Too much food and activities in too little time, how to do this hotel shop?

I feel for those who find out about the alcohol requirement after the shop. That happened to me on a dining shop one time. This is probably why I will not be doing hotel shops -- that and all the interactions and reporting required.

I did a local baseball game twice and a hockey game. I was up constantly with interactions with four ushers, buying something at two food stands, asking a question at customer service, etc. I didn't see half of the hockey game.

Knowing that, I was glad to do the easiest hotel shop ever last weekend. It was not an evaluation of the hotel, but of a keyless entry app. The shop was simple and the report was short. I figured this was my best chance to have a hotel shop, so I went for it.

I have done bar integrity as part of a dining shop that did not require that I buy an alcoholic drink, just that I buy a drink. I think if buying alcohol is required, it should be stated upfront in the shop description.

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Yeah...storming out is an awful idea. Way to make yourself memorable, plus, unless you are a gifted actor, it will just look odd. You have to at least appear to drink your drink. I second the comment to pour it out and fill with water. I would not have accepted this shop...

@SoCalMama wrote:

@pony123lucy wrote:

I have never done a hotel shop. This sounds like an awful lot of work for $50. Also, just curious -what is turn down service? If it is what I think it is who in God's name thinks they are special enough to warrant that?

I love turn down service! If I am paying over $500 a night for my room, I want it.

I just don't understand this. Perhaps I'm confused? It seems to me that calling someone to come turn down your bed and waiting for them to get there would take WAY more time that just doing it yourself. Perhaps I'm missing something?

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

You expect rich people to turn down their own bed? Thanks for the laugh.

@bgriffin wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

@pony123lucy wrote:

I have never done a hotel shop. This sounds like an awful lot of work for $50. Also, just curious -what is turn down service? If it is what I think it is who in God's name thinks they are special enough to warrant that?

I love turn down service! If I am paying over $500 a night for my room, I want it.

I just don't understand this. Perhaps I'm confused? It seems to me that calling someone to come turn down your bed and waiting for them to get there would take WAY more time that just doing it yourself. Perhaps I'm missing something?

They will completely refresh the room, replace the ice, dim the lights, put on soft music, fix the bed, put chocolates on my pillows, etc.
what's not to love?

The only thing on that list that interests me is the chocolate.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

You could always order something clear and small (vodka on the rocks) as well as a glass of water. Drink some of the water and when the bartender isn't looking, pour the vodka in the water glass. For the second drink, since you don't need to order another, just pour a little in the water glass and leave.

Just an idea. lol.

@SoCalMama wrote:

@bgriffin wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

@pony123lucy wrote:

I have never done a hotel shop. This sounds like an awful lot of work for $50. Also, just curious -what is turn down service? If it is what I think it is who in God's name thinks they are special enough to warrant that?

I love turn down service! If I am paying over $500 a night for my room, I want it.

I just don't understand this. Perhaps I'm confused? It seems to me that calling someone to come turn down your bed and waiting for them to get there would take WAY more time that just doing it yourself. Perhaps I'm missing something?

They will completely refresh the room, replace the ice, dim the lights, put on soft music, fix the bed, put chocolates on my pillows, etc.
what's not to love?

The narrative that comes with the chocolate, dimmed lights, new toiletries, ice, fresh towels, turned-down sheets (with possibly rose petals sprinkled on top of those 1000+ thread count sheets) and soft music playing in the background.

@rainy wrote:

You could always order something clear and small (vodka on the rocks) as well as a glass of water. Drink some of the water and when the bartender isn't looking, pour the vodka in the water glass. For the second drink, since you don't need to order another, just pour a little in the water glass and leave.

Just an idea. lol.

That's a terrible idea because many bars have video running the entire time. What if you get caught by the bartender?

And to address the above post, I don't mind a narrative. It's what gets me a $3000 weekend

Oh my. I am staying away from that last statement!

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

@SoCalMama wrote:

And to address the above post, I don't mind a narrative. It's what gets me a $3000 weekend

Love the $3,000.00 weekend, but if I had a choice of a $3,000.00 weekend without turn-down service and the accompanying narrative and a $3,000.00 weekend with turn-down service with the accompanying narrative, I think you know which one I would choose!

