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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask for the room to be turned down?

290 replies

holibobs3 · 12/04/2023 21:58

Currently on a uk holiday with DH and young DC. Staying in a 4* well known chain hotel. We are here for 5 nights total. Obviously it's common now to be told that your room will not be made up daily as it used to be in the past and I completely understand that is to do with environmental issues re towels, they did say that if we would like the rooms to be done then we just need to ask. However I do like the beds to be made etc when staying away from home. We are currently on day 4, so far I've asked twice if the room can be done. I said that I don't actually want the towels changed as we hadn't used them all anyway but I would like the beds to be done, we've run out of toilet roll, run out of clean mugs and would it be possible to have a couple more sachets of coffee.
The first time I asked it just wasn't don't at all. The second time I asked I came back to the room and new towels had been put in the room (which I specifically had said we didn't need) but none of the other stuff had been done.

We've saved really hard for this little holiday as we can't afford to go abroad at the moment, not that it's relevant but we are paying over £100 a night and that's just for accommodation not including parking or breakfast, so are we really being that unreasonable to request new toilet rolls, mugs etc?

OP posts:
L3ThirtySeven · 12/04/2023 22:24

I think you’ve probably confused the staff by making personal requests.

The cleaning/making up of a room isn’t like a salad bar that you can pick and choose yes to make the bed, no to clean towels or sheets. It’s either make up & clean the room entirely or do not disturb and they do nothing.

Most better hotels also have a system for this…such as a sign you hang on your door knob that informs staff which you are requesting. Or they say if you put towels on the floor that signals you want your room done.

AuntieJoyce · 12/04/2023 22:24

watcherintherye · 12/04/2023 22:17

What is a turn down service?

Show quote history

Additional evening visit to close curtains, replenish towels, and leave you a chocolate on the pillow! They can also turn over your bed covers ready for you to get into bed, hence the term go turn down

Original poster
holibobs3 · 12/04/2023 22:27

@L3ThirtySeven we were told at reception on check in to specifically ask if we wanted our rooms done. That's exactly what we did in the morning. I just made a point of saying that we didn't require new towels as we had not used them all.

They said on check in that unless we asked our rooms would not be entered for the whole 5 nights we stayed. That is their new policy. I don't think I confused them by asking them to come in as I specifically told them what we needed ie toilet rolls.

OP posts:
NannyGythaOgg · 12/04/2023 22:27

£12 a night in Turkey next week.

The bed will be made daily (unless things have changed drastically since last year) with clean sheets at least once during the week. (And, no doubt, towels transformed into swans or flowers at least once or twice during my stay. 😍

JMSA · 12/04/2023 22:29

That does sound very disappointing, OP.

CC4712 · 12/04/2023 22:30

Obviously it's common now to be told that your room will not be made up daily as it used to be in the past Is this a thing now???

I've seen the signs about reusing towels for years and happy to not have fresh sheets daily, but what exactly do you mean by not having your room made up daily? I too thought you were asking for a turned down service- so rather confused by what you meant?

I would still expect the beds to be made, more coffee/tea and bins emptied daily- unless its stipulated otherwise. Some days if I don't want/need a total clean I would just ask the cleaning staff directly if I could have some coffee, a clean towel etc.

I would ask again and speak to a manager (get staff names if possible)- clearly but politely pointing out the days you had asked reception for a clean of XYZ and what they did/didn't do. If this is no resolution- I'd write to management after the trip.

LaPerduta · 12/04/2023 22:30

holibobs3 · 12/04/2023 22:11

@Mangogogogo sorry I probably used the wrong term in my OP. When I asked at reception I asked for the beds to be made up, toilet rolls and mugs to be replaced and for some top up coffee. I didn't ask for a turn down. Sorry for the confusion

What you would like the chambermaids to do doesn't sound unreasonable, but you refer to something completely different in your title, so could it be that you were equally unclear when specifying what housekeeping you want carried out in your room?

