Week 5 Journal Entries

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Talk about a really good or bad experience you've had in a hotel or
other type of lodging or accommodation. What made it memorable? Also,
what do you think makes any hotel experience a good one?

[izard...@hanmail.net]

Name:izard
Student NO.:0585801

Hi,Ben!
I'm sorry that I don't think I've got any typical experiences whether
they are good or bad in a hotel to share with you all. Because I am
not a guy who likes traveling.
But one thing I have to point out is that I really hate the phone
calls made by those who might work in the hotels just to ask whether
you need a massage, specially in the midnight. Have you ever had that
kind of experience as well?
In regard to what makes a hotel experience a good one, I think that
the customer-oriented service is absolutely essential, which means as
an employee who works in a hotel, nomatter which division you belong
to, it is important for you to think and act from the standpoint of a
normal customer, and of course, sometimes to think and act preceding
what your customers are not expecting will probably do you an even
better job. For example, if you can spontaneously offer your customer
some herbal candies by observing that he is coughing a little because
of the cold air outdoors through your conversation as he is checking
in, it will definitely make him a home-feeling experience,right?~

izard

[sies...@hanmail.net]

Name: Kim, Jeong-hee
Student NO: 0425044

Ben! ^^

I've had an unpleasant experience. When I was junior, I had some
project to do for my major. A professor set us a hotel tour. So we
decided to go to Tirol Hotel in Muju Resort. One of our group members
had a car, we could go easily. When we arrived there, we were filled
with admiration. The Hotel looked fine externally. I felt cozy and
hotel's image was impressed favorably. We met a house-keeping manager
after we took a picture. we asked him some questions. He advised us on
the choice of career and he showed us hotel rooms. Rooms were cozy and
comfortable. we moved another restaurant in hotel and we were chatting
in the lobby when the manager was absent for a while.

But suddenly, a waitress came up to us. She warned us, "Don't make
much noise!" but we all gazed at each other in blank dismay. becuase
we just whispered something! we didn't feel well. just becuase of her
service! I realized that a employee can cause the hotel's image. It
was a good experience to me. I can influence my group. so I should
take care of my bahavior.

[nars...@hotmail.com]

Semin Hong


I have a good expeience when I stayed in Argentina~!
Even though I am a Silver level guest at Marriotts, I don't like
staying at Marriott.
Actually, Silver level is not a big deal. you can get if you stay more
than 10 days.
Anyways, As I said, first thing comes to my mind about a good
experience I have had is at Buenos Aires.
The reasons are first, a girl working at the front desk was really
kind. even though I didn't know how to speak Spanish at all, she sure
spoke English and helped me really well.
second, she was cute.......... :) to be honest, I asked her to go
out. but she said 'I am not supposed to go out with our guests,
sorry'. So, I told her again 'I will check out tomorrow, then I am not
your guest anymore. how about tomorrow?'.....
Maybe I got a good impression of that hotel because of her, but,
anyway, I'd rather stay at that hotel again than Marriott if I have a
chance to go to Argentina again.
Appearances of employees are very important at hotel industry...;;;

[MINJI KWON]

