I was in Barcelona last week for meetings and stayed at the Vincci Condal Mar which I can only describe as a W wanna be that has not been updated since the early 70’s. See posts below.

One of the interesting things about many European hotels is the lack of irons. Below is a note from a colleague on the iron situation:

Apparently some guest borrowed one once and burned their bed linen and now they don’t offer them anymore.   Just like they don’t offer adapters for U.S. power – I guess someone didn’t return one once.  I guess if one guest ordered room service once and punched the delivery person they would stop room service too.  Or if someone broke the phone they would rip out phones from all the rooms too.  I guess the hotel business is not a service industry here.  I guess it’s all about THEM not about the GUESTS! 

My iron issue went like this:

8AM: Realize there is no iron, call reception where I am told ‘No irons. Housekeeping will iron your shirt for you, but they cannot do it until 10AM or later and need several hours as they are busy right now – cleaning rooms’

805AM: After a heated discussion around how he will find someone to iron my shirt ASAP or send me an iron as I cannot go to a "£$%£! meeting with a wrinkled shirt he tells me that he will call me back.

815AM: Calls me back. OK, he has spoken to housekeeping and they can make this EXTRA SPECIAL, ONE TIME ONLY, NEVER TO BE REPEATED exception to iron my shirt.

830AM: Housekeeper shows up with someone from reception to iron my shirt.

850AM: Shirt shows up ironed. I am late for my meeting and I think they charged me 9 Euros.

Europeans DEFINITELY have a different view of customer service.