Repent, for the end is near! Hotel industry faces its doom
OK, maybe I’m overstating it by just a little. But pictures don’t lie.
‘Understated’ is no cliché at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
When it comes to upscale hotels, the word “understated” is so overused that it’s almost lost its meaning. Not at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, where I happen to be speaking at a conference today.
A ski vacation that was all downhill
Colleen Bosler prepays for a hotel at a ski resort during Christmas. But she misses her plane, forcing her to reschedule. The resort offers her credit, but she has to cancel her make-up vacation, too. The hotel is giving her until May to use the credit, or it will expire. Is that fair?
No reservations? Next time, call the hotel to confirm
Here’s another reason to call your hotel before checking in: Your online travel agency may say you have a reservation and your credit card may show a charge for the booking, but that’s no guarantee you’ll have a room.
“With all due respect, this is just getting silly”
It’s no secret that hotels are tightening their rules to lift faltering earnings. But how far will the lodging industry go to bring in more money? If you said “too far” then you must have read Matt Holly’s mind.
8 reasons your travel company may be ignoring you
It isn’t your imagination. Your travel company is giving you the cold shoulder. But do you know why? Here, for the first time ever, are the eight biggest reasons travelers are ignored.
Summer hotel rate slump could be sign of imminent fire sale
Here’s more evidence that hotel rates may be about to fall off a proverbial cliff. Earlier this week, experts predicted some modest rate declines. But after Wall Street’s meltdown, it became a more significant downturn. Now there’s evidence that the trajectory was already set long ago.
It’s a “tremendous buyer’s market” for hotel guests
Can’t wait for those hotel bargains I predicted a few days ago? Thanks to this week’s Wall Street meltdown, you don’t have to. They’re already here.
Hotel bargains are just a few months away
Any day now, it will become a buyer’s market for hotel rooms. Check this out.
Two bills, one room — and zero options
Rick Petersen prepays for his hotel room in Duluth, Minn., through Hotwire.com. But a few months later, he’s charged for it — again. Now, neither the hotel nor Hotwire seem to care about fixing the double-billing error. Is Petersen out of options?
A bill, but no reservation
Wendell Mrugala makes a hotel reservation through Orbitz. But when he contacts the online agency to confirm his room, he’s told there’s no reservation. Mrugala makes another reservation, but is surprised when he learns the first reservation has gone through. Is there any hope for a refund?
Is hotel “deposit protection” program a sign of things to come?
Airlines are not the only ones getting creative with fees. One hotel now offers optional “deposit protection” that turns your nonrefundable room deposit into a fully refundable one.
How hotels help themselves to your money
If you think your hotel’s done with you when you check out, think again. It might just be getting started. Charges can be quietly added to your hotel bill after you’ve left. And increasingly, they are.
Tip your hotel housekeeper … or else
Don’t forget to tip your housekeeper. If you do, you could end up paying a lot more in late charges.
They didn’t leave the light on for me
Ellie Pope is offered a free room-night certificate as compensation for a bad stay at a Motel 6. But when she tries to redeem it, she’s told it’s no good. How do you get the hotel to keep its promise?