staying in upmarket hotels

Hotel Gardesana by the lake Whitewavemark2? Wonderful holidays there with many happy memories!

Scentia we also came across Vivienne Westwood being extremely rude to staff in a London restaurant. She didn't have a booking and was demanding a table.
Always found really good hotels and restaurants treat everybody well and try to make them comfortable. It's the places aspiring to be top level that are pretentious and make people feel wrongly dressed or out of place.

Actually in my experience the top 5 star places do not make any if their guests uncomfortable. They are relaxed, friendly, helpful and welcoming, the opposite of starchy or condescending.

Dh and i booked a room in a hotel in Llandudno.
When we arrived we were informed that the shower was broken but they can put us up at there sister hotel a little further up the road.
We said thats fine OMG it was stunning,the staff were fabulous,the room had 2 king sized beds and we were overlooking the sea.
The food was lovely,the hotel was immaculateand ,the service was second to none.
All at no extra cost too.

Wibblywobbly

Actually in my experience the top 5 star places do not make any if their guests uncomfortable. They are relaxed, friendly, helpful and welcoming, the opposite of starchy or condescending.

Agree.

We were wedding guests at a very posh hotel and had been asked particularly to bring our 18-month old son because he had been delivered by the bride as her "first baby". We had become friends (and still are). I had to do a nappy-change during the reception - and how the uniformed nannies looked down their noses at this mother and toddler without a nanny!

We were in Singapore outside Raffles Hotel, the tour guide told us the hotel didn't like people wandering in and taking photos but suggested we walk in as if we owned the place! We did and even enjoyed a Singapore Sling at the bar (and took photos).

Since then whenever visiting somewhere considered "upmarket" I do walk in with the air that I belong! Remember Eleanor Roosevelt's words "No-one can make you feel inferior without your consent"

I stayed at the Waldorf Astoria in New York with my daughter and was pretty much ignored by everyone (not that I minded). A doorman informed me that “that Jude Law just left a minute ago”. I’ve also stayed at the Balmoral in Edinburgh and was given a suite overlooking Princes Street. A gorgeous young Scotsman brought my breakfast in bed on a silver tray...I really didn’t want to leave.

Hellogirl, nothing impressed me as much as your brave little girl!!

I was taken to a posh hotel in London by a friend; I asked for a Martini, the barman looked at me and said with a completely straight face 'do you want me to mix you one or would you prefer one straight out the bottle?' My friend was horrified, but I kept a straight face and said 'straight out of the bottle of course, and don't forget the cherry!'

In the quiet dining room as I sat down, some underling came over and whispered in my ear that jeans were not permitted in the club.

Did you offer to take them off?

My chimney sweep normally travels here from another area and does several bookings over a few days. He books overnight accommodation through last minute sites. So he got an upmarket businessman's hotel at a really good price. Walked in the main entrance after a hard day's sweeping and the concierge lunged towards him! To his credit, when my sweep said he was booked in, the concierge helped him swiftly to his room for a needed shower, probably to remove him from the entrance!

Long, long ago I hitch-hiked (I know, dangerous) with a college friend down to London as she said her Dad lived there and he was away and we could stay at his place
It turned out that 'his place' was a suite at The Dorchester, which she didn't mention!

We arrived in scruffy art school clothing with rucksacks on our backs but were treated as well as every other guest. From the doorman to reception, the room service and the restaurant staff were all very friendly and welcoming.
I guess this is called a 'reputation' for being the best

Wonder if it still the same now?

My mums saying is “Don’t think you are better than anyone else but always remember you are as good as anyone else”. This has always been in my mind when staying somewhere “posh”. I like smart hotels and always felt comfortable staying in them. Take no snooty looks from anyone and stare right back at them. I find if you treat the serving staff with respect and politeness, they usually respond in kind.

Kalu

Two favourite hotels have already been mentioned, The Negresco and The Majestic but a particular favourite is Gleneagles Hotel, very welcoming friendly staff in beautiful surroundings.

If I ever felt I was being judged in such hotels, I wouldn’t be returning.

Many years ago we stayed at Gleneagles. Our son was about 7 or 8 and we took his golf clubs with us, he was quite a good golfer. The staff meet you at the door and take any luggage away, and without a second glance took my son’s tiny golf bag from the boot, placed a label on them and put them in the store room with all the other adult golf bags!
Fantastic stay there. Best breakfast we’ve ever had.

