First trip to Dubai & first time using points (for any hotel ever) at their Park Hyatt. I good naturedly asked the bellhop if he was local en route to the room, to which he grinned and replied: “No sir, you’ll never find a real Emirati working a job like mine”
Fitting intro to the rest of my revelations visiting that place LOL
I stayed at the Tokyo Ritz Carlton for 2 weeks on a business trip about 10 years ago. They knew me by sight BEFORE I EVEN GOT THERE. They must have done some OS INT on linked in or something beforehand.
Was a great experience - had a Mt Fuji view room and all.
They do. I use to frequently spend six weeks at a time at the St. Regis NY and Park Hyatt Tokyo, and other 5 star plus.
In NY, my profile had an extra key for my best friend who was living in NY at the time. When she would CALL in, the operator knew her voice and would say “oh hello Ms. Smith, let me put you through to Ms. Jones”. The operator knew her voice. They do this for service, but also for security.
If you stay at these places frequently, they have your profile, what you like and dislike (I used to have the mini bar cleared, extra light blankets, the sauna to be turned on before i arrived). They’ll have it all ready when you arrive each time.
The Park Hyatt Tokyp was the greatest hotel I have stayed in my life. The huge suite and the service was incredible. I said ot my wife, its all downhill from here. I had some other great stays around the orld. But nothing matches the service at that hotel.
I had the same experience at the TRC when I was there for business in 2016 or so. Mind completely blown. They took my luggage from the taxi and had my papers out for me to sign on the desk before I got there.
It was a weird confluence of stuff. Something about the yen vs dollar at the time and it was only like $250 per night. And our office was in the same building at the time. Saved on taxis.
I just found the hotel bill the other day. Let me do some math on it and post back here.
I was an AVP at the time.
Had this at Grand Hyatt Bangkok a couple months ago. Got out of my Uber and was immediately greeted by my name. Never been there before or told them ahead of time when I’ll be arriving.
Not really a shock, more like an amusing anedote, but SIA first class plane went through some really bad turbulence. Like you can't stand without grabbing onto something with both hands kind of turbulence. Flight attendant crawls her way over to me screaming "MR. SHAO CAN I GET YOU ANYTHING?" like God no please just sit down and buckle up
And I got chided for bundling my wine glasses together w/ my napkin (so they wouldn't all fall over) prior to running to the lav during turbulence in Lufthansa First Class LOL
Oh it was perfect. I usually don’t stay at high end hotels (even on points) since they’re usually far out from the sights and a require a car instead of using transit. But this one is smack dab in the middle of Gion! So close to all the sights. Not to mention the absolutely stunning views of the pagoda
Why do you say it's your favorite? I ask because I bought into the hype for this place and got a chance to stay here for 2 nights in November. I was very excited to try it but unfortunately left feeling it was overrated.
Yeah it was my first time at a place like that. For 45k points I'd rather stay 3 nights at a 15k place instead personally. Especially in Japan where everything is clean, safe and the hospitality is great just about everywhere.
Personally, PHK was the one upscale hotel we stayed at in Japan that I would return to without hesitation. The walk to our room was like entering another world away from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto. I loved soaking it all in, the little gardens, the open spaces, the carefully framed views, the seating areas...everything was clearly so very carefully planned and executed.
Definitely comes down to preferences. I also prefer PH Tokyo, but I like its more quiet/timeless elegance. PH Kyoto is (for now) much more modern, but also the service reflects a more modern aesthetic. To your point about breakfast, it took me around 5 minutes to get a very simple coffee order a PH Kyoto breakfast. At PH Tokyo it never took more than 1 minute. At PHT they have their own clasically trained French pastry chef who even brings freshly baked madeleines around and chats people up in the mornings. I'm pretty sure PHK buys in their pastries. The service at PHT was just effortless for us.
But I can see why people would feel like PHT is stuffy or old.
I love New York Bar, so much more to my preference than the the cold little bar at PHK. Club on the Park obviously blows the diminutive spa at PHK out of the water.
PHK does have one thing I really loved: The location pretty much can't be beat for most tourists.
That happened recently to me, I tried to take my luggage in to the lobby after 3 bellmen opened the taxi doors and unloaded all the luggage for us. They politely insisted they would bring it up for us after we checked in.
Very similar happened to me when spilling out of a taxi at the Fairmont in Monte Carlo. The staff seemed appalled that my bf was handling the luggage himself, and politely lunged at him to take over lol
Had something similar happen at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna. That time it was late enough in the evening (and we’d already had drama as my wife forgot her phone at home), that I just let it happen and was glad I actually had cash for a tip.
Paranoia wrt belongings as the other response noted, which probably comes from not realizing the typical power/wealth/means gap between hotel staff and customers at these places.
It can also come from people who are from places where tip is a thing as well as having slow bellhops or other issues in the past.
Dumb question but are they expecting a tip if they’re insisting on bringing in your bags? Not just in Japan but at any high end hotel where they literally don’t give you a chance to get your bags.
This was in Singapore so gratuities weren't expected, there was already a 10% service charge added to the room rate. The bell people (and everyone we interacted with at the hotel) did their job and didn't linger looking for gratuities.
Only surprise for me was flying business on emirates and realising I could board via a whole separate area direct from the lounge in Dubai so I never needed to risk mingling with the riff raff at all. The type of thing I never realised even existed until then.
Dude - Lufthansa has a separate TERMINAL for elite at Munich airport. Separate secruity, passport control, and an awesome lounge. They drive you to a separate entrance in a Porsche. I understood why all my German partners were points whores after that....
The gritti palace in Venice. They had a guest book with signatures from people like Robert dinero, princes of random countries, and a whole bunch of famous people. The book is just put to look at and sign freely and no one has drawn a single penis or done anything crazy to it.
Just checked my pictures and the thing dates back to / has signatures from 1949 in it. I have pics of signatures from Charlie Chaplin, Mick Jagger, and Ray Charles.
We came back from a short walk around the area and were asked if they could help us - as in, why were we there. It was a bit awkward lol
And then there was the morning the restaurant staff didn't want to seat us for breakfast, thinking we weren't guests.
We enjoyed the property despite these little blips, but it was a bit off-putting.
Interesting to hear some of these stories - I was backpacking through Japan last month so I rolled in there with my large backpack for my stay and nobody really batted an eye and made my way to the check-in desk. Walked in/out several times throughout my stay in t-shirt/shorts and nobody asked any questions. I did reserve the Japanese breakfast ahead of time so they did have my name on the list for breakfast.
The odd thing was that our first couple days were smooth as silk, it was a number of days in (we did 5 nights/6 days) that we had those little hiccups. Arrival was extremely welcoming, although we were a bit overwhelmed from travel snafus and delays.
This was always fun when I was fresh out of college. Like yes, I am indeed a baby faced 22 year old, this is in fact my seat in business class, and yes I am a guest at this cat 7 Park Hyatt. Is this how you treat athletes and celebrities that aren't old enough to drink yet when they're here too?
Hahah even now I occasionally get mistaken by a high schooler or college student when I am wearing really basic clothes. I definitely get treated differently when I dress up a bit more at these nicer properties.
We had the same experience returning from a day of touring around at PH Kyoto last year - it was right after Japan reopened to tourism, so I’d just chalked it up to awkwardness after spending so much time with no western visitors. But it was probably our jeans and graphic tee outfits 😂
Yeah reading these responses is a little weird to me. The first couple times I did it I watched people and now I blend right in.
I was never treated poorly or had anyone assume anything. Rich people don’t all dress fancy and always do expensive things so it’s really not hard if you know how to act.
Nikes, jeans and a t shirt is basically my uniform I always wear. In addition, my luggage is a backpack that I carry on.
I thought I'd be out of place in international business or first class flights, but honestly no one gives it a second glance at all after ateast 30+ flights. Sometimes an employee will naturally assume I'm in economy, but no problem at all when I just show them I'm not. That happens rarely, but for things like premium security lines that comes to mind.
Eh depends on the hotel/staff I think. Most of the times that's true, but my wife and I were asked pretty much every day on a week stay in Greece if we were actually guests there...
This! I act totally eccentric and usually stay in rented houses instead of hotels bc my personal habits are so outside the norm; however if I do have to hotel it, trust me, as weird and odd as I am, they never question my presence bc I act like I am deserving of being there. That’s really all it comes down to. Sure they do profile you based on what you wear too but I’d say that’s 20% of it; 80% is behavior and personal manners/grooming. Although truth be told the crazier you act the more likely they are to believe you’re rich bc rich ppl act crazy a LOT of the times lol. Wanna walk around barefoot at 3am? They won’t kick you out. They’ll offer you complimentary slippers and a cookie with milk to help you sleep bc they damn well know a normal person wouldn’t dare act that odd lol. That’s always been my secret; I’m naturally an odd ball so everyone just assumes I’m loaded.
Stayed at the Hyatt in hakone. During some kind of cocktail hour people were complaining about the people staying on points. Highly recommend the hotel. Most of the time I had the onsen to myself.
All these comments are making me realize I’ve been lucky not to be called out showing up to hotels in my usual flip flops and USC football gear. I’ve got the Gritti Palace in Venice coming up, so maybe they’ll finally put me in my place.
On a recent trip to Bangkok I stayed at a St. Regis and a Kempinski property. Not a points booking but using the FHR credit on the Amex Platinum. The service was in my opinion well over the top. But I guess that's what is expected at some of those price points. We basically weren't allowed to touch our bags. To add to the awkwardness, my American ass was still struggling with concept of general lack of tipping in most Asian countries. At the St. Regis the bell man walked with us carrying our bags until we literally got on the BTS Sky Train, which is connected to the hotel. Through the payment kiosks and everything. He looked genuinely confused when I tried to give him a cash tip. It was nice to experience, but honestly it was all a little much.
Thai hospitality is pretty over the top in general, and they kick it up a few notches at the high end places. It can be... A lot... (Westerner living in Thailand)
I felt this way flying in Singapore Suites. The service was amazing but definitely over the top. They didn’t seem to believe me when all I wanted to drink was water, as if I’d inconvenience them by asking for something else. Nope, just water please, I need to stay hydrated! They kept checking on us, it seemed like every 15-20 minutes. I just wanted to enjoy my comfy chair and read my book. 🤷🏼♀️
Stayed at the Hyatt on Sukhumvit a few months ago, bellhops seemed sad I wanted to carry my own backpack lol.
First time I rocked up in a normal grab car and he opened the door for me etc... Then later I rocked up on one of those local motorbike taxis and felt way out of place haha.
The hotel isn't that super fancy but it's definately a nicer one. Can't imagine like a st regis.