Minji Kwon -0425009

If I have to remain something bad experience about hotels, I can
remember the experience at Travelodge Royal scot hotel, London, UK.
I have been there two times. The first time was 2005 summer for four
days with my friend. The first impression the hotel was good for us,
because of the location, breakfast and willingness. That is why if
someone had asked me about accommodation in London, I have recommended
the hotel for my friend’s convenience during staying London.
For that reason, I reserved the hotel for London visiting of my
parents. At that time, I wanted to save my parents money so, while I
reservation I choose the budget reservation, and it was impossible to
refund of cancel the reservation but, at that time I was strongly sure
about that we were going to stay there during travelling London.
While I was on the process for the reservation, it showed up ‘TIME
OVER’. I was a little bit been nervous about my account, and it was
not quite okay and it did not pay.
That is why I tried reservation again very correctly, and it finished,
but when I received the confirmation, I was so surprised about it.
Because, there was two reservations’ reference numbers and it paid
twice, but I well knew the computer reservation system of hotel and I
did train at the other hotel reservation part at that time. That is
why I called the hotel for doing cancel the one of wrong reservation.
It was surely a mistake of the system and every my reservations
manager helped me for the accident.
The receptionist of the Travelodge hotel told me that they will do
refund when I do check in as they totally understood the situation.
Then after one month when I arrived there, they changed their promise
to me. They looked down me and told me it is impossible to refund if
it is any mistake of them.
Then they did not best for solve the problem, and made me be
disappointed more and more of their attitude. Their excuse did not
make sense any more.
It is still on the way to solve the problem by my self.
Many friends ask about accommodation in Europe, and after the
happening I always anti of the hotel, and I tell them it was the worst
hotel I have ever been.
I tell you again THE WORST HOTEL IS TRAVELODGE CHAIN HOTEL IN UK.
NEVER STAY THE HOTEL. IT IS IMPPOSIBLE TO RELAX AT THERE ANY MORE.
THE SLOGAN OF IT IS THE COMLAINS FROM ANY GUEST IS OUT OF THEIR CUP OF
TEA. MIND IT.

[ans...@hanmail.net]

0337016 Moon, Ji Sook

Hello, Ben
Atually, my ecperience is not a good one. But it was my first
experience in a hotel.
A few years ago, my friends and I went to the Plaza hotel in Seoul
to do our team project. At that time, our professor gave a task to
all students that present hotel industries or service.
So, we decided to take some pictures and facilities of Plaza hotel
with its permission.
We already had a call to consent before we go
also, the day when we had appointed we checked in its front office.
My friends and I stared to take some pictures and get the information
about it.
Then, we went to up stairs and a problem was appeared.
One of the man standed in our way and asked what we were doing.
We explained what the situation was but the man didn't understand.
I told him that if you don't believe us, you can check in the front
office.
Whatever we said, he turned away us
through a undergrounf parking lot not a main entrance.

Later, we knew him was working a buffet as a manager.
Then, my friends and I disappointed at arrohant and impolite behavior
of the manager.
As well as, I though how the manager can understand and help their
customers
if he dosen't listen a though of customers.
In my opinion, service can start with listening the customer's though.

In fact, we were not the customers, but we could be its customers.

[날아라]

0326026 배금양

When I traveled in Vancouver alone. I stayed in hotel (I don't
remember the hotel's name).
The hotel was too old, but for me it was not a big deal, because the
bill was reasonable,
but the problem was I couldn't use internet. That time I wanted
talking with my mother
in messenser with web camera. They didn't offer internet service. It
was inconvenience for me.
When I traveled in west of the U.S.A. I took a package tour offered by
travel agency,
so I could stay nice hotels. some of hotel offer free internet service
but some of hotel
offer internet for pay. Also most hotel have nice bed and coffee
maker. Every morning
I could drink some coffee. I slept well on the nice bed. That time my
body was exhausted for long trip.
Other countries people go travel for take rest on their vacation but
Korean people are traveling like a hard training.
Many Korean people after travel they usually exhausted including
me. : ) Anyway I could rest well on the bed.
When I was stay in Las Vegas, I stayed in Plaza Casino hotel. It was
not nice as famous hotel,
but the hotel still has nice night view~.Also I saw Hummer limousine
in front of the hotel,
it was first time I saw that car~,it was cool, so I tried take some
picture, but the car started moving.
But the driver saw me I tried take some picture so he stoped until I
finished take pictures.
So I could got cool pictures of Hummer limousine. I remember his
consideration.

[wangying]

Name:Wang Ying
NO.0583813

For me, I have a really bad experience in a hotel.It was the time my
mom and I stayed at a hotel. A guy came knocking on our door. My mom
was taking a shower, and I was watching t.v. It seemed odd that
somebody would knock on our door, since we weren't expecting anyone. I
peered into the door hole to see a young guy. I opened the door
(leaving the lock on) and asked him if he needed help. He tells me he
was a waitor from the restaurant downstairs and came upstairs to take
our order since the restaurant was about to close. I ordered two
chicken dinners. He asked for $20 and would return with the change and
our dinners. To make a long story short, no change, no food. The guy
had run off with our money. From that moment, we were very cautious.
I think hotel image and service quality,price are very important for a
hotel experience a good one.

