Hotel gripes...

[JohnC6]

As I've mentioned in HT,my wife and I are on holiday in Croatia and the hotel had quite loud music playing through speakers on the outside wall infront of the large pool area. It was also playing inside the reception area and dining room. Guests were swimming, sunbathing and reading books on the sun loungers,The demographic is 60 plus so a screeching female voice sounding like a rapper with a heavy drum /base beat and electronic keyboard accompaniment wasn't ideal. It stopped only for a quiz to take place when the relief was bliss. Beyond the pool area are large grassed areas amongst trees. with loungers spread around. . It should have been so peaceful and quiet..apart from the over-enthusiastic young women who oversaw the aqua aerobics that lasted 30 minutes each day. ...that's the norm in most holiday resort hotels. I did ask a few couples what they thought and all responses were negative adding..but what can you do ?

I went to the holiday rep and suggested that whoever was in charge of 'entertainment' had no appreciation of the quality of peacefulness and silence. We've been in quite a few similar hotels and none had music blaring out morning till dusk. I pointed out the demographic of the guests and if management thought it was ok then,at least, play more appropriate music. I said that I didn't expect the Mozart Requiem. A bit of humour always helps the cause. The rep noted down everything I said and, at my request, took a minute to listen outside himself. He agreed. That was two days ago..result ? No music for most of the time and when there is, it's very low level 'mood music'. This morning, I also had to ask the dining room manager to turn down the volume of the 'pop' music that was playing at breakfast. He did that and two couples thanked me. I don't understand why people don't bring these matters to the attention of the Rep or hotel management but then, when they arrive home , write a review on Tripadvisor about their complaints. Give management a chance to put whatever right and if they can,most likely they will. If not, then,yes..a review is in order.

I also brought up another issue which naffs -off a lot..if not all, non-smoking guests....smoking on balconies and in so-called designated areas adjacent to the pool. I asked the Rep to escalate it to the group's HQ where policy is developed. What logic is there in a policy of no smoking inside the hotel except for balconies ?. We've had to come off our balcony ..which we paid extra for..ie balcony & sea view...three times because of smokers either adjacent or below our floor. We have a room on the 4th floor. A couple of times we've smelled smoke in the corridor. I'll bet smokers don't close the balcony door to stop smoke getting into the room and its furnishings. Smoking is allowed outside,so the pool area and the lovely grassed areas adjacent to it is polluted. Why don't those who make policy understand that smoke drifts ? I find it really obnoxious and it affects my throat and my breathing even though I have no respiratory problems.

The Rep said he'd pass that issue up to the hotel management team who, he thinks would have to liaise with the company's HQ. Today, we came into our room to find a bottle of wine and a note thanking me for bringing the issues to their attention. I thought that was really good. The smoking issue can be experienced in all the hotels we've stayed in and it needs sorting. I read that in the US the Marriott chain had a no smoking policy in the hotel AND the grounds until it partnered with MGM and they have a relaxed attitude, no doubt on monetary grounds..every guest matters re income so sod the effect on other guests.

Where I read about The Marriott group

The Importance of Smokefree Hotels: A Case for Healthier Lodging - American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation | no-smoke.org

Whether on business travel or family vacation, nothing ruins a hotel stay quite like the reek of secondhand smoke in one’s hotel room.

no-smoke.org

 

[TheFiend]

I stay at a hotel which allows guests to smoke on some balconies, but there is also an area where rooms can be booked where no smoking allowed on the balconies. Smoking is not allowed in any of the rooms.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

As someone who has stayed in a lot of hotels and smaller establishments for business, over the years, the one thing I know is that if the management allow any form of disruptive behaviour, you have one recourse only: pack and go.

Complaining never brings relief.

 

[JohnC6]

As someone who has stayed in a lot of hotels and smaller establishments for business, over the years, the one thing I know is that if the management allow any form of disruptive behaviour, you have one recourse only: pack and go.

Complaining never brings relief.

Re your last comment. Complaining..I prefer 'bringing an issue to their attention'... it did work re the music. It's still not been heard like it was. I've generally found that 'having a word' does yield a positive result but not always...especially re the smoking issue.

 

[f/1.2]

I am surprised people still use hotels anymore tbh. I haven’t stayed in a hotel in years. Find it’s much better just to book somewhere on AirBnB etc.

 

[andya700]

I am surprised people still use hotels anymore tbh. I haven’t stayed in a hotel in years. Find it’s much better just to book somewhere on AirBnB etc.

