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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

First world problem. Am I expecting too much of this hotel?

77 replies

GetMeOffThisCycleOfMisery · 05/02/2020 21:57

Not a serious post, but I'm perplexed and want to know if AIBU.

In a nutshell. Booked to go NYC for partners 40th next month, I found a gorgeous 4* hotel, great location and good reviews.

DP's birthday is the morning after we arrive late at hotel. I emailed the hotel a few weeks ago and asked if I could pre-order a small cake and some wine for the room, as a surprise for him when we get back to the room that day. I said they could either add the cost to the bill, or I can happily pay in advance.

They reply in a brusque fashion, with links to wine and cake shops. Hmm I respond saying, sorry, I meant I wanted to order it from their restaurant. They replied saying they don't offer that service.

Okay, so I reply saying that's a shame but assume I can hang a few banners in the room, not stuck to anything / furniture of course, and they replied saying I'm not allowed to decorate the room.

AIBU in my requests? I've arranged this sort of thing previously at the start of our relationship and on weekends away with friends etc.

The hotel does do room service. Surely asking to pay for a cake and a bottle of wine isn't BU?

I know, I know we've a lovely holiday to celebrate, that's not lost on me. But little touches are really lovely and thoughtful and I'm surprised by the hotel's responses.

Would especially love to hear from any hotel employees!

OP posts:
managinged · 05/02/2020 23:02

Just order some wine to be sent up to the room.

The hotel kitchen must have a specific dessert menu but they wouldn't be preparing a decorated cake. Why not just go to a nice restaurant (recommended by the concierge) and order two pieces of cake?

Go down to Little Italy and walk into one of the Italian bakeries and choose a few desserts (cake or whatever) and eat them there or have them wrapped up to go. That's more fun than a cake in the hotel room anyway.

HerRoyalNotness · 05/02/2020 23:04

Try having one delivered to the hotel

milkbarstore.com/

Bowerbird5 · 05/02/2020 23:08

When we were in Copenhagen for our special 30th Wedding Anniversarythe young Manager found out as we were enquiring about restaurants as lots were shut on the Sunday so she explained why and they found out and booked the ship in Tivoli Gardens for us. We went for a walk to see the little Mermaid and went to church and when we came back there was a bottle of Champagne and some flowers and chocolate truffles in the room. The little manageress had done all that for us wasn't that wonderful.

I think they could have at least said they would put the wine in. Could you order the cake and ask for it to be delivered to the room that way they would have to take them up? Grin have a lovely trip and yes the little things do count and make it extra special.

HerRoyalNotness · 05/02/2020 23:10

I spent a night in Austin on the weekend at the Embassy Suites, probably only 3*. We got
Free fully cooked to order breakfasts
Free drinks in happy hour 5-7.30
In our room was left some tortilla chips and salsa and 2 beers with a happy birthday note. It wasn’t my birthday. I didn’t drink the beers as if had enough drinks at the happy hour!

SanjiNami · 05/02/2020 23:10

If the hotel has concierge service, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask.
I have stayed in the hotel in NY many times, for work and pleasure, I don't think any of them would decline the request like that.

Original poster
GetMeOffThisCycleOfMisery · 05/02/2020 23:13

Thanks for not making me feel precious. I'll update this thread after we check in next month, maybe it'll be someone different on the desk that day.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 05/02/2020 23:17

A hotel with a bar must have wine. It sounds like they are just being awkward. I would try to find somewhere else tbh.

Original poster
GetMeOffThisCycleOfMisery · 05/02/2020 23:19

It's all booked and paid for @caringcarer

Nevermind, I appreciate it's a nice to have. We've only been lucky enough to have this holiday thanks to the Moneybox app, so anything else is a bonus I guess. Wink

OP posts:
NotVeryChattySchoolMum · 05/02/2020 23:21

Smells like one grumpy inexperienced employee to me. Maybe try again?

WingingWonder · 05/02/2020 23:25

Where abouts in NY is it? Manhattan Brooklyn etc can pout you in direction of amazing places whobwill deliver to you...

Original poster
GetMeOffThisCycleOfMisery · 05/02/2020 23:27

@WingingWonder thank you. Right bext to ESB.

