I’m at a conference this week (hobbling around on crutches still, unfortunately) in Atlanta, and it’s at very nice hotel. I almost wish it was at a Motel 6. Maybe I’m just getting older and crankier these days, but I litterally get upset at the absolutely atrocious prices they charge. I mean, I’m from Orlando, so I know (Micky) what gouging (Mickey) looks (Mickey) like. And yet, I’ve never seen prices this bad.
For example, know how much it costs to have a glass of Orange juice deliverred by room service? Go ahead, I’ll give you a second to guess.
$4.50. Oh yeah, and that’s before the 20% service charge, the 3.50 delivery fee, and the state sales tax. Yes, you will spend $10 getting a single glass of orange juice. I’m almost willing to pay the original gauge price. Not quite, but almost just due on the fact that I’m a cripple these days and getting around is such a hassle. Then they have to start adding ridiculous extra charges and fees on it. How does a place get away with such absurd practices? Maybe if more people got upset about it and didn’t pay they’d wake up, but obviously some people are paying anyway.
My per diem from work is $21/day for three meals. I think that means I could have an orange juice for breakfast and maybe a coke ($3+other fees) for lunch and a coke for dinner. Actually, that’d break the bank.
You can be DANG sure I’ll be taking advantage of the bottles of shampoo, conditioner, soaps, and teas every day. Anybody like gourmet coffee? Let me know and I’ll get you plenty.
I love gourmet coffee.
Left by Matt on June 6th, 2004
Maybe you should take some towels too.
Left by Eric on June 7th, 2004
I’d suppose that the room service pricing is not optimized for single orange juice purchases. The service charge is pretty standard for upscale places, and at least it means you don’t have to tip (in my experience that 20% is just an auto-tip), and if you were ordering a lot then the $3.50 delivery wouldn’t seem like so much. And there’s nothing you can do about the taxes. Now, granted, the original cost is pretty damn high, too, but it is an upscale place, and you get what you pay for.
Orlando is a really bad reference point. Orlando’s hotel prices are really, really low because of sheer volume of available rooms. Even Disney, for the service and access to services, isn’t all that expensive.
If you’re smart you’ll spend your per diem at 7-11, not on the Hyatt’s room service, even if you have to hobble there.
Left by John on June 7th, 2004
Oh heck yeah, I went to publix and purchased milk, oj, and cereal, snacks and drinks. Cost me $10 and it’ll cover breakfast and snacks and drinks for the three days.
I also found out there’s a hotel ‘courtesy car’ which I plan on taking advantage of heavily. Pretty sweet stuff; will drive you to any place within 2 miles of the hotel. I don’t think they’ll mind me taking advantage of it, being a crip and all.
Don’t think I’ll take the towels, but they are pretty darn nice.
Left by Jordan on June 7th, 2004
Disabled people always get the best deal
Left by TheMole on June 8th, 2004