If you’re a frequent traveler, you probably have a list of your most favorite hotel properties that you want to go back to. Perhaps you were impressed by the hotel concierge’s knowledge and exceptional service, the room’s cleanliness and interior design, fast and free internet connection, and the sumptuous buffet offerings.
On the other side of the coin, you might also have a list of the hotels you’ll always remember for all the bad reasons.
You might be thinking: wouldn’t it be nicer if all hotel properties offer the same amenities and level of hospitality?
We’re not asking for a luxurious penthouse suite or a VIP treatment for a budget hotel. Instead, we’re asking for the basic things of comfort, convenience, and enjoyment which should be hotel staples by now.
Hotels, please hear us out. We round up 9 top amenities we wish all hotel properties can offer for free.
1. A welcome gift, perhaps?
One of the golden rules of hospitality is to make your hotel guests feel welcome and special. Treating guests with a little something special, like a bottle of wine or champagne, a glass of cocktails, a couple of chocolate bars, or a bunch of flowers, might be a small gesture but it will surely leave a mark on them.
2. Plush pillows and breathable linens
Let’s go back to the basics: we can all agree that the bed is the most important furniture piece in the hotel room. Tonight’s quality sleep is key to making the next day’s travel plans more enjoyable. Guests should feel relaxed the moment they lay their backs on their bed.
With this, we wish all beds to have soft, breathable, freshly-laundered white sheets, down-filled comforters, and plump pillows. Rough polyester sheets in dark colors and dated patterns should be left in the 20th century.
3. Soft, large bath towels
Are soft, thick bath towels, which fully cover you, too much to ask? Large towels always feel luxurious. While guests understand that hotels encourage them to use their towels more than once to conserve water, we want a set of oversized, fluffy towels to begin with.
4. High-quality toiletries
We’re not asking for shampoos, conditioners, soap bars, and lotions that have a designer label on them. Instead, we’d be happy to use quality products that will make our skin and hair feel smooth and refreshed. Unfortunately, many hotel chains scrimp on the quality of their toiletries, making guests suffer from dry, bristled hair and dry skin.
5. Complimentary refreshments
We’re not talking about the complimentary water bottles and buy chianti that aren’t even that cold. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be welcomed with an ice-cold glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice? Offering quality refreshments won’t cost hotels a lot of money, but they’re enough to make their guests feel special.
6. Tea and brewed coffee that never runs out
Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy a warm cup of freshly-brewed coffee while looking at the horizon…for free? The same way Asian restaurants offer complimentary house tea, hotels should also provide a flowing stream of warm beverages that help guests relax. Hotels can do better than giving guests cheap packets of tea, sugar, and instant.
7. Bidet
Bidet is a quintessential bathroom amenity that, surprisingly, not all hotels have. It’s as essential as tissue papers. Guests won’t care if a bathroom doesn’t have a sleek bathtub or a glass shower – but they’d surely remember if the bathroom doesn’t have a bidet.
8. Free wi-fi
Whether you’re traveling for leisure or business purposes, you know how important internet connection is. It’s essential in today’s digital era. With this, it’s such a bummer if a hotel property charges for Wi-Fi, causing you to find the nearest coffee shop just to connect.
9. Complimentary pick up and drop off
Have you ever wanted to stay at a hotel that’s located pretty far from the city center? You’d be lucky if they have a complimentary pickup and drop off. This service is another thing guests wish all hotels, which are pretty distant from the airport and city center, offer for free. The hotel concierge can do something beyond calling a cab for you.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the seasoned writers for Holiday Inn Parramatta Hotel, a modern hotel located in the heart of Western Sydney, delivering top-class Parramatta accommodation. She has always been passionate about traveling, taking photos, and writing travel tips and tricks.
