Hotels continue to invest millions of dollars in lobbies and spas but, according to a new survey of frequent travelers, the things that matter to hotel guests are far more basic.
The 2015 Hotel Pet Peeves Survey, conducted by Frequent Business Traveler magazine, found that frequent travelers continue to be dissatisfied with hotel Internet, the accessibility of electrical outlets, and room cleanliness, in that order.
The study, which began in 2011, presents readers with a comprehensive list of hotel-related pet peeves, which are then ranked in descending order from most to least irksome.
The next three were Cigarette Smoke Odor, Climate Control Not Easily Adjustable, and Noise, followed by Insufficient Water Pressure or Temperature, Unexpected Fees, Uncomfortable Pillows, and Insufficient Lighting.
The top peeves were problems that affect a traveler’s ability to work (Internet, electrical outlets, lighting) and enjoy a restful stay (cleanliness, noise, climate control, pillows, and water pressure).
The findings put hotel managers on notice that they can’t afford to skimp on the fundamentals, especially in an age where guests are able to quickly broadcast their grievances to millions of others on social media.
A total of 1,969 people took part in the survey. The research was conducted earlier this year in association with FlyerTalk, the world’s largest online travel community, and ExpertFlyer, a leading air travel information tool.
“Our readers aren’t asking for gold-plated faucets and butler service,” said Jonathan Spira, Frequent Business Traveler’s editorial director. “They only want a quiet, clean room in which they can work and sleep.”
