My hotel guests booked the hotel next door

[Simon43]

Dear hotel agony aunt (this could be a daily thread if TD members like it)

After leaving my little hotel in Phuket, I took the speedboat back to Ao Nang and settled in at my hostel/guesthouse.

2 Russian women had checked in that day for a 4-night stay. and my staff couldn't find their booking. It turns out that they actually booked to stay at the hotel next door, but were too stupid to realise that there were actually 2 hotels located next to each other. They haven't paid any money/deposit to the other hotel, just a reservation.

Their English is better than my Russian, by about 3 words.

What should I do?

Do I tell them that they are in the wrong hotel, and lose out on the income?

Do I keep stum, and pretend that my hotel is the same one as next door?

Do I scare them back into their rooms by doing a Basil Fawlty?

Do I buy them an English/Thai phrasebook?

Do I offer to take them out for a traditional Ao Nang piss-up?

Right now, I told them that the other hotel has no wi-fi (true), and I even got their Russian laptop working on my wi-fi. So they are all smiles right now -(if it is actually possible for Russian women to smile).

Your concerned hotel manager - Simon

[Jeremia]

They are come and go itinerants in your life..The hotel next door is more permanent so your business relationship with them is more important. Tell the guests and the hotel next door what happened maybe you can strike a deal.

Or they could move out and might still be able to use your Wifi if it is that close!!

[blue]

send them next door for the karma
and don;t call potential guests stupid

[The Fresh Prince]

Any pics?

Cracking open a bottle of vodka would go down well.

[Loy Toy]

Play dumb but find out which international marketing exposure the hotel nextdoor has as seems it's working better then the one you have.

[navynine]

After reading your other post on folks wanting a refund I can see your hotel going downhill if not there already fast.

[brouhaha]

(*mental note - avoid this kunt simon's establishment*)

[Bogon]

Go for the karma route mate.
Get the missus to escort the girls to the correct hotel and let her explain to the reception/managment about the mix up.
May help you in the future.

[Cujo]

I'm with karma.

[Rural Surin]

...and don't call potential guests stupid

No problem. Russian.

[Kurgen]

'fess up, after you take their non refundable roubles

[baldrick]

being a long time reader of pattaya mail articles on TD , I can point you in the right direction.

you need to get drunk with them and shag on the beach in front of a crowd of onlookers.

[Simon43]

being a long time reader of pattaya mail articles on TD , I can point you in the right direction.

you need to get drunk with them and shag on the beach in front of a crowd of onlookers.

Yes, that is one option I considered (for a nanosecond). They are 2 very nice girls, but rather ..er.. plump.

Anyway, I decided on the Thai approach and said 'up to you' as far as moving hotels is concerned. Since they were wowed by my skills with their Russian laptop, they have decided to stay.

I've already dealt with the karma bit - the hotel next door uses my wi-fi for free anyway.

Simon

Reminder to self - get some Russian language lessons

[BobR]

Anyway, I decided on the Thai approach and said 'up to you' as far as moving hotels is concerned. Since they were wowed by my skills with their Russian laptop, they have decided to stay.


Good, and travelling that distance, trying to read signs in Thai, talk to a Thai taxi driver or find a Thai address can be overwhelming, easy to understand how they landed at the wrong hotel. Glad it worked out for you.

Does Phuket have the some volume of Russians that Pattaya does? Seems to be many times more Russians now in Pattaya than 5 years ago, is Phuket the same?

[Simon43]

BobR, these Russians are at my hostel in Ao Nang. not Phuket. 3 of our rooms have Russian guests staying..

At my Phuket hotel, it's the same - many more Russians than a few years ago. I was in Pattaya last week and know about the big increase in Russians who travel and live in Pattaya. I think Russians are just visiting Ao Nang for holidays, not staying to live, but in Phuket it is for both holiday and living.

One thing these Russians all have in common is their lack of English skills. I have been meaning to sign up for Russkie language lessons, because my Thai staff have enough trouble communicating in English.

BTW - (statement intended not for you but the board in general) - please lighten up on my threads about hotel customers. Some posters seem to lack basic understanding of wit, sarcasm and humour

[dirtydog]

Some posters seem to lack basic understanding of wit, sarcasm and humour

We do seem to have a lot of American members......

[baldrick]

Some posters seem to lack basic understanding of wit, sarcasm and humour

ok - I will stop the serious replies now you have supplied the requisite smilie

[Bogon]

BTW - (statement intended not for you but the board in general) - please lighten up on my threads about hotel customers. Some posters seem to lack basic understanding of wit, sarcasm and humour

How dare you say that!
We, the board members have a right to put our views across in any which way we choose to do so.
Witty comments are NOT constructive comments, thus I'm sure DD and the rest of the board agree that all humour shall, and will not be tolorated.
You have the gall to come here and try to dictate how we (the whole world) should reply to this thread!
Gosh man. YOU MAKE ME SICK.

Signed.

The horrible woman's (lying about being a travel journo) husband who compalined about no window in the room.

[Cujo]

BTW - (statement intended not for you but the board in general) - please lighten up on my threads about hotel customers. Some posters seem to lack basic understanding of wit, sarcasm and humour

How dare you say that!
We, the board members have a right to put our views across in any which way we choose to do so.
Witty comments are NOT constructive comments, thus I'm sure DD and the rest of the board agree that all humour shall, and will not be tolorated.
You have the gall to come here and try to dictate how we (the whole world) should reply to this thread!
Gosh man. YOU MAKE ME SICK.

Signed.

The horrible woman's (lying about being a travel journo) husband who compalined about no window in the room.

Have I stumbled into daveseslcafe?
Even lighthearted banter is frowned upon over there.
( We are serious teachers who take ourselves very seriously don't you know)

[Finney64]

now if either of 'em look like this.....

[Thetyim]

Is that you with your camera again Finney ?

[Finney64]

^ could well be , I was trying to get them to pose like the Argie womens' footie team ( see my last post in " some lovely rear ends)

[Simon43]

now if either of 'em look like this.....

Er.. no.. if they looked like that, then I would be flattering them with their great choice of hotel, and can I please hold your laptop and sniff the keys a bit?

Simon

[Spin]

I took the speedboat back to Ao Nang

I'd rather hear about the speedboat, pics please, and pics of the scenery going back to Ao Nang.

Much better thread material than lost commie fatties, no?

[Finney64]

can I please hold your laptop and sniff the keys a bit?

whatever floats your boat