Hotel Room Woes: Present your solution

Based on my experience with hotel staff around the world, it seems the people out front are usually working at a hotel because it’s a good job to have while they’re in college or while they have something else as a career that just isn’t there yet. They’re very nice but have little training and even less motivation. They’re on the front line for complaints and get very few compliments.

It’s very difficult to get problems resolved at a hotel unless you have the time or inclination to deal with management. I’ve met some quality hotel professionals, and you can recognize them immediately.

Therefore, when I have a problem with a hotel that doesn’t get resolved, I calculate the monetary worth of that problem and deduct it from the room charge. I present my case to the front desk clerk at checkout, quietly and firmly, and tell him/her the amount I want deducted from my bill. I am never greedy and never angry; it’s a business transaction. This solution has worked nine times out of 10.

But you, as the customer, must tell them exactly what you want. If you just explain your problem and expect them to come up with a solution, it won’t happen.

I also go out of my way to compliment hotel people whenever possible. They hear very little of this!

JUDY NAGY

San Jose, CA