Survey: Bibles, Condoms & Turn-downs Top List Of Hotel Guest Gripes

A new study by New Zealand hotel chain Rees Hotels has identified the biggest likes and gripes of its paying guests.

When it comes to the things hotel guests like the most, free Wi-Fi topped the survey’s list. Next was complimentary breakfast, car parking, a room with a view and daily housekeeping.

The items and amenities that made the least favourite list were the in-room Bible, a turn-down service and the complimentary magazine selection.

Some 64 per cent of respondents admitted to nicking stuff from their hotel rooms.

“So often we think we know what people want, but when you actually go to the market you actually find out – and some of the results were surprising” Rees general manager Mark Rose said of the survey results.

However, as Rees noted, the survey was primarily filled out by employed women aged in their forties. Some 73 per cent of respondents were female with the over 75s and under-21s the least likely to respond.

The list of “funniest, weirdest or strangest hotel amenity” was long, varied and appeared to cover the breadth of the world’s hotel inventories and cultural expectations.

Many guests were surprised the sight of condoms in the mini bar and thought hotel shower caps were “very 1980’s”.

Another recalls a coconut placed in the room that read “Don’t disturb”. Las Vegas amenities were unforgettable. One party received a “gun and gentlemen’s club guide, in a sketchy hotel off the Strip”.

The USA definitely lives up to its name being the land of the free – “free ladies under wear” provided by housekeeping apparently.

Musical bathrooms were a common theme in Japan hotels due to memories of toilet rolls that played music “every time you used it” and “singing toilet seats”. Free teddy bears, face cloths folded into animals and “animal PJ’s” made many laugh upon discovery. So did a pair of brand new crocs – ready for the taking.

Mechanical contraptions in-room had some perturbed. One guest upon opening his door was greeted with the sight of a “putter and practice target machine”. Another couple, got the keys to their apartment to find a fully operational “bread maker which contained freshly baked bread” on arrival.

Others spotted paradoxes such as brand spanking new ashtrays in a non-smoking hotel room. The most frightening amenity was “a very scary looking large knife which was apparently a letter opener”. This contrasted with a tale about a cat in the room “to make me feel at home” and a selection of back scratchers and bath salts for comfort.

A practical touch was the “Luggage weigher – a really great addition” said one traveller. Complimentary yoga mats and iPhones “to take with you from the hotel for GPS maps” also struck a popular chord. The most unusual was “fresh rose petals?! What am I supposed to do with those?!”

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Rees Hotels Tourism Australia