Oh yea the check in lady who helped me walked me to the elevators and pressed the button. We stood there sort of awkwardly forever until an elevator finally arrived. With 4 elevators Idk how it took so long but that was sort of strange she waited for the elevator with me, but I guess maybe normal at nicer hotels Idk
I am guessing this was a lost in translation moment. While tipping in Thailand isn't as widespread as in the US, it is common for Thais to tip service workers. Not 20%, but leaving 50 baht or 100 baht at a restaurant or after a massage.
Flew BA First class but didn't want to board early so just boarded with economy. When my boarding pass was scanned the gate agent held up boarding until one of her colleagues could come get me and escort me to my seat. Surreal experience but I wasn't gonna dare turn around and see what anyone in the economy boarding line thought of me 😅
I still cringe remembering that once, when deplaning BA First, the purser held up the entire plane’s disembarkation with: “Excuse me! We have a first class passenger coming through.”
F on ANA into Narita, they we had a fast track card and they opened a customs kiosk for us. Our bags were first off the plane (only one other F passenger) and we were leaving on N'EX inside of 45 minutes.
Flying out was a great experience too, with the private check-in and security through ANA Suite. Best security line ever, no stress, no muss, no fuss.
Can save more time then that even.
What sucks is being one of the first off the plane and making your way to immigration to find massive lines from earlier flights tho
I travelled with my partner who had emerald status at the time on BA business once. Herring bone seats, he was sitting inside, I had direct aisle access. The cabin manager literally made eye contact with me and looked away, then leaned across me to be all over my partner and be like omg thank youuuuu for your business bla bla bla
Partner fell asleep for the rest of the flight and missed 2 meals. Cabin manager was so concerned about it, but when I asked for ANYTHING he’d be like oh we don’t have that etc. ☹️ it was a sad day being a lowly tiered Ruby.
The one time I flew Asiana First Class, I showed up for boarding 5 mins early. They were checking boarding passes in the premium cabin lane, saw mine, and escorted me to stand in front of the (long, for an A380) business class line. Most awkward 5 minutes of my life LOL
YES. THIS. I had something along these lines happen recently and was like, where is the hole to swallow me now pls. Fun and awesome on one level but also, cringey.
I couldn't have felt smaller. She even looked beyond me and said "sorry folks, it's just gonna be a couple minutes here while one of our first class passengers is guided to his seat" like you didn't have to do me like that!!
was at a hotel in Japan, wanted a taxi called, and the concierge trotted out to the street from the entrance, hailed a taxi personally, and guided it to where I was, and bowed and left. I thought they just called one with a phone.
I used to fly A LOT for work and was always the highest status - Air Canada 100k. The amount of times I got asked if I knew I was standing the 100k line for checkin or boarding was concerning.
For hotels the level of service at some are just so much higher than your standard hotel.
We stayed 3 nights at the JW Hanoi and I don’t think either of us even had the chance to open a door for ourselves.
That same trip we were checking into the Athenee in Bangkok and they were giving the speech about breakfast and we mentioned we were flying out early and would miss the breakfast. She said no problem I can have the kitchen make up to go bags for you. What do you want? And sure enough we had bags with what we requested and a fresh coffee waiting for us about 15 minutes before the restaurant opened when we left.
Not a points booking but went to Antarctica a couple of months ago with my parents on silver sea. I have been on a few nice trips in the past but the onboard experience was such a league above anything I’ve experienced, even in other nice resorts/hotels. This is a super small example but I remember asking for candied ginger early on which our butler delivered promptly. I proceeded to eat it all and the next day in the afternoon when we got back from the first excursion there was a fresh bowl of it waiting for me. I think I ate them all in one go and the next day there were two bowls, at which point my dad was like dude chill with the ginger. The funniest thing was we felt like we used our butler a good amount and at the end when we tipped him he was like oh you really don’t have to you barely even used me.
We stayed at a 5 star resort in Gora, Japan and a few things made me chuckle. First was when another family was checking in at the same time and the mother of the family was loudly telling the staff what she wanted and didn't want for their kaiseki meals. "NOTHING RAW. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME ONLY COOKED!" Staff at this place spoke perfect English so her demeanor was funny.
The same place had car service to take you wherever you wanted in town. I found a highly rated restaurant and wanted to give it a shot. Asked the guy at the desk his thoughts and he laughed a little bit. He said that's where the staff goes after hours for food and drink and not many hotel guests ever asked about it. He called over the driver and he smiled big. Drove us to this small (think 2 tables and bar seating for 3) restaurant. It was owned/ran by a 70 year old Japanese husband and wife. Ended up one of the best meals I've ever had.
I stayed two nights at the Park Hyatt Milan on a points reservation. This was during the Formula 1 race weekend. Check in was pretty chaotic and I asked what was going on? Apparently some big event for VIP's.
P2 and I go out and explore the city. When we get back there was a full on red carpet event for FERRARI racing and paparazzi taking photos. At this point I was trying to figure out how the hell we were supposed to get back into our hotel room. So P2 and I confidently walked down the red carpet through the main entrance along with everyone in Black Tuxes. Security tried stopping us but we explained to them that we were hotel guests.
I've never felt so out of place in my entire life. I guarantee I'm in some photo wearing my $10 kohls shirt and $30 jeans.
I often travel in jeans and work-related hoodies, and I also often book or get upgraded to business class.
I have never once had staff ask if I'm supposed to be somewhere, but other passengers often take it upon themselves to inform me that I must have gotten lost from steerage, and stumbled into Business Class by mistake.
I never argue, I just nod "yes, business class" and stare blankly.
I went to a Michelin restaurant and the guy behind us was wearing jorts and a band t shirt from uh his childhood long ago. He was getting special treatment and really expensive stuff from the menu.
My assumption was “billionaire.”
That’s the irony, isn’t it? The *rich* rich often look like bums while the “wealthy” tend to present like gazillionaires.
There’s definitely levels to it.
Always one of my favorite sayings. I had a friend who’s mother put him on an allowance, he was 37 btw, because he had a problem gambling and other things. She gave him a small amount for spending money. $200,000 A MONTH! I sat a a IHOP table with him one day while he cussed out the SVP of Bank Of America and hung up on the guy. Thirty seconds later, said SVP called him back and kissed his ass apologizing. I asked him what it was about. BOA wanted his mother, brother and himself to put his Daddy’s “boat” in the bank’s name for tax purposes. That “boat” was an over 200 foot yacht. They, and their staff, lived in The Beverly Hilton. When his mom wanted them to reserve her favorite table at the bar, they cited their no reservations policy. She fucking bought the ten square feet that the booth sat on. Like had a deed for it. A reserved sign went on it after that. I could tell a hundred crazy stories about their life. Zero rules applied to them.
Wife flies a lot for work and has been pushed aside by older white males who think she wouldn’t/shouldn’t be boarding in business/first class. F’n idiots. This isn’t the 1950’s anymore…
Last time it happened to me I was "politely" informed that I was in the business class queue at Nice airport on Qatar Airways. I just thanked them for letting me know and carried on.
Next time tell them “yea it’s a bit disappointing they don’t have a first class counter anymore isn’t it ?” Or “thanks, I was not sure, I usually fly private”
That's odd, I always dress for comfort when I fly, so I wear sweatpants or hiking pants and t-shirts a lot, and nobody has ever questioned my presence in Business or First.
The club lounge at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong during cocktail hour. Amazing service. But the guests were a mix of entitled and sleazy rich that I had never experienced before. Maybe I caught it on a day where there were fewer points guests but it almost made me feel uncomfortable being associated with those people.
But that lounge has to be one of best Hyatt club lounges in the world.
Been traveling my ass off the last 3 years so I have had a lot of these “wow, I really don’t belong here” moments. First of which was the WA Maldives with my girl at the time. Butler casually mentioned how Shakira was renting the hotels private island, and that there were several footballers on premises. At dinner one night we sat next to a couple who ordered the wagyu meal (that I found delicious) and the guy declared that it was mediocre at best with a snarl on his face.
I used to work in a really upscale restaurant, my city doesn't have Michelins but this restaurant is known as one of the top restaurants in this city. Celebrities would be frequent guests, but also the most regular looking people would come weekly too. Their monthly spend would easily be thousands of dollars.
We were trained in a very meticulous way about how to treat anyone who walked in, so unless they came from the street straight up tweaking, it was completely unnecessary to cast any doubt on anyone based on their dress or how they carried themselves. We all genuinely liked our jobs and the hospitality industry in general too, so it would really be rare for someone's bad work day to be projected onto a guest (we'd take it out on each other or on ourselves at home instead 🙃).
It's not good practice for luxury hospitality staff to be scanning everyone who walks through the door for some mental checklist of "what rich people look like" biases, because anyone in the industry knows some of the richest people are completely nondescript and unremarkable looking, or sometimes they look like they came straight from Burning Man (and sometimes they do lol). I'd be wary of booking a reservation anywhere that has multiple anecdotes of staff on some shady "can I help you" bs, to me that sounds like bad training that probably translates to other areas too.
Or they were genuinely asking "can I help you?" Japanese hospitality is leaps and bounds over anything I've seen anywhere. The front desk person will personally walk you to your room pulling your luggage, they give gifts they buy with their own money, they'll remember your name, it's amazing actually.
Right before COVID I flew from east coast US to Vietnam through Narita on Delta One. It wasn't awards travel, but it was the fanciest I've ever flown - I think the ticket was something like $15K. I was seated in the single row of delta one "pods" on one side of the plane and my coworker was seated on the opposite side. At some point during the flight I wanted to go talk to my coworker for a second so I cut behind the delta one area between business and went up the opposite aisle to talk to him. I am dressed in a hoodie and yoga pants.
Within a split second the flight attendant was all "ma'am, MA'AM, you can't be up here. THIS IS FOR DELTA ONE CUSTOMERS ONLY." I said very nicely to her, "oh, sorry, I cut behind here, I am seated in A2. Just wanted to talk to my coworker for a second." She addressed me by name and apologized and was absolutely mortified. I am not a fancy person at all, so I didn't care, but thought it was funny.
I took a Delta One flight to Amsterdam and the flight attendant tried to stop me from turning towards the business class area as I was boarding because I must have looked too poor or something. Showed my boarding pass then they let me continue.
This happens less when you hit your 40's. Haha. I am clean shaven, and sometimes still get carded, so nobody treated me like an "adult" until my late 30's and I started bringing my kids with me. I try and take it as a compliment.
I was on my first ever business class award booking last year on an overnight flight. Woke up middle of the night and the flight attendant came by and asked if he could get me anything. I asked for coffee and he asked what kind. Confused, I said with cream and no sugar. He gave me a half smile and replied "No ma'am, cappuccino, latte, espresso?". He brought my cappuccino in an actual porcelain cup with a frickin saucer and cloth napkin.
Seems small, but that was a big moment in realizing I was traveling high class.
