Technology « Travel insider

Top 10 five-star hotel pet peeves

18 February 2010 at 4:00 pm (Cities, Food and drink, hotels, London, Luxury, Technology)

Light? Fantastic! The Scarlet, Cornwall

Whether you’ve saved up for that luxury trip of a lifetime or you wouldn’t dream of bedding down in anything less than a five-star, these hotel hassles can make your holiday more irritating than illuminating (literally)

Lighting

Of course we all look dreamier in a dim glow, but the obsession that five-star villas and hotels have to make every night feel like date night is extremely irritating. Packing, unpacking, getting dressed, putting on make-up, shaving, finding that contact lens you dropped, finding your LBD buried among your other LB clothes: these all require light! And some of these things, I even do at night (quelle surprise!), so no matter how much sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, by 9pm, I can’t see a damned thing. At least 70 per cent of luxury hotels do not have adequate lighting. Mood lighting is fine, but if you don’t provide additional, practical, bright light in EVERY room, then my only mood will be bad. (PS My vision is 20/20. Imagine if it wasn’t!)

Light switches

While we’re on the subject of lighting, effing light switches. Not only are all bulbs dimmer than a tealight, but you have to spend an hour playing with the switches to figure out what turns on what. To truly enjoy the comforts of a five-star, you need to be a master electrician (The Scarlet in Cornwall being a notable exception, with clearly labelled lighting controls). And there are invariably those switches that do nothing, and the ones that make no sense (why is my bedroom wall light switched on and off from behind the CLOSED door of the adjacent room?!) Label everything clearly, please.

Tipping

Should I tip when I leave? If so, how much? What about in the restaurant of an all-inclusive resort? And to the driver? The spa therapist? The bus boy? The concierge? Look, I’ve only been in your country five minutes. I’ve been too busy to read the guidebooks, and they rarely tell you much anyway. I don’t even have my head around the currency. Just give me some kind of bloody guide as to who I might consider tipping, how much, and when. If every bill comes with a ‘tip’ section as I sign, how much do I tip? And if I’m also paying a service charge at the end, have I just undertipped by not adding a tip, or am I overtipping by adding one (not to mention that I can’t afford to tip every five minutes – I’ve just paid for your uber-expensive resort as a treat, remember)? And I have no idea how much the staff or local wages are, so how am I to know if £5 is a cheapie tip or an outrageously generous one? If I leave one big tip at the end, does it get shared among all the staff? And if I put it on the credit card, how much do the staff REALLY receive? Come on and give me a clue. Better still, email me a guide before the trip so I’m prepared with change to give the porters, if necessary. (And to the smuggins who are just about to write in that you ALWAYS need to tip. Think again. In some countries, such as Japan, it is literally insulting.)

Face cloths, cotton buds and cotton balls

I need to wash my face, and I’d like to do it without getting water all over my clothes. Some hotels provide face cloths (or wash cloths or flannels – whatever you want to call them), but they are sadly lacking in many, especially European luxury hotels. And while most provide cotton buds and cotton balls, lately, they seem to come in these little plastic packages of three or four each. Just put out a jar full of cotton buds and a jar of cotton balls. Less waste, and I won’t feel so bad for using just the one I need.

Wi-fi Guest entry from James Ellis (http://worldofjames.com/)

When oh when will hotel chains wise up to wifi? Connectivity is now as much a part of every day life as breathing, so allow us to metaphorically breathe by giving us free wifi. In fact, bugger the wire, I just want free internet access. When I’m paying a small fortune for a hotel room, there is nothing more annoying than being nickel and dimed for internet charges. For almost everyone I know, free internet is worth a million little chocolates left on the pillow – which only leave a mess when you roll in drunk anyway. It’s going to take one of the big chains like IHG or Hilton to break the mould and then everyone else will have to follow. But until then, the fact they can’t see they’d gain more than they’d lose in the positive PR spin they could put on a wholesale shift to free internet access is, quite frankly, a right Royal pain.

For the remaining five pet peeves, see http://worldofjames.com/2010/02/18/five-star-pet-peeves/

4 Comments

Must-have ski gadgets

5 January 2010 at 11:29 am (Fitness, Skiing, Technology)

Skiing without gadgets last year

Whether you’re a first-time skier or a backcountry pro, these gadgets just might make your snowsports holiday a bit more enjoyable. I’m trying all these in two weeks, so will report back then on how well each one worked.

