How to Get Free Gifts at Hotels
Become a Guest that Impresses and score freebies at your Hotel
Travelling can be expensive, depending on your destination and choice of hotel. Whether you just want to feel a bit spoiled and have a romantic weekend with your partner or you will spend to weeks in a destination that has a lot to offer, you should know that a lot of Hotels will offer you freebies that go beyond the small shampoo bottle you are gonna still in the end. So here is a guide on how to level up your chances to be surprised with a free gift.
1. Email the Hotel Before Arrival
Believe it or not, right next to your visa application, your Covid-test or Vaccination Certificate and your flight tickets, emailing to the hotel where you will be staying is a must. To make it easier, you should do it the minute you book your room. If you are not booking directly to the Hotel, I do not advise you to email from the platform your just booked with. The main reason for this is that Booking.com and other similar platforms allow the creation of reply templates and a lot of times you will just receive a basic template adapted to your questions but you will probably not receive the attention desired.
Example: If you book through a platform and say you will arrive before check-in time, you will most likely receive a template answer stating the check-in time and that you may keep the luggage with the Concierge until the room is ready.
Yes, the team will probably add a note to your reservation with your arrival time, but that’s not your main goal.
Instead, email the hotel directly. Give them context and make them feel your pain of having to wait for a room until check-in time. Here’s an example of an email you can send to the Hotel’s Team and score that early check-in:
Hello Hotel X Team!
My name is XXX and I am super excited to be staying with you from XXX to XXX. My reservation number is XXXX.
Although I have checked online that your check-in time is 03:00 pm, I would like to let you know I will be arriving at 11:00 am, because I am flying from XXX. I understand it’s earlier but if by any chance I can check-in earlier I would truly appreciate as I will be jet-lagged and in need of a comfy bed.
I look forward to my stay,
XXX
It is also important to remember yourself that if you are staying at a Hotel during high season, the chances of getting an early check-in or a late check-out are not high, simply because rooms need at least 15 minutes to be properly clean and believe me, 15 minutes sometimes is just not enough time to clean a room depending on who stayed before you.
2. The Receptionist is your Best Friend
Creating connections with guests is one of the perks of being a Receptionist. Most Reception staff loves to interact with people and is really interested in offering a good impression of your chosen destination and, of course, of the Hotel Brand. That being said, if you can bond with your Receptionist prior arrival or at check-in time, you are in for a treat.
Needless to say that you win a Receptionist’s heart by treating them fairly so always remember to:
1.Be polite
I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but being polite is your first step to have a good relationship with anyone, Hotel staff included. I have experience guests being extremely rude at check-in for no reason and believe me, you might even get an upgrade from a duty manager that is sick of hearing you yelling but you will also be flagged as a “difficult guest” on your reservation, on your future reservations and if you are staying in a bigger hotel chain, you will most likely be flagged for all of the Hotels. What does this mean? People will be expecting you to be mean and will have no joy in serving you. You will not be mistreated but you will only be given what you pay for and staff will avoid having to talk to you for more than what is necessary.
2. Know your Receptionist’s name
Usually, everyone that works in a hotel carries a name tag. Just like guests enjoy being called by their names and it is even a hotel procedure in most Hotel chains, Receptionists appreciate you calling them by their name, not only that but they will go the extra mile to really make a guest comfortable because they will love the opportunity to read their name on your on-line review after leaving.
3. Say hi
On your way out for dinner or when you need fun activities recommendations, try to find the Receptionist that checked you in and talk to them. This is just a really nice way to acknowledge them and to show that you see them as a reliable source and not just like a server.
4. Leave a token of appreciation
If you plan to come back to this hotel, consider leaving something they will remember you for. I am not saying you must leave a tip, you can if you wish, but I have always appreciated guests that would take the time to go into town and get me a nice bottle of wine or a box of chocolates. And if you made friends with the entire Front-desk team, then you cannot go wrong with this last option.
3. It's a Celebration!
Taking vacation time to celebrate a special date or your birthday is the most wonderful way to create beautiful memories. Many 5 Star and 4 Star Superior Hotels now offer complimentary treats for guests that have their birthdays during the course of their stay. Sometimes your Receptionist might notice while checking your ID and let Room Service know, other times this happens because every morning Room Service takes a list of guests that are celebrating their anniversary on that day and will send something up to your room. This might be chocolate, a small cake and even a bottle of bubbly.