Glasgowgirl- I stay at St Ermins in London fairly regularly and love it. The staff are always very helodul and courteous. The food is excellent. I also love it's wartime history.
I must say I have never felt intimidated when staying in any top star hotel in UK or overseas. Like mentioned above I have also had wine, a birthday cake and a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' sung when my passport has revealed my d.o.b. It all adds to the welcoming feeling and a desire to teturn!

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza near Birmingham Airport as I was going to a concert that evening at the NEC Arena and didn't want the hassle of having to leave early to catch the last train home ! Staff were all very welcoming and friendly in fact many places I have stayed seem more surprised that I was on my own !
Talking about how you are treated in restaurants - I went as a guest with a male friend to his company Christmas meal (he'd just split up with the long term girlfriend and I was the substitute) . When the time came to order our meal, I had chosen steak and when I was asked how I wanted it , I said well done to be told "Oh but madam, a steak is not worth eating if it is done more than medium!"

Thanks for all your posts about your experiences. I agree that all guests should be made to feel welcome but sadly it has not always been like that for us. Often the Staff know that this is a one off special visit for you and they are unlikely to see you again. Instead of helping to make the occasion the best it can be for you, they spend time fawning over the regular guests, knowing what they like to drink and which table they prefer to sit at for dinner. We have often been overlooked in the bar and restaurant and yes as people have said our money is as good as any other person's so perhaps we wont waste it again in such establishments.

I booked Afternoon Tea at a 5* Hotel for Mr Ollie's 45th Birthday Treat - he doesn't drink due to being a 25yr+ recovering alcoholic.

IF we'd been Royalty, we couldn't have received better treatment - in face, HM has been there.

Discreet, but very attentive, service. We were offered a selection of loose teas from a beautiful set of drawers - which was brewed at our table. I was drinking coffee - again a selection to choose from and it was served in a silver Cafetiere. Extra supplies were offered as soon as it became apparent that our pots had run out - made me wonder if they had CCTV to watch for when guests needed service .

We asked if we could go for a walk around the extensive grounds, part way through our 'service' and were shown out of the Drawing Room French Windows and out onto the Terrace Garden. When we came back inside, were brought fresh supplies of tea and coffee and the remainder of our cakes etc .

When chatting with the Receptionist afterwards, I passed comment about how beautiful the place was and she asked if we had any spare time. She arranged for us to have a 'conducted tour' by the On-Duty Manager, who gave us a very informative talk on the history of the building - the only thing that I didn't enjoy was the display of 'hunting trophies' that lined the walls of some of the rooms. I had to practically drag Mr Ollie out of the Victorian Billiards Room.

We asked to phone a taxi to get back to where we were staying and were provided with the hotel's Rolls Royce to take us the 15 mile journey back to our caravan site.

Needless to say - they received a very good tip/gratuity .

For our 25th we went on a tour of Cuba staying in some very basic hotels ( bare wires etc.) but as the tour ended the day before the anniversary, OH booked 2 extra nights at the 5 star Parque Centrale hotel in Havana. We arrived to be told that they our modest room was no longer available but do not worry as they always kept back Fidel Castro's room. They would be happy for us to have it at no extra cost. We spent the next 2 nights in a suite with a bedroom,2 bathrooms, a library, kitchen and dining room. It even came with a speech balcony for addressing the adoring crowds. When I
gave our number at the pool for the towels, the pool guy said "ah, very rii-ch" and I said "no, very lucky!". Needless to say it made our anniversary!

Can I add The Fullerton to the mix as several of you having been to Singapore have mentioned a couple others. Absolutely beautiful hotel, rooms are huge and luxurious and staff wonderfully friendly and accommodating. Dh and I have been three times and we’re always upset to leave. ?
Ps we’re not posh !!

You should never feel uncomfortable, but some staff are very rude as if they are doing you a favour. Try to rise above it!

On our last trip to India (those were the days!) we stayed at the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata. The waiter brought the wrong dish for DH’s breakfast and he had to wait a few minutes for the right one. We had barely got back to our room when the duty manager was on the phone apologising profusely - and when we stayed again on our return journey we got a major room upgrade!

No one has mentioned the 5 * Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath. We've stayed a few times for special occasions and it is always lovely.

As someone else has said about appearance - the scruffiest people we know are also the richest!

I have noticed vehicle snobbery in some places where they park your car for you though.

Callistemon

It would just be lovely to go away!

I draw the line at a tent these days, though.

I've drawn the line at a tent or any form of self catering since no 5 got to be 16. I love my home and cooking but I also love having someone else do it.