Hotel Room Woes: Go up the chain

I’m writing in response to the situation posed in the January ’07 issue, page 115, in which a hotel guest reported a malfunctioning television and mini-bar to the desk and nothing was done. ITN asked what steps should have been taken.

A 4-star hotel worthy of the rating should have been both able and eager to remedy the situation or, at the very least, offer a substantial room discount. The writer did not say if the occurrence was over a weekend, but, even then, true 4-star hotels should have maintenance personnel on call.

Travelers with any hotel issues should always ask to speak to the Manager on Duty. If that doesn’t bring a reasonable solution, they should ask for the General Manager of the property.

SALLY WATKINS (Vice-Chair, Association of Retail Travel Agents), Austin, TX