—

In the soft grey light of early morning, we sit quietly on a bamboo mat, wicker baskets of sticky rice beside us, across from a shuttered colonial mansion heavy with bougainvillea.  Birds chatter in the flame trees until a gong sounds, momentarily startling them into silence.

Around a corner, dozens of barefoot monks and novices appear in a swish of saffron, golden bowls hanging from orange shoulder straps.  Beside us, locals show us how to earn merit.  Men adorned with scarves over one shoulder as a mark of respect and kneeling women in traditional shawls put fistfuls of rice into the monks’ bowls as they lift the lids, barely stopping their gracious procession.

As in a dream, just as the rising sun gilds the ceramic-tiled temple roofs, the stream of gold vanishes and the monks return inside. Luang Prabang gets on with the business of the day.

The alms giving ritual, while common in many Asian communities, is particularly vibrant in this ancient capital of Lao culture where the royal family were patrons of Theravada Buddhism. Because of its remoteness in the lush mountains of Northern Laos, Luang Prabang preserved a strong Buddhist culture and traditional fabric of life during the French occupation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today there are no less than 32 active temples or wats, their sweeping roofs sheltering ornate murals, mosaics and intricately carved golden doors, in this pretty town nestled on a narrow peninsula at the convergence of the Mekong and its tributary, the Khan.

In 1995, UNESCO granted Luang Prabang world heritage status because of the unique juxtaposition of the French colonial architecture with its temples and traditional Lao wooden buildings. It simply oozes the languid beauty of old Indochine.

We arrive at La Residence Phou Vao, hot and exhausted. Part of the Orient Express portfolio, La Residence is set on a hill above town and is a perfect place to savor the gentle ways of impeccable Laotian service. Its elegant open-sided reception area, graced with Lao silk weavings, artfully arranged pottery, and black and white photographs of Lao villagers, opens onto a lush garden shaded by bamboo and palm trees.  A small bougainvillea and frangipani bedecked stupa floats in a lotus pool.  Our spacious room…with four-poster bed draped in mosquito netting and comfortable sofa…is a study in rich tropical woods and white linens.

We restore our equilibrium by luxuriating Lao style: a cooling dip in the infinity pool before traditional Hmong deep-tissue massages with hot indigo herbal compresses in one of the serene spa pavilions that encircle a second pool. As dusk gently falls we join the head Lao chef for a cooking class on the terrace as other staff transform the pool area into a magical outdoor restaurant, draping dining tables in traditional silks, lighting lanterns in the trees and carefully floating an armada of candles on the water’s surface.

We also spend a couple of days right in the old town in the delightful contemporary-styled Apsara Hotel, with its jewel-bright silks and fuchsia lanterns overlooking the quiet Khan River. We discover the magnificent food market that weaves along roadsides under pagoda eves and airy colonial verandas. Vendors are busy arranging neat piles of basil, eggplants and bananas. Pyramids of red, brown and golden rice sit beside massive mounds of vermicelli and sparkling fresh Mekong river fish and eels. Mothers in traditional Lao sarongs select eggs, paw paws and tomatoes, fermented fish paste, chokos and chiles. There are marvelous swaths of exotic greens, wild boar trotters, kaffir limes, and clusters of ginger and mushrooms. A woman with a shoulder yoke carries baskets of watercress; a child grasps a live chicken; bouquets of gardenias perfume the bright morning sunshine.

After strong Lao coffee and pastries at the Jo Ma Bakery, set up when the Scandinavians helped restore the royal palace, we explore the former palace, which is now the national museum. Built by Vietnamese laborers and funded by the French colonialists it is a curious hodgepodge, with the crest of Erawan or three elephant heads of Laos, the French fleur de lys, Italian marble stairs and an eclectic collection of Art Deco furniture and Buddha statues. A replica of the pure gold, standing little Pra Bang Buddha, after which the town is named, is housed in a pavilion in the grounds. At 6pm, we return to watch elaborately costumed and masked dancers from the Royal Ballet Theatre tell the story of Ramayana.