Save your shins: ski-boot comfort

Snowboarders won’t need these, but if your shins are black and blue after a day on the slopes, these could be a life-saver. I’m going to try two different types, and will report which is best. These cost around £6-15.

http://www.sandownactivesports.com/shop.php/accessories/shin-shield-extra-shin-comfort-for-ski-boots/p_521.html

http://www.ski-angel.com

Ski-boot buckle closer

People (mostly men) with strong forearms won’t need this, but if you’ve ever struggled to get your bloody ski boot buckles closed, or caught your finger in the buckle when you finally managed to get it shut, this could be a godsend – and at just £2 (+£2 postage per order), it’s a bargain.

http://www.boottool.com

Video sunglasses

These are a bit more expensive than the rest of my ski gadgets (starting at around £35 if you nab the current end-of-line ones, but the better quality ones are around £89). But if you want to improve your ski technique, seeing a video of your skiing can be a big help. You

can buy pricey helmet cameras, but these built into sunglasses seem like a much safer option for someone who might well have a few stumbles on the slopes – and they’re far cheaper!

http://www.coolkit.co.uk/

Off the slopes: walking on ice

Shoe grips for walking on ice in the village. Last year, a friend of mine hurt her wrist badly falling on the icy pavements in Val d’Isere on the way to dinner. She couldn’t ski for two days. These are £20. You can get cheaper ones, but make sure to read the reviews. Some snap easily.
http://www.skiweb.uk.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=261

Not a gadget, but very useful

Members of the excellent Ski Club of Great Britain (http://www.skiclub.co.uk) get discoutns on most of the items listed above, plus loads of other benefits (including discounts on holidays, free ski guding in some resorts, etc). I don’t work for Ski Club or have any professional link to them, but I do think they’re a brilliant resource for British skiers. Annual membership is around £50, but you usually recoup that easily with the discounts and extras offered.

How to procrastinate

17 December 2009 at 8:50 pm (journalism, Technology)

Sure, journalists are deadline driven. But for many of us, that means faffing around until OH MY GOD THIS ARTICLE IS DUE TOMORROW!!! If there was a journalist hero, it would have to be Scarlet O’Hara, with her ‘After all, tomorrow is another day’ mentality.

For people who are not so adept at this skill, there are ways to procrastinate that make you feel like you’re working and/or still being productive. Here are a few:

1. Check your company’s and competitor’s Twitter feeds. Make sure to reply and retweet where relevant.

2. Tidy up your email – delete unwanted ones, file the others, update your address book.

3. In the same vein, tidy up your computer desktop. Search for large, unwanted files to delete, and so on. Check for software updates and install them.

4. Make a cup of tea. Then rearrange your tea bags so the herbal ones are separate from the caffeinated ones, which will save valuable seconds next time you come to make a cup of tea.

5. Read relevant magazines and newspapers. In my case, these would mostly be travel mags, so a pleasant diversion. If you are, say, a civil engineer, your reading might be less interesting, so you might want to skip this step.

6. Surf the net for useful blogs related to your work and/or the thing you’re trying to avoid doing.

7. Try to figure out the purpose of Google Wave.

8. Make sure you have all the most useful work-related apps on your phone, such as Facebook, TweetDeck, Spider, and so on.

9. Call, text or email any friends whose birthdays you’ve missed recently. Not work-related, but personally productive.

10. As you will no doubt be working late, call or email friends to cancel plans.

Can you add to this list? It’s a topic I often need ideas for.

5 Comments

Lisbon twitter trip

27 November 2009 at 5:33 pm (Cities, Food and drink, journalism, Technology, Twitter)

Mission: Weekend in Lisbon with no guidebook, research or planning

Resources: Mobile phone, phone apps, blagging skills, caffeine

See the video here: http://bit.ly/6pFLOC

FRIDAY 5PM

Jill (@uktraveleditor) At Luton Airport. I’ve just found out I’m headed to Lisbon for my TwiTrip. Hotel or restaurant suggestions? I’ll be landing in 2 hours.

HOTEL

@ti_travel for Lisbon we love Pestana Palace http://bit.ly/tWr2k, York House http://bit.ly/K61zD & Solar do Castelo http://bit.ly/biXqR

@lewisshields If you fancy a v centrel b&b – www.zuzabed.com come very highly recommended

@JCreatureTravel Hotel Fantana Park, Altis Belem Hotel and Internacional Design Hotel. Love ‘em all. Portugal is 1 of my specialties.

@Traveltimestravel Lisbon has some great value boutique hostels – watch our video of the best http://cli.gs/a3jHSN

@Blogography I stay at the Britania Hotel on R. Rodrigues Sampaio in Lisbon. Highest possible recommendation!

