Over the past year travelzoo.com has become my favorite travel site. This site consistently has the best vacation deals found on the web. Cruises, all-inclusive resorts, and airfare can all be found at travelzoo.com. In March of 2005, using travelzoo, my wife and I went on a 13 night Panama Canal cruise that included airfare for just over $1000 per person.
Last week there was a great deal on a 13 day trip to Egypt that included airfare, over 30 meals, tours with English speaking guides, and a 7 day cruise on the Nile River! All of this for $1500 per person. Another great deal!
The highlight of travelzoo.com is the travelzoo Top 20. This bi-weekly email is a list of the Top 20 travel deals from their site. The email is easy to read and takes only a few moments to scan over.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Naked Sleepwalkers
Click here for a story on naked sleepwalkers.
I've been in the hospitality industry for 16 years. During this time I've experienced many strange and awkward occurrences involving hotel guests. The story above reminded me of a situation that I had long forgotten.
While an Assistant Manager at a hotel in Minneapolis, I was working an audit shift. Around 1 a.m. a gentleman walked up to the front desk asking for a key for his room. I quickly made 2 observations: 1) The gentleman was drunk. I noticed the stale stinch of alcohol 10 feet away. His face was puffy and his eyes were beyond bloodshot. 2) He wasn't wearing a shirt, which wasn't a big deal, but as I approached the front desk I noticed the only thing he was wearing were tighty-whitey underwear that was anything but tight. The elastic band was stretched out as if used as a sling-shot for bowling balls. It seemed the only thing preventing the man's underwear from falling to his sock-less feet was will-power.
Wanting to quickly get this gentleman away from the front desk and to his room I asked for his room number. In a slurred voice he replied " I don't know". His drunken state was affecting his memory. I then asked him his name. Again, he replied "I don't know".
What should I do? What room did this gentleman belong to? The hotel had 204 rooms. That night occupancy was over 90%...there were too many options to start knocking on doors. I tried to jog the gentleman's memory by asking where he lived. I thought I could look through registration cards for his hometown. He said he lived at T.J.'s Tavern. This establishment was located a block from the hotel. I assumed this was where the gentleman became inebriated and was the last place he could remember. I called the establishment as asked if anyone was missing a 40-ish drunk man wearing stretched out white underwear. The bartender who answered the phone laughed and quickly hung up the phone.
I had two options. In 1 hour there was a scheduled shuttle run to the airport. In 45 minutes guests would be entering the lobby waiting to be taken to the airport. Seeing a nearly naked gentleman that early in the morning would not be the greatest way to start out one's day. I figured I had 45 minutes to find the room the gentleman belonged to or I could call the local authorities and ask them to remove the naked gentleman from the property.
After giving the gentleman a sheet to cover himself up with and directing him to the lobby sofa to sit on I decided to wait 15 minutes to call the police. Having police cars with lights flashing is never a good site to see at any hotel. Nothing breeds confidence in hotel guests than seeing two officers guide a drunk man wearing stretched out underwear out the front doors of a hotel to the open back doors of a squad car.
I got lucky 15 minutes later. As I reached for the phone to dial the non-emergency number of the police a bewildered looking woman wearing a pink housecoat approached the front desk. She explained that she was missing her husband and wanted to know if I had seen him. I pointed to the lobby sofa to where the gentleman had fallen asleep snoring away. The woman walked to the sofa and knocked her husband on the head. He awoke with a startled "Ouch!". He stood up letting the sheet drop to the floor. With both of his hands holding up his underwear he followed his wife down the hall to their room.
I wish this story would have stayed lost in the recesses of my mind.
I've been in the hospitality industry for 16 years. During this time I've experienced many strange and awkward occurrences involving hotel guests. The story above reminded me of a situation that I had long forgotten.
While an Assistant Manager at a hotel in Minneapolis, I was working an audit shift. Around 1 a.m. a gentleman walked up to the front desk asking for a key for his room. I quickly made 2 observations: 1) The gentleman was drunk. I noticed the stale stinch of alcohol 10 feet away. His face was puffy and his eyes were beyond bloodshot. 2) He wasn't wearing a shirt, which wasn't a big deal, but as I approached the front desk I noticed the only thing he was wearing were tighty-whitey underwear that was anything but tight. The elastic band was stretched out as if used as a sling-shot for bowling balls. It seemed the only thing preventing the man's underwear from falling to his sock-less feet was will-power.
Wanting to quickly get this gentleman away from the front desk and to his room I asked for his room number. In a slurred voice he replied " I don't know". His drunken state was affecting his memory. I then asked him his name. Again, he replied "I don't know".