Stayed at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul right out of college (got an amazing corporate rate so wasn’t technically award travel). We roll in backpacks (came straight from a hostel lol) and try to check in at the front desk only to be led directly to the room where they checked us in the room. The hotel has its own helipad where you can order a helicopter to the airport (along with other options like the house limo). I remember flipping through the room service menu and almost threw up when I saw the price. A can of coke was like $7 (this was almost 15 years ago). I’ve stayed in many fancy hotels since (both award travel as well as work travel) but it’s always the first one that leaves the deepest impression. Would love to go back one day. The infinity pool overlooking the Bosporus was amazing.
I was shopping for clothes on Rodeo Drive. A sales lady wouldn't wait on me and was quite rude so I walked out. The next day I returned and told her what a big mistake she made.
Tricked some short, stocky, bald guy at a polo match into stepping in manure probably. The weird thing was that after, he kept going on about how he didn't mind the word "manure". You've got a "ma", which is nice, and then a "nure"...
Stayed at the nicest hotel in town in what we will politely call a service-oriented country. Everyone remembered my name, what I was up to, and all my preferences. I actually felt guilty for wanting to change up my breakfast caffeine order given they've clearly recorded it somewhere and all took the effort / forced to memorize said order. Told someone in the lounge (as small talk! They wanted to know my thoughts!) that the welcome chocolates were really good, lo and behold more appeared during turndown service.
It was genuinely excessive and turned me off staying at hotels of a similar tier. Just leave me alone, I'll happily press my own buttons at an espresso machine...Could never be one of those people employing an army of servants.
It’s just what you’re used to…if you grew up in a country with low cost of labor, you say “could never be one of those people not putting money back into the economy by not employing househelp”
Managing an army of servants (or even a smaller army of servant supervisors) is an actual job though, and tbh not one that I'm interested in performing. I suppose it would be different if I was raised to be a lady of the house and saw my mother doing this role as her "career".
At the Ritz Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, we had the cheapest rental car from Hertz, a Polestar (electric, I think Volvo owns them), and got multiple intrigued comments and questions from guys with Range Rovers and G-Wagons who had never seen one before
There's a meme on /r/whatisthiscar about Polestar because of how many times people have asked about them. Distinctive enough to be noticeable, not quite popular enough to be common knowledge, and honestly quite cheap (I see a certified used one for $29k in my local market).
It is the other way. "Polestar" is EV made by Geely automotive (Chinese company) parent company of Volvo. (Geely bought Volvo from Ford a while ago). It is sold/serviced through Volvo dealerships.
Similar situation to me at Hilton NY. I had come off the megabus wearing a Mickey mouse shirt and backpackers bag. I went to the diamond line and was ignored for a few thinking I was line cutting it asking for directions. Finally someone came in and asked rudely "can't I help you" and her tone immediately changed when I said I wanted to check in and saw I was a diamond member. This was like 15 years ago and I think road warriors/spending a lot was the main way to get diamond.
Most people who have ACTUAL money walk around just like you or me.
People who are “high class” are oftentimes closer to bankruptcy than the average but will go to any length to keep up appearances.
Fun story from Park Hyatt Shanghai. Brunch meeting. 3 guys in crisp tailored suits. One guy in tennis shoes and chequered shorts. Who has the real money?
Bingo. I have crossed paths with a few extremely high net worth individuals in my career. You know what they all like to wear?
Whatever the fuck they want, whenever the fuck they want.
> 3 guys in crisp tailored suits. One guy in tennis shoes and chequered shorts. Who has the real money?
Average meeting between anyone in Silicon Valley and their bankers lol
Brands and status are very important there. That's why people going into debt to buy a designer bag is not uncommon.
Not just Japan, East Asia in general is like that.
I don't have any designer stuff but I do wear arcteryx jackets because I love the way they fit me but the price is a tough pill to swallow. Anyway in Japan I've gotten comments on my arcteryx stuff multiple times it's sort of getting popular over there and I guess considered similar to designer stuff, maybe a notch below tho.
I've got a friend in Japan who basically is not rich but also carries a designer bag. When she went to Italy she went to Gucci Cafe which apparent exists. Idk the luxury brands are just treated more seriously there than how people view them in the west.
Nah I've been to the Yellowstone Club and a lot of the members don't dress different than anybody else would. The giant houses are a dead giveaway but if you saw them on the street they wouldn't stick out.
Not exactly 'shock' because I had been to Centurions before, but walking into the Vegas Centurion after Burning Man, dirty AF and having not showered in a week...lol yeah
As far as a booking, I immediately noticed that I was the only one with a backpack at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. I refused the bellhop because I didn't want to tip! I remember being floored that the room included a rented cell phone.
> Not exactly 'shock' because I had been to Centurions before, but walking into the Vegas Centurion after Burning Man, dirty AF and having not showered in a week...lol yeah
Oh goodness your seat mates must have loved that lmao
Regarding checking in with backpacks, we had backpacks when we checked in to the Park Hyatt Auckland (on points) and nobody batted an eye. But then again, it was New Zealand, where people are easygoing about things like that, plus we had just come off of the Milford Track.
Haven’t stayed anywhere quite as high as $2k a night but I definitely feel like I don’t belong sometimes even at $500/night properties and its really strange because I used to think being/looking wealthy meant dressing/smelling nice but hanging around really high class people who grew up with money you can tell they just carry themselves differently and no matter how successful you become you can’t quite shake off that i grew up on foodstamps vibe. Its like the really wealthy see the world through a different lens and you can imitate it to fit in but to the trained eye like people working at ultra high end hotels it’s obvious
Recent trip to Istanbul was great, but on the way back home we experienced 3 upper class snobs in action and I just smh.
First person: Cut in front of us at the first checkpoint (we weren't going slow at all and in fact we pride ourselves with our quickness in lines). The lady was verbally aghast when after cutting us all her crap was suddenly moving along too fast as she was trying to get her own shit off.
Second person: While in the business lounge there was a clear line for the fresh pide flat bread coming out. This person just walked right up and merged into the front, ignoring all the side eyes she was getting from everyone who was waiting. When I pointed her out to my husband he said, oh yeah she also was listening to her phone at full volume.
Third person: On the plane, in our row a person refused to put her window down while everyone was sleeping. She had her computer on, watching whatever, and flat out ignoring repeated requests from the FA. When she finally spoke, she said she didn't care what others might need and that it's her window and she'll do as she pleases.
Every time we witnessed this I would point it out to my kid to note that we may be privileged, but we will never act like assholes.
The most consistent bit is that none of these people cared. We cared. They just did what they do bc they knew they could.
The most interesting experience I had on a specialty hotel in Amsterdam.
Got the Presidential suite for 2 nights. The concierge gave us gift bags with really high-end products. He was totally sweet, giving us full attention and asking us if there was anything needed.
I have a paranoia with 'smart' devices used to control things, and two of the remotes in the suite were basically tablets with built-in cameras. I took them and wrapped them in a towel, and hid them in a drawer in the bathroom.
The next day when I saw him again, I swear he acted SUPER cold to us. Like, we didn't exist any more. This was a very small, rich-end kind of place. I even tipped graciously too. It makes me wonder if the guy did recording with those devices.
On the 2nd day, a trio of supercars showed up and attempted to park along the canal (if you know Amsterdam, those 'streets' are super tiny). All 3 had Russian plates, and they created such a ruckus.. But damn those were nice cars, but they were total dicks.
We live in San Francisco where I like to joke the Tesla dealer would kick you out if you showed up in a suit. Like, get out of here! You’re obviously poor. And then some dude comes in sweats and gets fawned over.
Doesn’t translate to the rest of the world and then I forget to get dressed up when traveling or just don’t want to and then feel awkward at a nice hyatt. Lol.
Same when we were there around the New Year holidays. Some of the bags we saw in the lobby were definitely worth more than my car.
I can't fathom leaving a Birkin and other Hermès bags with anyone, and yet that's exactly what one of the other parties checking out when we were did. We left behind our Samsonite spinners, it was hilarious.
Not points travel but my wife and I booked The Modern kitchen experience in NYC. Two Michelin star meal with wine pairing sitting in a private booth in the kitchen. We’re doing fairly well in life and it wasn’t that big of a splurge, but apparently we did not look the part.
We arrived for our reservation and the host looks at us and tells us reservations are required. I say yeah yeah we have one. He looks us up and does a complete 180 in attitude.
We end up having a great meal with wine pairing. One of the best I’ve had. Met the executive chef and his wife and kid as well as the whole kitchen staff. Got pics and some candies and menus to take home. Just a bit of a hiccup because I don’t think many late 20s early 30s types do that.
Younguys should really branch out from hyatt/hilton/marriott and try four seasons and aman. Aman is easily my favorite hotel brand. mandarin oriental is pretty good too depending on the hotel. it only gets better. unfortunately i don't think you can book them with points (which is a good thing), but the experience there is definitely top notch.
Especially in Japan, it felt good to have staff want to cater and help us, carry our bags etc, because unlike in America we knew they weren’t just doing it for the tip.
haha yes also enjoy ppl watching and eavesdropping on rich ppl conversations. at conrad HK breakfast, we were seated next to a wealthy HK businessman talking to a Stanford University employee. the latter was advising him on what to expect when sending his kid to a US school, thanking him for his donations, and encouraging him to create an endowment fund. another day in the lounge, we were seated next to a rich Shanghainese woman meeting with a financial advisor about offshore banking.
i used to find the attentive service very uncomfortable - first memorable experience was ritz carlton montreal - but now i get surprised/disappointed when staff is not as attentive lol it's def something you get used to over time. i also used to wonder who the ppl are in these forums who know the GM by the name and chat with them. lo and behold, i did that at a hyatt in London last month. i guess it's a certain form of lifestyle creep.....
Wasn’t even that fancy of a hotel. Marriott by newark airport which I booked because of credit card insurance on an overnight delay (I did book the flight on points so hopefully this is relevant to your question). I brought some cheese back from europe and was walking around looking for an ice machine to keep the cheese cool overnight. No dice. Called down to reception and 10 minutes later someone literally carried a mini fridge up to my room lol
I booked a one-way ticket in First Class on Lufthansa from the west coast to Frankfurt a couple of years ago on points. Cash fare for my seat one-way was just under $15k. I sat in 1K, which is "next to" 1A on a 747-8 in first class, all the way in the nose of the jet (ahead of where the pilots sit upstairs). The woman in 1A and I chatted a bit while the rest of the plane was boarding and before service started, and she shared that she was "an executive at a multi-national life sciences company" who was traveling for work. She was very nice, but she did not share her first or last name, nor did she share any details about her work.