The most elaborate wats are located between the palace and the fingertip of the peninsula. At the 18th century Wat Mai we see gold stucco bas reliefs of the last incarnation of the historic Buddha while at Wat Xieng Thong we marvel at a rare reclining Buddha and spectacular glass mosaics. Even more transporting, however, is to peek inside temple courtyards where orange robes flutter in the breeze and young novices play under the palm trees.

All over town there are a number of remarkable shops showcasing Lao textiles, woodwork, and silver. Many are identified by the sign ‘Stay Another Day,’ which is an initiative promoting sustainable tourism by connecting travelers with organizations that are helping to conserve local culture and support community projects.

One of the most impressive is Caruso Lao started by Canadian designer Sandra Yuck. Her gallery-quality shop displays exquisite contemporary handcrafted silk furnishings and scarves, silver, and hand-made furniture and wooden bowls that are made by some of the most talented artisans in Laos. At Ock Pop Tok, which means East meets West, Brit Joanna Smith linked up with local partners to help reinvigorate the Lao weaving industry. Today, you not only can buy stunning silk creations and learn about Lao textile traditions but also take dyeing and weaving workshops with local master crafts people under a traditional Lao wooden house beside the Mekong.

Other interesting ‘Stay Another Day’ projects include Big Brother Mouse, where you can help produce and distribute children’s books, and the Lao Red Cross steam baths and massages whose proceeds go to support humanitarian work.

We take a languid cruise in a longboat up the wide khaki swath of the Mekong River. Fisherman throw their nets from boats, children splash in the velvet shallows, women collect river weeds, water buffalo roll in the mud, farmers tend their vegetable plots.  At the sacred Pak Ou Caves, gouged from limestone karsts at the river’s edge, we discover thousands of old and damaged Buddhas retired in peace high above the water, which is tinted orange like the monks’ habits by the sun’s dying rays.

When it gets dark, vendors set up their displays at the mellow night market. We wander undisturbed along the stalls, lit by colored lanterns, choosing delicately patterned silk scarves, rice paper light fixtures pressed with flowers, Hmong embroidery and silver jeweler, and even antique opium scales. Beware, however, of cheap machine-made products from other countries. In a nearby street, food stalls offer inexpensive and delectable Lao specialties such as laap, spicy marinated meat or fish with vegetables.

Indeed, we can’t get enough of the remarkable local food. We enjoy a lunch of watercress soup and local buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil salad at L’ Elephant, savoring also its sumptuous ode to colonial Asia on a rattan chair-decked terrace. At 3 Nagas we devour fiery kaipen, a rustic nori made from pressed and dried riverweeds that are fried with chili, sesame seeds, garlic and buffalo skin paste, and knap, delicate parcels of river fish with local vegetables and herbs wrapped in banana leaves. Afterwards, we stroll contentedly in the soft perfumed air along the lantern-lit riverfront to the Apsara Hotel.

At sunset on our final day, we climb the 328 steps to the temple on the top of Mount Phousi, right in the heart of town. Luang Prabang is spread before us in a tropical patchwork…its slow-motion traffic of bicycles and tuk tuks, its splotches of orange and black as monks with parasols stroll the footpaths, its red-trimmed blue longboats plying the latte-colored Mekong, its pastel-shuttered verandas, its golden temples soaring above mango and frangipani trees.

GETTING THERE: The easiest option is to fly from Bangkok to Luang Prabang on Bangkok Air or Lao Airlines.

VISA: $30 Lao visa can be bought on arrival.

Photo credit: jiazi @flickr (alms); Allie Caulfield @flickr (Buddha)

—

Susan Gough Henly has written about travel, food, wine, and culture for twenty years contributing to such publications as The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, Travel and Leisure, The Wine Spectator, The Wine Enthusiast, The Guardian, The Toronto Star, Luxury Travel, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Sun Herald, Royal Auto and Outback Magazine. Now based in Australia, she lived for many years in the United States, where she was editor of The Best Places guidebooks in Seattle as well as an editor at Workman Publishing in New York. She also worked for the Bordeaux Wine Trade Council in France.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

The Stardust opened in 1958, and had a rather checkered existence.  There were numerous rumors that it was a front for mob activities, and several managers and associates has criminal histories that gave credence to the rumors.  But the Stardust was also known for launching careers.