@rainy wrote:

You could always order something clear and small (vodka on the rocks) as well as a glass of water. Drink some of the water and when the bartender isn't looking, pour the vodka in the water glass. For the second drink, since you don't need to order another, just pour a little in the water glass and leave.

Just an idea. lol.

I have actually successfully done this before - when I was newly pregnant and obviously did not want to drink anything, but had a hotel shop. It was actually the owner/scheduler that suggested this plan to me. It worked fine. That said - I am totally comfortable sitting at a hotel bar (or any bar) - so that is probably more of the issue if someone is a non-drinker (the lack of comfort with a bar environment vs. the lack of actually being able to drink).

Regarding the idea of video - I suppose that is a valid point. Probably not a good idea in a casino bar where there is video everywhere. In my case it was a small boutique hotel in South America, doubtful that they had video.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/05/2015 05:49AM by MickeyB.

@SoCalMama wrote:

@rainy wrote:

You could always order something clear and small (vodka on the rocks) as well as a glass of water. Drink some of the water and when the bartender isn't looking, pour the vodka in the water glass. For the second drink, since you don't need to order another, just pour a little in the water glass and leave.

Just an idea. lol.

That's a terrible idea because many bars have video running the entire time. What if you get caught by the bartender?

It is not uncommon for people to order a drink and water separately, and they either drink the water straight or mix it themselves, so even if the bartender saw you mixing vodka and water, it would doubtfully raise any red flags. It may not be a good idea for a shop that may be video-taped by the client, though, especially if drinking alcohol is a requirement.

I don't think the dumping in the bathroom is all that bad of an idea either. Unless I was with a companion I trusted, there is no way I would leave a drink out of my sight at a bar and come back and drink it. With the concerns about lunatics drugging drinks, I am not sure it would raise any red flags. I think the OP did the best thing and notified the scheduler.

I have never done hotel shops as I don't travel much. Is $3,000 a common fee for a weekend with some hotel MS shops? Sounds like a nice paycheck for a weekend, even if lots and lots of interactions and narrative is required!

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/05/2015 06:12AM by rainy.

@rainy wrote:

I have never done hotel shops as I don't travel much. Is $3,000 a common fee for a weekend with some hotel MS shops? Sounds like a nice paycheck for a weekend, even if lots and lots of interactions and narrative is required!

I wouldn't go so far as to say it is common - far from it, but it is possible, and with regularity for different clients, and you are correct - lots and lots of interactions and narrative(s) required. [www.mysteryshopforum.com]

@Professional Guest wrote:

@rainy wrote:

I have never done hotel shops as I don't travel much. Is $3,000 a common fee for a weekend with some hotel MS shops? Sounds like a nice paycheck for a weekend, even if lots and lots of interactions and narrative is required!

I wouldn't go so far as to say it is common - far from it, but it is possible, and with regularity for different clients, and you are correct - lots and lots of interactions and narrative(s) required. [www.mysteryshopforum.com]

$3,000 is the fee for the shop? Not the reimbursed value of the hotel stay ? I would do these for a living for that sort of fee.

@sandyf wrote:

@Professional Guest wrote:

@rainy wrote:

I have never done hotel shops as I don't travel much. Is $3,000 a common fee for a weekend with some hotel MS shops? Sounds like a nice paycheck for a weekend, even if lots and lots of interactions and narrative is required!

I wouldn't go so far as to say it is common - far from it, but it is possible, and with regularity for different clients, and you are correct - lots and lots of interactions and narrative(s) required. [www.mysteryshopforum.com]

$3,000 is the fee for the shop? Not the reimbursed value of the hotel stay ? I would do these for a living for that sort of fee.

Ha! Wouldn't we all! Nope - reimbursed value, which I will take any day. Shop fee? Usually $75.00 to $150.00, with possible travel reimbursement, but for some shops I wouldn't care if the shop fee was a big fat "0"!

