I'm Not Having A Cocktail Party In The Damn Bathroom
The bathroom at my hotel has the perfect lighting -- if you're trying to stage a seduction. If you're trying to put on mascara, and are hoping to find your eyelashes in semi-darkness, it's a problem. I had to move a big lamp (the only one that wasn't attached to a surface) to be able to see.
Come on hotels -- it's not 1950. Women travel for business, and need to see to apply makeup. At least give us the option in the bathroom to turn on a bright light.
On another boneheaded note, my hotel removed all refrigerators and minibars from the rooms. I had to pay $10 to have a small refrigerator brought up so I could keep four days of salami (which I always carry with me, in case somebody's serving pasta or something I don't eat).
But bright lights doesn't fit in with Al Gore's life narrative for you, Amy. Are you sure you want to offend the Goreacle? You might get struck down by some eco-windstorm. More likely though, you'd get groped! :-)
Robert W. (Vancouver) at July 15, 2010 11:59 AM
I just had to comment b/c that's a good and timely point. I stayed at the Bellagio this week and was thinking to comment on the really bad lighting in the bathroom (even with the magnifying mirror). If you have terrible lighting, it doesn't matter how much it is magnified!
Also, and just as annoying, no fans in the bathroom? How does that happen? Esp. in an all suite, supposedly luxury hotel?
Don't get me started on the mini bar racket.
Juli Rousseau at July 15, 2010 12:14 PM
Regarding the light -- handy to shave by, too, although I'd guess it's more critical to proper makeup use (makeupping? upmaking?).
And how come a medium priced hotel will include the internet connection in its room rate, while a luxury hotel will gouge you $10-$20 per night? I guess the reasoning is about the same as it is regarding the refrigerators.
Notice my self-restraint in not making a joke about the salami? You're welcome.
old rpm daddy at July 15, 2010 12:33 PM
I take protein powder with me when I travel for the same reason. You have to use a slow digesting one though, which are usually casein based.
I finally found one I like, Metabolic Drive by Biotest, which actually doesn't taste like chalk, if you can believe it. If you google "biotest metabolic drive" the first link is their order page. They have a low carb version. It is only available online I guess because it's one of the more expensive protein powders out there, but it really is good and also a good high-protein low-carb alternative to other protein powders out there.
The banana one is awesome.
I put a link in before but it got ate by the filter so just figured i'd write this again rather than trouble you to fish it out.
plutosdad at July 15, 2010 12:42 PM
The thing I hate is having to pay refrigerator and mini-bar fee when I don't use them. The mini-bar fee especially - one place had a $10 mini-bar convenience fee that you had to pay - even when I complained about it - if you used it, you had to pay for the items plus a per day restock fee.
The refrigerator could be used to cool a bottle of water or something. The one that really annoyed me was a island resort that charged a $25 fee that I could not get out off. You had no place to buy anything their other than the gift shops - the island was nothing but 3 resorts. You would have had to haul food in your luggage.
The Former Banker at July 15, 2010 1:16 PM
@Former Banker: "You would have had to haul food in your luggage."
My wife would find a way to do that. She's pretty resourceful that way.
old rpm daddy at July 15, 2010 1:29 PM
If your comments get eaten by my spam filter, you need to e-mail me. Your IP will get blocked by my spam software. I'll go rescue it now, but I don't always see these notes about spamblocking just in the comments.
This hotel charges $14.95 for Internet daily. We're getting a deal on it because we're here for a conference, but for three days, that's $45. Makes you feel ripped off.
Amy Alkon at July 15, 2010 1:47 PM
Since when have hotels been about comfort or convenience?
Conan the Grammarian at July 15, 2010 2:25 PM
For anyone with the least concern for their money, hotels are best avoided. They gouge, they nickel and dime, and they pick your wallet any way they can.
They know once ur in their room ur a captive and they take full advantage.
Oddly enough, the higher end the hotel the MORE they nickel and dime....free internet and parking at motel 6 but the hilton will charge you $20 plus $20 per day. Crazy.
My advice is make friends in every city and stay with them. Or make sure that your stay is paid for by a large corporation.
Peter at July 15, 2010 2:54 PM
I stay at lots of hotels for business, and agree with most of the comments, such as inexpensive hotels giving free Internet access, expensive ones charging for it, etc.
However, some of the newer chains aimed at business travelers aren't so bad. I've recently been in Hampton Inns, Holiday Expresses and Marriot Courtyards that have free internet, decent beds, curved shower rods, and free breakfast with eggs & sausage (I eat low carb), and run $120 a night (Minneapolis, Raleigh, etc.) None had a fridge, but all had a decent selection of channels on the TV and free internet. A Hampton in Raleigh even had a small store behind the front desk that sold snacks and liquor, and the liquor was reasonably priced!
No, $120 is not budget Motel 6 rates, but neither are they $300 St. Regis rates.
Jim
Jim E. at July 15, 2010 4:00 PM
Amy, if you're getting charged for a small fridge, see if you can ask for a few ice buckets. Put some ice in them and leave the items you need to keep cool in the buckets. Of course, you have to change the ice, but it will save you some money.
Jen Wading at July 15, 2010 4:22 PM
I've always been kind of partial to Homewood Suites when they've got one where I'm going.
old rpm daddy at July 15, 2010 5:11 PM
I love hotels esp. when the humongous bed is 12 inches shorter at the head than the feet and no one can deal with it.Rested the other way ,which made watching tv rather interesting.Also great is when you need the refrigerator for medication. The free breakfast,well never mind.
