The St. Paul Hotel Gets It Right |
 Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of staying at The St. Paul Hotel in St. Paul, MN. Flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations, green initiatives and other such flashy amenities get all the hype these days, but my two nights here reminded me that a great hotel stay often has very little to do with the hip add-ons and everything to do with basics like great service and a pleasant, well-trained staff. Too often these days, simple perks are replaced with things that sound really good on hotel web sites (1 million thread-count linens and aromatherapy popping up at every turn) but don't make that much of a difference in a guest's actual stay. At the St. Paul Hotel, the basics came free of charge, on time and from a top-notch staff. Here's what I'm talking about:
- A welcome call from the concierge to make sure check-in went smoothly
- Complimentary evening turndown with free bottled mineral water and bathrobes laid out on the bed
- Free wired high-speed Internet access in rooms, free wireless in lobby
- Free use of business center computers and complimentary printing up to three pages, reasonably priced after that
- Prompt removal of room service trays from hallways
- Fabric hangers in the closet (ideal for delicates)
- Aveda bath amenities
- 24-hour valet parking
While not earth-shattering, these simple perks made my stay far superior to many I've had at much more expensive hotels.
Lastly, in the name of full disclosure, I should mention that I have nothing to disclose. I paid for my own stay, and at no time did I mention my travel industry background to anyone on staff at the hotel.
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POSTED BY SYSADMIN - MONDAY, MAY 21, 2007
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