Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2007-08-12 12:57:19 - Graham Ellis
"Do you use Plastic or China?" A question asked by Lisa's brother who manages a major, lotta-stars, hotel in Roanoke, VA - the Hotel Roanoke. It's a good question, relating to the cups and glasses in the hotel's bedrooms.
We've stayed there, "Chez Phil" on a previous trip and, yes, it is a spectacular hotel. On this trip, we're much more down to earth at the Comfort in. Here, it's "plastic" and the staff are willing to help if asked, but seemingly reluctantly rather than going one step further and providing a memorable experience.
Do you prefer to drink from plastic or China? Which is better from an environmental and waste issue? "China, China" most will reply - so why to hotels such as the Comfort inn - and, it turns out, the Hotel Roanoke too - use plastic? Well - it seems that it's hard to get the staff and there's just too much risk in most hotels, even the quality ones, of china cups and glasses just being rinsed out rather than properly cleaned.
A discussion point for Lisa and I. Yes, we do use plastic for water, but China for hot drinks. To change, or not? No - we'll stick as we are. We have far, FAR higher quality staff, a system that's geared up to returning all cups to the kitchen and providing afresh when they're used, and a hotel that's small enough for this not to become a chore.
At Well House Manor, we pride ourselves in providing facilities that are better than you might expect ...
We look and observe at hotels we visit when we're away on training trips - we have perhaps the best opportunity of any hotel operators to see things from the customer's perspective. A number of good ideas, and a lot of "Ouch - we shouldn't do that ..."
We look and observe at hotels we visit when we're away on training trips - we have perhaps the best opportunity of any hotel operators to see things from the customer's perspective. A number of good ideas, and a lot of "Ouch - we shouldn't do that ..."