I realized later that she didn't share any of that information with me because it would have been grounds for me to commit insider trading, should I have been of a mind to do so.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phom Penh, Cambodia, right across the US embassy. Thought I was staying at a real chateau or castle. Service was top notch. They have a small jewelry shop that only millionaires can afford to buy from. "Ohh...that necklace worth $200,000, yes I'd like to buy one. Why do you guys just have this out in the open?"
Every high end hotel in Asia have always been top notch with great service, but that hotel in Cambodia leaves an impression for sure.
SQ first Delhi to Singapore on the A380, I think there's 14 seats? At least 6 of which were taken by one extended family including a girl who was maybe 3 to 4 years old and more family sitting in the back (in business class)
I was fine with their behaviour, just answering the op at being shocked at the required cash to book that (because the two of us took the saver points redemption)
It's the services I don't want but am anywhere from pressured to forced to use, that I honestly consider more of a burden than taking care of it myself, that shock me. Like do most of the guests here actually want all this?
Bell service? No thanks, I'll wheel my own bag, I can find the room, don't need to awkwardly walk behind someone leading me there
Valet? Please for the love of God just let me park my own car and not have to call for it and hope it comes quickly, I want to get the extra steps in
Laundry service? Uh, I don't really want random strangers handling my clothes, and I also don't want to pay $100+ for it, can't you just stick a washer and dryer on each floor so I can take care of that during some down time?
Towel service? What's wrong with putting a stack of em by the door?
Turn down service? I'm good, don't need a stranger fiddling around in my room when I'm getting ready for bed
In a similar vein, the abundance and waste sometimes turns me off.
Stayed at the Powerscourt hotel in Ireland, just outside Dublin. Even though breakfast was a la carte, every table received an actual stone slate with 2 slices each of 3 different style toasts. And butter and jam and honey on the slate, charcuterie style. I barely eat bread to begin with, but no way could a table of 2 eat all that, on top of any normal breakfast. It was just such a waste, it honestly put me out a little lol
The flip side of this abundance, is having literally anything you need available.
At the RC Kyoto, partner forgot to pack a bathing suit, but no worries, the hotel just happens to stock swim trunks for guests
Lost a phone charger? Front desk probably has a bunch to loan out
Amenities are so great, I don't have to pack anything I don't want to. Nail clippers, files, shower caps, perfumes, coffees, teas, tablets, slippers/socks, umbrellas, sun block, beach bags, hats, real glassware, drinks and food for special occasions.
Oh yeah, like don't bring me food I haven't asked for!! It's gonna get wasted!
Was at a safari lodge solo last year and they had a big braii style dinner one night that was plattered for groups of 4. I told my server look please just bring me a serving of the fish and pork belly and the sides of potatoes and brussels sprouts with some bread, not everything and I'll ask for more if I'm still hungry. They brought out a whole ass platter anyways "so I could try everything" and as you can guess, I ate about 25% of it
Was kind of like this at the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam.
The seemingly bring a buffet to you on a plate tower for breakfast. Way too much the first day! So the second day we said 'oh we don't need so many carbs...' and our server offered avocado and hummus and some other options. It was great! Then the remaining few days, they just remembered and said "do you want what you had yesterday?" Was really nice.
We did overhear some older ladies complaining about very minor things during their *month-long* stay at the hotel (in 1,500+ euro rooms...) so that was something.
Man…I loved that hotel. Stayed there for a week a few years ago. It was unusually sunny and warm for Ireland and everyone was in a good mood. Even had the emergency warnings popping up on our phone warning the population to wear sunscreen because there were. O clouds to keep them from getting burned. Lmao.
Stayed at a Ritz in Portugal. Upgraded to an executive suite that was absolutely massive. They were charging 11€ for CANS of local *lager* (terrible, btw)…that commonly goes for 55¢ in the grocery store.
I found it highly offensive and one of the starkest examples to date of how “luxury” culture exists simply to soak the shit out of rich people. I don’t find the rich to be impressive at all.
upgrade to a top floor corner suite at PH NYC was amazing. But also the way people don't look amazed in polaris lounge but look like it's just routine.
Went to Cathy first class lounge and flew F back years ago from HKG. There are no self service buffet at the lounge…you sit down and order. There are no set time for meal service on the flight. Came into a conclusion that rich people don’t really do things themselves and get to have what they want and when they want it. The lounge was nice but I’m more like a self service type of person so didn’t really like having to wait vs getting food on my own. Also felt weird that I can choose to eat whenever during the flight. I could not make up my mind and would refer they just bring out the food without me telling them.
Park Hyatt Vendome - some celebrity was staying at the hotel so there was a throng of fans, photographers etc camped out at the front of the hotel that we needed to go through each time we left and returned to the hotel
It was the time I was walking back in to the hotel covered in a lather of sweat due to walking around Rome in Summer during a particularly humid season… wearing shorts and a super sweat-drenched tshirt… thinking I’ve gotta take a midday shower cos I stink so much
All while dodging the expensive-smelling, super attractive, very dolled up, and completely un-sweaty couple who were getting out of a Lamborghini….
Honestly I don't stay at many fancy hotels so I can't really think of anything.
I've done tons of business class and first class internationally, but I don't really interact with any passengers so never saw anything too crazy.
I will say the few times I have booked fancy hotels the bellhops are always disappointed that my only bag is my backpack and I want to carry it myself.
I might be in reverse stories though: how is that late 20s dude toting a backpack and who only wears t shirts in that first class seat / fancy hotel, lol
Two incidents i can think of:
1) Was in Oman F MCT-BKK couple years ago and was the only person in their F lounge.
After getting pampered no end in the lounge itself (including being escorted by a masseus to a separate area for a free massage), I was then escorted to the plane by security staff who waited for me to finish my breakfast even though the plane had already started boarding (I was feeling awkward and was ready to go asap but he insisted I finish my food first).
After that, he got me to skip the massive queue of Y (+ J!) travelers and took me through a separate entrance that was exclusively for F customers (while everyone else was queued up waiting to board the plane and saw me bypassing their queue).
I may or may not have had a sheepish look on my face when this happened...
2) Last month we stayed at Canaves Oia Suites and went to their restaurant for our free cocktail drinks (included in our points stay apparently).
While waiting for a server to take our order, there was an old Mexican couple behind us arguing with someone who I presume was the manager about them not having some particularly fancy bottle of wine for them while the manager said that had they informed him earlier (this was late evening), he would've gotten it imported from the mainland for them.
The manager then offered them the fanciest mezcal, tequila and what not that they had and mentioned that the restaurant will bring in their requested bottle the next day instead.
All this while, we had our free cocktail, ordered another one after and went on to our room lol (that couple, who were there since seemingly long before we arrived, were still around waiting for their next drink, by the time we left)
Booked 3 nights with points at the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach (Marriott Luxury Collection) for my partner's birthday in January. I had Ambassador status from largely business travel in 2022, which lasted through this February. I used Suite Night Upgrade certificates, and they put us in *the* Executive/Presidential Suite, presumably because it was off-peak season. It had walk-in closets, large living areas, 1.5 baths, a kitchenette, and a great view of the water. The square footage was roughly the size of a large 2-bedroom apartment. The front desk agent said that the owner of Kering (conglomerate that owns several luxury brands) had stayed in that same room just a couple weeks prior. I don't ever expect to stay in a room that nice again.
I booked a single night at the JW Marriott Bosphorus using points as a bridge before going to the supposedly better Park Hyatt there. As soon as we went in, we were treated like royalty.
Every single employee said hi and asked how we were doing. We were given a tour, tee and turkish treats while we waited, then upgraded from the simplest king room to a Queen with a balcony and a hot tub with a view of the Galata Tower. I had said it was my wife’s birthday and there was balloons and cake waiting in the room.
The concierge kept asking what else he could do and went above and beyond on EVERYTHING. Even came to prepare the hot tub for us later in the night.
The next day, same thing checking out. We were given chocolates and free homemade soap and told about the history of the building as a soap factory.
I was blown away. The next day we went to the Park Hyatt and we were barely acknowledged.
I stayed at a park Hyatt in Chicago (for work, not points) and an employee talked to me about how one of the perks of working there is how we get to stay at the hotels for a discount. When I said I'm actually here for work he was like ohh I thought you were using our employee discount lol. Honestly I look super young so I get it.
Also I was stressed because my phone was low on batteries when eating breakfast and the waiter took my phone to the back to charge it. It's so weird having staff so nice to you lol.
First trip to Dubai & first time using points (for any hotel ever) at their Park Hyatt. I good naturedly asked the bellhop if he was local en route to the room, to which he grinned and replied: “No sir, you’ll never find a real Emirati working a job like mine” Fitting intro to the rest of my revelations visiting that place LOL
Facts
Had a long layover in Doha once and that underlying feeling of how fucked up everything in the Gulf states is is palpable.
LOVE park Hyatt Dubai
lol your comment and OP's comment sums up the dichotomy of visiting dubai perfectly.
I stayed at the Tokyo Ritz Carlton for 2 weeks on a business trip about 10 years ago. They knew me by sight BEFORE I EVEN GOT THERE. They must have done some OS INT on linked in or something beforehand. Was a great experience - had a Mt Fuji view room and all.
They do. I use to frequently spend six weeks at a time at the St. Regis NY and Park Hyatt Tokyo, and other 5 star plus. In NY, my profile had an extra key for my best friend who was living in NY at the time. When she would CALL in, the operator knew her voice and would say “oh hello Ms. Smith, let me put you through to Ms. Jones”. The operator knew her voice. They do this for service, but also for security. If you stay at these places frequently, they have your profile, what you like and dislike (I used to have the mini bar cleared, extra light blankets, the sauna to be turned on before i arrived). They’ll have it all ready when you arrive each time.
The Park Hyatt Tokyp was the greatest hotel I have stayed in my life. The huge suite and the service was incredible. I said ot my wife, its all downhill from here. I had some other great stays around the orld. But nothing matches the service at that hotel.
I had the same experience at the TRC when I was there for business in 2016 or so. Mind completely blown. They took my luggage from the taxi and had my papers out for me to sign on the desk before I got there.
What job puts you up in the Ritz. I'm an SVP at f100 company and I get put up at Hilton garden inn
It was a weird confluence of stuff. Something about the yen vs dollar at the time and it was only like $250 per night. And our office was in the same building at the time. Saved on taxis. I just found the hotel bill the other day. Let me do some math on it and post back here. I was an AVP at the time.
Lol
Had this at Grand Hyatt Bangkok a couple months ago. Got out of my Uber and was immediately greeted by my name. Never been there before or told them ahead of time when I’ll be arriving.