What should I do? What room did this gentleman belong to? The hotel had 204 rooms. That night occupancy was over 90%...there were too many options to start knocking on doors. I tried to jog the gentleman's memory by asking where he lived. I thought I could look through registration cards for his hometown. He said he lived at T.J.'s Tavern. This establishment was located a block from the hotel. I assumed this was where the gentleman became inebriated and was the last place he could remember. I called the establishment as asked if anyone was missing a 40-ish drunk man wearing stretched out white underwear. The bartender who answered the phone laughed and quickly hung up the phone.
I had two options. In 1 hour there was a scheduled shuttle run to the airport. In 45 minutes guests would be entering the lobby waiting to be taken to the airport. Seeing a nearly naked gentleman that early in the morning would not be the greatest way to start out one's day. I figured I had 45 minutes to find the room the gentleman belonged to or I could call the local authorities and ask them to remove the naked gentleman from the property.
After giving the gentleman a sheet to cover himself up with and directing him to the lobby sofa to sit on I decided to wait 15 minutes to call the police. Having police cars with lights flashing is never a good site to see at any hotel. Nothing breeds confidence in hotel guests than seeing two officers guide a drunk man wearing stretched out underwear out the front doors of a hotel to the open back doors of a squad car.
I got lucky 15 minutes later. As I reached for the phone to dial the non-emergency number of the police a bewildered looking woman wearing a pink housecoat approached the front desk. She explained that she was missing her husband and wanted to know if I had seen him. I pointed to the lobby sofa to where the gentleman had fallen asleep snoring away. The woman walked to the sofa and knocked her husband on the head. He awoke with a startled "Ouch!". He stood up letting the sheet drop to the floor. With both of his hands holding up his underwear he followed his wife down the hall to their room.
I wish this story would have stayed lost in the recesses of my mind.
Monday, September 24, 2007
YES(!)...I Can Help You With That
Click here for a link to a story about a hotel that charges $14k for dessert.
As I read this story it brought back memories of a negative way I used to think. When doing sales work for the Monona Country Inn & Suites I was often asked if we supplied transportation to and from the airport for persons attending meetings at the hotel. My usual response was "No, we do not provide transportation". Other than mentioning taxi service, I would cease thinking about the clients transportation issues.
This changed when I attended a sales seminar a year into my position. The speaker talked about using "YES" instead of "NO". For example using the same situation as above I could have said "Yes, we have several options for transportation including taxi service as well as shuttle service to and from the airport as well as your place of business...give me a couple hours and I can work up a price for this service." By using "YES" I assured the client I was on top of the situation and at the same time let the client know that we didn't provide transportation. After determining a price for the transportation I would respond with, "I've organized transportation for your needs...the price will be $xxx.xx. If you'd like, I can place those charges on your meeting room bill and I can be the contact for you to the taxi service...How does that sound"?
The "YES" way of responding and thinking made the client, and myself feel good. I would rather say "Yes, I can help you with that and the cost will be..." and have the client/customer say "NO" and have them realize that I tried to cater to their needs rather than me abruptly saying "NO".
After attending the seminar and implementing the "YES" response I noticed 2 things happening. The first was the client would use our hotel again for future meetings. The second was that the client referred my hotel when business acquaintances asked them where they should have a meeting. These end results were great, but the best result was the 10-15% up-charge that was placed on their bill for organizing the transportation. Because the client didn't have to concern themselves with the issue of transportation, they were more than happy to pay the fee.
Here are two examples of how I used "YES" instead of "NO".
Client: I like your meeting room rates and set-up...Do you have a restaurant for lunch?
Hotel Sales Person: Yes, we can provide lunch. We have a catering menu set-up with xyz restaurant. Our meeting room clients are always happy with their service as well as their affordable menu items...can I fax or email a copy of their menu?
Client: For my meeting I need 8 computer monitors and a LCD projector. Does your meeting facility have this?
Hotel Sales Person: Yes, I can arrange those items for you. In the past we have worked with abc Electrical. They rent out computer equipment. I will call them right now and call you back. I'm sure you will be happy with their rates.
Many times our hotels staff concentrate too much on the amenities we don't have. In many cases we are able to accommodate guest needs if we have a positive mind-set and tackle their request with a smile and can-do enthusiasm.
However, I would have a difficult time trying to convince someone to take out a loan to buy a $14k dessert.
As I read this story it brought back memories of a negative way I used to think. When doing sales work for the Monona Country Inn & Suites I was often asked if we supplied transportation to and from the airport for persons attending meetings at the hotel. My usual response was "No, we do not provide transportation". Other than mentioning taxi service, I would cease thinking about the clients transportation issues.
