We just got back from a trip to New Orleans, where we stayed at "Le Pavillon" hotel. I was happy and surprised that my usual pet peeves did NOT occur there. First of all, plenty of decent-sized pillows; and real, soft, plush comforters--not the thin ones that feel like sandpaper! Clean bathroom, with TONS of very large, thick towels. Not the usual tiny ones that are so thin, you could mistake them for gauze. TV with a multitude of channels, including the Weather Channel (and TV LAND!). Good room temperature, and great A/C that didn't sound like a 747 taking off. We are also night owls, so our personal favorite was the 24-hour room service. Most hotels cut off room service around 10 or 11pm. But we still had to endure the dreaded Housekeeper Hall Noise in the morning. And one of the beds had a too small flat sheet (instead of a fitted one) over the mattress that kept slipping off. Oh well . . . not everything's perfect!

Another hotel peeve of mine is how early they cut off the continental breakfast, at hotels like Comfort Inn's or Hampton Inns. I am a night owl, and usually don't get to bed until 1:30 or 2:00am. They always cut off the free breakfast at 10:00am or so. I am just getting ready at that time. In fact, I usually have to extend my check out by 1/2 hour or so.

Making a reservation for a non-smoking room, with a credit card guarantee only to find out that they are out of non-smoking rooms when I check in (usually at 11:00 PM). With a credit card guarantee, you have paid for the room, why not assign the non smoking room at the time of the rservation?

I suspect the answer is they know that at 11:00 PM you probably aren't going to look for another hotel just to avoid a smoking room.