@EliteTravelGal best hotel in Lisbon is The Ritz (a Four Seasons). 2nd best is Lapa Palace

@YorkHouseLisboa It will be a pleasure if you could stay with us at York House Lisboa http://ow.ly/qMCr

@kayestarley On my first trip outside the US in 1972, I stayed at the Lisbon Ritz. Lovely!

@ti_travel Bairro Alto Hotel http://bit.ly/3s7bUA and TiaraHotels’ own Tiara Park Atlantic http://bit.ly/VPcrH also fabulous!

@TeresaThotel I will give you my favs… Boutique: York House; Design: Fontana Park or Altis Belem, Luxury: Bairro Alto

@iescape Lisbon – love BairroAlto Hotel – this is a great funky hotel http://bit.ly/mzXn1 and this in Alfama http://bit.ly/dgRWJ

@iescape One of our team got engaged at Solar do Castelo in Lisbon

@davidchild Lisbon luxury boutique hotel: Tivoli Lisboa http://bit.ly/1mjK3v and for a break to Sintra Tivoli Palácio de Seteais http://bit.ly/tjKlZ

@chaletlaforet try Deborah’s blog – her apartments are lovely, no doubt food recs are too! http://visitingportugal.typ…

@KCKiwiGirl Only thing I know about Lisbon is a fab boutique hostel called Living Lounge – friend recommended it! http://bit.ly/ANYlr

@About_Lisbon Send me your email so i can send you great/charm places to eat (not too expensive) and hotels:

@About_Lisbon (off Twitter via email) www.bairroaltohotel.com This hotel places you in the very earth of Lisbon right next to the best restaurants in the area. Right next to it is also the Bairro Alto neighborhood, the coolest place is Lisbon to go out at night. This hotel has the best outdoor bar on the top floor and the view is something else. It’s located in Chiado, the most damaged area during the 1755 earthquake. This area has been rebuilted a couple o years ago and its great to walk arround during the night.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Thx for suggestions! Just booked into the Four Seasons Ritz. On my way from airport in taxi now! Dinner?

@TeresaThotel Very good choice!!!!! The best 5 star in Lisbon at the moment.

@YorkHouseLisboa Four Seasons! You will be in good hands! Make room in your agenda for the spa.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Four Seasons Ritz is fab! Exterior dull, but interior glam, and stunning city views from Grd Flr spa/pool to 11^thFlr gym/rooftop jog track!

…Room is gorgeous, with huge bed, bath & wardrobe. Port and pasties de nata as a welcome! Scoffed on balcony overlooking city and park.

DINNER

@TeresaThotel restos: Eleven (upscale), Bica Sapato (trendy), Tavares (a classic) Travessa(mix), Clube Fado (fado), York House(Portuguese)

@ceciliemo Lisbon restaurant: Restô do Chapitô in Alfama http://bit.ly/19tyt2

@YorkHouseLisboa We would be very pleased to have you here for a lunch or dinner. Do you have space on the agenda?

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @YorkHouseLisboa How far are you from Ritz Four Seasons? Maybe tonight?

@YorkHouseLisboa 10 to 15 minutes driving distance. Tonight will be fine. How many people and hour?

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @YorkHouseLisboa I don’t have a car. Is there a bus or tram?

@YorkHouseLisboa Bus 727 from Marques Pombal, bus stop Braamcamp Street (+/- 0,38 miles) and hop off at Janelas Verdes Street at our door…

@YorkHouseLisboa … this bus only works until midnight, so the way back to the Four Seasons maybe requires a taxi. On Bus watch your stuff.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @YorkHouseLisboa Do you have veggie options? If so, then two people at 9pm tonight?

@YorkHouseLisboa Link to menu http://ow.ly/s8Re veggie options covered by chef. See you at 9 at 32 Janelas Verdes Street, if no one at door, just ring.

@TeresaThotel Portugal is small so we have wines from every region in Lisbon. I saw dinner at York House good place for good wine

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Arrived in Lisbon. Fantastic dinner at @yorkhouselisboa. Heading back to Ritz. What should we see/do tomorrow on our 1st day in Lisbon?

SATURDAY 8AM

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Lisbon twitrip. Need suggestions for top sights, bars, restos, trendy areas, things to do, touristy places/areas to avoid.

MARKETS

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Having world’s most scrumptious breakfast buffet at Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon. Need to walk it off. Any Lisbon markets we should visit?

Alwaysbethinkin I hear the Feira da Ladra flea market is good on Saturdays. It’s on Campo de Santa Clara street near the Alfama district. Take 28 tram.

TeresaThotel Mercado da Ribeira (a market) near Cais do Sodré

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @Alwaysbethinking @TeresaThotel cheers for lisbon Market recs!