This changed when I attended a sales seminar a year into my position. The speaker talked about using "YES" instead of "NO". For example using the same situation as above I could have said "Yes, we have several options for transportation including taxi service as well as shuttle service to and from the airport as well as your place of business...give me a couple hours and I can work up a price for this service." By using "YES" I assured the client I was on top of the situation and at the same time let the client know that we didn't provide transportation. After determining a price for the transportation I would respond with, "I've organized transportation for your needs...the price will be $xxx.xx. If you'd like, I can place those charges on your meeting room bill and I can be the contact for you to the taxi service...How does that sound"?
The "YES" way of responding and thinking made the client, and myself feel good. I would rather say "Yes, I can help you with that and the cost will be..." and have the client/customer say "NO" and have them realize that I tried to cater to their needs rather than me abruptly saying "NO".
After attending the seminar and implementing the "YES" response I noticed 2 things happening. The first was the client would use our hotel again for future meetings. The second was that the client referred my hotel when business acquaintances asked them where they should have a meeting. These end results were great, but the best result was the 10-15% up-charge that was placed on their bill for organizing the transportation. Because the client didn't have to concern themselves with the issue of transportation, they were more than happy to pay the fee.
Here are two examples of how I used "YES" instead of "NO".
Client: I like your meeting room rates and set-up...Do you have a restaurant for lunch?
Hotel Sales Person: Yes, we can provide lunch. We have a catering menu set-up with xyz restaurant. Our meeting room clients are always happy with their service as well as their affordable menu items...can I fax or email a copy of their menu?
Client: For my meeting I need 8 computer monitors and a LCD projector. Does your meeting facility have this?
Hotel Sales Person: Yes, I can arrange those items for you. In the past we have worked with abc Electrical. They rent out computer equipment. I will call them right now and call you back. I'm sure you will be happy with their rates.
Many times our hotels staff concentrate too much on the amenities we don't have. In many cases we are able to accommodate guest needs if we have a positive mind-set and tackle their request with a smile and can-do enthusiasm.
However, I would have a difficult time trying to convince someone to take out a loan to buy a $14k dessert.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Fall to Earth
Click here for a story about a teenager who feel 6 stories from a hotel balcony...and walked away with only a few scrapes and bruises. Last night I stayed on the 3rd floor of the Country Inn & Suites in Monona and got dizzy while looking out the window. I can't imagine trying to grab something while hanging from a balcony railing 6 stories above the ground.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Tree House Hotel
For less than $1400 a week, you can rent a tree house in Costa Rica. Click here for details.
Friday, June 01, 2007
PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AT YOUR HOTEL
Click here to read a funny urban legend that is true! Read the story and then click on the
"web pages" section...it is hilarious!
"web pages" section...it is hilarious!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Kids stay free...Or...Stay free of kids
Interested in going on a kid-free vacation? The unclevern site below has lists of "everything childless". Resorts, hotels, spas, and restaurants that value quietness and relaxation desired by childless couples or couples that have children are featured on this site.
http://www.unclevern.com/
http://www.unclevern.com/
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Eco-Friendly Hotel
Click HERE for a story on an eco-friendly hotel in California. I assumed the hotel would be very expensive...I was wrong. After reading I went to the hotel's website to check rates. Weekday rates mid-week during the summer are $109-$130...I expected over $200 a night.
A good concept...except fore the Gore book.
