Suggestions for what to take

I am doing an overnight shop where I have to rate the luggage delivery service. Last time, I had a small carryon with wheels and no one offered to take my luggage. It would be silly to ask them to wheel it up for me. So, I am trying to think of something I can take that would trigger them to assist with my luggage. Taking more than one suitcase for a one night stay would be excessive. Maybe I should borrow a giant wedding dress. ????

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I think a wedding dress would be a bit much. So many questions. Having two bags for an overnight isn't as odd. If you are near an airport, you're on a layover. Or it's work stuff that you lug around. No one is going to ask why you have two bags, so the explanation is more for you anyway.

I take 2 suitcases, and in one of them I pack a king size pillow, my fluffy robe, and a lightweight blanket, along with a pair of close toed shoes for weight. In the other suitcase I pack my normal clothes and toiletries. I also bring my laptop. That's a lot of stuff to handle, and they akways offer assistance.

Edited to add that if asked, I am stopping for the night on my road trip to NY or Chicsgo, or somewhere else (I live in Ohio) to visit family or friends, or for work. Or maybe flying out in the morning if the hotel is near the airport. But no one seems to think that it's odd for me to have 2 suitcases.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2019 04:18AM by JASFLALMT.

A suitcase, a laptop, a large purse, and a garment bag. Sales reps often cart samples around in suitcases so having more than one isn't unusual. Will it be cold enough for you to wear a coat and take it off while checking in so you have one more item to need help with?

No one will ask. Bellmen and front desk staff don't usually ask questions - the bell staff just wants to be tipped well.

I wonder if the bellhops even know how may days you have checked in for. When I've checked in, I don't recall ever having the front desk person telling them anything other than asking them to assist me.

Many one night hotel stays are part of a longer trip for a large portion of the guests. So two, or even more, bags will raise no questions at all.

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.

I have found a few bellman at certain hotels who are trained to make small talk with guests on the elevator (unless they take the luggage up without you while you are still checking in). I usually do have a backstory in case they ask if I am doing anything fun while at the hotel or for the purpose of my visit. They never ask why I have 2 bags, though.

Thank you! I will take a garment bag (it doesn't have wheels, so is cumbersome) a suitcase and a laptop bag.

btw, folks... If you have a cane, even if you do not need one, use it as you walk slowly (or limp) toward the door/front desk. Or, show it to whoever welcomes you at your vehicle. They should understand, immediately, that you will want assistance with luggage. If they do not, they are not very good at their job.

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.

I actually threw my back out about 2 weeks ago, the morning i was supposed to check in on a hotel assignment. As someone who has pretended to have a bad back for years, it gave me a lot of insight into how to make that convincing.

As Wales suggested...just walk slowly. I think I was probably wincing when I slowly stepped out of the car and the bellman ran over grab my roller bag for me. It also gave me reason to call down for ice, ask how late the jacuzzi was open, inquire about the nearest place to get Advil, eat all my meals at the hotel, etc.

That said, when I am driving to a hotel evaluation, I have a file box in my office that's full of papers. I have labeled something like "receipts and invoices 2016". It's probably 30 lbs and there's no way it's getting to the room without a bell cart, so I toss it in the back of the car in case I need to ask for help. It also helps with the cover story of why I am checking into a local hotel; I moved recently and am back to see my tax accountant.

Though I didn't need it for the last hotel, I could not even get the box out of my car for a week afterward! (FYI; I threw my back back out picking up a sock, not loading the heavy box into my car. Now I really feel old!)

I am a well-built guy and these bellman never bat an eye when I walk to them asking for luggage service for my duffel bag and business backpack whenever they don't openly offer bell services.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

At any moment when you have a free hand, you can press it on whatever part of your back you can reach. You can set something down, grab a knee, elbow or shoulder. Shake that poor abused hand that had to hold the suitcase! I have an actual back thing, and occasionally, other parts are sore and tender. I know from these things.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu

@SteveSoCal wrote:

(FYI; I threw my back back out picking up a sock, not loading the heavy box into my car. Now I really feel old!)

Dang!! You've got some heavy socks! Cement shoes I've heard of but....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2019 06:30PM by sestrahelena.

I never have a problem with this and often shop baggage service in the many hotel shops I do. At a minimum, I pack one suitcase, one briefcase, and one backpack. Sometimes I also pack a locker bag for working out at the hotel's gym.

I've packed a body pillow and a regular sleeping pillow just to fill up one large suitcase to have enough bags to need help.

I love packing pillows and my blankie, nothing feels better when away.

You would be surprised at how many travelers bring their own pillows when they check into the hotel.

Oh, don't forget to bring some dress shoes that need shining. If the hotel offers it complimentary, that's ~$10 in my pocket from having to spend the time and materials to do it myself, or save money from paying someone to do it.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

You could "leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

Or not.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu

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