My hOtel – an insight into luxury hotel rooms
What makes a hotel fab? Why would you want to go back? Would you recommend it to your best friend?
The more hotels I stay at, the pickier I get, so I decided to start a new series called “My hOtel”, where I actually show you what it is really like to stay in each property. Details matter, and often – especially when we are talking about luxury hotels, which is the focus of this blog – it is the small things that make you want to go back for more.
I have done some research before writing this first “My hOtel” post – and would like to thank all my lovely Facebook and Twitter followers who took the time and effort to share with me what they thought about luxury hotels – what do they like? What do they need? What do they expect? And most importantly, what really annoys them.
A room with a view at The Yeatman
We are paying good money to stay away in these homes away from home. Sometimes it is a special occasion, sometimes it is simply a business trip – but if we chose hotel A instead of hotel B, that happened for a reason.
I personally find it outrageous that luxury hotels charge for wi-fi – and usually more than I pay for a whole month of superfast broadband at home. I also feel very strongly about being charged €5 for a bottle of water – when I am paying €200, €400 or more per night to stay. I would much rather it is added to the cost of the room and psychologically, it is “included”. What do you think about this?
I personally don’t care much for coffee/tea facilities – but my initial research demonstrated that most people do. This has been a learning journey and once again, thanks to everyone who took the time to help out and join in the conversation.
I won’t be reviewing past hotels – it wouldn’t be fair on them. There are too many details and I am only human and honestly cannot remember if every shower was Hansgrohe. My point here is not to be over critical or mean – on the contrary. I am fortunate enough to stay in incredible places, and those who follow this blog do so as well – so why not share incredible experiences? The purpose of mrsoaroundtheworld.com is to inspire people to travel as much as they can and need.
Sexy and cozy library at the Sofitel Legend Amsterdam The Grand
So, without further ado, here are the points that Mrs. O shall be looking at when on her next luxury stay:
Pre-Arrival
- Was there any pre-arrival communication by the hotel with myself via email or social media?
- Did I try to engage the hotel via Twitter? Did the hotel interact with me and made me feel welcome/special?
- Has the hotel tried to gather any personal information (e.g. preferences) prior to my stay?
QT Hotel in Sydney
Arrival
- The wow factor – sometimes these words come out of my mouth when I enter a hotel! What was the hotel décor style?
- How quick and efficient was the hotel check-in?
- Was I addressed by name once reservation has been located? (it is all about the small details, some others are outstanding with this, and I love it, like I do when I board an airplane)
- Did I get an upgrade from my confirmed pre-booked room type?
- Did I feel genuinely welcomed by the hotel staff?
- Luggage – how many people did I have to tip before the luggage made it safely to my room? This is cultural, I know J
- Wifi – was I told anything about it? Was there a charge?
Room Experience
A room with a view? Four Seasons Sydney
- First impressions – décor, size and wow factor
- Welcome amenity
- The bed – this is very important. There have been hotels whose beds I never wanted to leave. Bed linen – did I want some of it at home?
- Closet/Wardrobe – proper hangers or those annoying ones where you need a PhD to get them out one by one? This is a personal pet peeve of mine. I can’t stand them.
- Iphone Charger/Dock – seen more and more often and absolutely necessary
- Bathrobes and slippers – something I rarely use, but most of you really value it, so I shall take a closer look
- Coffee and Tea – which I never use, but shall see if a Nespresso moment can be had.. and what alternatives for tea lovers
- Free bottled water
- Magazine selection – had some nice surprises and doesn’t happen often enough!
- Power sockets in useful places – we have more and more devices and we know where we want them! By the bed, by the working area.
Bathroom
Sexy bathroom (and room) at the Sheraton Lisbon
- First impressions – décor, size and wow factor
- Bath, shower and taps – I am looking for Duravits and Hansgrohes (or other fab brands) around the world. How fab was the shower? And a little pet peeve.. was I able to operate the shower without asking Mr. O for help?
- Towels – yes, please! How many and how soft and lovely?
- Toiletries – own brand, super brand, baby ones or proper ones? I shall find out!
- Amenity kit – I don’t want more sewing kits thank you very much, but I will need a shower cap.
- Hairdryer – is it a human one, or just something stuck to a wall that only makes noise?
Breakfast
Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles
- Décor of breakfast room – there are some beauties out there
- The spread (inc yumminess)
- Cost (I have seen a hotel charging €75 for breakfast – a tad much, maybe?)
Bar
Eclipse bar at W Barcelona
- The wow factor – obviously!
