Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Help me assertive...hotel

107 replies

Yummypumpkin · 19/10/2021 10:06

I'm staying in a hotel alone.

It's generally OK, though I've paid over the odds for it.

The issue is every morning at breakfast the lady asks if I'd like my room serviced.

I would. I'd like the bin emptied, towels folded, tea and coffee topped up, the odd surface wiped, more toilet roll.

So I say yes.

She then stares at me until I say no.

I want to get my room serviced but I really struggle with assertiveness. I don't know if she is the owner or staff. There is never anyone on reception.

I don't want to go through the same thing tomorrow.

How would you handle this? I know it sounds basic but her start is very hard and when I've heard her ask other guests they too have said yes please then no it is fine!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Yummypumpkin · 19/10/2021 15:13

Awww...there are some lovely and very funny posts on here.

For the record other guests are experiencing similar things. We can't all be poor communicators...they really do not want to service rooms but instead of communicating this (I cancelled my first choice hotel when post booking they told me there would be no servicing due to Covid) they are trying to get us to opt out.

It's strange there is some controversy around other things.

I don't think they are remotely relevant to the issue though.

OP posts:
IntermittentParps · 19/10/2021 15:23

Why don't you and the other guests all get together and complain en masse? Courage in numbers.

Holly60 · 19/10/2021 15:34

When she says do you want your room serviced, give her a huge smile and say ‘ooh YES please! That’s brilliant, thank you so much’. And turn away

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Holly60 · 19/10/2021 15:35

Also say it loudly so others can hear you and take courage

FatCatThinCat · 19/10/2021 15:54

Next time she asks you say yes and then when she stares at you just say 'was there anything else?' and then go back to what you're doing.

MeanderingGently · 19/10/2021 15:55

Sorry, this is dreadful....rooms should be serviced every day, without being asked.
I now work in hospitality, and we are expected to service the rooms, each day. Fresh towels, bed(s) made, tidying up and dusting, bathroom fully cleaned, floor mopped, carpets vacuumed, extra milks/coffee etc topped and two bottles of water added if the others have been opened. And yes, we're also short of staff but absolutely no excuse.
They shouldn't even be asking, it should be automatic. Practise going down to breakfast saying you expect the room serviced and list everything that needs doing. Don't wait to be asked, tell them. Oh, and if you've stayed more than 2 days they should be changing your sheets by now too......!

Roystonv · 19/10/2021 16:00

Deal with it via the desk (as long as it is not the same lady!). Give your room number; say that you keep being asked and just to be helpful you are letting them know that you would like your room to be serviced every day in future and that you had chosen the hotel because it offered this service. If you are brave enough mention politely that you do not expect to be asked again or be expected to describe what they should do. Good luck.

clpsmum · 19/10/2021 16:06

I would also complain about the service and about heating etc being switched off how bloody rude of them

MrsRobbieHart · 19/10/2021 16:10

How did you know she was staring at you so you would say no? Confused and why did you say no? Instead of just leaving it at yes and letting her stare?

LadyLothbrook · 19/10/2021 16:18

This thread has made my day. Grin

user1471538283 · 19/10/2021 16:23

This is appalling service. Tell them that you want your room fully serviced. Your bed linen also needs changing.

It is not your concern about staffing. You paid for a service.

ShirleyPhallus · 19/10/2021 16:30

@IntermittentParps

Why don't you and the other guests all get together and complain en masse? Courage in numbers.
If the OP can’t even say “yes” to the housekeeper servicing her room I doubt she’s in a position to get the other guests together and stage a coup
IntermittentParps · 19/10/2021 16:34

ShirleyPhallus, I'm just trying to fire her up a bit Grin

HuhWhatNow · 19/10/2021 16:34

Bloody hell that's bad! I can just imagine the type of hotelier giving you the stare down until you change your mind!