Magicians Siegfried & Roy got their big Las Vegas start at the Stardust, as did plenty of other entertainers whose names became, legendary around town.

It’s amazing how many of the old standards of the strip have gone by the wayside, making way for bigger, better, and splashier hotels and casinos.  I love some of the new places, but also appreciate the history of the old.

Do you have a matchbook collection, or maybe just a couple of them knocking about in a drawer?  I’d love to feature your matchbook in an upcoming Matchbook Monday.  Just take a quick photo and email it to me

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Last Friday night, I arrived in Las Vegas, caught a cab, and was off to my hotel, arriving there 10:30 pm.  I had a reservation at a major hotel, and my credit card had already been charged for one night.  At the front desk, I was told that I could have a choice of a room with a king sized bed near the elevator, or a room with two double beds a bit further away.  I haven’t slept in a double bed since high school, so opted for the king room closer to the elevator.

Off I went to the room, only to get there and find that the room wasn’t “near” the elevator – it shared a common wall with the elevator.  The noise was deafening.  I called down to the front desk to ask for a different room, and was surprised that the front desk could hear me over the elevator noise.  They were actually very nice and sent someone up with a key to another room.

The other room was just two doors away, and I expressed my skepticism to the guest services person who had brought me my key.  He assured me that it would be quiet, so off I went.  At the door of the room, I realized that I could still hear the elevator.  After going inside, I could still hear it.  And I’m not talking about the little dinging noise that lets you know the elevator has arrived.  I’m talking about the roaring and whooshing noise of the elevator in the shaft.  This room was only slightly less noisy, and I knew that it would be a miserable place to sleep.

This brings us to the dilemma.  Horrible room, totally unacceptable, and it’s now after 11 pm at night.  What do you do?

There was a point in my life where I would have just made do with the horrible room, figuring that my complaint was trivial or that I would resolve the issue in the morning.  First, the complaint isn’t trivial.  A room with the noise level of these is simply unacceptable.  Yes, I know someone will probably be forced to sleep in these rooms, but it didn’t have to be me.  The hotel needs to do some soundproofing and bring these rooms up to an acceptable level, but until it does, no one should feel bad about complaining.  Second, by waiting till morning I reduce my leverage in getting a different room.  Absent an express commitment on the part of the front desk, I become a problem that has gone away.  If I accept it for one night, who’s to say that I won’t accept it longer.  I was staying for 4 nights, and it wasn’t going to be in a noisy room.

So back to the front desk I went with a new mindset.  I needed a new room, a quiet one, or I was prepared to leave and go to a new hotel.

When presented with these options, the hotel began “looking” for another room.  Now I happen to know that while this is a major conference and convention hotel, room occupancy rates in Las Vegas are pretty low right now.  I knew that it was extremely unlikely that the hotel was full.  In fact, based on the rate that I got for a Friday night, I knew darned good and well that they were not full.  In other words, I knew there was room inventory available, and they just needed to dig a little deeper.  More importantly, if this hotel couldn’t dig deeper and find me a decent room, there were lots of others that would.

Sure enough, the digging worked, and another room was found.  This involved giving me an upgraded room, a not unreasonable or unusual way to solve the problem.  Everyone was happy!

When requesting a room change, keep these things in mind:

• Be reasonable in your room expectation.  Quieter is reasonable, but absolute quiet is not.
• If the first person that you speak with can’t help you, ask for someone who can.  Often times employees are only authorized to make limited changes.  Don’t get angry with them, let them know that you understand and will make your request to someone who can.
• Be nice.  It’s not the front desk clerk’s fault that the room is noisy.  People want to help people who are nice to them, and no one wants to reward bad behavior.  Keep your cool and present your issue in a calm fashion.
• Don’t make threats.  Be prepared to move if that’s what you might do, but most people can see when you’re just being a bully.
• Don’t make false complaints.  Stories are rampant about people who complain about silly things in order to get an upgrade.  Rather than rewarding bad behavior, front desk clerks will upgrade someone other than the complaining party.  Be honest about your complaint.
• Accept a reasonable alternative.  While I would have preferred a king size bed, I wound up with a mini suite with two beds.  This is a reasonable accommodation.
• Be prepared to go elsewhere.  It may not be convenient, but staying in a horrible room is worse.