We use a mixture - hotels, gites, apartments, depends where we are going. We went to Edinburgh for a week earlier this year and stayed in a very good hotel, but when we went to Le Touquet for ten nights in July, we booked an apartment, which was excellent because we love self catering. We have stayed in lovely hotels in Germany, Austria and Italy and never had a problem with smoking (we are both non smokers), so I don't know if John was unlucky, or if people smoke more in Eastern Europe.

 

[JohnC6]

I am surprised people still use hotels anymore tbh. I haven’t stayed in a hotel in years. Find it’s much better just to book somewhere on AirBnB etc.

Not much of a holiday for wives and girlfriends when cooking and shopping still needs doing . Eating out three meals a day can be expensive. It's nice just to "go down" to the dining room.

 

[Nod]

Always found hotel food to fall below independent eateries' quality. We find new places to eat by wandering round looking (well, listening!) for local voices.

 

[Steep]

I am surprised people still use hotels anymore tbh. I haven’t stayed in a hotel in years. Find it’s much better just to book somewhere on AirBnB etc.

I find if I book early enough a hotel is as cheap or cheaper than air b&b and less hassle. Plus they tend to be better located.

 

[sirch]

Not much of a holiday for wives and girlfriends when cooking and shopping still needs doing . Eating out three meals a day can be expensive. It's nice just to "go down" to the dining room.

Or, like me, you could do the cooking and shopping and give the WAGS a break?

 

[JohnC6]

We use a mixture - hotels, gites, apartments, depends where we are going. We went to Edinburgh for a week earlier this year and stayed in a very good hotel, but when we went to Le Touquet for ten nights in July, we booked an apartment, which was excellent because we love self catering. We have stayed in lovely hotels in Germany, Austria and Italy and never had a problem with smoking (we are both non smokers), so I don't know if John was unlucky, or if people smoke more in Eastern Europe.

Two points,Andy..not connected in our case. Second one, first.

Yes..many more people in eastern Erope smoke compared to western Euurope and the countries all around and including Croatia have the highest rates. . Heres an interesting map in the first link below. re Europe. I see the UK ,along with Norway, have the lowest rates but you wouldn't think so judging by point two..ie this hotel. 90% Brits here. Today is one of two arrivals/departure days and along came two couples..early 50's I'd say ..who sat at a table next to us , adjacent to the pool and all four lit -up cigarettes. We moved. We went to the grassed area where there are loungers and trees giving shade..it's been 28C this past week and a couple nearby lit up..also Brits. Then a lady started on a vape...also from the UK. A young man ,a Brit,too in his mid-20s came to chat to another couple near us and he lit-up. When we left this area to get changed for evening meal two middle-aged ladies were smoking at the poolside and they were from England..we'd spoken to them earlier.

I'm surprised you didn't encounter any problems in Germany as they are very lax re smoking in public places. Italy is strict. When we were staying at Lake Maggiore, two years ago, a ban had just been introduced for those waiting at bus-stops. Austria has also clamped down. The hotel we are staying in is,by no means, low cost or as my wife says,who also wonders why so many here smoke...not cheap. People who are in occupations .eg...manual labour,... I'll gently put it that way, are often high earners.

Smoking rates in Europe. .https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-europes-tobacco-use-by-country/

UK map. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/smoking-cigarettes-mapped-ban-uk-b2452899.html

 

[JohnC6]

Or, like me, you could do the cooking and shopping and give the WAGS a break?

I've just told my wife about your suggestion and it was a big..."no thank you" ...lol.

I didn't mention it in my reply to f2.8 but it's also a bind looking at menu boards outside various restaurants ..breakfast, lunch,dinner and re the latter, neither of us like going out at night,anyway. When we go to a hotel for the first time it's usually a week but more often 10 days to see if we like it. If we do, next time two weeks.We have found one in Tenerife,for winter months, where we go for three weeks and we come back very refreshed. As you've probably realised by now, we are both well-retired.

In this hotel, you are given the opportunity of one free 'fine-dining' experience ...waiter service....away from the main dining room and we had that this evening and it was superb.

Self-catering is a no-no for us when we go abroad which is where we go most of the time but we've been to Wales ..Lampeter..self-catering and Scotland to give us complete control over meal times. Next year, we have booked self-catering near Gairloch...NW Scotland . I'm taking my dad's Arctic Convoy photo album to give to the AC museum nearby at Loch Ewe.

 

[Raincloud]

I could never understand why they play music SO LOUD in nightclubs, let alone a hotel!! Why???

 

[JohnC6]

Always found hotel food to fall below independent eateries' quality. We find new places to eat by wandering round looking (well, listening!) for local voices.

