Tuesday, June 25, 2024

What modern hotels are missing - adapters, chairs and more

 Modern hotels have not moved into the twentiesth century as far as customers are concerned. Yes, they have security. But several things are missing.

1 One Chocolate For Two People

Back in the Ninetten Sixties, I vividly recall I used to complain about the chocolates, or rather the lack of a second chocolate.  When two of us checked in, at night, hotels gave us one chocolate on the double bed. between the two of us. 

I once rang down to room service and said, "Please send up a second chocolate within ten minutes. If not, call the police, because there's going to be a chocolate fight and a murder."

We got a second chocolate. 

However, I should not have had to ask.

Times have moved on. A new problem.

2 Missing Mobile Phone Sockets

Our current complaint is about lack of provision for two people who both move into a hotel bedroom each person with mobile phones and a computer.

In a huge five star resort hotel in Thailnd, some rooms had sockets for mobile phones. Our son and daughter-in-law had a well-equipped room.

We had paid more. But we got a room with no phone sockets. 

When I phoned down, reception told me, "You can buy an adapter in the shop near the main building." That was a long walk. I was in my night dress. It was night and the shop was closed. The next day I would be busy with other people. Why should I have to buy that? Any smaller hotel would have had a spare or two at the reception desk. 

If you have an adapter, you still need a place to sit. That means a large enough desk for two. And two upright chairs.

3 Upright Chairs

Sometimes you can ask for an extra chair and the management will send one. 

Sometimes you can take a spare chair from the balcony. (But not if it is a chase longue nor a rocking chair.

On my recent trip to Spain, most hotels had a desk and upright chair for one person. And no phone sockets. We had travelled in a car so we were able to load up with loads of items. We had extension leads, adapter, and so on. But hotels should have thsee things. Maybe next time we need to take a folding chair. Or ask in advance for a second chair.

One hotel which provided two chairs was the Imperial Hotel, in the cty of Valladolid, Spain.

TV Guide

Sometimes there is no TV guide. Other times the guide is in a drawer we have not opened, or have not found. Maybe the folder should be lavelled TV guide. The drwaweer should be labelled, hair dryer and TV guide here.

On our last trip in June 2024, we upgraded to better, bigger rooms in the cheaper hotels. That gave us room for two, sometimes a balcony or another chair. At least, it gave us the chutzpah to ask for extras.

Car Travel Advantages



We travelled by car on a ferry to Europe. Wonderful to not have a weight problem. We  took a bag or leads, adapters, socket extension boards, everything we might need.

Tips For Travellers

1 Take adapters for mobile phones, laptops, electric shavers, toothbrushes, etc.

2 Travel by car instead of a plane. 

3 Upgrade on the plane to get more luggage allowance.

4 Check adapters on check-in, and ask reception desk for any adapters, or a room upgrade.

-ends-

See my previous post on hotels in Thailand and elsewhere.

Please share links to your favourite posts.


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