PrincessofWellies · 12/04/2023 22:31

AuntieJoyce · 12/04/2023 22:24

Additional evening visit to close curtains, replenish towels, and leave you a chocolate on the pillow! They can also turn over your bed covers ready for you to get into bed, hence the term go turn down

Show quote history

We've just returned from accommodation with a turn down service, and they also recleaned the room at the turn down in the evening. For example if you're dressing for dinner you may have showered or bathed again early evening and need towels changing and showers cleaned, bins emptied, glasses/mugs washed etc.

ohnonowwhat · 12/04/2023 22:31

I would expect all of these things done without having to ask. I'd only really expect to have to ask if I wanted the bedding changed, I would think a basic clean, remake the bed, empty bins, replace dirty glasses etc would be standard unless I have the "do not disturb" up... Have you put the "please make up the room" sign on the door?

L3ThirtySeven · 12/04/2023 22:33

holibobs3 · 12/04/2023 22:27

@L3ThirtySeven we were told at reception on check in to specifically ask if we wanted our rooms done. That's exactly what we did in the morning. I just made a point of saying that we didn't require new towels as we had not used them all.

They said on check in that unless we asked our rooms would not be entered for the whole 5 nights we stayed. That is their new policy. I don't think I confused them by asking them to come in as I specifically told them what we needed ie toilet rolls.

Never encountered that in a hotel that you ask reception verbally, in person each morning. I had been told by reception when I check in that you need to ask to have your room done, but then the book in the room or a sign tells you how you ask- usually a method like I described.

It’s never been go to reception and verbally ask each morning. I’m not doubting you that’s there new policy, but it’s a horrible and whoever thought of it should get the sack.

Original poster
holibobs3 · 12/04/2023 22:36

Just to confirm I did not ask for a turn down service at reception. I put that in my title as i thought that's what it was called and it was shorter than what I did actually ask for! When I spoke to reception I specifically said "would it be ok to have the beds made, the toilet roll topped up, and the coffee to be replaced please". I was told this would be ok but both times have returned to the room not being done and being made to feel unreasonable for asking.

Also to confirm the hotel does not have signs for the door so we have not put up a do not disturb sign or a please clean the room sign as they don't exist.

I'm now out of toilet roll for the night despite asking at reception again this evening and being promised the room would be sorted. Let's just hope the kids don't need the toilet in the night!

OP posts:
Badbudgeter · 12/04/2023 22:37

A lot of hotels have trouble recruiting nowadays especially housekeeping as it's a fairly poorly paid job for what it is. They will focus the remaining housekeeping staff on cleaning rooms for changeover. It is rubbish but you need to be the squeaky wheel. Housekeeping work 9-3 normally so there is little point telling reception what you want outside of these times. Say you want your sheets changed, tea/ coffee etc. or you want to move rooms. They will find a housekeeper as it's faster for them to do a stay than a changeover.

piedbeauty · 12/04/2023 22:37

A Radisson! In my head they are high end so I'd definitely expect the service you asked for.

All the Premier Inns I've stayed in have done that.

watcherintherye · 12/04/2023 22:38

AuntieJoyce · 12/04/2023 22:24

Additional evening visit to close curtains, replenish towels, and leave you a chocolate on the pillow! They can also turn over your bed covers ready for you to get into bed, hence the term go turn down

Show quote history

Ah, thanks! Not on offer at Premier Inns! Grin

Justmuddlingalong · 12/04/2023 22:39

It's a lazy cop out, which became the norm during covid.

Greenfree · 12/04/2023 22:39

holibobs3 · 12/04/2023 22:36

Just to confirm I did not ask for a turn down service at reception. I put that in my title as i thought that's what it was called and it was shorter than what I did actually ask for! When I spoke to reception I specifically said "would it be ok to have the beds made, the toilet roll topped up, and the coffee to be replaced please". I was told this would be ok but both times have returned to the room not being done and being made to feel unreasonable for asking.

