I spend more nights in hotels than most people I know. The majority of them are middle range to the better of the lower range types - my current favorites are Hampton Inns and Comfort Suites. Occasionally, I stay at nicer places - I am writing this from the Hilton Waterfront Resort on the beach in Huntington Beach, California. I have stayed at a lot of Hyatt Regency, Westin, etc type places as well. I have some observations and comparisons from these stays.
First, it amazes me, but is proven out over and over again - the more the room costs - the more they nickel and dime you to death (I use that as an expression only - it is really ten and twenty dollar you!!) For example, I am writing this while sipping on a $2.69 (pre-tax) 20oz Diet Coke. I have my computer hooked in to the Hilton wireless network at $12,95 a day. This morning I had a $20 breakfast. Now before you think I went wild and ordered the steak and egg extravaganza, let me clarify. I had the fruit plate. It was a pretty large plate with a pretty small amount of fruit on it. Now, it was good. It was fresh. It was nicely presented. But, it was NOT worth $20. However, I had no real choice. They had a granola and yogurt deal for about the same, but everything else was more. I did get an orange juice which may have been half the price ( I am not sure I ever saw the individual price for orange juice), but still....
I go to my Sleep Inn or Comfort Suites, or Hampton, etc. I get goodies. The last stay (a Hampton I think) I was offered a freshly baked cookie (or 2) at check-in. I took a free apple and a banana from a nice display they had set up. If I had been so inclined, they had a popcorn machine in the lobby with freshly popped corn and bags ready to go. I went to my room and signed on to free wireless, high speed internet. The next morning, I went down and had my free breakfast. I am not talking about a danish and a cup of coffee either. It was breakfast. I could have had waffles, bagels, danish, muffins, hard boiled eggs, toast (various), various cereals (which I did), and several selections of fruit. They also had sausage links. Again, this was FREE (actually, it was included in the price - but the price was less than $100 - this place is over $200 a night!)
The more you pay, the worse it gets. This place charges for phone calls - even local ones. There are bottles of water sitting in two areas that have signs that try to get me to open and drink one for only $3.69 a liter. I am not impressed. I have been able to resist the water and I use my cellphone for calls. I have paid $25 for internet so far; and will pay another $25 or $37 prior to leaving; but I need that for working and entertainment. I have bought a diet coke for $2.69 + tax. I did buy a $4.99 bag of trail mix. (which would not get you very far down any respectable trail - it was not very large) I have had a $20 breakfast and a $24 lunch (a chicken sandwich). They have made their money on me.
Just more ramblings from an ever-aging guy that likes and respects free stuff.
If you are truly pressed for time, just read the bold, italicized, and underlined sentences. That won't take you long at all! Another year has passed and if you are reading this, a new one is getting ready to start (or has started) for you. New Year’s celebrations are a time for reflection on what has happened and also a chance to start anew. New Year’s resolutions are a manifestation of this. Weight loss plans, gym proprietors, exercise equipment makers, and others know this. If you have watched any TV, gone online, or read any magazines or newspapers you know that the people that make their living selling and signing people up for those things are hitting it hard. We like new beginnings and the chance to reset and set new goals. Losing weight, stopping smoking, cut back or stopping drinking, and other things a lot of folks see as improvement are at the forefront of our collective thoughts and efforts this time of year. Although not a real advocate of New Year’s resolutions, I
Comments
I'm with you on the free stuff. I'll eat at a "free" buffet until I think I'm gonna throw up. I can't help myself.