ManR at July 15, 2010 5:57 PM
Tell them you need the fridge for medication. They will give it to you for free. It worked at Mandalay bay.
Stormy at July 15, 2010 6:08 PM
how come a medium priced hotel will include the internet connection in its room rate, while a luxury hotel will gouge you $10-$20 per night? I guess the reasoning is about the same as it is regarding the refrigerators.
Best Western, where I stayed when I attended the ev psych conference in Oregon, had free Internet and a nice open refrigerator (no expensive minibar stuff filling it up).
And regarding saying I need the fridge for medication, I committed to being an ethical person a while back, so I don't get to do that sort of thing. My choice is to have the refrigerator and pay $10 for it, or to chance getting ill (probably unlikely, but possible) from unrefrigerated salami. I'm paying the $10.
Amy Alkon at July 15, 2010 7:35 PM
The best chain(S) I have found is choicehotels.com. The only ones I avoid are knights inns. The rest are pretty good.
Jim P. at July 15, 2010 7:58 PM
Very unique here in Korea (somewhat similiar in Japan too). Is you have your regular hotels like Hilton, Marriot, etc. Those can easily set you back 200 dollars a night if not more. Bit lucky I go for the LOVE motels. Yet for 50 dollars you can easily get a room that is better than most hotels minus the view. Their are even some really fancy ones that cost upwards of a hundred that include themes, pool table, jacuzzis, and large round or heart shaped beds, large screen tvs with dvd players. Some hotels really need to work on the extras.
John Paulson at July 16, 2010 3:15 AM
During National Guard weekends, my unit might put you up in a dorm on the base, or might stick you in a hotel downtown, depending on availability. I've wound up in a Hilton Garden Inn numerous times. Quite nice, with the fridge and the internet included in the price. Fairly new joint, too, which seems to be a big factor in quality.
old rpm daddy at July 16, 2010 4:53 AM
Switch over to beef jerky and ditch the salami. No need for a fridge.
Pack a portable LED lamp for the bathroom.
Since you are on the road so much I'm surprised that you don't have an aircard for your laptop. A cheaper choice is to get a smartphone on a carrier that allows tethering. Or you could find a coffee shop or McDonald's and use their free wifi.
But I agree that it is a disturbing trend that hotels/airlines are now charging extra for what used to be basic amenities. The result at our company is that most travel has been canceled and replaced with video conferencing. It seems to me that the travel industry is shooting themselves in the foot.
AllenS at July 16, 2010 7:23 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2010/07/15/im_not_having_a.html#comment-1733168">comment from AllenSAllenS, I'm in Toronto. My Verizon Mobile broadband subscription doesn't work here. I'm not bringing a lamp to a hotel. I manage to just pack under the limit thanks to the clothes, books and column samples I have to bring. Beef jerky is hard on my stomach. Finally, I'm not leaving a conference I've come thousands of miles to attend, and where I need to personally talk to people to sell my column, to go to McDonald's to get online. But, thanks anyway!
Amy Alkon at July 16, 2010 7:29 AM
The higher-end hotels cater to business travelers so they add charges to everything because so many of their customers are on expense accounts. The lower-tier hotels in the same chain (Courtyard vs. main Mariott) tend to throw in internet, etc.
Astra at July 16, 2010 8:42 AM
Amy - no need to lie about needing the fridge for medical reasons. Just tell them you are on a restricted diet (because you are) and need the fridge to store your food.
I had to call a hotel recently about this, and they didn't require a doctor's note that I was on a special diet; all I had to do was request and say it was for medical reasons (and a special diet can be considered a medical reason).
Angel at July 16, 2010 5:48 PM
Please tell me you don't actually take food to a restaurant or someone's home.
And what would be wrong with politely and discreetly informing your host ahead of time of any dietary issues, whether health-related or a matter of personal taste? I appreciate it when guests do that. Of course a really astute host inquires about that the first time they invite someone (I learned to do that after a disastrous dinner party long ago).
MS at July 17, 2010 12:46 PM
Please tell me you don't actually take food to a restaurant or someone's home.
Why would you think I'd take food to a restaurant? Restaurants are in the business of selling food. You don't get to bring in a picnic basket.
As for when I'm a guest in someone's home, I always bring something for the host -- usually a bottle of wine, but if I'm invited for dinner, I might bring some nice cheeses as well. Not to eat personally -- as a gift.
"And what would be wrong with politely and discreetly informing your host ahead of time of any dietary issues, whether health-related or a matter of personal taste?"
I'm at a newspaper conference. I sure wouldn't bother the organizer, who has a hell of a lot on her plate without being asked to accommodate my eating habits.
FYI, they serve muffins and cookies a lot at breakfast or snack times at these conferences, and I don't eat muffins or cookies, so i bring a little bag of salami with me so I won't be hungry.
PS A plate of eggs at the hotel where we're staying for the conference runs you $18 -- even before you get to coffee and a tip. I don't pay $18 for a plate of eggs. Yesterday, I was running late, so I was lucky to have my salami to tide me over till lunch. I ran out to Tim Horton's this morning and got a couple bacon egg and cheese on a roll, hold the roll, for just over $5. But there's really nothing around here, foodwise -- we're in the center of the business section of Toronto.
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