Day 8 - Hospitality and Service Like None Other

You all know I'm extremely picky and everywhere I go, look for the finest hotels, restaurants to enjoy and never leave without finding something to complain about. Well, unless things change in the next 5 days, this may the place. The hotel staff are well trained, and truly understand the meaning of service. I've never left the room even for as little as an hour when upon returning did not find our beds made, room tidied and straightened up with fresh towels and water. The housekeeping staff on the floor have been the same 4 or 5 faces since we've arrived. When you get off the elevator, there are four hallways, 2 on each side with banks of rooms - the hotel staff know guests are always lost getting off the elevator and are always there to direct you in the direction of your room. When you leave your room, they rush ahead to the elevator to push the button to call for an elevator and walk you to it, making sure you get on safely, not tripping etc, which many new moms and dads holding their new babies do I guess.

I complained about the room not being cool enough the other night. Within 2 minutes an engineer was at my door to check on our unit. The next day, upon returning to my room from breakfast, the housekeeper asked me if my room was cool enough and comfortable. She said, while we were out, the engineer came back to check on our unit and confirmed the temperature was at 22 celcius. I've never had anyone follow up on a complaint at any hotel I've ever been at before.

I asked the housekeeper to write on a piece of paper for me the chinese words for "honey" and "lemon" to send Bill to the store with in case he needed it. She said honey was very good for babies. I explained it was for me, for my sore throat. The next time I passed her, she handed me some salt, which she got for me suggesting I gargle with it, that it would help. (By the way, Bill got my honey and lemon without needing any help from my cheat sheet. He's managed quite well here.)

You know, even with the language barriers - the people here, especially the staff at the hotel, but even the staff at the surrounding stores and restaurants are very accommodating, quick on the uptake with what you want and need. Many don't know much English, but are very perceptive. Its very easy to get around without knowing any Chinese. Knowing some, like I do helps, but not necessary.