A good concept...except fore the Gore book.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Hotel Chatter
Click here for an interesting site. The site features a varity of hotel related stories and reviews.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Hotel Soap: The funniest hotel story
Soap Story------------>> The following letters are supposedly taken from an actual incident > between a hotel and one of its guest. > ------------------------------------------------------------------> Dear Maid,>> Please do not leave any more of those little bars of soap in my bathroom> since I have brought my own bath-sized Dial. Please remove the six> unopened little bars from the shelf under the medicine chest and another > three in the shower soap dish. They are in my way.> Thank you,> S. Berman> -----------------------------------------------> Dear Room 635,>> I am not your regular maid. She will be back tomorrow, Thursday, from her> day off. I took the 3 hotel soaps out of the shower soap> dish as you requested. The 6 bars on your shelf I took out of your way!> and put on top of your Kleenex dispenser in case you should change your> mind. This leaves only the 3 bars I left today which my instructions > from the management are to leave 3 soaps daily. I hope this> is satisfactory.> Kathy, Relief Maid>>> -----------------------------------------------------------------> Dear Maid - I hope you are my regular maid. Apparently Kathy did not tell> you about my note to her concerning the little bars of soap. When I got> back to my room this evening, I found you had added 3 little Camays to the> shelf under my medicine cabinet. I am going to be here in the hotel for > two weeks and have brought my own bath-size Dial, so I won't need > those 6 little Camays, which are on the shelf. They are in my way > when shaving, brushing teeth, etc.> Please remove them.> S. Berman> -------------------------------------------> Dear Mr. Berman,>> The assistant manager, Mr. Kensedder, informed me this morning that you> called him last evening and said you were unhappy with> your maid service. I have assigned a new girl to your room. I hope you> will accept my apologies for any past inconvenience. If you have any> future complaints, please contact me so I can give it my personal> attention. Call extension 1108 between 8AM and 5PM.> Thank you.> Elaine Carmen> Housekeeper> ---------------------------------------------> Dear Miss Carmen,>> It is impossible to contact you by phone since I leave the hotel for> business at 7:45 AM and don't get back before 5:30 or 6PM. That's> the reason I called Mr. Kensedder last night. You were already off duty.> I only asked Mr. Kensedder if he could do anything about> those little bars soap.> The new maid you assigned me must have thought I was a new check- in> today, since she left another 3 bars of hotel soap in my medicine> cabinet, along with her regular delivery of 3 bars on the bathroom shelf.> In just 5 days here I have accumulated 24 little bars of soap. Why are you> doing this to me ?> S. Berman> ------------------------------------------------> Dear Mr. Berman,>> Your maid, Kathy, has been instructed to stop delivering soap to your room> and remove the extra soaps. If I can be of further assistance, please call> extension 1108 between 8 AM and 5PM.> Thank you,> Elaine Carmen,> Housekeeper> -------------------------------------------------> Dear Mr. Kensedder,>> My bath-size Dial is missing. Every bar of soap was taken from my room,> including my own bath-size Dial. I came in late last night and> had to call the bellhop to bring me 4 little Cashmere Bouquets.> S. Berman> --------------------------------------------------> Dear Mr. Berman,>> I have informed our housekeeper, Elaine Carmen, of your soap problem.> I cannot understand why there was no soap in your room> since our maids are instructed to leave 3 bars of soap each time they> service a room. The situation will be rectified immediately.> Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience.> Martin L. Kensedder> Assistant Manager> --------------------------------------------------> Dear Mrs. Carmen,>> Who the hell left 54 little bars of Camay in my room? I came in last night> and found 54 little bars of soap. I don't want 54 little bars of Camay. > I want my one damn bar of bath-size Dial. Do you realize I have 54 bars of> soap in here ? All I want is my bath-size Dial.> Please give me back my bath! -size Dial.> S. Berman> ---------------------------------------------------> Dear Mr. Berman,>> You complained of too much soap in your room, so I had them removed. Then> you complained to Mr. Kensedder that all your soap was missing, so I> personally returned them. The 24 Camays which had been taken and the> 3 Camays you are supposed to receive daily. I don't know anything about > the 4 Cashmere Bouquets. Obviously your maid, Kathy, did not know> I had returned your soaps, so she also brought 24 Camays plus the > 3 daily Camays. I don't know where you got the idea this hotel issues > bath-size Dial. I was able to locate some bath-size Ivory which I left> in your room.> Elaine Carmen> Housekeeper> ----------------------------------------------------> Dear Mrs. Carmen,>> Just a short note to bring you up-to-date on my latest soap inventory. > As of today I possess :> On the shelf under the medicine cabinet -18 Camay in 4 stacks of 4 and 1> stack of 2.> On the Kleenex dispenser - 11 Camay in 2 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 3.> On the bedroom dresser - 1 stack of 3 Cashmere Bouquet, 1 stack of 4> hotel-size Ivory, and 8 Camay in 2 stacks of 4.> Inside the medicine cabinet - 14 Camay in 3 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 2.> In the shower soap dish - 6 Camay, very moist. On the northeast corner of> the tub - 1 Cashmere Bouquet, slightly used.> On the northwest corner of the tub - 6 Camays in 2 stacks of 3.>> Please ask Kathy when she services my room to make sure the stacks are> neatly piled and dusted. Also, please advise her that> stacks of more than 4 have a tendency to tip. May I suggest that my> bedroom window sill is not in use and will make an excellent spot for > future soap deliveries. One more item, I have purchased another bar > of bath-size Dial which I am keeping in the hotel vault in order to > avoid further misunderstandings.> S. Berman>>*----------------------------
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