- Service
- Cocktail yumminess
Beach and non-city properties
A “pool” at he Viceroy Maldives
- Sun loungers – the good, the bad and the ugly. And the not included in the price of the room ones (excluding Cabanas, obviously)
- Towels – I am “slightly” obsessed with towel quality and they deserve their own bullet point
- Food and drink selection
- Child-free or quiet pool/beach areas – have seen this more and more and think it is a really good idea. We are all there for different reasons – I like to sleep and read, not to hear about other people’s life stories or screaming children. (Once I have children, I shall move to the other side!)
General thoughts
Timeless elegance at The Berkeley, London
- How good and reliable was the wifi?
- Did the hotel interact with me via Twitter during my stay?
- Location
- Cost – rooms starting from…
- Would I recommend it to my best friend?
- Would I stay again?
And last but not the least… my 3 favourite things about the hotel!
Ames Hotel Boston
So there you are, with each hotel I visit, coupled with great photos, you will know what to expect if you decide to book a stay there. As always, I will always disclose if I am being a guest of the hotel or not – it shall not cloud my judgement in any way.
And incredible hotels will get something special.. the Mrs. O seal of approval. Oh and a Triptease review!
My question to you: what have I missed? Do let me know by commenting below, and I shall add them to the list!
Xo
Mrs. O
52 Comments
Leave a Comment
Subscribe
Join other 11476 followers and have each post delivered to your inbox.
Follow on Bloglovin
Some of my latest Instagram pics
It’s like you read my mind! I’m adventurous and curious to try new places but it’s so disappointing when poor service ruins a great location. In today’s social-connected world, hotels have choice for promotion or poor feedback in a very public arena….but it’s their choice. Wifi is my biggest bug bearer, I’ve come to consciously not stay where I know they’ll charge, connectivity is standard today.
You’d think.. but sadly it isn’t! But it’s great to see some hotels breaking ground!
Great idea to set up a criteria to rate hotels. I have done a similar review method for cross-country ski trails.
Great points about luxury hotels charging extra for things that should be included. If I can get free wifi at a Days Inn, then I certainly should get it at a hotel where I am paying three times the amount.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Gunflint Trail Minnesota cabin writing office
Thanks, Ted!
This is a great idea Mrs. O. I don’t have a set list of things I look for in a great hotel, but many of them are on yours. The interaction on Twitter has become a big one for me:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..The New and Improved Picture of the Week
And some hotels do it so well!
we’re with you–free wifi and water shouldn’t even be a thought! it always flusters us when these cost an extra arm and a leg… and even worse is when you pay for wi-fi, and then it barely functions!
the lazy travelers recently posted..no travel required
And sadly happens all too often!
A human hairdryer not one that just blows air – too true! Once in Miami, my hairdryer almost caught fire, lol.
The World Wanderer recently posted..The Trees of Botswana.
Oh wow!
for me, i don’t care how fancy you are…if you don’t have EXCELLENT service for your guests, and that means practically thinking for them, going above and beyond, then that will instantly make me give you a thumbs down!
lola recently posted..what is a bloggie, anyhow & why should i win?
Absolutely! And these expectations should be consistent worldwide!
You sure know your hotels, Ana! For a long time, I didn’t care much about where I stayed – I figured accommodations are secondary to actually seeing the place I’m visiting. But that has certainly changed for me and now there are certain things I can’t live without (a comfy mattress being one of them) plus a lot of the things you mention.
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo of the Week: A pier in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Great idea here Ana, I like the fact that you’ve actually set yourself pointers to ‘ask’ yourself about each room that you stay in. Nice approach, look forward to seeing the outcome of your reviews.
Ad-lib Traveller recently posted..Carnival 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This is a super comprehensive list! I would also suggest adaptors for overseas guests, I remember having some issues in Iceland with trying to charge my iPhone. Fortunately, I was able to charge it from the iMac in the lobby!
And yes, friendly reception staff with good local knowledge are always a plus!
Fiona recently posted..Travel Edits Wins the Users’ Choice Award at the Skyscanner Bloscars!
Great points, shall add them! Mr. O is always obsessed with adapters, so I am never out…
Great list! I agree that hotels and resorts should not be charging for wifi — it’s a ridiculous to ask, but what’s worse is when they charge by device. “Cocktail yumminess” is my favorite!
Marian Krueger recently posted..Our Arrival into Berlin | Berlin-Tegel Airport, Buses, and More
By device is outrageous!! I shall keep a special eye on the yuminess, and taste as many as I can, just to “make sure”!