What do you do when you get a horrible room?  Do you speak up or suffer in silence?

Photo credit:

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

So what are you going to do?  Well, at LAX, if you have enough time to get away, you can leave the hustle and bustle of the airport and head to the beach!

Manhattan Beach Pier

There are several stops along Century Boulevard, so you can pick up a stop near the airport or near your hotel if your stuck without a car.  The airport is a very big place, and you’ll need to walk out to Century Boulevard, so check at one of the information centers in the airport to get directions from whatever terminal you’re in.  Here are the stops in the general LAX area:

• 5249 West Century Boulevard
• Century Boulevard & Concourse Way
• 5757 West Century Boulevard
• Century Boulevard & Airport Boulevard
• Century Boulevard & Avian Way
• Century Boulevard & Vicksburg Drive

The shuttle costs $3 round trip.  If you’re near at airport hotel, you can buy a ticket from the hotel front desk or concierge.  If you’re coming from the airport, you can buy a ticket when you get onboard.  Cash only, although the driver can typically make change.

The shuttle operates in a loop, and it will take about a half hour to get to the beach.  Make sure that you calculate your return, allowing yourself plenty of time walk back into the airport, clear security and get to your gate.

If your staying at an airport hotel, as I was last week, Ocean Express is a great way to see a little of the sights without the need for a rental car. 

I caught a shuttle around 1 pm and headed to the beach, getting off at the Manhattan Pier stop.  From there, I grabbed a quick late lunch, and then walked along the beach until I got to Hermosa Beach.  It was a bit of a walk, but nothing too strenuous, and a great way to enjoy a few hours.  After exploring Hermosa Beach, I walked back, and jumped on the trolley for a return to my hotel.  A GREAT way to spend an afternoon away from the airport!

Photo credit:  SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

It would be nice to think that for a special occasion, money doesn’t matter.  But in the real world, it does.  Even for a honeymoon, special event, or romantic getaway, we all have a budget.  Sometimes it will be greater than others, but we all have a budget to work within.

This got me thinking about what I’ve spent for a room, and whether or not it was worth it.  The most I’ve spent was for a very special occasion (significant birthday), and fell in the more than $250 but less than $500 category.  It was worth every penny!

How about you?  What’s the most that you’ve paid for a hotel room?

Please check off your price range in the poll, and feel free to leave any additional comments below.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Have I found myself telling friends all about the place – either raving or complaining?  Or has the visit failed to stand out as a memory at all?  A true gem stands the test of time and shouldn’t be forgotten a week later!

While a hotel visit is about evaluating a combination of amenities and experiences vs. price point (and those don’t necessarily go hand in hand), I’ve devised a list of things that I’m on the lookout for:

