We travelled to Sydney to visit family and friends and stayed in a motel in the suburb of Brookvale. We were surprised to find a pod coffee machine in the room, something we had not seen in previous stays at the same establishment. In a wooden box adjacent to the machine were four pods of much the same sort we used to use on our machine at home. After having the four pods on the evening of the day we arrived and the following morning, we expected the used pods to be replaced when the cleaned the room. However, that was not the case. The room had not been cleaned at all. So, that evening we went down to reception and asked if we could get some replacement pods. We were told that we were only in a Privileges Room (the staff member said “VIP room”) because there were no standard rooms remaining, but they gave us two pods probably out of embarrassment. Those were used the following morning and we expected them to not be replaced when they cleaned the room; and of course, they weren’t. However, neither did they replace the instant coffee sachets, nor the raw sugar sachets, of which only one of each remained. So, it was back down to reception, and we were given a handful of each. When they cleaned the room, they replaced my towel, but not my partner’s, and they gave us an extra footmat.
On the third morning everything seemed to be run almost properly, with four new coffee pods for the machine as well as extra instant coffee sachets, and raw sugar sachets. In addition, both our towels had been replaced, and the complement of footmats had been reduced to the regulation one. However, the dirty dishes, glasses and cups were still in the sink, as we left them in the morning rush.
It seemed to us that the Privileges room was only distinguished from the rooms for the average scum like us, by the presence of a coffee machine, and temporary use of an extra footmat. However, the framed notice in the room stated that we were “entitled to exclusive amenities designed to enhance your experience:
- Espresso machine with a selection of premium coffee pods
- Bathrobes and slippers for your comfort
- Premium bathroom amenities from Elemental Herbology including body lotion dispenser”
It ended with “we hope you enjoy your time with us and look forward to making your stay exceptional”.
If I’d have only read it earlier I could have used the bathrobes and slippers. A damned shame; I was looking forward to an exceptional stay.