Annoying trends in hotel housekeeping: increased use of "knock 'n push"
Mar 19, 2008, 7:54 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Annoying trends in hotel housekeeping: increased use of "knock 'n push"
Recently, I have noticed a significant increase in the "knock 'n push" housekeeping tactics across various hotels I've stayed at. Instead of the maid knocking, yelling "housekeeping," waiting a few seconds for an answer and then opening the door, it has become increasingly common to knock and open the door without waiting for an answer. I attribute the trend to the increasing workloads placed on the hotel's hardest workers, but I'm not happy with it. Just another reason to make sure you latch the door.
Thanks for listening,
Mike
Thanks for listening,
Mike
Mar 19, 2008, 7:57 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,539
Mar 19, 2008, 8:25 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Homebase: CAE - Formerly, YUL
Programs: US CP, UA, HH Gold, Marriott Plat, DL, AA, CO, ++
Posts: 2,187
Use the latch annd the lock.
Personally I hate that tactic especially at 8am on a saturday. Usually the front desk gets an earful from me when that happens.
JP
Personally I hate that tactic especially at 8am on a saturday. Usually the front desk gets an earful from me when that happens.
JP
Mar 19, 2008, 8:31 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
I've been routinely putting Do Not Disturb signs on the door before going to bed due to this ever-increasing practice by housekeeping staff. Of late, I've experienced several times where housekeeping didn't even give a perfunctory knock, let alone wait for an answer. When that has happened, I have complained to the Executive Housekeeper or duty manager, who always are quite apologetic.
Mar 19, 2008, 10:58 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: DL Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,314
Agree on the use of the "do not disturb" sign. I always have it on the door, and I have never had an issue with housekeeping barging in...or even knocking.
I usually use the latch as well, but the DND sign seems to keep them from even trying.
I usually use the latch as well, but the DND sign seems to keep them from even trying.
Mar 19, 2008, 11:39 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NY
Programs: AA, US, DL, UA, Marriott Silver, Hilton Silver
Posts: 960
I always latch the door and usually use the DND sign. I'll even put the sign up if I'm running down to breakfast and want to return to the room before departing. I hate when I go for breakfast and come back to find the maid there and not be able to brush my teeth or use the room right before heading out.
Mar 19, 2008, 4:33 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,539
I always latch the door and usually use the DND sign. I'll even put the sign up if I'm running down to breakfast and want to return to the room before departing. I hate when I go for breakfast and come back to find the maid there and not be able to brush my teeth or use the room right before heading out.
Mar 19, 2008, 5:39 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 297
I used to hang up a sign that said "Day Sleeper - Do Not Disturb" but it still did not deter most of the maids. To make problems worse they would do it a minimum of 2 times and usually just as I had gotten to sleep. Makes a good nights/days sleep almost impossible.
At least in the hotel in China that honor the DND sign/light and don't bother me.
At least in the hotel in China that honor the DND sign/light and don't bother me.
Mar 19, 2008, 5:48 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat, SPG Plat/LT Plat, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 2,786
How about the "knock 'n knock 'n knock..." until you come to the door. I experienced this a few weeks ago in the Bahamas. The door had the chain/latch thing on, so they clearly knew we were inside, but kept on knocking until I physically got up and told them to come back later.
When I remember, I try to put up the DND sign. At the Westin Auckland, I had put it up prior to bed and then needed an item from housekeeping. After about 15 minutes I got a call, housekeeping was outside the room and wanted to know if they should knock. I was later told they are not allowed to knock even if you have requested something if the sign is up.
When I remember, I try to put up the DND sign. At the Westin Auckland, I had put it up prior to bed and then needed an item from housekeeping. After about 15 minutes I got a call, housekeeping was outside the room and wanted to know if they should knock. I was later told they are not allowed to knock even if you have requested something if the sign is up.
Mar 19, 2008, 6:17 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
And that's why I am hesitant to use the DND sign unless I really don't want to be bothered. Maybe they need to come up with a "please knock and wait" sign for properties whose staff aren't properly trained.
Mar 19, 2008, 7:14 pm
#14
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: AA EXP "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,923
At a Hilton last Sunday I didn't put up the DND as we were checking out. Sure enough, 8:30 am housekeeping tried to get in. Amazing since the day before they didn't arrive until 2:30 in the afternoon.
They also were very cheery but very, very loud for the next 2 hours shouting back and forth to each other and inflicting their good cheer on guests who ventured into the hallway magnificently blocked by two giant carts. Housekeepers on uppers early Sunday morning - very downhome, hon.
They also were very cheery but very, very loud for the next 2 hours shouting back and forth to each other and inflicting their good cheer on guests who ventured into the hallway magnificently blocked by two giant carts. Housekeepers on uppers early Sunday morning - very downhome, hon.
Mar 19, 2008, 7:34 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Hilton HHonors
Posts: 41
At a Hilton last Sunday I didn't put up the DND as we were checking out. Sure enough, 8:30 am housekeeping tried to get in. Amazing since the day before they didn't arrive until 2:30 in the afternoon.
They also were very cheery but very, very loud for the next 2 hours shouting back and forth to each other and inflicting their good cheer on guests who ventured into the hallway magnificently blocked by two giant carts. Housekeepers on uppers early Sunday morning - very downhome, hon.
They also were very cheery but very, very loud for the next 2 hours shouting back and forth to each other and inflicting their good cheer on guests who ventured into the hallway magnificently blocked by two giant carts. Housekeepers on uppers early Sunday morning - very downhome, hon.