1. How easy and clear was the reservation process?  Will a guest feel like they’ve gotten the best deal available, or are they going to feel ripped off?  Even when I’m the guest of a hotel and don’t make my own reservation, I play around with the hotel website to see how easy it is to use.
2. How am I greeted and treated at check in?  Whether the first impression is the valet parking or the front desk staff, I like to know that my presence is appreciated and that I’m a valued guest.  I’ve already written about by annoyances when checking into a hotel, so I’m paying particular attention to how welcome I’m made to feel.
3. Room first impression.  Opening the door is the first make or break moment for me.  It’s the time when a guest takes a breath and either gasps, OMG this room is great, or sighs and says ugh.  I want to see a spotless room, with chairs and bed linens neatly in place, without a smoke or funky smell.  I want lights that work, burned out bulbs replaced before I have to call down and request it, a television and remote in working order (even though I rarely use them, I check them out), and and easy to adjust temperature control.  After I walk in, I do a quick once around the entire room to see how things are laid out, make sure that everything works, etc., and I usually take a few photos in this process.
4. The bathroom.  This had better be spotless, with not a scrap of paper or hair in the sink left behind.  I check out the amenities, looking both for the quantity of products (shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, soaps) and the quality (upscale brands and upscale hotels).  I look for those features that make this home away from home easy to use, like the hairdryer, make up mirror, magnifying mirror, jetted tub, dual shower heads, lighting, supply and quality of towels, etc.  When I use the shower, I take note of how the water flow is, if the water is hard or soft, and how easy it is to adjust the water temperature.
5. Desk/work space.  Although I love relaxing in a great hotel room, the reality is that I’m usually there working.  I want FREE wi-fi.  Hotels don’t always provide it, but all of the business guests want it.  And if we’re paying for it, it better be a darned strong signal!  I get very irritated when I’m paying top dollar for wi-fi and the signal is weak.  I look for adequate plug ins around the desk area, good lighting, a comfortable chair that adjust in height for the desk, multiple phones in the room with a speaker phone in the work space area, sufficient waste bins with recycling options, and enough space to spread out and actually work.  I’m about functional work space more than pretty, but bonus points if it’s both.
6. Bed and bedding.  I’m not a picky sleeper, and unless it’s a really, really bad mattress, I can sleep on one that’s hard or soft, but I do try to take note of which it is.  I want an alarm clock handy, a phone by the bed, and good lighting to read by.   I like lots of pillows, an extra blanket (I tend to be a cold sleeper), and wi-fi that works in case I want to work in bed.
7. Beverage center.  I don’t care about a mini bar, and am not sure who does anymore, but I do like a refrigerator (for leftovers from dinner).  A coffee pot and coffee/tea is important, because I like it first thing when I get up – before I hit the shower.  Adequate cream and sugar is important, and the cream shouldn’t be the powdered stuff.  Bonus points for the flavored kind.  Plug ins should be convenient for use.
8. Hotel restaurant.  I try to have at least one meal at a restaurant at the hotel or order room service.  While it’s fun to get off the beaten bath and find a hidden gem, the majority of guests will have at least one meal at the hotel.  I check to see if the restaurants are over-priced because they have a captive audience, or if they’re fairly priced for the area.  I’m also looking to see what kind of variety is available, and whether the choices are family friendly (and priced accordingly) or more upscale adult dining.  I check out how long the line is for coffee, knowing that many guests will want to grab a cup on the run.  This is often a separate review category.
9. Conference/business space.  While this is hard to check out unless you’re actually using the space, I do try to take a peek or two and see what’s available, as well as look at the business center.
10. Public spaces.  I spend some time wandering around the public spaces, not just the lobby.  Are there little spots to sit and have a drink or chat?  Is there work space in the lobby?   When I encounter staff in the public areas how are they acting?  Am I greeted or ignored?  Cleanliness and tidiness is important.
11. Pool, jacuzzi and/or beach area.  Is the pool indoor or outdoor?  What hours is it available for use?  Are kids permitted?  I check out locker room and shower areas (if available), and notice if the smell of chlorine grabs my nose a block away.  Is the beach area kept clean?  Is food and beverage service available, and if so, what’s it like?  Are there charges for a chaise lounge, and can you find one?
12. Work out room.  If it’s on premises, I take note of any fee that is charged and match that up with what’s available, how it’s maintained, and how many people I see using it.  If there’s nothing on site, I find out what’s close by and what’s the fee.
13. Concierge.  A good concierge is worth their weight in gold, so I try to ask a variety of questions during my stay.  And they’d best be able to answer the most basic ones!  My questions range from basic information (where to catch the bus) and facts about the hotel (how many rooms are there), to asking for recommendations on where to go (is there a bookstore nearby) and things to do (any good happy hours going on).  If they only suggest hotel facilities, I’m immediately suspect.  If they engage me in conversation to try to get a feel for my preferences BEFORE making suggestions, I know they really care about the quality of my experience.
14. Operator.  Phone etiquette is one of my pet peeves.  When the operator answers the phone, I need to be able to understand him/her.  If the first part of the message is said so fast that I can’t figure out if I’ve called the right placed, then the ending “how may I help you?” won’t really matter.  Staff that answers the phone should be trained to speak slowly and distinctly so that they can be understood.
15. Spa.  This is a review category separate to itself, and just as extensive.
16. Demographics.  Who would like to stay at this hotel and why?  Is it perfect for a family reunion, with lots of kids, or is it a romantic gem?  We all want a different hotel experience for different reasons, and matching up expectations with a selection is always important.
17. The unknown factor.  Not everything is quantifiable, and many times staying at a hotel isn’t about a check list, but about an emotional feeling.  The “it” factor, if you will.  I never discount it.
18. One-week later.  As I said before, it’s important to reflect on how I feel about the visit a week later.  Many times, I’ve mellowed, and something wasn’t really horrible, I was just having a bad day.  Conversely, maybe the bar wasn’t really that much fun, it was just the third glass of wine.  A great experience will be a great experience next week or next month.