I’m with Leah with the extra adapters.. and outlets in general. Gerard always has a hard time finding enough outlets for all his gadgets. Clever on the hOtel play.. seal of approval indeed. ;P
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..The things WE DID WRONG on our RTW trip
Ha
things have changed – we and our devices.. remember when we just travelled with a Nokia phone? Blimey!
I am so excited for this new series! For us, wifi is one of the most important amenities a hotel could offer. We look forward to seeing all of the hotels your review.
Tawny of Captain and Clark recently posted..The Big Blog Map
Thank you, guys!
One of the reason I like boutique hotels is because many services (breakfast, phone, wifi, airport transfer, Ipad, etc.) are included in the price, I agree with you that is always annoying to pay everything on sup. Happy to read your next review
Catherine recently posted..Nouveau 5* à Paris : Hotel de Nell
Thank you, Catherine!
I think you’ve hit most of the major points! Wifi is a huge one, and I hope luxury hotels finally realize that. And I second Leah’s point about adapters.
As far as toiletries go, I really enjoy travel-sized bottles of nice brands because I do take them home and use them on future trips, but the ecological side of me knows that they’re pretty wasteful. As a result, I find it hard to fault hotels that have switched to the refillable dispensers, even though I personally like them less.
Emily in Chile recently posted..Lunching in luxury at Ruca Malen
That’s a very good point. I have to say I quite like full sized ones
Great post, very comprehensive. Enjoyed offering suggestions via Twitter! I’d agree re travel adaptor plugs, so easy to forget and yet so essential. One small extra which is worth mentioning is whether the hotel has free tea/coffee/snacks, not just in the room but in a lovely communal area. Some places, often the smaller, family-run hotels, offer free afternoon tea in their library/on the terrace with homemade biscuits, cakes etc. I know of one such establishment and that detail was mentioned in every single review I read.
Thank you, Fiona! I have noticed those coming up more and more
shall keep eyes on!
Wow! This is all very interesting and also rather foreign to me because I’m not too used to staying at luxury hotels. Only when I was growing up and my parents paid.. or if I’m travelling around SEA where it’s cheap. In Europe I tend to use Airbnb or go for a B&B.
Saying that, if I did stay at a nice hotel, the two most important bits for me would be the mattress and the bathroom.. but this post really points out the MANY other factors you might consider..
I also think it’s ridiculous for luxury hotels to charge for WiFi access.. I mean come on even hostels offer it for free these days ;p
X
Yishyeeeeene recently posted..Venice in Winter – Canal Grande & City Walk
Thank you so much for your comment
Hi Ana!
when I first stayed at the Peninsula in Hong Kong, the young fellow that first opened the hotel door for me greeted me by the name. Never figured how he knew it… Nevertheless, a couple of years later, the GREAT Kurt Wachtweiler (more than 40 years GM at the Oriental in Bangkok) told me that they secretly had a camera pointing to you at check in and they then distributed the photo with your name to the entire staff (this was a pre-computer era). Nowadays, they politely ask you if you don’t mind having your picture taken… But every member at the Oriental knows your name 
Very comprehensive an approach, indeed.
As for the espresso what a difference it makes if your around Asia or even in Spain. The ones you get in restaurants and bar are undrinkable…
The name question has always been a mystery for me. A long time ago (it figures
Another thing is the shower: more than Hans Grohe, the important thing is that the water has pressure. From my experience, most of the very “en vogue” so-called rain showers don’t, hélàs. Furthermore, I am a bathtub guy: there’s nothing more relaxing than a foam bath in the late afternoon with a gin and tonic, watching the news (the Royal Suite at the Palace in Madrid has an abfab tub-tv, but so has the peninsula in HK).
Sewing kits are a nonsense, specially in luxury hotels: don’t they have anybody on duty that can sew a button?
Another thing that deeply annoys me is when you enter a hotel restaurant (where you’re staying at) – and sometimes its half empty – and they ask you if you have reservation !? For Gods sake, I do! I’m staying here!
Last – but not least – for maniacs like me that drive rental cars in NYC, Bangkok or Cairo why on earth does it take so long to have your car brought up front. And worse is when they ask you for the plate number, because they just cannot find it…
Well, sorry for this “last will” long post, but hope it can be useful.
Carry on with a great job
Very very useful stuff indeed – loved the little detail about coffee in Spain. It is true! I am also intrigued about the MO approach – need to look further into that. A bath and a gin & tonic? sounds perfect to me. Lots of little gems here, thank you so much for taking the time!
