Why don't more hotels have "convenience stores"?
Submitted by Wanderlust Andi
Basically, as the company Airbnb expands to new cities around the world, the share economy is really taking their toll on regular hotels. Executives have figured a way around this with lend and lease programs all around the country with critical ads like “Forgot it? We’ve got it!” Hotels around the country are now going out of their way to treat guests with a sense of loyalty and service they’ve never had before to draw them away from share companies like AirBnB! Anything from books, CDs, movies, and even running equipment is being offered to guest to borrow on a stay, making their flight easier with less checked bags!
The one major thing I would like to see is more "convenience stores" in hotels. I have seen some hotels offer this (like the Extended Stay Canada I am in right now). The hotel doesn't have to give me these items - I am willing to pay a premium price for the convenience of having a store in the hotel. Some items I would like to see are:
- frozen meals and snack items (like crackers, sausage, cheese, fruit, etc.) Even if you want to enjoy all the dining experiences the town offers, sometimes you just want to crash after a long day and have a quick meal.
- micro-wave popcorn. Hotels give us movie channels (and sometimes, on-demand movies) - why not provide the popcorn to go with the movies?
- pints of coffee cream. I like real diary products in my coffee, like 1/2 and 1/2 or, minimally, whole milk. I am finding this habit to be extremely stressful, since it means I must find a grocery store with cream and then, somehow, store it.
- various over-the-counter medicines, such as aspirin, cold medications and Rolaids. There is nothing more frustrating than getting a cold or stomach ache on a trip and finding that the medication in your bag expired - 2 years ago.
- personal items, such contact lens solution, feminine care products, deodorant and toothpaste. Let's face it - forgetting these can mean that the first few hours of your trip will be spent stressfully searching for open drug stores - which are, hopefully, convenient to get to.
- books and movies. Although this is becoming less of a need due to Kindles, etc., it would still be nice to be able to buy (or borrow) a good book - especially books (and maps) about the local area.
- bike and exercise equipment rental. Ok - this is not a normal convenience store item. But - I like the idea!
What would be really great is if you could "order" items to be delivered from the vendor the hotels get these items from. So, for example, you could order a favorite frozen meal or deodorant that would be set aside for you to pick up when you come into the hotel that night (or even, delivered to your room, for those high-end hotels).
Read the full article here:
Hotels Let Guests Borrow Items or Leave Them
Related Content:
Now you have no excuses for not exercising in a hotel
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiYou are on the road in a hotel, have eaten too much, and are feeling sluggish - so, you really "should" exercise. But, there is either no exercise room in the hotel (or it is closed), or, if there is an exercise room in the hotel, it is either too busy, doesn't have the right equipment or, let's face it, you really don't want to get dressed up enough to go to the exercise room.
2014: the year that more and more hotels heard our plea for free WiFi
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiWhat are your hotel pet peeves?
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiChecking into a hotel? Don't be afraid to ask for what you want.
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiThe attached article is interesting, as it implies that the assignment of hotel rooms has less to do with computer assignments, and more to do with the "rooms controller". For, it is the rooms controller's job to review all of the variables, such as price charged, loyalty status, special needs and requests, VIP status, group bookings, etc., and to assign the rooms 3-5 days in advance, with the intention of balancing guest satisfaction with profit.
Why wouldn't you want a hotel with a kitchenette (or at least a fridge and microwave)?
Submitted by Wanderlust AndiExtended stay hotels are not doing a good job of figuring out how to break into a wider audience of clientele. They offer amenities that other hotels do not, such as kitchenettes. This could be really useful for a lot of different groups such as young families and business people who are trying to save money while traveling. Once people stay at extended stay hotels, they usually enjoy it and come back. But they have to get there initially.
- ‹ previous
- 2 of 4
- next ›