LUNCH

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Feira da Ladra was grt fun, so thx @Alwaysbethinking. Bought Xmas pressies and crazy cabbage-shaped soup tureen. Lunch ideas anyone?

@About_Lisbon (via email) Restaurants: 560 http://www.restaurante560.com/; Sacramento http://www.sacramentodochiado.com/; Velha Gruta (building next to the hotel) Viagem dos Sabores http://www.lifecooler.com/portugal/restaurantes/RestauranteViagemdeSabores

@Golisbon Please check our restaurant recommendations here & ask if you need anything: http://www.golisbon.com/foo…

@BoccaLisboa Light lunch in Lisbon http://twitpic.com/j1svk Salmon wrap with yogrt & herb sauce, baby leaves, pea and coconut milk cream.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @BoccaLisboa That looks delicious. Room for us at lunch? Two people, one veggie, 1pm. Is that OK?

@BoccaLisboa We will prepare some special vegetarian dishes. See you at 1pm.

@CeliaPedroso I forgot to tell you about this place: If you like wine it’s a place not to be missed www.chafarizdovinho.com/en/…

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @BoccaLisboa Should we ask for anyone when we arrive, or is the reservation just in my name?

@BoccaLisboa The reservation will be under your name but i’ll be waiting for you. My name is Pedro.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Just had a fantastic amuse bouche at Bocca, Lisbon: red fruit mousse with strawberry, balsamic and basil salsa – delish!

SIGHTS, ACTIVITIES

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Most divine meal at Bocca. Modern gourmet Portuguese, Michelin-quality. Any must-sees/dos in Lisbon this weekend? First time here.

@karenbryan RT @UKtraveleditor Lisbon twitrip prep suggestions for top sights, bars, restos, trendy areas, things to do, places/areas to avoid.

@CeliaPedroso Visit also the Berardo Museum (modern art) in Belém, you’re probably going there for the famous Pastéis de Belém café

@CeliaPedroso The museum is free, the collection is quite good and has just opened a new exhibition about Amália, the fado singer

@TeresaThotel Just walk around. Lisbon has 7 hills All up and down with irregular sidewalks.

@RuteMJF http://bit.ly/DKVFP T&L guide has several very good suggestions for #Lisbon

@Andrewghayes A walk along the river is great, so is the view by Santa Justa’s Elevator, free wine at Sala Ogival, & drinks in Bairro Alto

@TeresaThotel Sights Belem, St George Castle, S. Pedro Alcantara Belvedere, Chiado, Bairro Alto districts… Sintra out lisbon a must…

@TeresaThotel some ways to tour lisbon: tram (red touristic lines) or tram 28 (regular line), walking tours http://ow.ly/s5wY side car www.gocartours.com

@TeresaThotel Last note: like in all cities take good care of your belongings, avoid empty areas at night, and be aware for pickpockets.

@karenbryan Enjoy Lisbon hope you get good Twitter tips, when I’ve requested travel tips on Twitter sometimes great response others not.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Thanks for brilliant #lisbon tips! Feel for to send more as you think of them.

MONASTERY

@andrewghayes make sure you have the pasteis at the original place. SO good, with a steaming hot coffee. AMAZING.

@nikkib RT @JamesSnodgrass: not a restaurant, but pasteisdebelem.pt for world famous custard tarts

@TeresaThotel Dont miss custard tarts in Belem, it’s worth the long queue

@JFKAE …must go eat “Pasteis de Belem”…

CASTLE

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Omg, the pasteis de Nata in belem, Lisbon was divine best ever. We think we can see a castle from our room at Ritz. Worth a visit?

@BoccaLisboa That’s São Jorge Castle. It’s amust in Lisboa. Also it’s sorroundings. Take the tram from Chiado.

@CeliaPedroso Yes, absolutely, go to S.Jorge Castle on 28 tram (but beware of pickpockets…)

Jill (@uktraveleditor) @BoccaLisboa @ CeliaPedroso thanks for castle info! Heading there now.

SUNDAY PLANNING

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Last day in Lisbon tomorrow. Any suggestions?

@TeresaThotel When are you going to surf?

Jill (@uktraveleditor) You can surf in Lisbon?! Where?

@TeresaThotel Not city centre, but Carcavelos and Guinhco beaches on the outskirts. Depending on swell. Guincho for windsurf kitesurf.

@About_Lisbon Surf lessons 20 miles from lisbon (i like it) http://www.7essencia.com/

@TeresaThotel See Guincho Beach here http://ow.ly/s6Ot

@TeresaThotel Carcavelos – Angels Surf School from Marcos Anastacio (former pro surfer) mobile +351 96 268 11 13….