I owned a B&B in Scotland and for around a quarter of what OP is paying we still serviced the rooms every single day. Dust, vacuum, clean bathrooms and towel changes etc if they wanted!

And an average room wall heater? Say 1200W, costs less than 20p an hour to run. And it's much less when on low. For £100 a night I'd expect to be able to charge what the hell I wanted in my room and come back to a warm room too.
Covid or not, you still need to provide what you charge the customers for. Either remove the service (and charge accordingly) or charge for it and actually do it!

IntermittentParps · 19/10/2021 16:34

PS it's a 'coup' to ask hotel housekeeping to do some housekeeping? I've never stayed in a hotel in the Highlands. I obviously don't get it Gin

Gonnagetgoing · 19/10/2021 16:34

@AlCalavicci

I had this once in a B&B , I was there for 8 nights . I got there ( pre arranged) at about 6.30pm I have my name to the bar staff as there was no reception as such and he said I spose you want to go to your room now emm yes please Confused I had to wait about 20 mins while I assume they sorted my room out. When I was taken up I was asked if I would like my room servicing each morning . I said yes , to which I got a disgruntled look. Then the following two mornings I got asked again each time while I was trying to order breakfast . On the 3rd morning before he had a chance to ask I very clearly said ( again) that u would like my room servicing every day and if this is not convenient please refund me my remaining days arrange and pay for a taxi to take me to another hotel where it won't be a problem .

I didn't get asked again but I was certainly not treated with a welcoming attitude.

While I realise that small hotels and b&bs may not have a lot of staff or time to give the rooms a quick once over they could of always added this as a option when booking ie £40 per night without service and £45 with it. .
How they expected me to stay for 8 nights with no bins been emptied , no extra toilet roll ( only one provided ) or more coffee ( 3 sachets provided ) .
I don't expect a full bed strip clean sheets and fresh towels every day but I do expect the basics to be looked after.

I would have certainly mentioned to them or left a stinging review about their lack of welcoming attitude. They may not like what they're doing for you but surely they can fake smile and be nice through gritted teeth?
EBearhug · 19/10/2021 19:11

Sorry, this is dreadful....rooms should be serviced every day, without being asked.

I've been in 6 hotels in various bits of the UK since June, and none has been servicing rooms by default. They're all dealing with it differently- one asked me to put used mugs etc outside the door for them to be replaced. Most others have said to ask the night before if I want the room serviced the next day - this has worked well in all but one place, where apparently they only had one person in for housekeeping that day. However, they did it the next day after I said I had asked for it.

So currently, it is usual that you have to request a service, rather than it being done by default. But in most places, they are then more than happy to do it, because it is part of what you pay for. Or at least, they didn't whinge to my face, and they did a good job!

yodaforpresident · 19/10/2021 19:21

This is so weird I have been away three times since this started and have had daily housekeeping without issue.

Original poster
Yummypumpkin · 19/10/2021 19:50

@ShirleyPhallus you keep making me laugh out loud. T
Your last post is probably true, much as I live this vision of myself as leader of the insurrection.

@Holly60 I like your idea a lot.

I will not let you guys down tomorrow morning. I know what I must do and I will succeed. And I will report back.

Huge hugs to all and indeed this has been a lot of fun x

OP posts:
DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 19/10/2021 19:59

Just imagine you're Jules from Pulp Fiction: "Stare at me again mofo, I dare you, I double dare you!"

forrestgreen · 19/10/2021 20:14

Yes please then look at your phone and walk away.
Put a post it over the laptop charger asking to leave it on, same with the heating.

Original poster
Yummypumpkin · 20/10/2021 07:31

Right...I am going down to breakfast just now...

OP posts:
catfunk · 20/10/2021 08:51

How did you get on?

wavingwhilstdrowning · 20/10/2021 08:56

I can't handle the suspense.... come on OP!

IntermittentParps · 20/10/2021 11:42

I think they've put her in a shallow grave...
(joke BTW)