Who Wants/needs Turn Down Service?

[vhoffman]

I'm not too sure where to place this, but I thought the resort board would be as good a place as any. Least anyone think I'm some hick who's not been exposed to the finer things in life, well, I've traveled just about all over the world and stayed in everything from $20 a night hotels to hotels costing $500 a night and more. The one amenity I can't seem to comprehend anyones' desire for is nightly turndown service. Maid service and room service are all part of a decent hotel stay. However, I'm perfectly capable of removing the bedspread and turning back the blankets! As a matter of fact, I find the service annoying and usually refuse it. I mean, there I am, comfortable in my underwear, watching TV, then comes a knock at my door. There stands someone wanting to "put me to bed" like some little kid! Then I have to get into my robe (which is usually ratty since I spend my money on my vacation, not a designer silk robe to impress the hired help), stand there and feel like a fool while someone turns down my bed, perhaps puts a chocoate or a rose on my pillow (I'm allergic to both), then stands there expecting a tip! Or just perhaps my dh and I are engaged in, um, well... and there comes a knock at the door. Of course, We can put the "do not disturb" sign on the door, but that doesn't do much good. They just call you from another room wanting to know if you want the turndown service. Ever tried answering the phone while engaged in, um, well... Of course, you could chose to ignore the phone (but the mood's broken now, might as well answer it), however, if you don't answer the phone they just let themselves in with their pass key. Of course, you could use the inside door bolt, as we did once, but then they assume something's wrong in there. Obviously you must be inside to fasten the bolt, and if you don't answer the phone perhaps you're dead in there! So you still have to get up from, um, well... and talk to them through the door that you don't need them to turn down the blankets for you. Many hotels act like this is a great service but I could do without someone practically breaking down the door every night. Oh, and that's on top of the 3 times a day maid service! I mean, I'm not that big of a slob! There again, my privacy's interrupted anywhere from 2-5 times a day by someone performing usless tasks and expecting a tip. Once a day maid service is expected, however, some hotels over do it. I really can pull the blankets off the bed! What next, a toilet flush service? The next level in hotel amenities--a little string next to the toilet just like in a hospital. You just pull on the cord and someone comes in to flush it for you! Perhaps they could provide additional services in there while they're at it! I mean, some things a person would like to do for themselves, and taking the blanket off the bed is one I would rather do! Or I guess I'm just "not to the manor born". I'm one of those self-sufficient people. Oh, well, just wondered why some people think turn down service is so great? Or am I missing something?

 

[Disney Bumfords]

well.....

why not let the front desk know that you don't want the nightly turndown service???

I'm sure that would work.

Sheeeeeeesh!!!

 

[vhoffman]

I have let the front desk know I don't want the turndown service. However, it usually doesn't get through to the night crew, many of whom don't speak English anyways and are just on auto pilot. Like I said, The "do not disturb" sign doesn't even get honored! But my question isn't how to stop the service, its why anyone would want it in the first place?

 

[Liz]

I'm with you!! Thanks for the laugh!!!

 

[Bojangles]

You have to request turndown service even at the WDW deluxe resorts unless you stay concierge level.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Turndown service will also get your trash removed and fresh towels left in the bathroom. And maybe a chocolate or other candy on your pillow.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Hey, I'm a divorced mom of 2 (1 DS grown and with a son of his own... going to WDW with my youngest DS, age 12...I'll take any kind of pampering I can get! Once you give birth, you have no pride so I don't care what the hired help see me in!

TC

 

[Mamu]

Maybe were night people but i've never been in the room when turn-down service happens.

I am far from being a spoiled person. I do everything myself, cleaning my own house (no maid service) cooking meals (rarely eat out) yard work (no lawn service) lots of home remodeling and repairs.

When I vacation I like a little pampering. I love the turn-down service.

My Grandchildren usually camp so this was a treat, with a candy on the pillow.

I like all the Pixie Dust I can get. After a long day of being on the go, be it Disney or some other vacation spot, I love returning to my room and having everything ready for Beddy-Bye.

 

[KELLIE JONES]

I have to agree with mamu. We have never been in the room while they are providing the service. but then agian, we usually stay at the Hard Rock at universal studios and they have scensors that let them know if anyone is in the room . I like the fact that our room is cleaned with the lights down low, it atomatically calms me down. we usually come in from the parks to shower and change for a night out, and we dont get back until after midnight. the only thing I have to complain about is when we get back our room is allways hot because they turn the temp to 75, and we keep it as low as it will go.


to each his own,
Kellie

 

[cinmell]

I like the turn down service but not because they come and turn down the blankets on the bed. I like it because we get fresh clean towels at night (and used ones taken away) and the trash emptied.

 

[zaxmom]

And if you have a baby in diapers, you want that trash taken out in the evening. A simple "No Thank You, Not Tonight" when you hear the knock on the door works. If only that worked for my husband...