This doesn’t mean you can’t get anything if you don’t have a birthday during your stay. When you first email the hotel, you can let them know you are coming to celebrate a honeymoon, an anniversary or any other special occasion and you might be surprised with gestures like this. Even that so desired upgrade you have been looking for!
4. Bring the Kids
I know we are watching a growth of Adults Only Hotels, but when you stay at a Children Friendly Hotel, they will be taken care of as soon as they step in! Some chains offer arrival amenities to their little guests that include a bag with books and pencils for coloring, small board games and even toys. Also, in a lot of 5 Star Hotel Chains, cookies and juice or milk might be awaiting the little ones in the room.
If you have a baby, some hotels offer free soup in the room that you may request when your little angel is hungry and they might also sterilize those baby bottles at request. So feel free to ask your trusty Receptionist if any of these options are available for you.
5. Breakfast is Sacred
If breakfast is included in your reservation, make sure is not an early flight or any kind of indisposition that keeps you away from it. What do I mean? Simple, if you have an early departure on your check-out day, talk to Reception the night before. While you won’t be able to enjoy the full buffet, most hotels will offer you an alternative. One option will be to have a simple version of breakfast brought up to your room before leaving: some bread, butter, cheese, ham and marmalade, coffee, milk or tea.
If your departure from the hotel is really early and the hotel you are staying at does not offer 24hour room service, you might be offered the option of a take-away breakfast box with a sandwich, fruit and maybe a muffin.
Make sure to check this option instead of heading to the airport with an empty stomach.
6. Be Loyal
Loyalty to a hotel does reward and if it is part of hotel chain, Rewards Programs may be available for you to sign up. Major chains do offer you the option of becoming a member either online or at check-in. You can see it as a Miles Program in Airlines. These offer benefits like upgrades, late check-outs, VIP amenities on arrival, Priority check-in and even points and free nights.
Some of the most known Loyalty and Rewards Programs are the Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Global Hotel Alliance, Wyndham Rewards, NH Discovery.
A lot of these Programs are free (if you don’t mind sharing your name and contacts), so next time you book a hotel you might want to check if they have a loyalty scheme that will suit your travel tastes.
7. Vacay with your Paw Friend
Pets are part of the Family. I really believe this and if you don’t want to leave your best friend at home, many hotels are pet friendly and will welcome your pet.
Most Pet Friendly Hotels now even offer dog and cat beds, food bowls and freshly cooked treats that you can find in the Room Service menu to make your pet feel at home. While you shouldn’t take the bed and the bowls home, if toys are provided by the hotel, most of the time is expected that your pet will play and destroy them so you may as well take them with you when you leave, just like the hotel slippers.
8. Ask for the Manager
First and foremost, this point does not promote complaining about everything and anything as soon as you step in a hotel. It is important for you as a guest to understand when you should complain. Remember that expectations should be realistic and not based on other’s experiences and Instagram photo updates. If you book a hotel with a shared bathroom, do not complaint if you do not have a shower in your room – that’s what you booked. When booking any hotel, read the specifications, the fine print and other guest’s reviews before paying for that room based on pictures. My motto on this is Know before you go!
That being said, as a paying customer you also have rights that should not be overlooked. If you booked a Sea Front View Room and get a Mountain View Room, you should complain. Be polite, there’s no need to make a scene, you may have been allocated a different room for many different reasons: the Receptionist made an honest mistake, the room you booked is under maintenance, or the hotel has overbooked the category you booked. While it is annoying, there is always a way to negotiate and get fair compensation. Depending on the reason you have been allocated to the wrong room (or whichever situation you need to complain about), you will probably receive a freebie as compensation and this can vary from a bottle of wine in the room, to a room upgrade or even a free dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Freebies make guests feel appreciated and give their vacation a special touch, but I must stress out that Hotel’s will reward good guests based on their behavior and booking details. Keep in mind that establishing a good relationship with those that service you is your ticket to better stays. I honestly hope these tips help you, so if you try them, let me know!
Truly yours,
Nola