[rook...@hanmail.net]

Name: Lee Sangmo
Student NO.: 0225131

I have only good experience. Last year, I traveled Cambodia.
At first, I stayed Korean guest house which had a nice setup but it
was too expensive to me.
So I had to move another guest house.
Finally, I found new guest house with an introduction from friend.
They were cheap but they had incommodious hotel accommodations.
However, I was satisfied with the guest house.
After moving guest house, I found my purse gone.
I could not find my purse anywhere. I was very embarrassed and
anxious.
I did not know what to do. However, One boy who worked at guest house
found my pulse in the laundry basket.
There was a lot of money in the pulse.
Although it is a lot of money to him, he gave me my pulse.
But for his help, I should return home. It was a good experience to
me.

[sierr...@163.com]

Name: Sierra
Student NO.: 0583816

Dear Ben:

I really had a bad experience when I studied in other city three
years ago. But it was not in hotel but was in school dormitory. I was
still a student studied in a university in China 3 years ago. As
students we were not allowed to live out of school. And we couldn’t
choose the room that we want to live. we must live with other students
who appoint by teacher during many years. So you know, different
people have different behaviour and temperament, if six people
especially girls live together all day. Maybe they will make some
trouble one day. so in my opinion we didn’t have a wonderful
experience together. If we could choose the familiar roommates we will
get along well each other. So I don’t think the unified management is
suit for college students. We should have chance to think over what
kinds of life we want to have.

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Izard,

I must say that I've never experienced the early morning call for
massage that you wrote about. What kind of hotels have you been
staying in?!?!??? :D However, I do agree with you in regards to
having customer service making a big difference in a place you stay.
Of course this is also true of any business. Today my friend's wife
told me about her experience flying with Delta from California to
Korea just last week. She was traveling with her new born and only
asked the flight attendant to help her with her heavy bags. The
flight attendant replied, "No, I can't. I just had my nails done."
Apparently the flight attendant just had a manicure and didn't want to
risk damaging her freshly polished finger nails. This to me sounded
absolutely ridiculous. What you said about a hotel employee offering a
piece of candy to a guest with a cough is a great example of good
customer service. You're right. In my experience, the best customer
service stems from people that make an effort to see that you are
happy. Great points and great post!

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Jeong-Hee,

I like the project your professor assigned you. That sounds like a
very practical experience and one that you obviously learned from.
Once again, people, in this case hotel employees make all the
difference in how we experience our stay at a hotel. I like your
point about a hotel's image being changed by just one person's
attitude. As we say in English, "One bad apple spoils the bunch!"

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Semin or should I call you Don Juan!,

Great story! Sounds like the hotel concierge made quite an impression
on you. She sounds like a friendly girl that was doing her job well.
And you sound like a young man who isn't afraid to go after what he
wants! In your case as was in the the previous two, it's the people
and service that make all the difference in how we remember our stays
in hotels and other accommodations.

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Minji,

I'll remember not to book any reservations at the Travelodge Royal!
Thanks for the heads up! Typically when hotels have such poor refund
policies, that means they are struggling financially. Who knows, maybe
that chain is on its way out. We can only hope, right? I'm sorry to
hear that you had such a poor experience with them. However, it sounds
like you have learned a valuable lesson about customer service: Don't
lie to your customers! Sounds like a simple rule but its always
surprising how hotel policy seems to take precedence over being
truthful and upfront with customers.