Some can disappoint but most serve very good meals. We prefer self-service,too, as you get more choice and have as much or as little as you want. I've mentioned in my reply to Andy that going around looking for a preferred eatery is not something we like doing.

 

[Steep]

I'm off to Naples next week, I think it's the law that you have to eat out there I'll let you know how the hotel goes.

 

[Steep]

I could never understand why they play music SO LOUD in nightclubs, let alone a hotel!! Why???

If you cannot hear the conversation you drink faster and buy more, it's that simple.

 

[JohnC6]

I could never understand why they play music SO LOUD in nightclubs, let alone a hotel!! Why???

Me neither. I suppose when you're young it kind of goes in one ear and out of the other..they're oblivious to it and assume everyone else is or, re the staff....don't give a toss.
I assume, for the people who run these these establishments, the louder the music the better the experience.

In June, we stayed at a hotel in Los Cristianos, Tenerife ..wouldn't go again..not the hotel..the Spring Arona Gran..that was top notch....but Los Cristianos and an eating establishment next door played music on occasions, eg weddings etc...so loud that the hotel owners, having failed to get the LA or police to do anything offered to buy it.The offer was refused. We experienced it twice during our two week stay and the level of noise,including someone using a mic..beggared belief.

 

[f/1.2]

Hotel food is usually bogging would much rather stay in an AirBnB and sort out food elsewhere. Generally hotel rooms even their best rooms are t that nice even the Savoy etc standard rooms are very basic. I would only stay in a hotel when there is no other option.

 

[Donnie]

This is my Hotel / extension Not been in a hotel for years thankfully.

 

[andya700]

Some can disappoint but most serve very good meals. We prefer self-service,too, as you get more choice and have as much or as little as you want. I've mentioned in my reply to Andy that going around looking for a preferred eatery is not something we like doing.

When we have used hotels in Germany, Austria and Italy, we normally have the brekky thrown in, because I love good continental breakfasts. most of the time, we self cater in France and I do the cooking. For a long time, we have only been having two meals a day, so in France, we would have a baguette or pastries with fruit for brekky and then a takeaway/restaurant or self cater in the evening, all washed down with some local plonk of course.

 

[Steep]

Hotel Potenza on Piazza Garibaldi. When I arrived the air con in the room wasn't working and the windows don't open. I spoke to the receptionist and he said leave your key I'll fix it. True to his word, when I came back from dinner it was fixed
This morning I filled the basin to have a shave and then found the plunger? linkage to raise the drain plug was broken. Spoke to reception (different guy) and he said ok. He made a note but so far nothing has been done, still got a sink full of scummy water. Maybe I have to wait for Mr useful to come on later.

 

[Cagey75]

We've experienced similar in Turkey and Portugal. I don't mind music playing for some atmosphere, but s***ty thumping dance/pop music 12 hrs a day is way overkill. The absoloute most annoying part of our stays at these hotels was the screeching voices of the aquatic 'sports' staff, repeating the same garbage over and over, and anytime I looked to the pool during those sessions there was maybe 4-5 people actively involved. Everyone else just wanted to swim or chill but all had to suffer the constant noise pollution. The opposite experience in Sermione, we booked an apartment in a residential area, it had a private pool that overlooked the lake - Bliss! Only residents of the apartment block could use the pool and most days we had it to ourselves.

I like hotels for the convenience, nothing beats heading down for breakfast, stuffing your gob enough so you don't have to eat till evening - and not have to clean up after! We'd go out each night for a meal. I don't mind self catering either though, I like going to the local shops and picking up ingredients to cook, you also find buying drinks to fill the fridge way cheaper than buying from hotel bars.

 

[JohnC6]

We're back,now. Knackered because the authorities at Pula airport won't invest in its infrastructure. Arriving is fine,we were through very quickly but returning it took two hours to get through security because they only had one scanner and another flight was due for take off,too. Usually, when you get through security there's time to look in the duty-free and have a long-ish sit down before going to the gate. We got through security and went straight onto the plane and were up and away within 15 minutes. I Googled about it and,yes..that's normal if there are two flights departing within minutes of each other. Some reviews went back to 2020.

It was our first, "all inclusive ". Breakfast 7.00-10.00-lunch 12-2.00..Snacks 3.00- 5.00 dinner 7.00-9.00. All drinks anytime. Usually local wines . Re alcoholic drinks.local wines, spirits but not the likes of Jonnie Walker etc. The non-alcoholic cocktails were very nice. I had several of these each day..the one called a "mocktail'.. Bora Bora.

