I travel alot for both B n P and I'm not convinced alot of Hotels actually get that customers dont need a free drink. No fruit in the room. No fancy free breaky or what ever. Customers just want a bit of old fashioned service. From the book in process to the end result. Just recently I stayed in two Hotels that I found exceptional. No I'm not an employee and or a paid writer or blogger. A simple WAGE worker that appreciates normal stuff.
The first Hotel is the Moovenpick in Hobart. It's an excellent Hotel - I must admit pleasantly surprised. Rooms are simple yet user friendly. Staff were fab and very accomodating. I was there for work and impressed. Central location too.
Then to Melb a few weeks later for pleasure.(Cricket) I stayed at the Pullman Hotel opposite MCG. Now this place has there stuff together. The booking process albeit on line originally I added to it and got changes through direct contact at the Hotel was simply amazing. Couldn't do enough for me .... the Rooms are basic yet user friendly. The bar area was incredibly good..... I normally stay Crown Plaza but this is the best I have stayed in for a long time and cannot recommend highly enough.
The more genuine and good reads on Hotels sees more support. I rarely write an online testimonial as ppl try and tear you down, so my preferred option is to go direct to the Hotel manager and or group manager. They appreciate it more I believe.
That Pullman opened 50 years ago as the Melbourne Hilton. In its day it was 5 stars, not now but Pullman do a pretty good job considering the '70's design. Does anyone remember the excellent Cliveden Room at the old Hilton? It's still there in name at the Pullman, not as grand but still OK if a bit overpriced. And, dare I ask, does anyone remember the Lubritorium disco?
That Pullman opened 50 years ago as the Melbourne Hilton. In its day it was 5 stars, not now but Pullman do a pretty good job considering the '70's design. Does anyone remember the excellent Cliveden Room at the old Hilton? It's still there in name at the Pullman, not as grand but still OK if a bit overpriced. And, dare I ask, does anyone remember the Lubritorium disco?
Yes Tommy the Cliveden room still there. Was really impressed by the service at Pullman.
Agree to most. I mostly left free fruit/sweets/cookies in the room untouched. As for free bottled water, well, depends where you travel. In countries where you cannot drink tap water, yes, I will need free bottled water - lots of them please. Otherwise, I couldn't care less.
Simplicity is good and a lot of frills can be a hindrance often. However, it should not be spartan either! I recently stayed at a mid-range hotel Oslo (not terribly expensive, but still around 350 AUD/night). Now talk about spartan: no kettle, no hand towel, no complimentary coffee/tea, and above all, not even a glass in the entirety of the room (you know, to get some water to drink from the tap .....). The joy of travel ;-).
I agree that staff can make/break a hotel. And even an 'average' hotel can suddenly feel a bit more luxe thanks to good staff. As for room amenities and 'free gifts', well.....none of us actually 'need' them. But most folks would appreciate having them there even if they don't make use of it. I don't demand bottled water or fruit, but if its there I appreciate that simple thought.
I do appreciate the complimentary bottled water, particularly when you are on the go and don’t have time to stop a shops, cafe or vending machines (and if your hotel is in a retreat away from civilisation, this even matters more) and I do mind paying ridiculous prices for bottled spring water in the bar fridge.
Coffee/tea making amenities are essential and so is a fridge. Free breakfast is appreciated, although sometimes it is paid for by the premium you choose to book on the day.
While I agree ultimately the staff makes the biggest difference the thoughtful inclusions with complimentary extras is always welcomed by me.
Not sure about particularly with Pullman in Melbourne, but the hotel quarantine program Accor group participated in certainly help to keep some staff working and avoid some of problems in the loss of skills and experience we know and feel so much in the airline baggage handling industry.