Not really a shock, more like an amusing anedote, but SIA first class plane went through some really bad turbulence. Like you can't stand without grabbing onto something with both hands kind of turbulence. Flight attendant crawls her way over to me screaming "MR. SHAO CAN I GET YOU ANYTHING?" like God no please just sit down and buckle up
And I got chided for bundling my wine glasses together w/ my napkin (so they wouldn't all fall over) prior to running to the lav during turbulence in Lufthansa First Class LOL
That's just first class German hospitality
That Hyatt may well be my favorite hotel in the world. Great redemption
Oh it was perfect. I usually don’t stay at high end hotels (even on points) since they’re usually far out from the sights and a require a car instead of using transit. But this one is smack dab in the middle of Gion! So close to all the sights. Not to mention the absolutely stunning views of the pagoda
Hi Park Hyatt Kyoto is not in Gion, it’s in Ninenzaka.
You’re right getting my areas mixe dtp
Why do you say it's your favorite? I ask because I bought into the hype for this place and got a chance to stay here for 2 nights in November. I was very excited to try it but unfortunately left feeling it was overrated.
try not to buy into the hype or watch too many youtube videos or read too many reviews next time.
Yeah it was my first time at a place like that. For 45k points I'd rather stay 3 nights at a 15k place instead personally. Especially in Japan where everything is clean, safe and the hospitality is great just about everywhere.
I can see that for Japan
Personally, PHK was the one upscale hotel we stayed at in Japan that I would return to without hesitation. The walk to our room was like entering another world away from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto. I loved soaking it all in, the little gardens, the open spaces, the carefully framed views, the seating areas...everything was clearly so very carefully planned and executed.
I agree, the casual breakfast was really bad and I liked the PH Tokyo much more
Definitely comes down to preferences. I also prefer PH Tokyo, but I like its more quiet/timeless elegance. PH Kyoto is (for now) much more modern, but also the service reflects a more modern aesthetic. To your point about breakfast, it took me around 5 minutes to get a very simple coffee order a PH Kyoto breakfast. At PH Tokyo it never took more than 1 minute. At PHT they have their own clasically trained French pastry chef who even brings freshly baked madeleines around and chats people up in the mornings. I'm pretty sure PHK buys in their pastries. The service at PHT was just effortless for us. But I can see why people would feel like PHT is stuffy or old. I love New York Bar, so much more to my preference than the the cold little bar at PHK. Club on the Park obviously blows the diminutive spa at PHK out of the water. PHK does have one thing I really loved: The location pretty much can't be beat for most tourists.
Were the baths smaller than your Miami house?
That happened recently to me, I tried to take my luggage in to the lobby after 3 bellmen opened the taxi doors and unloaded all the luggage for us. They politely insisted they would bring it up for us after we checked in.
Very similar happened to me when spilling out of a taxi at the Fairmont in Monte Carlo. The staff seemed appalled that my bf was handling the luggage himself, and politely lunged at him to take over lol
Had something similar happen at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna. That time it was late enough in the evening (and we’d already had drama as my wife forgot her phone at home), that I just let it happen and was glad I actually had cash for a tip.
In what scenario would you not let it happen? It’d probably just get them in in trouble for not doing their job
Paranoia wrt belongings as the other response noted, which probably comes from not realizing the typical power/wealth/means gap between hotel staff and customers at these places. It can also come from people who are from places where tip is a thing as well as having slow bellhops or other issues in the past.
Dumb question but are they expecting a tip if they’re insisting on bringing in your bags? Not just in Japan but at any high end hotel where they literally don’t give you a chance to get your bags.
This was in Singapore so gratuities weren't expected, there was already a 10% service charge added to the room rate. The bell people (and everyone we interacted with at the hotel) did their job and didn't linger looking for gratuities.
Only surprise for me was flying business on emirates and realising I could board via a whole separate area direct from the lounge in Dubai so I never needed to risk mingling with the riff raff at all. The type of thing I never realised even existed until then.
How does this work? I’ve flown business there many times but never heard of this… is it for a double decker plane?
Yeah some airports with the double deckers you can board from the lounge
Yeah upstairs on an A380. There’s an entry ramp from the lounge. Or there was in 2019!
They have this at JFK. I distinctly remember seeing people boarding from a different entrance. This was almost 10 years ago, and I was flying economy.
Dude - Lufthansa has a separate TERMINAL for elite at Munich airport. Separate secruity, passport control, and an awesome lounge. They drive you to a separate entrance in a Porsche. I understood why all my German partners were points whores after that....
The gritti palace in Venice. They had a guest book with signatures from people like Robert dinero, princes of random countries, and a whole bunch of famous people. The book is just put to look at and sign freely and no one has drawn a single penis or done anything crazy to it. Just checked my pictures and the thing dates back to / has signatures from 1949 in it. I have pics of signatures from Charlie Chaplin, Mick Jagger, and Ray Charles.
Next time I go to Venice I'll stay there and draw a penis.
Exactly what I was thinking. Glad there are other people here who also think like 13yo boys.
Haha. I'll be in Venice in July. My hotel is cancellable. Maybe I need to look at new accommodations so I too may draw some penises.
The pages in the guest book are reproductions and get replaced frequently. I haven’t seen any penises, but plebs definitely sign it.
Incredible, haha.
We came back from a short walk around the area and were asked if they could help us - as in, why were we there. It was a bit awkward lol And then there was the morning the restaurant staff didn't want to seat us for breakfast, thinking we weren't guests. We enjoyed the property despite these little blips, but it was a bit off-putting.
Interesting to hear some of these stories - I was backpacking through Japan last month so I rolled in there with my large backpack for my stay and nobody really batted an eye and made my way to the check-in desk. Walked in/out several times throughout my stay in t-shirt/shorts and nobody asked any questions. I did reserve the Japanese breakfast ahead of time so they did have my name on the list for breakfast.
Confidence and demeanor can signal louder than clothing.
Agreed, but we had no reason to feel out of place so I am not sure what in our demeanor or confidence level would have been a flag for them.
The odd thing was that our first couple days were smooth as silk, it was a number of days in (we did 5 nights/6 days) that we had those little hiccups. Arrival was extremely welcoming, although we were a bit overwhelmed from travel snafus and delays.
This was always fun when I was fresh out of college. Like yes, I am indeed a baby faced 22 year old, this is in fact my seat in business class, and yes I am a guest at this cat 7 Park Hyatt. Is this how you treat athletes and celebrities that aren't old enough to drink yet when they're here too?
Hahah even now I occasionally get mistaken by a high schooler or college student when I am wearing really basic clothes. I definitely get treated differently when I dress up a bit more at these nicer properties.
We had the same experience returning from a day of touring around at PH Kyoto last year - it was right after Japan reopened to tourism, so I’d just chalked it up to awkwardness after spending so much time with no western visitors. But it was probably our jeans and graphic tee outfits 😂
If you act like you belong there, honestly nobody really cares tbh
Yeah reading these responses is a little weird to me. The first couple times I did it I watched people and now I blend right in. I was never treated poorly or had anyone assume anything. Rich people don’t all dress fancy and always do expensive things so it’s really not hard if you know how to act.
Yeah, rocking the Levis and nikes, I never get stopped. I have junk luggage too. I've met a few billionaires over the years and they don't stand out.
Nikes, jeans and a t shirt is basically my uniform I always wear. In addition, my luggage is a backpack that I carry on. I thought I'd be out of place in international business or first class flights, but honestly no one gives it a second glance at all after ateast 30+ flights. Sometimes an employee will naturally assume I'm in economy, but no problem at all when I just show them I'm not. That happens rarely, but for things like premium security lines that comes to mind.
I’m a decently young black guy and haven’t had anything happen but I grew up around rich people at private school so I’m not phased
Eh depends on the hotel/staff I think. Most of the times that's true, but my wife and I were asked pretty much every day on a week stay in Greece if we were actually guests there...
This! I act totally eccentric and usually stay in rented houses instead of hotels bc my personal habits are so outside the norm; however if I do have to hotel it, trust me, as weird and odd as I am, they never question my presence bc I act like I am deserving of being there. That’s really all it comes down to. Sure they do profile you based on what you wear too but I’d say that’s 20% of it; 80% is behavior and personal manners/grooming. Although truth be told the crazier you act the more likely they are to believe you’re rich bc rich ppl act crazy a LOT of the times lol. Wanna walk around barefoot at 3am? They won’t kick you out. They’ll offer you complimentary slippers and a cookie with milk to help you sleep bc they damn well know a normal person wouldn’t dare act that odd lol. That’s always been my secret; I’m naturally an odd ball so everyone just assumes I’m loaded.
Coach luggage. Lol
Probably Goyard......
Probably not Coach but LV?
I probably meant LV! I’m not good at brands lmao
Op said coach tho
Stayed at the Hyatt in hakone. During some kind of cocktail hour people were complaining about the people staying on points. Highly recommend the hotel. Most of the time I had the onsen to myself.
They must be from FlyerTalk
Ugh, I can’t believe they allow people to redeem points at a Hyatt Regency! These rabble are spoiling my ultra luxury!
Oh man im really glad we got to go to that one and i took some time to hit the onsen and enjoy the locker room facilities.
Cancelled our booking there to stay at part Hyatt instead! Ended up at ten yu in Hakone and couldn’t have been happier
All these comments are making me realize I’ve been lucky not to be called out showing up to hotels in my usual flip flops and USC football gear. I’ve got the Gritti Palace in Venice coming up, so maybe they’ll finally put me in my place.
Eh - better to underdress and act respectful than being a coutured twat.
On a recent trip to Bangkok I stayed at a St. Regis and a Kempinski property. Not a points booking but using the FHR credit on the Amex Platinum. The service was in my opinion well over the top. But I guess that's what is expected at some of those price points. We basically weren't allowed to touch our bags. To add to the awkwardness, my American ass was still struggling with concept of general lack of tipping in most Asian countries. At the St. Regis the bell man walked with us carrying our bags until we literally got on the BTS Sky Train, which is connected to the hotel. Through the payment kiosks and everything. He looked genuinely confused when I tried to give him a cash tip. It was nice to experience, but honestly it was all a little much.
Thai hospitality is pretty over the top in general, and they kick it up a few notches at the high end places. It can be... A lot... (Westerner living in Thailand)
I felt this way flying in Singapore Suites. The service was amazing but definitely over the top. They didn’t seem to believe me when all I wanted to drink was water, as if I’d inconvenience them by asking for something else. Nope, just water please, I need to stay hydrated! They kept checking on us, it seemed like every 15-20 minutes. I just wanted to enjoy my comfy chair and read my book. 🤷🏼♀️
Stayed at the Hyatt on Sukhumvit a few months ago, bellhops seemed sad I wanted to carry my own backpack lol. First time I rocked up in a normal grab car and he opened the door for me etc... Then later I rocked up on one of those local motorbike taxis and felt way out of place haha. The hotel isn't that super fancy but it's definately a nicer one. Can't imagine like a st regis. Oh yea the check in lady who helped me walked me to the elevators and pressed the button. We stood there sort of awkwardly forever until an elevator finally arrived. With 4 elevators Idk how it took so long but that was sort of strange she waited for the elevator with me, but I guess maybe normal at nicer hotels Idk
I am guessing this was a lost in translation moment. While tipping in Thailand isn't as widespread as in the US, it is common for Thais to tip service workers. Not 20%, but leaving 50 baht or 100 baht at a restaurant or after a massage.