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Ji-Sook,

It is always bewildering to me how people prioritize rules over common
sense. I mean in your experience, had that manager just taken the
time to understand why you were doing what you were doing, he probably
could have appreciated it. However, I'm sure in his mind, he was doing
a good job following what he thought was "procedure." You mentioned
how you weren't actually guests at the hotel but in the minds of the
hotel staff, you should have been. In my opinion, anyone who is
standing under the roof of your hotel is a guest, just like if someone
were to come to your house for a visit. Even in a globalized world
defined by internet use and digital media, the best form of
advertising is through word of mouth. This is something staff should
keep in mind when they talk to any guest, whether that person is
staying at the hotel or not. Most likely you've heard the term, "The
customer is always right." Yet, its apparent that the hotel's buffet
manager never did!

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Keum-Yang,

Sounds like quite a trip you went on. Its interesting what you said
about the different vacationing styles that Koreans have vs. the
styles of other countries' people. I have discussed that particular
difference before with friends. For me, I like doing a little bit of
both: touring to see some sites and also relaxing. I suppose it makes
choosing a travel partner that much more important. Also, I can
understand your wish to use msn messenger in your hotel, especially
since you were staying there alone. I suppose it makes choosing a
hotel that suits your needs that much more important, too!

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Wang-Ying,

Sounds like a criminal at work to me. I hope you notified the hotel
management of this situation. I am guessing that this person was not
a waiter from the hotel but rather a man who was trying to take
advantage of a foreign tourist. Still, you carry that experience with
you the same way I would, by talking about it as one that occurred in
that hotel. Knowing that this type of thing can happen, hotel
management and security need to be careful about who they let into the
hotel. As you said, this type of thing can truly damage the
reputation of a place!

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Sang-Mo,

Sounds like a close call. One thing to keep in mind about using the
word, 'purse.' Don't say that you carry around a purse. Purses are
what women carry and robbers steal. It is a word associated with only
women. Men don't carry purses the same way they don't wear dresses.
Instead, what you had was either a wallet or a handbag.

It sounds like maybe you stayed in a hostel while you were in
Cambodia. Sounds like that one act of kindness the Cambodian boy made
a lasting impression on you in regards to him, the hotel that employed
him, and Cambodians. It also sounds like that was your lucky day!

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Sierra,

Yes, I know that girls can get catty if they are together under close
quarters for too long. After all, I grew up with my Mom and sister! I
guess what you are saying is related to what I said as a comment to
one of your classmates about how bewildering it is when people
prioritize rules above common sense!

[Raina]

When I stayed in Australia, the backpackers was my life.
Sometimes I stayed a resort hotel or flats even I had a experience to
stay at caravan.
One day I had put the itinerary in order, I realized that I move the
accommodation total of 18 times.
Among them the backpackers was 10 times.
So when I was staying backpackers I was able to meet many foreigner
friends.
Some of them still keep in touch, but most of them couldn't contact
anymore as time goes by,,,

Anyway the first time when I go into the 6 dormitory room, my friend
and l was shocked.
We didn't know use the room together.
I mean we thought that the female stay between female, the male stay
between male.
But there were 3guys in the room already so we recheck the room
number and ask to backpackers staff where my room is. That night even
I couldn't sleep well.
But it's also difficult only first time, I slept well soon.
The experience make people strong. ^^

[Raina]

On Oct 1, 1:19 pm, ben.nes...@gmail.com wrote:

[Raina]

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I'm really sorry Ben....................^^;;
I miss again.....
I'll make sure from next time


Name : Lee Sung-Hee
Student NO : 0325145

[ki...@naver.com]

Name: Shin woo jin
No.: 0325109

I have good experience hostel when I travel to Italy.
it was korean guest house. but I was disappointed when i got there.
Because it was away from the city and did not have an elevator.
So we have to be on the 5th floor in walk.
However the price was very cheap.
it was 25euros per day and breakfast and dinner included.
When I arrived was dinner time.
That guest house provuded korean food such as gal-bi.
It made me change my mind. So I decided to stay there.
in addition there's beer was provided for free in the evening.
So we were a party every night. And we had to be very friendly.