After collecting and evaluation all that information, I then evaluate the experience against the price point of the room.  It’s all about value, and what’s a value at $100, $200 or $500 per night will be vastly different.

What are your considerations when evaluating a hotel room?

Photo credit:  SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

With only a couple of weeks till school starts, there’s still a chance to get in a little special treat before the kiddos have to get back on a schedule!

Playing in a hotel bubble bath

What can you do, though, with limited time and money, that can still be fun for both the kids and the adults?  If you don’t have the time and budget to get out of town, find a nice hotel in your city or nearby area, and check in for a fun overnight.  Make a nice hotel your vacation destination.

Pick a hotel with a few extra amenities, and plan on getting the largest room that your budget will allow.  A nice pool where you can spend the day helps to make up for not having a week at the beach.  Room service that allows for breakfast in bed (maybe while still in pajamas) is a special treat that’s different from home, even though it will be more fun than romantic.  A couple plasma televisions means everyone can watch their programming on a big screen.  A spa, nice restaurant, or lobby lounge can mean that adults can have a few special treats as well.

Plan to check in as early in the day as possible.  Even if the hotel has a 4 pm check in, inquire if you can check in early.  If rooms aren’t available early, you can often have the bellman hold your bags while you head off to enjoy the pool.  You can usually use the hotel amenities and services before you check into your room, so take advantage of this opportunity to extend your hotel vacation.

If this is going to be your only vacation this summer, the important thing is to make it a break from your regular routine.  Vacation should be something different.  Sleep in, if you normally get up early.  Get up early for a head start on the day, if you normally sleep in.  And make some special time for everyone.

On a recent hotel stay, a little guy from my extended family fell in love with the spa bathtub.  I let him add a few bubbles and then turn on the jets, and this photo represents the results.  There were bubbles all over the place, to the total delight of this six year old.  Sure if left a bit of a mess (the bubbles cascaded over the sides of the tub) — I cleaned up part of it and left a generous tip for the maid.  This was NOT something that he could do at home, but was a simple thing that helped to create a fun vacation memory.

What simple thing can you do to help make a hotel stay fun?

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Today’s Matchbook Monday is a little trip down Las Vegas memory lane, back to the glory years of the desert, and the once infamous Desert Inn.  The Desert Inn was once the home to reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, who rented a couple floors and holed up there for so long that he eventually bought the place.  This was the first of many Las Vegas purchases that Howard Hughes made.

The Desert Inn was one of the premium resorts on the strip, and all the top stars played its Crystal Showroom.  You weren’t anybody till you played the DI.  The original 1960’s version of Ocean’s Eleven was shot here, and it was the setting for the television show Vega$ which aired in the late 70’s.

The resort celebrated it’s 50th birthday in 2000, with a huge, splashy week long party that included many of the starts that had played there over the years.  Just three short days later, the resort was purchased by Steve Wynn.  The hotel eventually closed and was demolished, making way for the Wynn Resort.

I remember visiting the Desert Inn at a time when it was considered one of the elite spots on the strip.  Anyone else?

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Marty asks:

Q.  I was wondering what flexibility you have, if any, in choosing what hotel to stay at?  I’m imagining that you probably have to stay at the airport location for whatever hotel chain that your airline has designated?  Is it the same chain in every city?  And can you stay somewhere other than the chain’s airport hotel?  Also, are there situations where the airline might give you an allowance to seek more permanent accommodations in a city that you are often having layovers in?  i.e. enough to get a shared apartment, etc?