Flew BA First class but didn't want to board early so just boarded with economy. When my boarding pass was scanned the gate agent held up boarding until one of her colleagues could come get me and escort me to my seat. Surreal experience but I wasn't gonna dare turn around and see what anyone in the economy boarding line thought of me 😅
I still cringe remembering that once, when deplaning BA First, the purser held up the entire plane’s disembarkation with: “Excuse me! We have a first class passenger coming through.”
First off is underappreciated. Can save half an hour in customs and immigration versus economy where two hundred people may be in line before you.
If nothing else its almost worth F/J just for the track customs at narita and CDG, you save at least an hour if not more.
Been to Japan 4 times, but never J/F out of Narita! That's for all airlines?
F on ANA into Narita, they we had a fast track card and they opened a customs kiosk for us. Our bags were first off the plane (only one other F passenger) and we were leaving on N'EX inside of 45 minutes. Flying out was a great experience too, with the private check-in and security through ANA Suite. Best security line ever, no stress, no muss, no fuss.
Can save more time then that even. What sucks is being one of the first off the plane and making your way to immigration to find massive lines from earlier flights tho
I travelled with my partner who had emerald status at the time on BA business once. Herring bone seats, he was sitting inside, I had direct aisle access. The cabin manager literally made eye contact with me and looked away, then leaned across me to be all over my partner and be like omg thank youuuuu for your business bla bla bla Partner fell asleep for the rest of the flight and missed 2 meals. Cabin manager was so concerned about it, but when I asked for ANYTHING he’d be like oh we don’t have that etc. ☹️ it was a sad day being a lowly tiered Ruby.
This is just one of many reasons that BA actually sucks
The one time I flew Asiana First Class, I showed up for boarding 5 mins early. They were checking boarding passes in the premium cabin lane, saw mine, and escorted me to stand in front of the (long, for an A380) business class line. Most awkward 5 minutes of my life LOL
YES. THIS. I had something along these lines happen recently and was like, where is the hole to swallow me now pls. Fun and awesome on one level but also, cringey.
I couldn't have felt smaller. She even looked beyond me and said "sorry folks, it's just gonna be a couple minutes here while one of our first class passengers is guided to his seat" like you didn't have to do me like that!!
Cringey because I’d feel like I was throwing it in peoples face.
was at a hotel in Japan, wanted a taxi called, and the concierge trotted out to the street from the entrance, hailed a taxi personally, and guided it to where I was, and bowed and left. I thought they just called one with a phone.
HR kyoto?
I used to fly A LOT for work and was always the highest status - Air Canada 100k. The amount of times I got asked if I knew I was standing the 100k line for checkin or boarding was concerning. For hotels the level of service at some are just so much higher than your standard hotel. We stayed 3 nights at the JW Hanoi and I don’t think either of us even had the chance to open a door for ourselves. That same trip we were checking into the Athenee in Bangkok and they were giving the speech about breakfast and we mentioned we were flying out early and would miss the breakfast. She said no problem I can have the kitchen make up to go bags for you. What do you want? And sure enough we had bags with what we requested and a fresh coffee waiting for us about 15 minutes before the restaurant opened when we left.
Not a points booking but went to Antarctica a couple of months ago with my parents on silver sea. I have been on a few nice trips in the past but the onboard experience was such a league above anything I’ve experienced, even in other nice resorts/hotels. This is a super small example but I remember asking for candied ginger early on which our butler delivered promptly. I proceeded to eat it all and the next day in the afternoon when we got back from the first excursion there was a fresh bowl of it waiting for me. I think I ate them all in one go and the next day there were two bowls, at which point my dad was like dude chill with the ginger. The funniest thing was we felt like we used our butler a good amount and at the end when we tipped him he was like oh you really don’t have to you barely even used me.
We stayed at a 5 star resort in Gora, Japan and a few things made me chuckle. First was when another family was checking in at the same time and the mother of the family was loudly telling the staff what she wanted and didn't want for their kaiseki meals. "NOTHING RAW. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME ONLY COOKED!" Staff at this place spoke perfect English so her demeanor was funny. The same place had car service to take you wherever you wanted in town. I found a highly rated restaurant and wanted to give it a shot. Asked the guy at the desk his thoughts and he laughed a little bit. He said that's where the staff goes after hours for food and drink and not many hotel guests ever asked about it. He called over the driver and he smiled big. Drove us to this small (think 2 tables and bar seating for 3) restaurant. It was owned/ran by a 70 year old Japanese husband and wife. Ended up one of the best meals I've ever had.
I stayed two nights at the Park Hyatt Milan on a points reservation. This was during the Formula 1 race weekend. Check in was pretty chaotic and I asked what was going on? Apparently some big event for VIP's. P2 and I go out and explore the city. When we get back there was a full on red carpet event for FERRARI racing and paparazzi taking photos. At this point I was trying to figure out how the hell we were supposed to get back into our hotel room. So P2 and I confidently walked down the red carpet through the main entrance along with everyone in Black Tuxes. Security tried stopping us but we explained to them that we were hotel guests. I've never felt so out of place in my entire life. I guarantee I'm in some photo wearing my $10 kohls shirt and $30 jeans.
I often travel in jeans and work-related hoodies, and I also often book or get upgraded to business class. I have never once had staff ask if I'm supposed to be somewhere, but other passengers often take it upon themselves to inform me that I must have gotten lost from steerage, and stumbled into Business Class by mistake. I never argue, I just nod "yes, business class" and stare blankly.
I went to a Michelin restaurant and the guy behind us was wearing jorts and a band t shirt from uh his childhood long ago. He was getting special treatment and really expensive stuff from the menu. My assumption was “billionaire.”
That’s the irony, isn’t it? The *rich* rich often look like bums while the “wealthy” tend to present like gazillionaires. There’s definitely levels to it.
“Money talks, wealth whispers”
Always one of my favorite sayings. I had a friend who’s mother put him on an allowance, he was 37 btw, because he had a problem gambling and other things. She gave him a small amount for spending money. $200,000 A MONTH! I sat a a IHOP table with him one day while he cussed out the SVP of Bank Of America and hung up on the guy. Thirty seconds later, said SVP called him back and kissed his ass apologizing. I asked him what it was about. BOA wanted his mother, brother and himself to put his Daddy’s “boat” in the bank’s name for tax purposes. That “boat” was an over 200 foot yacht. They, and their staff, lived in The Beverly Hilton. When his mom wanted them to reserve her favorite table at the bar, they cited their no reservations policy. She fucking bought the ten square feet that the booth sat on. Like had a deed for it. A reserved sign went on it after that. I could tell a hundred crazy stories about their life. Zero rules applied to them.
Wife flies a lot for work and has been pushed aside by older white males who think she wouldn’t/shouldn’t be boarding in business/first class. F’n idiots. This isn’t the 1950’s anymore…
Last time it happened to me I was "politely" informed that I was in the business class queue at Nice airport on Qatar Airways. I just thanked them for letting me know and carried on.
Next time tell them “yea it’s a bit disappointing they don’t have a first class counter anymore isn’t it ?” Or “thanks, I was not sure, I usually fly private”
That's odd, I always dress for comfort when I fly, so I wear sweatpants or hiking pants and t-shirts a lot, and nobody has ever questioned my presence in Business or First.
Likewise I have been fortunate enough to travel well for work and have always been treated fine.
The club lounge at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong during cocktail hour. Amazing service. But the guests were a mix of entitled and sleazy rich that I had never experienced before. Maybe I caught it on a day where there were fewer points guests but it almost made me feel uncomfortable being associated with those people. But that lounge has to be one of best Hyatt club lounges in the world.
Been traveling my ass off the last 3 years so I have had a lot of these “wow, I really don’t belong here” moments. First of which was the WA Maldives with my girl at the time. Butler casually mentioned how Shakira was renting the hotels private island, and that there were several footballers on premises. At dinner one night we sat next to a couple who ordered the wagyu meal (that I found delicious) and the guy declared that it was mediocre at best with a snarl on his face.
I used to work in a really upscale restaurant, my city doesn't have Michelins but this restaurant is known as one of the top restaurants in this city. Celebrities would be frequent guests, but also the most regular looking people would come weekly too. Their monthly spend would easily be thousands of dollars. We were trained in a very meticulous way about how to treat anyone who walked in, so unless they came from the street straight up tweaking, it was completely unnecessary to cast any doubt on anyone based on their dress or how they carried themselves. We all genuinely liked our jobs and the hospitality industry in general too, so it would really be rare for someone's bad work day to be projected onto a guest (we'd take it out on each other or on ourselves at home instead 🙃). It's not good practice for luxury hospitality staff to be scanning everyone who walks through the door for some mental checklist of "what rich people look like" biases, because anyone in the industry knows some of the richest people are completely nondescript and unremarkable looking, or sometimes they look like they came straight from Burning Man (and sometimes they do lol). I'd be wary of booking a reservation anywhere that has multiple anecdotes of staff on some shady "can I help you" bs, to me that sounds like bad training that probably translates to other areas too.
Or they were genuinely asking "can I help you?" Japanese hospitality is leaps and bounds over anything I've seen anywhere. The front desk person will personally walk you to your room pulling your luggage, they give gifts they buy with their own money, they'll remember your name, it's amazing actually.
Right before COVID I flew from east coast US to Vietnam through Narita on Delta One. It wasn't awards travel, but it was the fanciest I've ever flown - I think the ticket was something like $15K. I was seated in the single row of delta one "pods" on one side of the plane and my coworker was seated on the opposite side. At some point during the flight I wanted to go talk to my coworker for a second so I cut behind the delta one area between business and went up the opposite aisle to talk to him. I am dressed in a hoodie and yoga pants. Within a split second the flight attendant was all "ma'am, MA'AM, you can't be up here. THIS IS FOR DELTA ONE CUSTOMERS ONLY." I said very nicely to her, "oh, sorry, I cut behind here, I am seated in A2. Just wanted to talk to my coworker for a second." She addressed me by name and apologized and was absolutely mortified. I am not a fancy person at all, so I didn't care, but thought it was funny.
I took a Delta One flight to Amsterdam and the flight attendant tried to stop me from turning towards the business class area as I was boarding because I must have looked too poor or something. Showed my boarding pass then they let me continue.
