More than eight out of ten travellers dislike having to pay for hotel extras when on vacation — particularly for parking, ice and wireless internet service, according to a survey by Hotels.ca®.
Percentages were all in the 80s for surveyed customers who think ice, parking and WiFi should be free. More than 80 percent also think they should not have to pay for wakeup calls and extra pillows and blankets.
"As a tip to travellers, we have found that customers have had a lot of success asking at the front desk at check-in about additional fees and getting them waived upon request." said Taylor L. Cole, APR, Director of Public Relations for Hotels.ca.
"Forty-nine percent of travellers say they have had to question charges on their bill, so asking the right questions early in your reservation can help make for a better overall experience."
The survey also asked which items people would like to find in their hotel room when they arrive.
Fifty-eight percent of respondents said healthy snacks, 54 percent said books and magazines, and 48 percent said a bathrobe.
“Less than one per cent thought they should be provided with a set of new underwear (but it’s an extra in some hotels in Europe),” the study says.
While only nine per cent feel that hotel mini bars should be free, the majority of respondents (87 percent) said, on their last three vacations, they didn’t use the mini bar, preferring to bring snacks from outside to their room.
By David Wilkening
