Hotels

Category Archives for Hotels.

5 Reasons New Hotel ‘Coronavirus Surcharges’ Are A Terrible Idea

by Gary Leff on May 21, 2020

May 21 2020

Hotels can and should adjust pricing to generate the most revenue they can. That’s called the room rate, and hotels publish numerous different rates every day and vary their rates as needed. They can also incentivize use of on-property facilities, or raise and lower prices at those.

The worst approach would be for hotels to act in a deceptive manner, and undermine trust, when they’re struggling to fill even 40% of rooms and need that trust to get customers to travel let alone choose them for that travel. And raising pricing when occupancy is low, in the middle of a severe recession, seems like the height of stupidity.

Just One Person Has Been Living In The W Barcelona For Two Months, Like In A Twilight Zone Episode

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2020

May 18 2020

One man has spent the past two months living in the W Barcelona hotel. He’s in charge of maintenance. The property closed in mid-March but Daniel Ordoñez stayed inside. He “agreed to self-isolate inside in order to avoid any deterioration of the premises that could delay its reopening, whenever that might be.”

At first he thought he’d be there for two weeks. It’s been more than eight. He lives by himself on the 24th floor of the hotel, and cooks his meals alone in the huge hotel kitchen. He washes his socks in housekeeping’s gigantic industrial washer.

Hilton In DC Learns ‘Pimpin Ain’t Easy’ After Charging 5th Graders A $10,000 Coronavirus Cancellation Fee

by Gary Leff on May 12, 2020

May 12 2020

Within hours of the story hitting several media sources, a Homewood Suites by Hilton has reversed course and will refund $10,000 owed to a 5th grade class in Florida.

In a rather bizarre story the Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC Downtown wanted to charge an elementary school $20,612 when they weren’t able to travel to D.C. in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The hotel eventually agreed to take just $10,000, withheld from the group’s deposit. In an unexpected twist, the kids are getting the money back thanks to intervention by an incarcerated rap artist.

Hilton Hotel Demands $20,612 From A 5th Grade Class That Can’t Travel Due To Coronavirus

by Gary Leff on May 12, 2020

May 12 2020

Incarcerated rapper Kodak Black, in prison until October on gun charges, grew up near the school and has offered to pay for a future trip if Hilton refuses a refund. Black’s attorney is representing the school PTA as it seeks a full refund from the hotel.

20% Discount On Marriott Gift Cards and 60% Bonus Buying Points (Lowest Price Ever)

by Gary Leff on May 11, 2020

May 11 2020

First is an offer of gift cards at a discount. Gift cards usually sell to merchants for less than face value, and you can often buy them at a discount on the secondary market, but when you can buy them directly from a brand you have less to worry about in terms of fraud or technical glitches.

Second Marriott is offering points with the biggest bonus we’ve seen – you are prepaying for stays, effectively, at a discount here as well. And while gift cards can’t be used at Marriott’s homesharing service they’re offering a discount on those bookings as well, for two days only.

Marriott Hits Up Credit Card Partners For A Billion Dollars

by Gary Leff on May 5, 2020

May 05 2020

Marriott announced a deal for $920 million dollars with its co-brand credit card partners. In exchange for the cash Marriott has extended its co-brand deals with both partners.

These deals aren’t just good for the travel company, they’re good for consumers. But there’s an interesting reason we’re seeing hotel chains access their loyalty programs for cash before airlines do the same.

Marriott Told Us Mobile Room Keys Will Keep Us Safe, Then Delayed Roll Out Of Mobile Room Keys

by Gary Leff on May 2, 2020

May 02 2020

Marriott emphasized that they have 3300 hotels active with mobile room keys and more being added. This means not having to check in at the front desk with an employee, or having the employee handle your room key. Instead you check in with your phone, and use your phone as a room key.

That’s great, and Marriott is proud of how widespread this feature is (though not yet at half of their hotels). What they didn’t tell you, it turns out, is that they’ve actually pushed back the roll out of this technology at hotels which don’t currently offer it in order to save money.

United Airlines Pilot Sues The Westin Denver Airport Over Indecent Exposure Arrest

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2020

Apr 21 2020

A year and a half ago police stormed the Westin Denver airport room of a United Airlines pilot, arresting him for dancing, gyrating and waiving” naked in front of the TSA screening checkpoint below the window of his room.

Police entered with guns drawn. He was naked. He took a phone call, he said, just as he was about to get into the shower…

8 Ways Hotel Stays Will Be Different To Meet Demands Of Post-Pandemic Guests

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2020

Apr 21 2020

For hotels to attract guests they’re going to need to be responsive to these customer demands. They need to give guests confidence to stay, and hotels will compete to offer a product that appeals to these sensibilities.

Marriott has now outlined their plans for increased health and safety for both employees and guests. But even more change will be coming to the industry.

Hotel Demands $400,000 Cancellation Fee Despite City’s Ban On Events

by Gary Leff on April 18, 2020

Apr 18 2020

While hotel chains have been good about allowing cancellations of non-refundable, non-changeable consumer bookings, this flexibility has not been extended to events in most cases. Most hotels seem to be asking event hosts to reschedule for a future date, not cancel, and are reluctant to return deposits.

Some hotels are asking event organizers to cough up cash for events that aren’t happening.