I would like to add that luxury hotels should have adapters for foreign guests. Look at the address and ask upon check in if adapters are needed or simply have them in the room for the guest’s arrival. Four Seasons London Park Lane had them waiting in my room. It was such a nice touch.
Leah Travels recently posted..London: A Walk in the Park Lane
That is a very good point, Leah! Shall take note!
A pretty comprehensive list Mrs O! Towels are always my bug bear – one bath sheet and one hand-towel each is not enough. Love proper sized products too – The Ren ones in my last hotel stay were lovely and good sizes too.
Free wi-fi is welcomed – NH now have it across their brand and others are beginning to follow. Very much looking forward to your reviews.
Suzanne (Travelbunny) recently posted..Ponte di Tiberio – Bridging the Centuries
Oh magic words, REN! I shall do my best, Suzanne!
Great post. It’ll be interesting to the results of your travels!
What I hate is amenities that are supplied in refilld bottles on the wall. I do like hotels that use local companies for supplies.
I’ve been to at least 2 hotels that had Nespresso machines, both only gave you welcome pods…if you wanted more you had to buy them! Akso hotels that give a couple coffee or tea sachets snd you have to almost beg reception for more!
One of these hotels had room service with FREE tea or coffee..we used to just order that..
Thank you so much for your comments! This tea/coffee world is so new to me! Will keep an eye!
Hi Ana,
Having just completed my own review of the Ampersand Hotel in London I found this post really interesting. Some great points made although I am interested if you will be using your actual name when reviewing a hotel in the future. While I agree with twitter interaction, upgrades etc do you not think you will get better treatment than a ‘normal’ guest when the hotel knows it is being reviewed for your site. Would love to hear your view.
Great blog by the way!
Lisa Corcoran recently posted..Orient-Express to open El Encanto in Santa Barbara
Hi Lisa! Thanks for coming by and commenting! I see a lot of hotels embracing social media and interacting with guests pre, during and pro stay, and that is great – if they throw in a little upgrade or ask what your favourite snack is, then good on them.
I stay in a lot of hotels and for many reasons. The point is to show what the experience is like – and what to expect in a room. I have some service points – the doorman has no idea who I am and he is always the first point of contact!
Highly unlikely that decor or bathroom taps will be replaced – but if we get hotels to really understand what we value (be that the wifi, the free water or great toiletries), then great!
Getting people’s feedback recently was so interesting – some things are common, others so different!
Lets see how this goes!
Great post! I totally agree w/water & wifi – why charge when lower end properties is free?
I’d add: Is the hairdryer easy to find or do i need to hunt for it? not sure why the desk is best place sometimes? which outlet does it work best in (usually one not near a mirror!)
Can you let us know if you book the basic room category or what category your photos are from.
thanks
philatravelgirl recently posted..Chobe National Park, Botswana
Hairdryer is a huge issue and where you can use it even worse… I shall actually take pictures of the room I stay in
I will be speaking on this topic in March. Many people writing luxury, do not understand the luxury market. You have done a great job.
I also notice how clean the room is or is not and does the carpet or furniture have stains. The more I stay a luxury hotels, the picker and more I notice.
Maralyn D. Hill recently posted..February Carib Bites
Thank you, Maralyn! For me clean isn’t even an issue – it is a non-negotiable item. Haven’t had a problem in years
It is rare, but I encountered one last year in a five star that was unacceptable.
Usually, that is not the case.
How bad!
You always stay at nice hotels and I have followed some of your recommendations and never been disappointed. This will be an interesting addition to your great blog!
A good shower is so important – loved the mention of Hansgrohe. It was what I have at home and expect nothing less. Those big rain showers are amazing. I also like when they put a little matt after turndown service. Like in the old days, but I have noticed it is back!
I love that little detail and have noticed it too. Love it! And those showers.. don’t get me started! We are big hansgrohe fans here and the rainmaker rectangular one is heaven.
Excellent stuff, I look forward to these reviews as it is always good to know what to expect. I quite like when people call me by name – it is only a small detail, but after they check the reservation, it is so easy! Wifi – yes please, and also the water. I love espresso (not very American, I know), so I quite like the nespresso machines.. better than Starbucks!
I know
not asking for every hotel person to know your name, but check in.. why not?
Mrs. O – this is very interesting. I hate those hangers you were mentioning and it is surprising to see how many 5 star hotels still have them. Also need better and more plugs – some times I need to unplug lamps so I can charge all my devices…
Oh and hairdryer.. loved the “thing that makes noise”. Some are still so bad..
Good, glad it is not me being paranoid! Thank you, Maria!