Also to confirm the hotel does not have signs for the door so we have not put up a do not disturb sign or a please clean the room sign as they don't exist.

I'm now out of toilet roll for the night despite asking at reception again this evening and being promised the room would be sorted. Let's just hope the kids don't need the toilet in the night!

I would go down to reception now and ask for toilet roll, I would also make the request they clean the room tomorrow.

UsingChangeofName · 12/04/2023 22:39

I'm now out of toilet roll for the night despite asking at reception again this evening and being promised the room would be sorted. Let's just hope the kids don't need the toilet in the night!

Shock I would not be standing for that.

Even if they have staff shortages, why wouldn't they leave a spare roll on the shelf in the bathroom ?

SquareRootOfAllEvil · 12/04/2023 22:40

Wonder when Radisson introduced that policy? I stayed in one in March and the room was made up every day without needing to ask.

L3ThirtySeven · 12/04/2023 22:42

SquareRootOfAllEvil · 12/04/2023 22:40

Wonder when Radisson introduced that policy? I stayed in one in March and the room was made up every day without needing to ask.

It sounds like Fawlty Towers, not a Radisson.,

sashy22 · 12/04/2023 22:42

NannyGythaOgg · 12/04/2023 22:27

£12 a night in Turkey next week.

The bed will be made daily (unless things have changed drastically since last year) with clean sheets at least once during the week. (And, no doubt, towels transformed into swans or flowers at least once or twice during my stay. 😍

Omg what a dream where!

Sorry OP you're not being unreasonable I think so many hotels have become lax

PrincessofWellies · 12/04/2023 22:42

holibobs3 · 12/04/2023 22:36

Just to confirm I did not ask for a turn down service at reception. I put that in my title as i thought that's what it was called and it was shorter than what I did actually ask for! When I spoke to reception I specifically said "would it be ok to have the beds made, the toilet roll topped up, and the coffee to be replaced please". I was told this would be ok but both times have returned to the room not being done and being made to feel unreasonable for asking.

Also to confirm the hotel does not have signs for the door so we have not put up a do not disturb sign or a please clean the room sign as they don't exist.

I'm now out of toilet roll for the night despite asking at reception again this evening and being promised the room would be sorted. Let's just hope the kids don't need the toilet in the night!

Just ring down and ask housekeeping to bring up some toilet roll. It's ridiculous. I wouldn't be paying them full price I'm afraid, I'd offer them half as it's been half a service 🙄

xbp · 12/04/2023 22:42

L3ThirtySeven · 12/04/2023 22:24

I think you’ve probably confused the staff by making personal requests.

The cleaning/making up of a room isn’t like a salad bar that you can pick and choose yes to make the bed, no to clean towels or sheets. It’s either make up & clean the room entirely or do not disturb and they do nothing.

Most better hotels also have a system for this…such as a sign you hang on your door knob that informs staff which you are requesting. Or they say if you put towels on the floor that signals you want your room done.

You can absolutely call reception to put in requests for specific service (as long as it's part of what they're offering), and definitely at a Radisson

Original poster
holibobs3 · 12/04/2023 22:45

@PrincessofWellies unfortunately we paid on arrival so we've already paid in full. We've also been down to reception and rang a couple of times and there is nobody there so we are stuck without until the morning.

OP posts:
ditalini · 12/04/2023 22:45

Yanbu. It was the same for us in a cheap chain hotel in London last year - service was offered but not delivered when requested.

Just back from Paris staying in similar budget chain accommodation and beds were made, bins emptied, bathroom cleaned (towels not changed) every morning routinely. As I would expect.

I wonder if UK hotels are still massively struggling for staff and cutting corners wherever they can.

WandaWonder · 12/04/2023 22:45

I presume if we (and every customer) want full service the cost will increase to pay the staff to do it all

If we need anything we ask reception

Maybe they should have 2 room prices one with no service and one with?