Finally read the whole thing! About time I get to reply.
This summer, I was working as a receptionnist at a 5-stars hotel from a big chain. The job was nice because the employees were (for the most part) really cool. I also enjoyed the trust of my supervisors whom gave me the freedom to deal with situations without calling them all the time.
I did not have to put up with much shit because as one of the only two guys working there and with a big shape, most guests assumed I was a supervisor. Hence, they tried their luck with the girls around. Several times, I was asked by my boss how went my day ; mine was great, while the rest was shitty. However, I did have some really stupid people.
I once had a guest coming for check-in. While we were talking, he said he was part of our fidelity program and had received an offer for a better price and wanted to update his current rate. He had booked a room with a special, 25%-off rate non-refundable. What he wanted from a brochure he got was 30%-off with the same specifications. I informed him that i) his rate was non-refundable and I could not change it and ii) the brochure stated that to be applicable, the booking was to be made in a specific week and it was four months late. Too bad!
The guy then asked me what I was going to do about it. I was like "Nothing, it's a special deal that had to be booked at that time". And then he asked for freebies as compensation. And I told him the same thing. Get the message : the hotel was not responsible.
Luckily, he never asked for the manager and went for his room.
Talking about fidelity programs, some people feel entitled to everything because they join that. Unfortunately, reading doesn't appear to be a requirement to join those programs. I once had an old couple coming to get their room. They had booked a normal room with no view of the river (standard stuff). The lady then gives me a suite-uprgade coupon. After checking our system, I told her that I could not grant her request because we were full.
"As stated on the coupon, upgrades are complimentary and depends on availability. If you wanted to make sure you'd get the suite, you should have mentionned it when you booked."
"No! I want to get my suite! We come every so-often and we always get the suite blablabla."
Eventually, I got the manager to deal with them. I think he got them a normal room with view and a free meal.
Seriously, you can't come in a hotel and expect to get complimentary upgrades with your damn coupons! Read what is on the coupon. It's all about availabilities.
I also had this impolite guest storming at the front desk with his kid. Now, in the hotel we had three restaurants, so we could cover pretty much every needs (from buffet to high-class seven-service meals).
HIM : Hey! I want you to find me a restaurant because #1 and #2 threw me out!
ME : They threw you out sir?
HIM : Yeah, they said they have no room until 8:30 (it was around 6:30).
ME : *Yeah, sure...* Well sir, we also have #3 open. You don't need reservations.
HIM : Not good, I don't want buffet. I want to eat at another restaurant.
Beside the three restaurants, I could offer little information about what was available outside. Although I came from around here, I had little funds (as a student) to try every fine restaurant. And he also had the kid, which means it had to be a place that allowed kids and wouldn't last three hours.
ME : Well, if you want to eat outside the hotel, I would direct you to our concierge desk this way. They will be able to help you find the best restaurant for your current needs.
The guy looked at me funny, like I was making fun of him. He eventually left the desk and said loudly :
HIM : It's still a five star hotel, right?
ME : Yes sir it is!
What an idiot! It's BECAUSE we are five star that we have a concierge desk!
I also had the angry guy calling me at 2AM during the graveyard shift asking to be in contact with his friend's room that he just left to get booze, but forgot the number. He got so mad when I replied I couldn't do that because it was too later and I might wake whoever was in the room. Soon after he finished his threats of reporting me to the manager, I sent security around his room to make sure everything was fine. He also never reported.
And frankly, who are the people that go to a five star hotel and has no credit card? I mean come on! This is 2009 (back then)! And some get real nervous to learn that we need to swipe it at check-in! Do you think we are going to trust that after raising a 500 dollars bill you are going to come at the desk for check-out while it is so easy to just leave?
A colleague once told me about a guest who had no credit card, no debit card and no cash. Alright, well how are you gonna pay for the room if you have no means of paiement?
I'll get back on once I remember more about past experiences.
This summer, I was working as a receptionnist at a 5-stars hotel from a big chain. The job was nice because the employees were (for the most part) really cool. I also enjoyed the trust of my supervisors whom gave me the freedom to deal with situations without calling them all the time.
I did not have to put up with much shit because as one of the only two guys working there and with a big shape, most guests assumed I was a supervisor. Hence, they tried their luck with the girls around. Several times, I was asked by my boss how went my day ; mine was great, while the rest was shitty. However, I did have some really stupid people.
I once had a guest coming for check-in. While we were talking, he said he was part of our fidelity program and had received an offer for a better price and wanted to update his current rate. He had booked a room with a special, 25%-off rate non-refundable. What he wanted from a brochure he got was 30%-off with the same specifications. I informed him that i) his rate was non-refundable and I could not change it and ii) the brochure stated that to be applicable, the booking was to be made in a specific week and it was four months late. Too bad!
The guy then asked me what I was going to do about it. I was like "Nothing, it's a special deal that had to be booked at that time". And then he asked for freebies as compensation. And I told him the same thing. Get the message : the hotel was not responsible.
Luckily, he never asked for the manager and went for his room.
Talking about fidelity programs, some people feel entitled to everything because they join that. Unfortunately, reading doesn't appear to be a requirement to join those programs. I once had an old couple coming to get their room. They had booked a normal room with no view of the river (standard stuff). The lady then gives me a suite-uprgade coupon. After checking our system, I told her that I could not grant her request because we were full.
"As stated on the coupon, upgrades are complimentary and depends on availability. If you wanted to make sure you'd get the suite, you should have mentionned it when you booked."
"No! I want to get my suite! We come every so-often and we always get the suite blablabla."
Eventually, I got the manager to deal with them. I think he got them a normal room with view and a free meal.
Seriously, you can't come in a hotel and expect to get complimentary upgrades with your damn coupons! Read what is on the coupon. It's all about availabilities.
I also had this impolite guest storming at the front desk with his kid. Now, in the hotel we had three restaurants, so we could cover pretty much every needs (from buffet to high-class seven-service meals).
HIM : Hey! I want you to find me a restaurant because #1 and #2 threw me out!
ME : They threw you out sir?
HIM : Yeah, they said they have no room until 8:30 (it was around 6:30).
ME : *Yeah, sure...* Well sir, we also have #3 open. You don't need reservations.
HIM : Not good, I don't want buffet. I want to eat at another restaurant.
Beside the three restaurants, I could offer little information about what was available outside. Although I came from around here, I had little funds (as a student) to try every fine restaurant. And he also had the kid, which means it had to be a place that allowed kids and wouldn't last three hours.
ME : Well, if you want to eat outside the hotel, I would direct you to our concierge desk this way. They will be able to help you find the best restaurant for your current needs.
The guy looked at me funny, like I was making fun of him. He eventually left the desk and said loudly :
HIM : It's still a five star hotel, right?
ME : Yes sir it is!
What an idiot! It's BECAUSE we are five star that we have a concierge desk!
I also had the angry guy calling me at 2AM during the graveyard shift asking to be in contact with his friend's room that he just left to get booze, but forgot the number. He got so mad when I replied I couldn't do that because it was too later and I might wake whoever was in the room. Soon after he finished his threats of reporting me to the manager, I sent security around his room to make sure everything was fine. He also never reported.
And frankly, who are the people that go to a five star hotel and has no credit card? I mean come on! This is 2009 (back then)! And some get real nervous to learn that we need to swipe it at check-in! Do you think we are going to trust that after raising a 500 dollars bill you are going to come at the desk for check-out while it is so easy to just leave?
A colleague once told me about a guest who had no credit card, no debit card and no cash. Alright, well how are you gonna pay for the room if you have no means of paiement?
I'll get back on once I remember more about past experiences.