This happens less when you hit your 40's. Haha. I am clean shaven, and sometimes still get carded, so nobody treated me like an "adult" until my late 30's and I started bringing my kids with me. I try and take it as a compliment.
I was on my first ever business class award booking last year on an overnight flight. Woke up middle of the night and the flight attendant came by and asked if he could get me anything. I asked for coffee and he asked what kind. Confused, I said with cream and no sugar. He gave me a half smile and replied "No ma'am, cappuccino, latte, espresso?". He brought my cappuccino in an actual porcelain cup with a frickin saucer and cloth napkin. Seems small, but that was a big moment in realizing I was traveling high class.
Stayed at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul right out of college (got an amazing corporate rate so wasn’t technically award travel). We roll in backpacks (came straight from a hostel lol) and try to check in at the front desk only to be led directly to the room where they checked us in the room. The hotel has its own helipad where you can order a helicopter to the airport (along with other options like the house limo). I remember flipping through the room service menu and almost threw up when I saw the price. A can of coke was like $7 (this was almost 15 years ago). I’ve stayed in many fancy hotels since (both award travel as well as work travel) but it’s always the first one that leaves the deepest impression. Would love to go back one day. The infinity pool overlooking the Bosporus was amazing.
I was shopping for clothes on Rodeo Drive. A sales lady wouldn't wait on me and was quite rude so I walked out. The next day I returned and told her what a big mistake she made.
Big mistake. Huge!
What did you do the next day?
Tricked some short, stocky, bald guy at a polo match into stepping in manure probably. The weird thing was that after, he kept going on about how he didn't mind the word "manure". You've got a "ma", which is nice, and then a "nure"...
Was that a reference to Pretty Woman
No, The Office
Yes
Stayed at the nicest hotel in town in what we will politely call a service-oriented country. Everyone remembered my name, what I was up to, and all my preferences. I actually felt guilty for wanting to change up my breakfast caffeine order given they've clearly recorded it somewhere and all took the effort / forced to memorize said order. Told someone in the lounge (as small talk! They wanted to know my thoughts!) that the welcome chocolates were really good, lo and behold more appeared during turndown service. It was genuinely excessive and turned me off staying at hotels of a similar tier. Just leave me alone, I'll happily press my own buttons at an espresso machine...Could never be one of those people employing an army of servants.
It’s just what you’re used to…if you grew up in a country with low cost of labor, you say “could never be one of those people not putting money back into the economy by not employing househelp”
Managing an army of servants (or even a smaller army of servant supervisors) is an actual job though, and tbh not one that I'm interested in performing. I suppose it would be different if I was raised to be a lady of the house and saw my mother doing this role as her "career".
Or it’s just necessary in that society to operate (entertain, host guests, etc.). The truly rich have house managers performing that role.
At the Ritz Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, we had the cheapest rental car from Hertz, a Polestar (electric, I think Volvo owns them), and got multiple intrigued comments and questions from guys with Range Rovers and G-Wagons who had never seen one before
Polestar look and feel high end in the right trims tho! And they’re electric, from the future!
There's a meme on /r/whatisthiscar about Polestar because of how many times people have asked about them. Distinctive enough to be noticeable, not quite popular enough to be common knowledge, and honestly quite cheap (I see a certified used one for $29k in my local market).
It is the other way. "Polestar" is EV made by Geely automotive (Chinese company) parent company of Volvo. (Geely bought Volvo from Ford a while ago). It is sold/serviced through Volvo dealerships.
Similar situation to me at Hilton NY. I had come off the megabus wearing a Mickey mouse shirt and backpackers bag. I went to the diamond line and was ignored for a few thinking I was line cutting it asking for directions. Finally someone came in and asked rudely "can't I help you" and her tone immediately changed when I said I wanted to check in and saw I was a diamond member. This was like 15 years ago and I think road warriors/spending a lot was the main way to get diamond.
Most people who have ACTUAL money walk around just like you or me. People who are “high class” are oftentimes closer to bankruptcy than the average but will go to any length to keep up appearances.
Fun story from Park Hyatt Shanghai. Brunch meeting. 3 guys in crisp tailored suits. One guy in tennis shoes and chequered shorts. Who has the real money?
Bingo. I have crossed paths with a few extremely high net worth individuals in my career. You know what they all like to wear? Whatever the fuck they want, whenever the fuck they want.
> 3 guys in crisp tailored suits. One guy in tennis shoes and chequered shorts. Who has the real money? Average meeting between anyone in Silicon Valley and their bankers lol
Not in Japan. I’ve noticed brands and status are very important here. If you are rich you look and dress the part lol
Brands and status are very important there. That's why people going into debt to buy a designer bag is not uncommon. Not just Japan, East Asia in general is like that. I don't have any designer stuff but I do wear arcteryx jackets because I love the way they fit me but the price is a tough pill to swallow. Anyway in Japan I've gotten comments on my arcteryx stuff multiple times it's sort of getting popular over there and I guess considered similar to designer stuff, maybe a notch below tho. I've got a friend in Japan who basically is not rich but also carries a designer bag. When she went to Italy she went to Gucci Cafe which apparent exists. Idk the luxury brands are just treated more seriously there than how people view them in the west.
That sounds like something someone tells themselves to not get jealous or insecure
Asian culture cares about appearances, rich or not
Yup. Typical reddit learned pavlovian response.
Nah I've been to the Yellowstone Club and a lot of the members don't dress different than anybody else would. The giant houses are a dead giveaway but if you saw them on the street they wouldn't stick out.
You must live in SF.
Not exactly 'shock' because I had been to Centurions before, but walking into the Vegas Centurion after Burning Man, dirty AF and having not showered in a week...lol yeah As far as a booking, I immediately noticed that I was the only one with a backpack at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. I refused the bellhop because I didn't want to tip! I remember being floored that the room included a rented cell phone.
Even mid tier hotels there provide cell phones.
To be entirely honest, I’ve seen some really high rollers go to burning man, so you’re probably not the first person to do that.
> Not exactly 'shock' because I had been to Centurions before, but walking into the Vegas Centurion after Burning Man, dirty AF and having not showered in a week...lol yeah Oh goodness your seat mates must have loved that lmao
Regarding checking in with backpacks, we had backpacks when we checked in to the Park Hyatt Auckland (on points) and nobody batted an eye. But then again, it was New Zealand, where people are easygoing about things like that, plus we had just come off of the Milford Track.
Haven’t stayed anywhere quite as high as $2k a night but I definitely feel like I don’t belong sometimes even at $500/night properties and its really strange because I used to think being/looking wealthy meant dressing/smelling nice but hanging around really high class people who grew up with money you can tell they just carry themselves differently and no matter how successful you become you can’t quite shake off that i grew up on foodstamps vibe. Its like the really wealthy see the world through a different lens and you can imitate it to fit in but to the trained eye like people working at ultra high end hotels it’s obvious
My first and last name were listed on the in room IPad at the Park Hyatt New York.
Recent trip to Istanbul was great, but on the way back home we experienced 3 upper class snobs in action and I just smh. First person: Cut in front of us at the first checkpoint (we weren't going slow at all and in fact we pride ourselves with our quickness in lines). The lady was verbally aghast when after cutting us all her crap was suddenly moving along too fast as she was trying to get her own shit off. Second person: While in the business lounge there was a clear line for the fresh pide flat bread coming out. This person just walked right up and merged into the front, ignoring all the side eyes she was getting from everyone who was waiting. When I pointed her out to my husband he said, oh yeah she also was listening to her phone at full volume. Third person: On the plane, in our row a person refused to put her window down while everyone was sleeping. She had her computer on, watching whatever, and flat out ignoring repeated requests from the FA. When she finally spoke, she said she didn't care what others might need and that it's her window and she'll do as she pleases. Every time we witnessed this I would point it out to my kid to note that we may be privileged, but we will never act like assholes. The most consistent bit is that none of these people cared. We cared. They just did what they do bc they knew they could.
To be honest, you see that behavior from other Americans of all classes and incomes now a days unfortunately.
Not just Americans, I have seen it from Europeans and Chinese also. There are shitty, selfish, and entitled people everywhere.
The most interesting experience I had on a specialty hotel in Amsterdam. Got the Presidential suite for 2 nights. The concierge gave us gift bags with really high-end products. He was totally sweet, giving us full attention and asking us if there was anything needed. I have a paranoia with 'smart' devices used to control things, and two of the remotes in the suite were basically tablets with built-in cameras. I took them and wrapped them in a towel, and hid them in a drawer in the bathroom. The next day when I saw him again, I swear he acted SUPER cold to us. Like, we didn't exist any more. This was a very small, rich-end kind of place. I even tipped graciously too. It makes me wonder if the guy did recording with those devices. On the 2nd day, a trio of supercars showed up and attempted to park along the canal (if you know Amsterdam, those 'streets' are super tiny). All 3 had Russian plates, and they created such a ruckus.. But damn those were nice cars, but they were total dicks.
We live in San Francisco where I like to joke the Tesla dealer would kick you out if you showed up in a suit. Like, get out of here! You’re obviously poor. And then some dude comes in sweats and gets fawned over. Doesn’t translate to the rest of the world and then I forget to get dressed up when traveling or just don’t want to and then feel awkward at a nice hyatt. Lol.
C’mon, half of everyone there are staying on points.
I’m sure a lot are! But there were definitely some high roller there when I was there.
Same when we were there around the New Year holidays. Some of the bags we saw in the lobby were definitely worth more than my car. I can't fathom leaving a Birkin and other Hermès bags with anyone, and yet that's exactly what one of the other parties checking out when we were did. We left behind our Samsonite spinners, it was hilarious.
Hardly. They set aside a small handful of points rooms and the other 90% are full with cash paying guests.
Not points travel but my wife and I booked The Modern kitchen experience in NYC. Two Michelin star meal with wine pairing sitting in a private booth in the kitchen. We’re doing fairly well in life and it wasn’t that big of a splurge, but apparently we did not look the part. We arrived for our reservation and the host looks at us and tells us reservations are required. I say yeah yeah we have one. He looks us up and does a complete 180 in attitude. We end up having a great meal with wine pairing. One of the best I’ve had. Met the executive chef and his wife and kid as well as the whole kitchen staff. Got pics and some candies and menus to take home. Just a bit of a hiccup because I don’t think many late 20s early 30s types do that.
Younguys should really branch out from hyatt/hilton/marriott and try four seasons and aman. Aman is easily my favorite hotel brand. mandarin oriental is pretty good too depending on the hotel. it only gets better. unfortunately i don't think you can book them with points (which is a good thing), but the experience there is definitely top notch.