@sandyf wrote:

@Professional Guest wrote:

@rainy wrote:

I have never done hotel shops as I don't travel much. Is $3,000 a common fee for a weekend with some hotel MS shops? Sounds like a nice paycheck for a weekend, even if lots and lots of interactions and narrative is required!

I wouldn't go so far as to say it is common - far from it, but it is possible, and with regularity for different clients, and you are correct - lots and lots of interactions and narrative(s) required. [www.mysteryshopforum.com]

$3,000 is the fee for the shop? Not the reimbursed value of the hotel stay ? I would do these for a living for that sort of fee.

No, usually for something that expensive, it's around a $500 fee. The rest is reimbursed expenses.

@SoCalMama wrote:

@sandyf wrote:

@Professional Guest wrote:

@rainy wrote:

I have never done hotel shops as I don't travel much. Is $3,000 a common fee for a weekend with some hotel MS shops? Sounds like a nice paycheck for a weekend, even if lots and lots of interactions and narrative is required!

I wouldn't go so far as to say it is common - far from it, but it is possible, and with regularity for different clients, and you are correct - lots and lots of interactions and narrative(s) required. [www.mysteryshopforum.com]

$3,000 is the fee for the shop? Not the reimbursed value of the hotel stay ? I would do these for a living for that sort of fee.
No, usually for something that expensive, it's around a $500 fee. The rest is reimbursed expenses.

I have yet to do a hotel shop, but maybe it depends on the MSP? Are we talking about Coyle? Haha

Shopping Santa Barbara and Goleta, CA.

Not Coyle with $500 fees. Unless SoCalMama has way better negotiating skills than me! But $3000+ in reimbursed expenses happens with Coyle.

@bgriffin wrote:

I just don't understand this. Perhaps I'm confused? It seems to me that calling someone to come turn down your bed and waiting for them to get there would take WAY more time that just doing it yourself. Perhaps I'm missing something?

If they're good you shouldn't have to call to request it nor should you have to wait for it. It should be done while you're away for dinner. Our favorite turn-down service ever included wine the first night, chocolates nightly, and for our daughter, clean pajamas, towels folded into animal shapes and a different beanie baby toy each night.

@saacman5033 wrote:

@bgriffin wrote:

I just don't understand this. Perhaps I'm confused? It seems to me that calling someone to come turn down your bed and waiting for them to get there would take WAY more time that just doing it yourself. Perhaps I'm missing something?

If they're good you shouldn't have to call to request it nor should you have to wait for it. It should be done while you're away for dinner. Our favorite turn-down service ever included wine the first night, chocolates nightly, and for our daughter, clean pajamas, towels folded into animal shapes and a different beanie baby toy each night.

How cute!

Shopping Santa Barbara and Goleta, CA.

How do they know when you are at dinner?

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

Hidden cameras.

@bgriffin wrote:

How do they know when you are at dinner?

A lot of the 5* hotels have sensors that can tell when you are in the room, and it alerts housekeeping when you leave....

Some of you really know the intricacies of how hotels operates!

Can any of you recommend any MSC's for overnight stays? So far I have come across the following: Coyle, HS Brands, and Trendsource.

Shopping Santa Barbara and Goleta, CA.

Most hotel/resort shops I've done over the past 12 years require an additional adult guest so it helps if they are aware of the constraints so they can take notes and do some extra requirements like the spa massage, for example. I would suggest doing a few simpler ones before taking on the more extensive ones. It hurts when you do not get paid, trust me on that one!

Most of the hotel shops that I have done over the past 10 years do not require a second guest.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

@gojiberry wrote:

Some of you really know the intricacies of how hotels operates!

Can any of you recommend any MSC's for overnight stays? So far I have come across the following: Coyle, HS Brands, and Trendsource.

I can recommend Regal HG and B Business Solutions. Also, there was an extensive thread about hotels with many MSC's listed back around I believe July or August if you want to look for that thread.

One night hotel shops are too hectic. They should provide 2 nights minimum for the number of required tasks and observations.

Shopperfun,
Be careful what you wish for. In my experience two night hotel shops are 2.5 times as many interactions and report tend to be somewhat more detailed, with more complex guidelines.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

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Too much food and activities in too little time, how to do this hotel shop?

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