Hotel Freebies

Another freebie they don't mention is to borrow one of the hotel's umbrellas, if needed --
they may have a supply with their logo on it and are happy to get the free advertising as
you walk around with it.

Something I've only started doing recently, which works at non-high-end hotels, too, is to have the desk staff make your dinner (or other) reservations for you over their phone. Businesses like getting business from each other.

"Freebie" is a technically a marketing term that makes the hotel look charitable. All these goodies (which have a monetary value of > $0) are priced right into the room rates, just like the reservations desk and back office functions/overhead..so you might as well take advantage of what you're already paying for.

I'm amused too. It's pretty funny that they....
•...paid this person for the article (Really? High-end guests don't KNOW about this stuff?)
•...assume anyone with the income to stay in these places care about the "freebies" (which are rolled into the per-night tariff so they're not "free" at all).

We love smaller midrange hotels/motels. While we might not be able to score them in the middle of Manhattan, those earnest, under-five-star places often offer no-extra-cost wifi (for everyone, not just "elite" members), breakfast, parking, and a nice, clean room besides. Oh, and use of the pool and little workout rooms - if they have them - without a resort fee. Shoot, we've even scored some free time with the washer and dryer in a couple of places. Gotta love it.

A "free" wine and beer happy hour? Embassy Suites has done that for YEARS. They don't claim that the beer and wine are any GOOD but then, neither does the Klimpton.

I just checked the rates for one random weeknight this month at a Klimpton in my home city, and for their lowest price ($430 + $45 or so for parking) we could have a great time for 3-4 days at a more humble but perfectly nice accommodation.

If anyone wants to read the article, you can do so for free as the NYT makes available 10 free articles per month per browser.

Here are my observations:

You don't need to stay at a 5 star hotel to enjoy a drink with hors d'oeuvres. Boutique hotels like the Library in midtown Manhattan offer wine and cheese every evening for 2 hours. Some hors d'oeuvres too. If you're part of a hotel's rewards membership scheme, you'll get free bottles of sparking water and/or still water and munchies/cookies. Yes, even 3 star hotels. You'll also be provided tea and coffee to make in your room in 3* hotels....2* also. 5 star hotels may not provide rooms with coffee making facilities. They want you to order room service. As was said above, Embassy Suites offers a complementary full hot breakfast buffet.

4 & 5* hotels can charge an obscene daily rate for internet access when a 3 star (even 2) will provide high-speed internet at no additional charge. If you stay at a 5 property that has a pool or extensive gym, you might be charged a daily "resort" fee even if you never use their facilities. So like Robert, I find the NYT article amusing too. I often find their articles amusing.