[kyum...@naver.com]

Jang kyu min
0225171



When I traveled Laos, in the Southen-East Asia, I got good information
about the cheapest guesthouse(it is the cheapest guesthouse I've been)
It costed just $1. Can you believe it? At the time, I was really
happy. As soon as I took off the bus, I ran into the guest house to
check-in. When I entered the domitory room,in which 24people stayed
togather, I wasn't yet shocked because I had several similar
experience before. At night, some of my room mates came to our room. A
French guy who smoke marihuana at all times said hello to me. His eyes
were faint and his hands were trembling. An other guy was Israelian.
He coughed a lot. I felt a little bit scared. Many in our room looked
strange. I was wondering how many this kind of people are in this
room.
An other guy was Korean who look like a murder. Even though his face
was scaring, i could feel relieved. but I realized soon that he talked
about his travel a lot without any listening. and then he ignored my
travel. i didnt want to talk with him anymore, so I tried to sleep.
The french guy showed me the seat of my bed that was stained by dirty
things and showed scar on his arms that were bitten by insects and
spider. I took my sleeping bag and slept inside it in hot
summer ,sweating a lot. Next moring I ran out of the guest house and
leave the city.

I can endure even if the room is very dirty. But i cannot endure if
there was not good people.
Other guests are most important for me to stay.

[sungbulee]

name : sungbu lee
number 0225138
HI? Ben? How are you?
I'm gonna tell you my good or bad experience in hotel.
I stayed lots of hotels such as Intercontinental,Crowneplaza,Hollyday
Inn and so on.
I have experience both good and bad. my good experience is crowne
plaza hotel. I made my room very dirty,
like a lot of waste and papers spread in the room.that time I was
watching TV, and I'm not ask to clean the room.
but hosekeeper visit to me and look around my room.she told me she
wants to clean my room.she started clean the room.
I didn't expect to housekeeper visit me,I made hard work to her, so I
told her I'm sorry made you work more.but she said to me 'no ploblem''
what ever you want and It's my job'.' Don't worry' and she smiled. at
that time I was so impressive.when she's smile, It was very great
experience to me. otherwise I had a really experience, I stayed
Hollyday Inn located in CHICAGO, It's little far from airport They
have pick up service.so I tried to use pick up service to airport. I
called to hotel,
and ask to pick up service.they answered,even they answered.they are
not coming.so I called hotel again.30 minutes later
the ban was come to me but I was upset .when I drop the car I gave to
him 5$. when I see him , he looks like complain.
he made me piss off. It was worst experience I've ever stayed
hotel.they never kind to me I couldn't imagine how hotel service is
like that? It was terrible.

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Sung-Hee,

That caravan as you call it is similar if not the same to a hostel, a
co-ed (male/female) dormitory style accommodation. I must say, I'm
jealous you've been backpacking in Australia. I've never done that
before and I would absolutely love to try it. I just want to know,
did you eat ostrich? :)

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Woo-Jin,

Whoah! Italy! That is great! I've actually been to Faughlia, Italy,
which is near Pisa. Sounds like you got some good exercise in that
hotel walking up all those stairs! Still, hard to beat 25 euros a
day and I bet your meals were good! ...I miss that Italian food,
especially the fish and pasta! And I bet you had some good wine, too!

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Kyu-Min,

Just a dollar? That is pretty incredible! The people you meet
traveling certainly have a range of personalities, huh? One thing I
adore about living in Korea is that I always meet people from all over
the world. Over time, I've learned to be choosy about who I get to
know and who I spend time with. It sounds like you were in a tough
situation in that little guesthouse but that you did what you could to
get through it. I think I would have also just wrapped up in my
sleeping bag and slept as isolated from the others as possible. Great
post!

[ben.n...@gmail.com]

Sung-bu,

The guy actually complained about a five dollar tip?! That's
ridiculous. $5 is a good tip for a shuttle van transport. Some people
just have a bad attitude about their lives. Some people are unhappy
even when they are happy! One thing I don't like about the U.S. is
that a tip is not actually a tip. It's an expectation. People are
expected to give tips. Yet, by definition a tip is not required!
Typically, 15-20% is a adequate for a good tip. However, if you are
not pleased with the service you receive, no need to complain, just
give a small tip!