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Can someone explain the turndown service in hotels please? I am in a lovely room in Thailand watching the rain and turndown has just occurred – a sheet was pulled back and a towel put in front of the shower. I always find this process ludicrous, verging on hilarious. Am I missing something?
What no chocolate on the turned over corner of the sheet? No tip there then!
No I’ve never seen the point either, especially without the chocolate!
It’s a chance for quick tidy up of the room – replace any towels and empty the bin.
Though I agree no chcolate (or water) is definitly the end of the world.
Is the expectation to tip twice a day if you receive a turn down service?
I’m currently enjoying my confirmable Suite upgrade at the Carlton, Cannes and the service has been terrific. Have been leaving a housekeeping tip in the morning but not for the turndown service.
Tip if you’re planning to use your suite voucher here – Try to book with points as breakfast is included (worth €100 for 2 and it’s very good).
Once upgraded to a suite most of the mini bar is free including 1/2 bottle of möet (not spirits or some wine). At least I hope I understood that correctly or my bill is going to be far worse than I’m already expecting.This reminds me of the time a friend of mine thought he had bought a bottle of Pol Roger in Brazil for £28 – he was feeling very pleased with himself until it was pointed out to him that he had actually paid £280.
It’s a chance for quick tidy up of the room – replace any towels and empty the bin.
Though I agree no chcolate (or water) is definitly the end of the world.
I would hope they do a bit more than that! Fresh ice, water, close the curtains if it’s dark, remove any dirty cups/glasses etc. and of course refold the loo paper.
I usually have a chocolate Jenga tower by the end of a stay, or a brown smudge on my face depending on the libations that evening.
I usually have a chocolate Jenga tower by the end of a stay, or a brown smudge on my face depending on the libations that evening.
Oh, the morning disaster when you wake to find a chocolate wrapper welded to your face and the melted chocolate has managed to spread across four pillows and throughout the bed.
I especially love turn down service during summer as they come at 6pm to close the curtains and then I have to open them as the sun doesn’t set for several hours
From what I can tell it’s for people who are unsure how to use a bed. Or people who want to use multiple towels per day rather than rehang them like a civilised person.
Sometimes you get nice chocolates but personally if I’m in my room when they call, I just decline.
So I’m in camp What’s The Point?
It’s one of those religious things though like dress codes and whether fruit belongs on main courses.
The point of turndown service is to show that they’re a 5-star hotel rather than a 4-star!
It makes a huge different if you have children.
My 6 yo has the capacity to ruin the room in a couple of hours. Particularly in summer holidays with multiple showers a day for the whole family, turndown service helps a lot.The point of turndown service is to show that they’re a 5-star hotel rather than a 4-star!
@Pangolin, this is interesting. On night 1 of my stay (standard room) there was no turndown. On day 2 I was upgraded to a suite and have had (well, politely declined) turndown each night in the new room.No mention of towel art? How can one retire for the night without carefully manouvering the elephant shaped towel from your bed to a chair?
I find it all a bit of a liability. What usually happens is we get to the room and realise there are only 2 towels. I request a third so I can wash my hair, but then I have to remember to hide it during any room/turn down service as otherwise they will take it away and leave us with 2, which isn’t enough! I even took a towel of my own once, but stupidly packed a white one, and they took that as well …
Anyway, OH has become very proficient in concealing the third towel at the back of the wardrobe, lol.They seem to do this even when the towels are hung up in the bathroom indicating that we will re-use them!
I find it all a bit of a liability. What usually happens is we get to the room and realise there are only 2 towels. I request a third so I can wash my hair, but then I have to remember to hide it during any room/turn down service as otherwise they will take it away and leave us with 2, which isn’t enough! I even took a towel of my own once, but stupidly packed a white one, and they took that as well …
Anyway, OH has become very proficient in concealing the third towel at the back of the wardrobe, lol.They seem to do this even when the towels are hung up in the bathroom indicating that we will re-use them!
Your own towel being white wasn’t the problem. I have brought (clearly non-white) face cloths to lesser hotels in the past and have seen my face cloth disappear as part of the towel change. Frustrating
Can someone explain the turndown service in hotels please? I am in a lovely room in Thailand watching the rain and turndown has just occurred – a sheet was pulled back and a towel put in front of the shower.
Is it not the time they empty the loo paper bin and light the mosquito deterrents? I assumed that was the main reason.
Obvs I’m talking Thailand/Asia here, not the Travelodge in Watford 🙂
It’s a right pain in my view as we often enjoy a siesta with extras, a drop of fizz and then get shipshape and Bristol fashion before venturing forth for the evening. Some Rosa Klebb character bustling round the room does nothing for my good humour tbh.
That reminds me of the system at the Kimpton Seafire, @HampshireHog. If you’re happy to receive room service (or a Bond assassin), you illuminate a green light, if not, a red one 😂
Some places have neatly folded my charging cables (Mandarin Oriental added MO branded cable ties and placed them on a little square cloth) and also folded any clothes that have been left on the cabinets. Just as well that wasnt one of the places where the whole case had been emptied out 😀
Jumeirah Dar al Masyaf is Dubai understands turndown. Day 1, they left charming branded bookmarks on our books; day 2, they put charming branded cleaning cloths under our sunglasses; day 3, they put charming branded pots of hand cream beside our bed; day 4 eludes my memory, but was equally charming; day 5 was our last night, so they left chocolates, a bottle of bubbly, a bunch of flowers and a handwritten card on the table. Of course, each day they also changed towels, drew the curtains, replaced the tea and coffee, tidied-up, folded the bedspread, placed slippers beside the bed, replenished the mini bar and provided fresh ice.
That’s service done right.
I’d definitely tip for that.
Even though particularly impeccable service and little extras on last night of a stay is … well…
Jumeirah Dar al Masyaf is Dubai understands turndown. Day 1, they left charming branded bookmarks on our books; day 2, they put charming branded cleaning cloths under our sunglasses; day 3, they put charming branded pots of hand cream beside our bed; day 4 eludes my memory, but was equally charming; day 5 was our last night, so they left chocolates, a bottle of bubbly, a bunch of flowers and a handwritten card on the table. Of course, each day they also changed towels, drew the curtains, replaced the tea and coffee, tidied-up, folded the bedspread, placed slippers beside the bed, replenished the mini bar and provided fresh ice.
That’s service done right.
This is similar to Grosvenor House Dubai. Intuitive customer service. I daren’t say much more about it on here as I wouldn’t want prices to inflate
No mention of towel art? How can one retire for the night without carefully manouvering the elephant shaped towel from your bed to a chair?
To quote Alex Polizzi, The Hotel Inspector: what is it with shit hotels and towel swans?
No mention of towel art? How can one retire for the night without carefully manouvering the elephant shaped towel from your bed to a chair?
To quote Alex Polizzi, The Hotel Inspector: what is it with shit hotels and towel swans?
Alex Polizzi; scratching that itch British men have of being told off for many a year now 😏
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