A. Hotel costs are a huge budget item for airlines, and, as you can imagine, every effort is taken to save every single penny that can be saved.  It’s the ultimate standoff – with the people who are staying in the hotels wanting comfortable, well appointed, and conveniently located hotels, and the people paying the bill for the hotels needing to crunch the numbers and to negotiate the lowest possible contract rates.

While the process is handled differently, depending on the airline, the over arching issue is the same.  At most airlines that I’m familiar with, there is a Hotel Committee of Flight Attendants, of Pilots, and a counterpart for the Airline.  These three parties each have a list of what they require in a hotel (often set by contract) and what they’d like in a hotel.

Word is put out to hotels to determine who might be interested in having flight crews stay there.  Not everyone wants us, as it usually is at a seriously discounted rate.  In return, however, the hotel is guaranteed a number of booked rooms each month.  When there is a list together of interested hotels, representatives from the Flight Attendants, Pilots, and Airline will schedule onsite inspections.  Additional considerations will include the distance from the hotel (travel time will eat into crew rest), transportation to and from the airport, availability of restaurants, etc.

After all that, it will come down to money.  Sometimes a hotel will offer a lower rate if you choose their property in several cities.  Sometimes you want locations in a city, but can’t get it.  It varies tremendously, and there really isn’t any consistency.  It’s all about the money.

You are not generally required to stay at the crew hotel.  For example, many Flight Attendants commute to a base other than where they live, and bid for layovers at home.  However, the crew hotel is the only place where the airline will pick up the tab for the expense.  The airline direct pays for the hotel.

That’s the basic process, and although there will be some variations, it will essential be the same from airline to airline.

Thanks for the question, Marty!

—

Is there something that you’d like to know about the job or lifestyle of being a Flight Attendant?  You can email me your questions, and I’ll answer them in a future Flight Attendant Friday.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Take a read and see if you agree that these items do not bode well for a good stay:

1. Lines.  All the time.  To check in, to check out, to ask a question.  If the lobby is always full of lines, you need more staff.  When I see only one or two front desk staff trying to juggle 10-15 people, it tells me that the no one really cares about my time.
2. Failure to make eye contact.  When I come up to the front desk to check in, take your eyes away from the computer screen for two seconds to say hello.  Greeting me and making me feel welcome is part of the hotel experience.  When you don’t look up, and just mumble that you want my credit card, you’re telling me that my money is important, but I’m not.  Well, my money doesn’t make the decision about where to stay!
3. Slow elevators.  It shouldn’t be that complicated to get to my room.  When I see people waiting on the elevator, but no elevator seems to appear, it again tells me that you don’t respect my time.  Even worse, is when there’s a bank of elevators, but only one seems to ever appear at the main floor.  I’m anxious to get to my room, so please make it as easy as possible.
4. Mumbling.  Didn’t anyone learn how to enunciate?!  Many hotels now have standard verbiage that is used to greet every guest.  Okay, that’s fine, but can you at least speak audibly so that I know what you’re saying.  “Hi, my nh;oi  gog n  t’ o ihln” may mean something to you, but to me it’s just gibberish.
5. People sprawled in the lobby.  I know that group bookings can be a lucrative part of a hotel’s business, but do they have to sprawl all over the lobby.  Countless times I’ve had to pick my way around students sleeping on the floor, people with bags blocked all ingress and egress, or bags stacked at the front desk because it seemed a convenient place to leave them.  I can’t stay at your hotel if I can’t get in it!
6. Trainees.  Everyone had a first day on the job.  We all had to take time to learn skills that we now take for granted.  I understand the need to train new staff members by having them work alongside your best employees.  But training at peak check in/check out periods is emphasizing training over customer service.  And there should be a time limit on how long a transaction should take.  I’m not going to get crabby with a trainee, as I really do empathize, but at some point, you need to get someone to take over and complete the transaction so you don’t have lines all over the place.

I’m sure there are others that have slipped my mind, but these are the annoyances that I see most frequently.  How about you?  Did I mess your hotel check-in pet peeve?

Photo credit: dlisabona  @flickr

Post from: Fly Away Cafe