Getting the most from your travel experience in today’s uncertain environment requires planning, foresight, ingenuity, persistence and often prudent advice from experts, who almost always agree on one thing, “Don’t leave anything to chance.”
There are many moving parts when it comes to travel planning, each one of which is separate and distinct from the other. From securing a room upgrade to getting the most bang for your buck, these hospitality experts offer the following tips to ensure that your travels, either business or pleasure, are of the highest possible standards.
Establishing a rapport with the staff can result in room upgrades. DEER PATH INN
1) How to secure an upgrade on your hotel room:
George Cook, Director of Guest Services, Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois
If you’re a repeat customer, consider doing something thoughtful for the staff: Whether it’s sending a thank you note after a memorable stay or bringing pastries to the front desk team when you arrive, these small gestures will be logged in your guest profile for present and future employees to see. If a time ever arises when you’re looking to secure a reservation or upgrade during an extremely busy booking period, you’ll have a much better chance of securing them (without any additional charges or fees) because of the relationship you’ve established with the on-site team.
Chris Harvey, Director of Operations, Charlestowne Hotels, Charleston, South Carolina
It never hurts to ask if there’s an upgrade available on the day of your arrival. If you’re traveling for a special occasion (and be honest) definitely share that with the reservations team or front desk team. For example, the HarbourView Inn team will ensure a dozen roses and bottle of sparkling wine are in the room upon arrival for any romantic celebrations. At The Spectator Hotel, your personal butler will reach out ahead of your visit to chat through special requests and ensure everything is taken care of pre-arrival. Just know that the smaller the hotel you’re staying in, the fewer opportunities there will be for an upgrade so don’t get disappointed if the staff is unable to upgrade your room.
