staying in upmarket hotels

My OH was working in Bahrain and was invited to eat in a club. He turned up in usual casual wear of shorts and open neck shirt. After sitting down the maitre d’ approached saying that some members were complaining about his lack of tie. He then produced a selection of ties for my husband to choose from and he just hung it round his neck. Everyone happy (well no more complaints).

We stayed at the Hotel Rotte in Prague a few years ago. The staff couldn't have done more for us and on one of the days there, when we returned from our day out, there was a small box of chocolates and a card for my DH - they'd seen his passport when we checked in and noticed that it was his birthday! Now that's what you call service!

Two of my friends held a birthday party at their golf club. I had great trouble behaving when I read the list of dos and don'ts and dress code up on the wall. We'd all been art students together in the 60s I couldn't believe they'd got themselves involved in all this stuff.

Lucca my Italian Mum told me that in Italian the T at the end of words is pronounced - so Merlot (I presume if it's an Italian one!) and Pinot Grigio both have the T stressed. Whether this just applies to her part of Italy - I don't know?

We stayed at a very famous upmarket London Railway Hotel - I am a railway anorak and love the hotel's amazing architecture and was in my element as we'd pushed the boat out and stayed in one of the posh rooms in the main building (it was our Wedding Anniversary). On our first night we decided to eat in the hotel's main restaurant; the waiter, on seeing me looking at the wine list, rushed over and offered his recommendation. Luckily, I asked him to point out which one it was on the wine list (thank God I did!) it was £150!!! Now, I don't mind paying over the odds for wine in a restaurant, it's be expected, but to recommend a £150 (when there were others from £50 upwards) is just not on. Needless to say I declined his choice!

I have only once stayed in a 5 star hotel.

DH and I were trekking to Fatima in Portugal, and in a small town we went to the Tourist office to ask if there was accomodation for pilgrims in the town. The man on duty said, "Oh, I'll phone the hotel for you - they have reduced rates for pilgrims".

We thanked him and he made the arrangements. When we got there, covered in dust from the untarred roads we had been walking on, four young people were at the reception desk.

All of them were impeccably dressed in uniform - skirts and blazers for the women, flannels and blazers for the men.

First thing, a young man asked which language we preferred to speak, then asked if he should carry our back-packs up to our room?

DH said, "No, no, they are so dusty, you'll ruin your clothes"

"Oh, don't worry about that sir, " was the reply, "It's only dust, it will brush off".

The service was like that all the time, and yes, they did have a g reatly reduced rate for pilgrims!

If only I could remember the name of the town, I would heartily recommend it.

I've been fortunate enough to stay in a lot of good hotels and generally find the staff friendly and helpful. If I feel a little intimidated I just hold my head up, straighten my back and walk through the lobby like I belong there!!!

No-one should ever feel patronised in hotels. I always think of Jennifer Saunders in Ab Fab, when faced with snooty staff at a posh gallery, saying, "It's only a shop".

Golf clubs though - too full of dated rules which are a result of their own insecurity. To be avoided!

I've never experienced that.
I've turned up in jeans and tshirt to many 5 star hotel and they have been lovely to me. I once booked into the Waldorf Astoria in New York, I'd booked an executive room and they upgraded me to a suit in the Waldorf Towers and that was amazing, I'd never of afforded that but everyone was amazing I loved it nothing was too much trouble.
Your experience may of been a one off receptionist having a bad day.
And wine waiter's always think they now best, which is crazy as we all have different tastes, I do take advice of wine waiter's but only if they know what type of wine I like.
Hope you enjoy your next experience better.

That has given me the biggest laugh of the day susiemarie. They upgraded you from jeans and a t shirt to a suit!
Sorry, I realise it was probably what your keyboard chose to type!

Not at typical 4 star hotels, no. But we called in for an afternoon tea at a posh 5 star hotel in London some years ago while we were on a day trip. The waiter hovered over us as if he expected us to nick the cutlery. lt very uncomfortable, conscious of our Northern accents, and in the end we were happy to leave. Paid an absurd amount too, for a few finger sandwiches of cucumber and smoked salmon and a couple of cream cakes each. The afternoon tea in Morrisons for about £4 is way better.

Oh yes it is pronounced with T!
My mother & her family grew the grape in north east Italy - they made beautiful wine and they ALWAYS pronounced the T

We normally stay in 4 * hotels and my husband never dresses up, he certainly never wears a tie and we have never been treated any differently. I wonder if it is the type of hotel. Most 4 * seem to have option for formal and not so formal dining, so maybe it makes a difference, I don't know.

I think I have only ever stayed in 5 * as a child in places where you were expected to dress up but maybe things were different then.

We motorcycled around Ireland in pouring rain for 2 weeks so decided to treat ourselves on the last night. Walked in to a posh hotel in Dublin dripping wet. Receptionist took one look and said they were fully booked. We left, rang up and booked a room paying with credit card, went back in and presented her with our booking number. Her face was a picture!

My sister always says that if you have the money to pay for a room, you have the right to be there. I feel less concerned when I stay in fancy places now.

