MRand

I'm not talking about the obvious stuff -- the givens like a clean room, a comfortable bed, lights that work, a tub that drains quickly. But what are the small extras in a room that make a hotel, regardless of its class, a cut above average?

My list would include:

- One of those bowed out shower curtain rods

- A mirror outside the bathroom (that doesn't get fogged)

- Extra soap dishes, especially ones in the shower about eye level

- Free bottle of water and free Internet

- Can't say I'm a fan of the coffee makers in the room, because I don't bring my own and the coffee supplied usually isn't up to snuff

I'm sure there's other stuff I will think of. Just wondering what simple features you'd advise a hotel manager to add if you had the chance.

DebitNM

Magifying mirror with light.

A really comfortable chair to sit in and read; 2 are even better.

Good towels, thick, absorbent ones. White preferably.

Really high quality bathroom amenities - shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer.

Turn down service, with a chocolate left on the pillow.

Fresh towels in the evening. I know about the waste of laundering. I am willing to skip fresh sheets everyday for fresh towels 2 times a day. {ok, fresh clean, crisp sheets are nice too.}.

No polyester bedspreads, a light down duvet, with removal cover that is actually washed between guests.

Good lighting to read in bed or in above chair.

I could go on and on, I guess.

I am lucky enough to have found such accomodations many times.

Deb

sf7307

Decent hangars and enough of them!

Room to store my empty luggage (because the first thing I do when I get to a hotel is unpack, unlike my DH, who is perfectly happy to live out of his suitcase for days on end and, yes, I've been known to unpack for him!).

Enough dresser drawers (see above).

Of the things already mentioned, great shampoo, at least a mirror, but also preferably a sink outside the main part of the bathroom, free internet, GREAT TOWELS (in all caps, because it's one of those things I notice when they aren't, fresh towels at night, because invariably we shower before going out for the evening, which means we don't have "fresh" towels in the morning.

mp

hooks in the bathroom to hang clothes

enough wastebaskets (at least 3) strategically placed

enough electrical outlets (at least 4 doubles) empty ones, well placed and with correct configurations for all our gadgets.

complimentary bottled water if the tap water is . . . well . . funny tasting

a separate area for the coffee maker, so you aren't spilling water all over the toiletries. (I do bring my own coffee, so, I like a decent coffeemaker.

Marginal

Two really nice extra pillows per person.

Complimentary bottled water.

SusanCS

Plenty of shelving in the bathroom. It's such a pain to see a nice bathroom with great fixtures and a granite counter top, but NO place to put stuff: makeup, deodorant, etc. I don't want all those things on a little counter.

Anonymous

Free WiFi

Plenty of pillows (either varying firmness, or extra-firm, just for me)

Plenty of accesible electrical outlets

Good lighting, especially for reading in bed

amygirl

An inroom safe

nytraveler

A good quality make-up mirror on an extendable neck so you can position it for your height (most women are taller than 5'2").

A card with the TV channel listing (does somebody always steal these?)

beth_fitz

Here is my list:

bowed out shower curtain rod

soft thick absorbant towels

Lots of hangers

Free bottle of water

free Internet

more than one trash can

starrs

good bedding - high thread count, soft sheets - NO BEDSPREAD - washable duvet covering a comforter.
thick towels
high end toiletries
free wifi
free water is nice

All of the above are available at Hampton Inns

cmcfong

A small refrigerator
A coffee maker
Heavy drapes to keep the room dark and quiet
A hair dryer
Bottled water
Thick, good towels
Quality linens on the bed
A good mattress
Bedding which is cleaned after each guest
exhaust fan in the bathroom

sf7307

I had forgotten about well-placed outlets. I stayed at a Marriott in Florida that had a strip above the desk that had all the connections you need - electrical outlets, ethernet, USB, etc. all within easy reach. As opposed to having to move the bed to find an electrical outlet to charge your phone!

TC

Mirrors stategically placed so one can see the back of the hair.

Good reading lights on both sides of the bed.

Two overstuffed chair - somewhere for both myself and DH to sit comfortably other than the bed.

Wine glasses.

An ice machine in the same zip code as our room. I hate calling room sevice for ice.

Feather pillows.

Bathroom storage. Who ever thought that pedestal sinks should be put in hotels?

I like a coffee maker and please give me real glass mugs. I bring my own coffee, but don't make me drink it from paper cups!

Austin

I prefer a room with the sink and mirror outside the room with the toilet and the shower. That way others can get ready when someone is in the shower.

ksucat

Duvet cover that is washed between guests..
600+ thread count sheets and pillows..lots of them and good quality and only things on the bed that are washed after every guest.
Good beds of memory foam.
Flat Screen TV
Super clean rooms
NO turn down service but take the chocolates..hate someone interupting us..
Free Internet
NO Coffee Maker..seen too many 20/20 features on what hotel guests do to them..
French Press with good coffee
Sauna/Spa
Great towels.
Free water & paper
Free Room Upgrade
Ipod dock
Great Room Service
Usually have a basket of something sent up of wine/cheese.
Quiet rooms..not hear someone above or below you..
Free Valet..
Lots of light in the room and of course a fridge..without sensors.
Computer desk with a great chair and ergonomic desk.

Free Breakfast..cooked to order

vivi

Duvet cover

Fitted bottom sheet

Extra pillows

Small fridge

Plentiful and conveniently located outlets

Bowed shower curtain

Free wireless

Self service laundry room

elnap29

* Good reading lights on both sides of the bed
* French Press Coffee (Hotel Listel in Vancouver brought this to the room each morning - complimentary!)
* Good pillows, preferably down
* Extra blanket and pillows accessible in the room if needed
* Self-serve ice machine nearby(do not want to call front desk)
* Iron and Ironing Board
* Excellent mattress, no plastic mattress cover - or at least cover it with a quality washable one, and a fitted bottom sheet or a bottom sheet that will stay in place!
* Bath salts are nice
* More than 1 bar of soap
* street map of the area
* have turn-down service as a request-only (We don't care for it)
* Yes, a card with the TV channels/stations, a tv guide and instructions on operating the tv
* A great feature at Abigail's in Victoria is that they will launder and fold as many clothes as will fit in a provided bag for $10 (24 hrs)

gail

Doors that do not slam shut automatically - creating all sorts of noise in the hallway.

cd

1. Washable duvet covering a comforter

2. Four pillows (we both use two)

3. Coffee pot and good coffee

4. Sink outside of the bathroom

5. Two confortable chairs

6. Small refrigerator

7. Free breakfast

8. Center hallways