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hawko69
hawko69
Member since 21 Jul 2021
Total posts 3
I travel alot for both B n P and I'm not convinced alot of Hotels actually get that customers dont need a free drink. No fruit in the room. No fancy free breaky or what ever. Customers just want a bit of old fashioned service. From the book in process to the end result. Just recently I stayed in two Hotels that I found exceptional. No I'm not an employee and or a paid writer or blogger. A simple WAGE worker that appreciates normal stuff.
The first Hotel is the Moovenpick in Hobart. It's an excellent Hotel - I must admit pleasantly surprised. Rooms are simple yet user friendly. Staff were fab and very accomodating. I was there for work and impressed. Central location too.
Then to Melb a few weeks later for pleasure.(Cricket) I stayed at the Pullman Hotel opposite MCG. Now this place has there stuff together. The booking process albeit on line originally I added to it and got changes through direct contact at the Hotel was simply amazing. Couldn't do enough for me .... the Rooms are basic yet user friendly. The bar area was incredibly good..... I normally stay Crown Plaza but this is the best I have stayed in for a long time and cannot recommend highly enough.
The more genuine and good reads on Hotels sees more support. I rarely write an online testimonial as ppl try and tear you down, so my preferred option is to go direct to the Hotel manager and or group manager. They appreciate it more I believe.
Happy hotels 2023
tommygun
tommygun
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 16 Oct 2017
Total posts 282
That Pullman opened 50 years ago as the Melbourne Hilton. In its day it was 5 stars, not now but Pullman do a pretty good job considering the '70's design. Does anyone remember the excellent Cliveden Room at the old Hilton? It's still there in name at the Pullman, not as grand but still OK if a bit overpriced. And, dare I ask, does anyone remember the Lubritorium disco?
hawko69
hawko69
Member since 21 Jul 2021
Total posts 3
Originally Posted by tommygun
That Pullman opened 50 years ago as the Melbourne Hilton. In its day it was 5 stars, not now but Pullman do a pretty good job considering the '70's design. Does anyone remember the excellent Cliveden Room at the old Hilton? It's still there in name at the Pullman, not as grand but still OK if a bit overpriced. And, dare I ask, does anyone remember the Lubritorium disco?
quantumreality
quantumreality
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 16 Jan 2018
Total posts 62
Agree to most. I mostly left free fruit/sweets/cookies in the room untouched. As for free bottled water, well, depends where you travel. In countries where you cannot drink tap water, yes, I will need free bottled water - lots of them please. Otherwise, I couldn't care less.
Simplicity is good and a lot of frills can be a hindrance often. However, it should not be spartan either! I recently stayed at a mid-range hotel Oslo (not terribly expensive, but still around 350 AUD/night). Now talk about spartan: no kettle, no hand towel, no complimentary coffee/tea, and above all, not even a glass in the entirety of the room (you know, to get some water to drink from the tap .....). The joy of travel ;-).
sunnybrae
sunnybrae
Etihad - Etihad Guest
Member since 21 Jul 2019
Total posts 80
I agree that staff can make/break a hotel. And even an 'average' hotel can suddenly feel a bit more luxe thanks to good staff. As for room amenities and 'free gifts', well.....none of us actually 'need' them. But most folks would appreciate having them there even if they don't make use of it. I don't demand bottled water or fruit, but if its there I appreciate that simple thought.
XWu
XWu
Member since 09 May 2020
Total posts 197
I do appreciate the complimentary bottled water, particularly when you are on the go and don’t have time to stop a shops, cafe or vending machines (and if your hotel is in a retreat away from civilisation, this even matters more) and I do mind paying ridiculous prices for bottled spring water in the bar fridge.
Coffee/tea making amenities are essential and so is a fridge. Free breakfast is appreciated, although sometimes it is paid for by the premium you choose to book on the day.
While I agree ultimately the staff makes the biggest difference the thoughtful inclusions with complimentary extras is always welcomed by me.
Not sure about particularly with Pullman in Melbourne, but the hotel quarantine program Accor group participated in certainly help to keep some staff working and avoid some of problems in the loss of skills and experience we know and feel so much in the airline baggage handling industry.