Hotels.com has released its annual Hotel Room Innsights Report uncovering surprising services and stories from more than 400 partner hotels worldwide, including Canada. This year’s report reveals astonishing items left behind by guests, wild room service orders, hidden hotel perks. and “out of this world” services offered to help accommodate today’s travellers.
Lost and found
The report shows the most common forgotten items are dirty laundry, device chargers and makeup and toiletries, but this year’s “innsights” reveal a new list of forgotten items not for the faint-hearted:
- The priciest: Hotel staff found a Rolex, Birkin bag, and an CDN$8.5 million watch.
- Pet peeves: A chick and pet lizard were found (and returned) after their owners checked out.
- Essentials only: Guests forgot two full-leg casts and enough dentures to fill a whole hotel.
- The unexplainable: Items include a rice cooker, car tire, blender and construction pipes.
Thankfully, hotels are adapting to help forgetful guests. At Viceroy Riviera Maya, guests can leave their own toiletries at home and take advantage of the soap concierge. The Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel allows travellers to browse and borrow accessories like sunglasses and handbags from retailer Anthropologie through its “Forgot it? We’ve got it!” program.
Despite efforts like lost and found boxes, some hotel staff have gone to the extreme to reunite guests with their possessions. One hotel hero drove 160 km to return a passport, another ran several blocks to deliver items before a cruise ship departed, and another travelled four hours to return a forgotten suitcase.
Room service
Gone are the days of ordering a classic club sandwich to the room. For the second year in a row, Hotels.com reveals the following peculiar room service orders and services:
- An Evian-filled bathtub so a child can bathe in the purest water
- Customized allergen menu for their pet, i.e., gluten free, dairy free, etc.
- Burnt toast
- A caviar hot dog
- Fresh goat milk
- 2 kg of bananas
Hotels are adapting to these increasingly odd room service requests, with W Osaka installing a ‘Whatever/Whenever’ button for guests to order anything, anytime. At the Hospes Maricel & Spa, Palma de Mallorca, guests can order Beauty Room Service, including facials and high-tech beauty treatments.
Hidden hotel perks
The report also highlights premium hotel benefits you never knew existed and how to make the most of your stay”
- Stroll through a 400-year-old Japanese garden at Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main.
- The Four Seasons Hotel Austin provides an in-room guitar concierge for guests who want to strum on a premium guitar.
- The Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria offers a Pampered Pooch Package, including a doggy bed, treats, water bowls, and more.
- Take a private guided tour of the British Museum at The Montague on the Gardens in London.
- Savour a personalized wine tasting experience in the cellar of Villa Gallici Hôtel & Spa.
- The Four Seasons Toronto offers video game consols, board games, and a selection of in-room movies with popcorn for kids, board games, and a selection of in-room movies with popcorn.
Top tips
Hoteliers further share insider tips for getting the most out of your room, like requesting a smoking room for a balcony or a higher floor for more space and quiet. Joining a hotel rewards program could also provide potential room upgrades, spa vouchers, free breakfast, and food and drink extras.
Melanie Fish, VP of Global Public Relations at Hotels.com says, “By asking hotels to reveal the secrets behind their most memorable stays, we discovered that these ‘innsights’ have actually inspired services available to guests today. From guitar concierges to pet healers, hotels are catering to travellers’ unique demands, which may well become the norm.”
If you enjoyed or found this story useful, we’d appreciate if you would forward it to a colleague or friend who may also enjoy it. If, on the other hand, a friend shared it with you, welcome! You can get all the latest travel news and reviews from Travel Industry by simply clicking HERE.