OP posts:
WingingWonder · 05/02/2020 23:29

Ok loads around there
Famous ones include magnolias bakery- original cupcake style store who will deliver anywhere

Bluerussian · 05/02/2020 23:30

You can buy some wine and a cake and take it to the room, the cake could be ordered in advance as the hotel has given patisserie details.

Put a couple of free standing decorations with balloons in the room.
Have a great time.

kateandme · 05/02/2020 23:40

yes.weve mentioned in passing it was for a birthday on booking a hotel.when they got there they had themselves put banners in the room and laid a little hamper.

Nancydrawn · 05/02/2020 23:40

That's really weird--not typical of the US or of NYC.

The wine is a totally standard request and something most hotels do without blinking.

If they didn't do a cake, I would expect them to make a counter-suggestion (e.g. some fruit or something that might keep better than a cake would).

The banners, on the other hand, aren't a standard request nor would I be surprised at them balking.

Frankly I'd call and ask to speak to their concierge or a senior front desk manager. It's possible the reservation agents are disconnected from the actual hotel.

kateandme · 05/02/2020 23:42

might you try again.could it have been a high and mighty so and so.you could try from scratch and ask because its your dps birthday whether there is any extras to mak it special.someone might suprise you

SanjiNami · 05/02/2020 23:55

Agree with pp, speak to concierge/senior staff, the reservation clerk may not have authority to accommodate your request on the spot, and if they care enough, they maybe able to pass your request on to someone else, but they maybe just can't be bothered. Especially you are willing to pay for the cost.

Catsandchardonnay · 06/02/2020 00:05

That’s rubbish. 25 years ago we went to Bali as part of our honeymoon and were presented with a lovely cake and yummy fruit hamper when we arrived. The next day we departed on a mini-trip for a couple of days and when we returned we’re presented with another lovely cake and yummy fruit hamper! No prompting at all, just fantastic service. (We struggled to eat both cakes but it had to be done!)

NearLifeExperience · 06/02/2020 00:07

YANBU...That’s not very hospitable of them, is it?

Like PPs I’ve had the opposite experience: DH took me away for a surprise weekend for my 40th, (didn’t know where until boarding!) and on the plane we were brought a “piccolo” of champagne each. DH said he didn’t remember telling them, but must have. When we got to our hotel they brought a trolley with an bottle of champagne, beautiful cake and fruit bowl. All free. Really made my day.

The airline was Virgin and the hotel was the Amsterdam Hilton.

Isithometimeyet0987 · 06/02/2020 00:13

Yanbu I’ve asked for all sorts in advance when I’ve boked hotels before. I’ve even rang hotels and left champagne and chocolates on arrival for my mum and dad for a wedding anniversary and paid over the phone on my own card, I didn’t even book the hotel for them it was booked on my dads card.

BeaLola · 06/02/2020 00:24

Like others can't believe they turned down opportunity for your money . Years back I was in .madeira for my 36th birthday and hadn't mentioned anything but staff noticed my dob from passport and when we came back to room that day there was a large cake for the two of us which took the rest of the holiday to demolish !

Wingedharpy · 06/02/2020 00:28

@AlCalavicci: I can't find the flower emoji but just wanted to acknowledge your post.
Glad you were treated kindly in Southport.

MissConductUS · 06/02/2020 00:51

New Yorker here. Sorry they haven't been more helpful. Room service food is actually a money loser for most hotels and as PP said it's on the way out for many of them. The only baked goods they'll have on hand will be what they order for the restaurant.

We have loads of great bakeries in the city. A really nice dinner out is also an option. Take him to Union Square Cafe. You'll have a fabulous meal.

Thanks for coming to see us. 😊

HoldMyLobster · 06/02/2020 01:06

We always order from Uber Eats or Door Dash when we're in a hotel so I can see why they're dropping room service.

But I don't think you're being at all precious OP, and I'm married to someone in the hotel industry so we stay in all sorts of hotels all the time.

agonyauntie2020 · 06/02/2020 01:23

Who have you corresponded with? If a front desk clerk suggest you phone the hotel (-5 hours to UK time) and ask for the front desk manager. May just be getting a new employee who doesn't want to bother themselves.

Is it a chain hotel? If so, join the frequent guest program before you go, often get a few perks from those.

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