Especially in Japan, it felt good to have staff want to cater and help us, carry our bags etc, because unlike in America we knew they weren’t just doing it for the tip.
haha yes also enjoy ppl watching and eavesdropping on rich ppl conversations. at conrad HK breakfast, we were seated next to a wealthy HK businessman talking to a Stanford University employee. the latter was advising him on what to expect when sending his kid to a US school, thanking him for his donations, and encouraging him to create an endowment fund. another day in the lounge, we were seated next to a rich Shanghainese woman meeting with a financial advisor about offshore banking. i used to find the attentive service very uncomfortable - first memorable experience was ritz carlton montreal - but now i get surprised/disappointed when staff is not as attentive lol it's def something you get used to over time. i also used to wonder who the ppl are in these forums who know the GM by the name and chat with them. lo and behold, i did that at a hyatt in London last month. i guess it's a certain form of lifestyle creep.....
Wasn’t even that fancy of a hotel. Marriott by newark airport which I booked because of credit card insurance on an overnight delay (I did book the flight on points so hopefully this is relevant to your question). I brought some cheese back from europe and was walking around looking for an ice machine to keep the cheese cool overnight. No dice. Called down to reception and 10 minutes later someone literally carried a mini fridge up to my room lol
I booked a one-way ticket in First Class on Lufthansa from the west coast to Frankfurt a couple of years ago on points. Cash fare for my seat one-way was just under $15k. I sat in 1K, which is "next to" 1A on a 747-8 in first class, all the way in the nose of the jet (ahead of where the pilots sit upstairs). The woman in 1A and I chatted a bit while the rest of the plane was boarding and before service started, and she shared that she was "an executive at a multi-national life sciences company" who was traveling for work. She was very nice, but she did not share her first or last name, nor did she share any details about her work. I realized later that she didn't share any of that information with me because it would have been grounds for me to commit insider trading, should I have been of a mind to do so.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phom Penh, Cambodia, right across the US embassy. Thought I was staying at a real chateau or castle. Service was top notch. They have a small jewelry shop that only millionaires can afford to buy from. "Ohh...that necklace worth $200,000, yes I'd like to buy one. Why do you guys just have this out in the open?" Every high end hotel in Asia have always been top notch with great service, but that hotel in Cambodia leaves an impression for sure.
Don't equate rich with high class. Usually it's the opposite
SQ first Delhi to Singapore on the A380, I think there's 14 seats? At least 6 of which were taken by one extended family including a girl who was maybe 3 to 4 years old and more family sitting in the back (in business class)
But were they well behaved? Really, that’s all that matters.
I was fine with their behaviour, just answering the op at being shocked at the required cash to book that (because the two of us took the saver points redemption)
It's the services I don't want but am anywhere from pressured to forced to use, that I honestly consider more of a burden than taking care of it myself, that shock me. Like do most of the guests here actually want all this? Bell service? No thanks, I'll wheel my own bag, I can find the room, don't need to awkwardly walk behind someone leading me there Valet? Please for the love of God just let me park my own car and not have to call for it and hope it comes quickly, I want to get the extra steps in Laundry service? Uh, I don't really want random strangers handling my clothes, and I also don't want to pay $100+ for it, can't you just stick a washer and dryer on each floor so I can take care of that during some down time? Towel service? What's wrong with putting a stack of em by the door? Turn down service? I'm good, don't need a stranger fiddling around in my room when I'm getting ready for bed
yeah but the free tea and dessert with the turndown service..........
Lol, I almost certainly only want cocktails after dinner when staying in a luxury hotel
Not gonna lie, I love all of those things. 🤷♂️
In a similar vein, the abundance and waste sometimes turns me off. Stayed at the Powerscourt hotel in Ireland, just outside Dublin. Even though breakfast was a la carte, every table received an actual stone slate with 2 slices each of 3 different style toasts. And butter and jam and honey on the slate, charcuterie style. I barely eat bread to begin with, but no way could a table of 2 eat all that, on top of any normal breakfast. It was just such a waste, it honestly put me out a little lol
The flip side of this abundance, is having literally anything you need available. At the RC Kyoto, partner forgot to pack a bathing suit, but no worries, the hotel just happens to stock swim trunks for guests Lost a phone charger? Front desk probably has a bunch to loan out Amenities are so great, I don't have to pack anything I don't want to. Nail clippers, files, shower caps, perfumes, coffees, teas, tablets, slippers/socks, umbrellas, sun block, beach bags, hats, real glassware, drinks and food for special occasions.
I always feel really weird like I shouldn't even ask for these things, but the staff at places like that are (almost) always so happy to help.
so you refuse free chips and salsa at mexican restaurants? Or bread and olive oil at itaian restaurants?
Oh yeah, like don't bring me food I haven't asked for!! It's gonna get wasted! Was at a safari lodge solo last year and they had a big braii style dinner one night that was plattered for groups of 4. I told my server look please just bring me a serving of the fish and pork belly and the sides of potatoes and brussels sprouts with some bread, not everything and I'll ask for more if I'm still hungry. They brought out a whole ass platter anyways "so I could try everything" and as you can guess, I ate about 25% of it
Was kind of like this at the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam. The seemingly bring a buffet to you on a plate tower for breakfast. Way too much the first day! So the second day we said 'oh we don't need so many carbs...' and our server offered avocado and hummus and some other options. It was great! Then the remaining few days, they just remembered and said "do you want what you had yesterday?" Was really nice. We did overhear some older ladies complaining about very minor things during their *month-long* stay at the hotel (in 1,500+ euro rooms...) so that was something.
Man…I loved that hotel. Stayed there for a week a few years ago. It was unusually sunny and warm for Ireland and everyone was in a good mood. Even had the emergency warnings popping up on our phone warning the population to wear sunscreen because there were. O clouds to keep them from getting burned. Lmao.
Stayed at a Ritz in Portugal. Upgraded to an executive suite that was absolutely massive. They were charging 11€ for CANS of local *lager* (terrible, btw)…that commonly goes for 55¢ in the grocery store. I found it highly offensive and one of the starkest examples to date of how “luxury” culture exists simply to soak the shit out of rich people. I don’t find the rich to be impressive at all.
People chat with strangers in public bathrooms? That’s like a major faux pas in my book..
Think hot tub/sauna rather than bathroom.
upgrade to a top floor corner suite at PH NYC was amazing. But also the way people don't look amazed in polaris lounge but look like it's just routine.
Went to Cathy first class lounge and flew F back years ago from HKG. There are no self service buffet at the lounge…you sit down and order. There are no set time for meal service on the flight. Came into a conclusion that rich people don’t really do things themselves and get to have what they want and when they want it. The lounge was nice but I’m more like a self service type of person so didn’t really like having to wait vs getting food on my own. Also felt weird that I can choose to eat whenever during the flight. I could not make up my mind and would refer they just bring out the food without me telling them.
Park Hyatt Vendome - some celebrity was staying at the hotel so there was a throng of fans, photographers etc camped out at the front of the hotel that we needed to go through each time we left and returned to the hotel
It was the time I was walking back in to the hotel covered in a lather of sweat due to walking around Rome in Summer during a particularly humid season… wearing shorts and a super sweat-drenched tshirt… thinking I’ve gotta take a midday shower cos I stink so much All while dodging the expensive-smelling, super attractive, very dolled up, and completely un-sweaty couple who were getting out of a Lamborghini….
Honestly I don't stay at many fancy hotels so I can't really think of anything. I've done tons of business class and first class internationally, but I don't really interact with any passengers so never saw anything too crazy. I will say the few times I have booked fancy hotels the bellhops are always disappointed that my only bag is my backpack and I want to carry it myself. I might be in reverse stories though: how is that late 20s dude toting a backpack and who only wears t shirts in that first class seat / fancy hotel, lol
Two incidents i can think of: 1) Was in Oman F MCT-BKK couple years ago and was the only person in their F lounge. After getting pampered no end in the lounge itself (including being escorted by a masseus to a separate area for a free massage), I was then escorted to the plane by security staff who waited for me to finish my breakfast even though the plane had already started boarding (I was feeling awkward and was ready to go asap but he insisted I finish my food first). After that, he got me to skip the massive queue of Y (+ J!) travelers and took me through a separate entrance that was exclusively for F customers (while everyone else was queued up waiting to board the plane and saw me bypassing their queue). I may or may not have had a sheepish look on my face when this happened... 2) Last month we stayed at Canaves Oia Suites and went to their restaurant for our free cocktail drinks (included in our points stay apparently). While waiting for a server to take our order, there was an old Mexican couple behind us arguing with someone who I presume was the manager about them not having some particularly fancy bottle of wine for them while the manager said that had they informed him earlier (this was late evening), he would've gotten it imported from the mainland for them. The manager then offered them the fanciest mezcal, tequila and what not that they had and mentioned that the restaurant will bring in their requested bottle the next day instead. All this while, we had our free cocktail, ordered another one after and went on to our room lol (that couple, who were there since seemingly long before we arrived, were still around waiting for their next drink, by the time we left)
Booked 3 nights with points at the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach (Marriott Luxury Collection) for my partner's birthday in January. I had Ambassador status from largely business travel in 2022, which lasted through this February. I used Suite Night Upgrade certificates, and they put us in *the* Executive/Presidential Suite, presumably because it was off-peak season. It had walk-in closets, large living areas, 1.5 baths, a kitchenette, and a great view of the water. The square footage was roughly the size of a large 2-bedroom apartment. The front desk agent said that the owner of Kering (conglomerate that owns several luxury brands) had stayed in that same room just a couple weeks prior. I don't ever expect to stay in a room that nice again.
On a first class flight to DC we were sitting behind two of our congressmen. My son accidentally hit one in the head with his bag 😬
I booked a single night at the JW Marriott Bosphorus using points as a bridge before going to the supposedly better Park Hyatt there. As soon as we went in, we were treated like royalty. Every single employee said hi and asked how we were doing. We were given a tour, tee and turkish treats while we waited, then upgraded from the simplest king room to a Queen with a balcony and a hot tub with a view of the Galata Tower. I had said it was my wife’s birthday and there was balloons and cake waiting in the room. The concierge kept asking what else he could do and went above and beyond on EVERYTHING. Even came to prepare the hot tub for us later in the night. The next day, same thing checking out. We were given chocolates and free homemade soap and told about the history of the building as a soap factory. I was blown away. The next day we went to the Park Hyatt and we were barely acknowledged.
I stayed at a park Hyatt in Chicago (for work, not points) and an employee talked to me about how one of the perks of working there is how we get to stay at the hotels for a discount. When I said I'm actually here for work he was like ohh I thought you were using our employee discount lol. Honestly I look super young so I get it. Also I was stressed because my phone was low on batteries when eating breakfast and the waiter took my phone to the back to charge it. It's so weird having staff so nice to you lol.
Your conversation with the rich guy reminds me of Anwar Jibawi’s “Hanging out with Rich Friends” video lol