5 star hotel staff mingling with guests?

Question

Just wondering if anyone has a problem with this?

I'm a bellgirl/hotel porter & valet in a 5 star hotel. Staff are not allowed to dine in the hotel restaurants unless we have permission, and we are not allowed in the bar (which is attached to one of the restaurants).

In the previous hotel I worked at (The same hotel, different city) there was no such rule, we were allowed in the restaurant and bar whenever we wanted.

The manager of the bar thinks it is 'unprofessional'. Personally I think it's great to mingle with guests, as I have found previous stays in (classy) hotels most enjoyable when I can get to know the staff as 'real' people and not just the 'receptionist' or 'the porter'.

What are your thoughts? Do you think it's unprofessional? Or is it just a pretentious thing to make the guests feel exclusive (never mind the fact that the bar is open to the public...)

perplexed: I understand your point, but I guess it's not really the mingling part I'm annoyed about, it's that if my friends want to go out on a saturday night to the bar, I can't go because I work there.

I should've been more clear in my question. What I meant with my argument re: mingling with guests and my opinion on it is merely that I would not have a problem if I saw staff members in the bar.

Answer 1

The hotel where I work also has the same rules. While it may seem overly strict, it serves a very real purpose. *Most* employees would probably not abuse the privilege of using the hotel's facilities.....BUT. There WILL be one or two employees who go and ruin for everyone by making a a scene, causing problems, getting filthy, stinking, falling-down drunk at their place of employment--which is a no-no at ANY work place, not just hotels. I've seen it happen several times in my 10 years in hospitality, so it isn't just a convenient excuse. Granted, the rules may not stop it from happening, but it's still a good policy.

I think getting to know the staff as "real" people is a result of working in the industry, too--we know how much WE enjoy it when guests actually see the person behind the uniform, so we try to make that effort as well. For some people, though, the reason they're at the hotel to begin with is usually more pressing in their minds. I've found that guests who stay with us multiple times become more open to seeing us as individuals, while one-time guests can look right through us without seeing us. I wouldn't say that's it's bad or good--just different styles of people.

In the end, the hotel is the employer, they make the rules. I don't intend to sound harsh, but if it bugs that much, then go work somewhere else. Personally, I couldn't have that kind of fun while at work anyway--if I'm not on the clock, I don't want to be there!

Answer 2

It is a bit of a fine line calling it a public bar, but it is also on private property. That is the same as the hotel pool.. Outside guest can no come in when they feel like it. Even the bar has different rules

Confusing I know..The other poster had it right, a few bad employees have recked it for the rest of us..

Sad the rules would be different if you worked in bar that was NOT connected to a hotel..

I do not see it as a problem unless the employee does something wrong , but that employee should be the only one to get in trouble and not everyone else.

Answer 3

It might sound ok to you, but as a business traveler, I have to say it can sometimes be out of place. I am in hotels 4 nights a week typically on business trips, and Personally, after a long day, I just want to be left alone. It's no offense intended to anyone, but I just dont want to chat it up with anyone....just relax with a bit of tranquility. In a five star establishment especially, where you are getting high dollar guests, the management understands this, and that's why they have their rules in place. You also have a lot of foriegn clientel, and business men working on confidential and private business material, and so seems to be a need for privacy. In the hotels eyes, mingling=meddling, and that drives away business. And keep in mind that the barstaff and waitstaff have a different relationship with the clientel than the bellgirl.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

All these things cost money and raise your rates! They only offer items everyone will use, for instance only men will use the shaving cream. Most people consider toothbrushes and paste a personal item and almost always bring their own with them. Toothpaste would be expensive and you would have to buy whole (but small) tubes and they would only get used once. The desks may have some upon request or for sale in the lobby should you forget yours.

Answer 5

I do not want to mingle with any of the Hotel staff. they are the staff and not guests. I know its snobbish but really, they are the staff with a reason. Resign if you so really want to mingle with the guests.

Answer 6

Five star quests don't go there to mingle with the help. Follow the manager's advice.

cheers.

Answer 7

I think its also unprofessional. You are there to work and perform a service.

It also puts the hotel under more liability.

Answer 8

i work security at the WaterFront Hilton resort in Huntington beach California... and we have all the same rules as you said above..silly i think...but yea i toally agree with you...i try to relate to customers the best i can...it is said when you are in the hotel business that customer relations is Number 1....so keep doing what your doing...just make srue you dont get caught in any guys room...lol good way to loose your job

Answer 9

I think its fine but every manager has a different style and different goals. You gotta have faith in your manager.