We treated ourselves to an overnight stay at a 'posh' hotel for a wedding anniversary. I went into the loo and lifted the toilet seat to find what looked like the remains of a 'coffee grain' haemorrhage dried on all up the bowl. At the same time DH announced he needed the loo which is usually urgent so I foolishly tried to clean it for him with toilet paper and bare hands but could not remove some of the splatters. By then he was hovering in the loo so I scrubbed my hands raw and went down to ask the owner for rubber gloves and cleaning materials so that I could finish cleaning it! She said she could not leave the desk but would ask a cleaner to look in later. No apology.... On reflection I realise a sensible - person posher than I? - would have rung reception and demanded someone come and deal with it pronto but I did not want DH embarrassed. It had been cleaned when we returned after dinner but no apology and no discount was forthcoming.

Zeddy

We motorcycled around Ireland in pouring rain for 2 weeks so decided to treat ourselves on the last night. Walked in to a posh hotel in Dublin dripping wet. Receptionist took one look and said they were fully booked. We left, rang up and booked a room paying with credit card, went back in and presented her with our booking number. Her face was a picture!

That’s a gem

geekesse

I had some pretty poor service in a top London hotel - only the doorman showed me the same courtesy as other customers. Not being part of a European or Middle Eastern royal family, or a celebrity, clearly counted against me. Natch, I won’t stay there again. I’ve had much better service in much cheaper establishments.

Single women staying on their own seem to be a problem for some hotels. I like to go away a couple of times a year for some very serious luxury, and am prepared to pay very good money to do so, including a single occupancy supplement. But I won’t stay somewhere that takes my booking grudgingly or tries to make me feel awkward because I don’t travel with a convenient man. I have now found a delightful, luxurious country house hotel that makes me feel fully welcome. They charge me a normal room rate with dinner and breakfast, and no single supplement. I suppose the second person’s food I don’t eat is effectively the single supplement.

For two days, I am waited on hand and foot and spoilt rotten. They know I like The Guardian with my room-service early-morning tea, and my preference for the time of my dinner booking. When I walk into the bar, the barman asks if I’d like my usual, and then mixes my French 75. So I keep going back there, and they keep my custom. I sometimes arrive still in work clothes, sometimes in scruffy jeans and a saggy anorak, and I am treated with the same courtesy whatever I am wearing. PM me if you’d like me to tell you the name of the establishment.

Just googled a French 75. Sounds delicious ?

Many years ago we were in Scotland with two friends. We stopped at a 5 star hotel for lunch. My friend asked for cucumber sandwiches. The waitress went to ask in the kitchen if they could make them. She came back and said " they said yes, I told them you were posh folk"! It made us smile.

Geekesse never heard of a french75 had to google it! Will definitely be trying it sounds lovely!

Back to OP DH and I have stayed in lots of lovely hotels and only ever had an issue which was years ago.
We were travelling long haul from Heathrow with our two small children. Unfortunately our flight was cancelled and we were taken to Gatwick for a flight the following day. We were put in the airport hotel overnight and next morning went down for breakfast in our travelling clothes ie track suits and trainers! The maitre’d’s face was a picture ? u would have thought he had a bad smell under his nose ? x

A few years ago with my DH and DD travelled from Scotland to London and stayed at St Ermins hotel. And I have to say it was the most wonderful experience. Nothing was too much bother the staff were wonderful and very accommodating. Included with our stay was a picnic lunch. We were asked what we liked and disliked. And when we collected it from reception it was in a beautiful racing green cool bag with a matching mat to sit on and another bag with proper cutlery and glasses etc. . It was ours to keep. The contents were absolutely delicious. When I collected it from reception I commented to the gentleman there how heavy the bag was. He asked me where we were going for lunch and when I told him St James’s Park he offered to carry it there for us! We declined. But my goodness that’s service for you.
And yes we did go back twice after that. And I hope to return again soon.

Well you learn something every day geekesse - I had never heard of a French 75 - just looked it up and will definitely order one next time I'm anywhere that prepares cocktails - yum.

Whitewavemark2 - The chief came out and gave you one???
Tell us more!

oh yes .my USA penpal stayed in a posh hotel on the isle of man.anyway we were in travelling clothes and we stopped in the bar for a drink.the two girls in there looked at me down there noses.so I ignored them.as a parting word to them I told them it was me that paid there wages and that we were just too tired to out on posh clothing......next evening I put on black trousers and a top.and got same response.so after the meal with friends.I kwft a note in the complaint box.next morn we had a visit from the under manager complaining that we had the nerve to out a complaint in .after a long talk I said we have paid full price and we expect full manners too.

I had to stay in some due to my ex husband's job and I detested it. I never felt comfortable or good enough to be there, my ex also made me feel like that. Give me a cosy, small hotel with lovely owners, I feel they care about you enjoying your stay far more than the big posh ones.

Over the years we have stayed in some great 5* hotels. I do think that dressing up is part of the whole package. I love to dress up when going out to eat and certainly would dress up when on holiday. I have also had many holidays in some of the best hotels with my sister who worked for a large airline. These holidays were almost free as I only had to pay a nominal amount. We flew business class, had free champagne and stayed in some amazing hotels. Those were the day .

Obviously if you’ve just stepped out of the pool you’re not going to look your best unless of course you’re young and have a beautiful body then no one minds if you wander around in your swim wear. You wouldn’t be allowed to go into one of the restaurants where there’s a dress code but you can eat and wear what you like if eating at one of the bars outside.

I have never been in a hotel where I felt unwanted, I couldn’t imagine it, that must be horrible, I’d pack my bags and leave if possible and demand my money back.