PM
#34
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bravo, Nina! I agree with you on that one, and really don't understand why that hotel treated you that way, but because I travel alone a lot, I know hotels (and restaurants) do often try to palm off the worst places on women. I think they think you won't complain or make a fuss -- it's cultural, and actually true to some extent that women are socialized not to assert their rights as much. I do in cases like that.
I feel funny asking to see a room (and most of the time it would be irrelevant as the hotels I'm in tend to be booked pretty full), although I have called down to complain when I got in a room and there was a problem. Or I went back down -- all before unpacking or mussing anything. If you are alone, it isn't that easy to check out rooms (what to do with all your luggage), and what is your option, anyway, if that's the only one they have?
In my last Paris hotel, I didn't ask to see it, but when I got there, I saw they were doing renovations on the floor and while the room was okay (I peeked in), the halls had fresh paint and still had a strong odor (and were covered by paper, etc. It was the stink that bothered me. So, I just went back down and asked for a similar room on some other floor without any renovations, and that worked fine.
I wouldn't ever post my email address on Tripadvisor anyway, so don't think that means anything. Even if it were a "fake" one (in which case, why does it mean anything to those who want one?), I have zero intention of spending my time setting up extra email addresses for Tripadvisor and I am never going to spend my time answering emails from people due to a Tripadvisor review. That would be working for the hotel and Tripadvisor. I don't think that means anything, a lot of people feel like me and would never post publicly an email address. It doesn't mean anything, I don't think.
I feel funny asking to see a room (and most of the time it would be irrelevant as the hotels I'm in tend to be booked pretty full), although I have called down to complain when I got in a room and there was a problem. Or I went back down -- all before unpacking or mussing anything. If you are alone, it isn't that easy to check out rooms (what to do with all your luggage), and what is your option, anyway, if that's the only one they have?
In my last Paris hotel, I didn't ask to see it, but when I got there, I saw they were doing renovations on the floor and while the room was okay (I peeked in), the halls had fresh paint and still had a strong odor (and were covered by paper, etc. It was the stink that bothered me. So, I just went back down and asked for a similar room on some other floor without any renovations, and that worked fine.
I wouldn't ever post my email address on Tripadvisor anyway, so don't think that means anything. Even if it were a "fake" one (in which case, why does it mean anything to those who want one?), I have zero intention of spending my time setting up extra email addresses for Tripadvisor and I am never going to spend my time answering emails from people due to a Tripadvisor review. That would be working for the hotel and Tripadvisor. I don't think that means anything, a lot of people feel like me and would never post publicly an email address. It doesn't mean anything, I don't think.
Aug 7th, 2006, 12:42 PM
#35
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I've been told by Europeans and desk/reception people that looking at a room first is expected in Europe, or at least not out of the ordinary.
This, of course, would be an interesting hotel with all the rooms different.......saves hassle later and moving rooms!
In the U.S. most of the hotels are "cookie cutter" rooms so it's probaby not as necessary....as long as one has specified at check-in what their wishes might be....Such as: away from the noisy ice machine, elevator, what side of hotel you would like for the view etc.(some people never open their curtains, some love to look out the window...it's personal!)
Overseas, however, they don't mind at all if you request to see the room first....after all, you are the "payee"!!! The desk is usually very gracious, and if you DON"T ask, then you might just be given the worst room!
This, of course, would be an interesting hotel with all the rooms different.......saves hassle later and moving rooms!
In the U.S. most of the hotels are "cookie cutter" rooms so it's probaby not as necessary....as long as one has specified at check-in what their wishes might be....Such as: away from the noisy ice machine, elevator, what side of hotel you would like for the view etc.(some people never open their curtains, some love to look out the window...it's personal!)
Overseas, however, they don't mind at all if you request to see the room first....after all, you are the "payee"!!! The desk is usually very gracious, and if you DON"T ask, then you might just be given the worst room!
Aug 7th, 2006, 12:58 PM
#36
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I believe you get what you pay for. For example when I travel on business I expect the hotel to be a certain level because i am paying top dollar for it and I often am spending anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks in the same room. There should be no dust, fresh towels etc. If not I do complain and i complain loud and often.
But when I backpacked across Europe in December of last year I lowered my standards because I was traveling budget, and I got what I paid for.
You have to set reasonable expectations.
But when I backpacked across Europe in December of last year I lowered my standards because I was traveling budget, and I got what I paid for.
You have to set reasonable expectations.
Aug 7th, 2006, 06:21 PM
#37
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It makes sense to ask to see the room ahead of time. There's nothing worse then getting your stuff up there only to find it has a plumbing problem or the room isn't as clean as you expected. It's easier for everyone if you just run up there and take a peek.
I've started doing this here in the States. If I go to L.A. for a couple of days I pack like I'm moving in.
Like lostmymind, I tend to get a lot pickier when the company is footing the bill. I wouldn't want to tell my boss what a cheapskate I can be when it comes to paying for a hotel room. Shh...
I've started doing this here in the States. If I go to L.A. for a couple of days I pack like I'm moving in.
Like lostmymind, I tend to get a lot pickier when the company is footing the bill. I wouldn't want to tell my boss what a cheapskate I can be when it comes to paying for a hotel room. Shh...
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