I LOVE turndown. It has nothing to do with turning down the sheets, though I appreciate not having to touch the bedspread. Especially on active trips when you are showering before dinner. Vacation to me, is not having to use the same towel twice. At the Hard Rock, they left a little toy on each bed for the kids every night. They were always excited to come back and see what they got each night. I did not buy a single toy for them that trip. That is worth a buck or two for the maid.

 

[CRCrazy]

I too love the turndown service, at least at WDW. On other trips, where we might spend more evenings in the room, it might be more obtrusive!

Our family of five tends to do some sort of park in the am - back to the resort for a break and a swim in the afternoon - then showers for all, and off to dinner and whatever our evening plans are! My girls love coming back into the room, to find a good night chocolate on their pillows, and usually their stuffies are placed strategically for some good Disney fun. At the AKL - we received a little good night African proverb card each day -- my oldest thought these were the best part of the trip! Basically - we just loved the pampering! My little one loved that the concierge would lay out the bathrobes on Mom and Dad's beds - of course, she scoffed it to throw on over her jammies while she went out on the balcony to say goodnight to the zebras!

I loved the fact that all our wet, yucky towels were whisked away, and fresh clean dry towels were ready for morning!

More than justification for the $5 tip we left each night!

To each his own - whatever that may be!

 

[Mymatisse]

Originally posted by vhoffman
I have let the front desk know I don't want the turndown service. However, it usually doesn't get through to the night crew, many of whom don't speak English anyways and are just on auto pilot. Like I said, The "do not disturb" sign doesn't even get honored! But my question isn't how to stop the service, its why anyone would want it in the first place?

Wow, this turn down thing really seems to be a big issue with you! You wonder why would someone want it in the first place? Well someone could pose a similar question to you, why would someone NOT want it? It's all about personal preference. I PERSONALLY think turndown services is nice. As many posters have stated you get fresh towels, garbage emptied etc.

Also, if you are really having a problem with the "night crew, many of whom don't speak English.." not realizing that you don't want the service, why don't you just put the chain on your door and don't answer it? I can almost assure you that none of the non english speaking "help" will break into your room to turn down your bed.


Just my two cents

 

[vhoffman]

Like I said, I do use the chain (or inside bolt on the door). That doesn't stop housekeeping from knocking on the door, and, when they get no answer, proceed to open the door with their pass key. Then, when they find the chain on the door, they call into the room to see if we're ok. I just don't want to be bothered with answering the door, phone, whatever at night when we'd really like our privacy. All to remove the bed covers, which we're capable of doing ourselves! This happened once to us at the Polynesian concierege level. I told the front desk numerous times that we did NOT want the turn down service, however, that information somehow just didn't get through to the night crew. I found it intrusive and annoying

 

[Aisling]

We love the turn-down service, and especially request it. It's nice to come back late at night after a long day at the parks and have the lamp on, the radio playing soft music, the pillows fluffed, and a little treat on the bed, ,like chocolates, stickers, and once we got a BC fridge magnet. And the service if free.

It's better than coming "home" to a dark room. It just has that cozy touch whe we come home to a turned-down room. It's a very welcoming feeling.

 

[MagicPrincess]

I am really looking forward to the turndown service! I didn't realize that they also leave fresh towels and empty the trash- that is wonderful (considering I have a little one in diapers!!!)

thanks for all the input!
can't wait for our WL concierge experience!!!

 

[DisneyLisa]

Originally posted by Bojangles
You have to request turndown service even at the WDW deluxe resorts unless you stay concierge level.

Turndown service is automatic at the GF. We enjoyed it buts as others have said, mostly for the clean towels. DD enjoyed the chocolates, but there were 4 of us & housekeeping always left just 3 chocolates (in a room with 2 queen beds).

 

[leighe]

I love turndown service - I think it is so restful and peaceful to come back to the room and have the lights turned down, fresh towels, etc. However, DH HATES it just because he cannot stand for a bed to be unmade unless he's sleeping in it. To messy me the bed isn't unmade, just a corner is turned down. He is the guy though, that when I had pneomonia and got up to sit up on the couch for about 30 minutes (at 9 or 10 pm) MADE the bed. I came back into the room and he had actually made the bed! He does it all the time! Drives me nuts! I, of course, have no annoying little habits!

 

[s&k'smom]

I really loved the turn down service at GF last year. to have the trash emptied and the little note and chocolates was just a nice little treat. Because we had two young ones they left the tv on the channel that told the bedtime story. It was a nice touch. One night we were there and they knocked on the door it was actually fairly early but the gentleman asked if we wanted it and that particular night we said no and he handed us our cholcates. Of course the next night I made sure we were out of the room so we could have it turned down. It just made us feel a little spoiled.

 

[MagicPrincess]

what time do they usually do the turn down service???