SATURDAY NIGHT

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Just walked the castle ramparts in Lisbon. Amazing views over the city. Now going try to sort evening. Any suggs for bars/clubs?

@About_Lisbon Bar open till 00h in the Hotel Regency next to the Chiado Galleries. 7th floor, has amazing view over city, castle, avenues & river.

@robertmbates Best ginjinha in the city is tiny booth at top of Largo de Sao Domingos – con frutta! Portas Largos bar = fab mojitos

@TeresaThotel Bar recom the unique Pavilhao chines at Principe Real, not trad bar, but great for gathering friends, great tea & cocktails

Jill (@uktraveleditor) When I met Pedro @BoccaLisboa for lunch earlier, he said Lux was the hottest nightclub in the city. Anybody been?

@Alwaysbethinkin Haven’t been to Lux, but I hear it’s very hard to get into. No guest list and massive queues.

@BoccaLisboa Try Cinco Lounge. Great cocktails!

@CeliaPedroso If you still outdoors, you should try tonight or tomorrow the Urban Beach, a very nice bar by the river

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Lux nightclub.. Ritz concierge can’t get us onto guest list. They say we just have to turn up, queue & hope they let us in Any other ideas?

@AlbatrozHotels try 21 8820 890, nobody answer because was to early. Night life starts much later

@BoccaLisboa If you’re in Bairro Alto, look for a restaurant called… [name deleted] Ask for a man called….[name deleted] He’s the co-owner of Lux!

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Brilliant! Lux sorted, thanks to @boccalisboa – and all thx to the magic of Twitter.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Just left Lux, which was hilarious. I had a boogie with some b-boys and saw a comedy Michael Jackson. Brilliant. But no point going til 3am.

SUNDAY 10AM

Jill (@uktraveleditor) OMG I’ve had about four hours sleep after night/morn at Lux, and must now head off to surf lesson. Yawn. Lunch ideas near Carcavelos?

SURFING

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Sadly, the surf wasn’t up. Hardly any waves, so not much hanging 10. Beautiful sandy beach and warm water, though.

LUNCH

@TeresaThotel Have a friend at Albatroz Hotel www.albatrozhotels.com in Cascais that will be pleased to welcome you for lunch

@TeresaThotel Carcavelos beach is around 20 minutes on train from Cascais.

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Lovely lunch at hotel albatroz in cascais. Beautiful setting and great views over sea. Now going back to lisboa centre.

DEPARTURE

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Using just phone, what a great way to see a city. Best tips ever, mostly from Tweeters. Thx so much!

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Highlights: Service, views & breakfast at Four Seasons Ritz; romantic dinner setting at @YorkHouseLIsboa; world-class lunch at @boccalisboa…

Jill (@uktraveleditor) …Feira de Ladra market good for bargains; trying original pasties de nata – divine; Lux nightclub after 3am

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Lowlights: lack of sleep! Lux before 2am very dull; lost cabbage soup tureen bought from market; phone battry nrly died; not enough time!

Jill (@uktraveleditor) Great Lisbon tweeps: #Follow Friday #FF @CeliaPedroso @ti_travel @boccalisboa @YorkHouseLisboa @TeresaThotel @AlbatrozHotels @About_Lisbon

DETAILS

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, Lisbon
http://www.fourseasons.com/lisbon/ +351 21 381 1423

York House Hotel and Restaurant
http://www.yorkhouselisboa.com/ +351 21 396 24 35

Bocca Restaurant and Bar
http://www.bocca.pt/ +351 21 380 8383

Pasteis de Belem, cafe next to Jerónimos Monastery
http://www.pasteisdebelem.pt/ +351 21 363 7423

Castelo de São Jorge
www.castelosaojorge.egeac.pt +351 218 800 620 / 2 / 3 / 5

Lux nightclub
http://www.luxfragil.com/ +351 218 820 890

Angel Surf School
www.angelsurfschool.com +351 96 268 1113

Hotel Albatroz Cascais
http://www.albatrozhotels.com/en/hotel-cascais.php +351 21 484 73 80

PHONE APPLICATIONS

Omaps offline maps
http://appshopper.com/navigation/omaps-offline-maps

Xe.com currency converter
http://www.xe.com/iphone/

TweetDeck
http://tweetdeck.com/beta/

iTranslate
http://appshopper.com/productivity/itranslate-2

<!–[if !mso]> <! st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } –> Mission: Weekend in Lisbon with no guidebook, research or planning