Bora Bora Cocktail — Non-alcoholic and fruity drink

The Bora Bora mixes juices and grenadine to create a sweet, non-alcoholic drink. The Bora Bora is ideal for those who need to keep a clear head.

alcipedia.com

I put on 8lbs. The next holiday is the same so I'll need to watch that but it was better than giving a room number everytime you wanted a drink, including with meals, and getting a bill at the end. It's quite satisfying to know that those arriving will not have to put up with that awful day-long music. There's still the 'crazy' women who takes the aqua-aerobics. I wouldn't like to get in a heated argument with her. She sounded demented. It's unnecessary because a different trainer was i/c on Monday and her music was good,low level and she she never shouted. The hotel we go to in Teneriffe had a trainer who was awful to have to listen to. The mangar had a lot of complaints and said he wasn't able to have a phone conversation near the pool when she ran her excercises. During our last stay she was promoted and moved to a different hotel....to cheers all round.lol. I think it takes a particular type of person to run these classes .

There's something to said for a good-sized camper van or as the Americans call them, RVs. Recreational Vehicles. We saw some huge ones on a nearby campsite.

 

[Dave Canon]

Well we have given up on holidays abroad; too much hassle for us oldies but not missing them from the descriptions above. A pub nearby has a restaurant area and has a large speaker directed into it blasting out modern "music". After using the restaurant and not being able to hold a conversation with friends, the next week we went back but asked for seating away from the restaurant. The staff queried this and could not believe we meant it as we wanted to sit on the other side of the pub where it was gloomy so we told them exactly why. They do not have a large number of customers at lunchtime an their average age is 65+. I am convinced that the load music is for the staff. Anyway we no longer go there and have found a more traditional pub where loud music is not a feature.

Dave

 

[LCPete]

Well we have given up on holidays abroad; too much hassle for us oldies but not missing them from the descriptions above. A pub nearby has a restaurant area and has a large speaker directed into it blasting out modern "music". After using the restaurant and not being able to hold a conversation with friends, the next week we went back but asked for seating away from the restaurant. The staff queried this and could not believe we meant it as we wanted to sit on the other side of the pub where it was gloomy so we told them exactly why. They do not have a large number of customers at lunchtime an their average age is 65+. I am convinced that the load music is for the staff. Anyway we no longer go there and have found a more traditional pub where loud music is not a feature.

Dave

Am with you there , the last time we had family visiting we went to a pub restaurant that used to be good
Unfortunately each dining area now has a large TV with football at loud volume
I asked for the volume to be turned down three times and they said no problem but didn’t actually do anything about it
Never went back, shame as the food was decent and it is closed down now
Trevor arms at Marford North Wales

 

[Steep]

Hotel Potenza on Piazza Garibaldi. When I arrived the air con in the room wasn't working and the windows don't open. I spoke to the receptionist and he said leave your key I'll fix it. True to his word, when I came back from dinner it was fixed
This morning I filled the basin to have a shave and then found the plunger? linkage to raise the drain plug was broken. Spoke to reception (different guy) and he said ok. He made a note but so far nothing has been done, still got a sink full of scummy water. Maybe I have to wait for Mr useful to come on later.

In the end I fixed it myself lol.
This hotel has one enormous plus point. Right outside the front door are half a dozen fantastic restaurants. After 2 days walking on ancient Roman roads my feet and legs are about falling off, so only having to walk 10 meters to get fed is fantastic

 

[JohnC6]

Two days before we left the tap in the bathroom started to make an odd noise like an electric razor but louder. It started at 5.00am and we were worried it might wake up the people in the room next to ours and they'd blame us for it. It happened a few times so my wife recorded it on her iPhone and went to reception after breakfast. "Very strange", said the receptionist. The maintenance man came and said it must have been my wife's electric toothbrush. No it wasn't. I'd put my ear to the tap..monoblock-style and that's where it was coming from. It happened once more, before we left. I don't doubt the new occupants will experience it,too.

 

[Mr Bump]

I am just over in the house in GC and do understand your situation, here fags are about 1.9euro a pack legal about 80cents under the counter so smoking is almost free here about 50p a pack of 20 , also bars need the income so turn a blind eye to semi indoor smoking but its 1am here and its 20degrees so who cares

 

[boliston]

don't think i have ever actually used a hotel for food - half the fun of travelling is finding a nice local pavement cafe for food and usually far nicer and cheaper than the hotel

 

[Nod]

Hotel food is generally made down to a price for their semi captive audience. All inclusive (even multi starred) even more so.