While staying in a luxury hotel is always an experience to look forward to, it becomes instantly more wonderful when a complimentary upgrade is presented to you with a smile at the check-in desk.
So you don’t really need that plunge pool on your balcony or the huge lounge accompanying your bedroom – but you would hardly say no to such pleasures, would you? Added extras like flowers in your room, an incredible sea view, and a whopping bath make all the difference.
Most of us feel guilty enough just spending our hard-earned cash on the most basic room in the first place, so the thought of spending even more just to have a fancier room is often out of the question. Luckily, we’ve done some digging and spoken to hotel managers from resorts around the world, who have given us the inside track on how best to up our chances of getting a free room upgrade.
Don’t be a cheapskate
While of course it would be excellent to be welcomed into the presidential suite with open arms and offered Champagne, massages and tasting menus for free, realistically, hotels actually need to earn money. That’s why showing them you’re not a total blagger can be rather helpful. Mike Morgan, director of the Welsh Rarebits hotels, says: “Don’t book the cheapest room and expect a freebie because hoteliers will just think you’re cheeky. Even booking the second cheapest room can seriously increase your chances of getting bumped up to a better one." And according to Neil Rowlands, general manager at Tre Ysgawen Hall Country House Hotel & Spa, booking a meal or a spa treatment in advance “will show them you’re not after a total freebie and create a sense of goodwill”. Now, hot stone massage or seaweed wrap?
Go in a big group
Who doesn’t love a massive group holiday? They’re perfect whether you’re a social butterfly who never runs out of conversation or if you prefer to slip away unnoticed from huge crowds for some alone time. Luckily for big groups of friends, you can use size to your advantage to wangle your way to a fancier room, according to Sven Flory of The Chedi Andermatt. “If you book into several rooms for a luxury weekend away in the Alps, we may well surprise you and upgrade you to a suite,” he says. Adrian Grant of Tamarind by Elegant Hotels agrees: “We recommend staying with your friends and family as we offer exclusive upgrades when group bookings are made.” Time to round up all your pals and start booking those flights, don’t you think?
Pick your times wisely
Rocking up nonchalantly at your hotel and hoping for the best might work sometimes – but it’s best to be tactical about the time you show up, according to Elliot Adams of website HotelTonight, who recommends checking in as late as possible. “Late checkers-in have a higher chance of riding the elevator to a higher floor,” he says. “Hotels tend to allocate standard rooms first and hold back the gems in a bid to upsell, but if they get the feeling they aren't going to sell them late in the day, they are more inclined to upgrade people as a means to 'wow' them and entice them back for future stays.” And what day of the week is best to snare that exclusive suite? “Sundays are a good night to try your luck,” Adams says. “Occupancy rates are lower than other days.” Plus, if upgrades are more important to you than staying put in one place for a week or two, according to Adams, “one night stays are also more likely to be eligible for an upgrade.” We know what we’re doing on Sunday night, then…
Get married
If scaremongering statistics and daunting news reports are to be believed, the state of modern marriage is looking dire. On the bright side, if you’ve recently taken the plunge and tied the knot, you might as well start your marriage on a positively perfect note – by using the occasion of your honeymoon to ensure optimum luxury. Axelle Mazery of LUX Belle Mare Mauritius says: "If you are visiting us for your honeymoon, we will try our best to upgrade you. We always fall for a good love story.” And if you’re married already, or firmly against the institution, do not despair: birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions are just as worthy of an upgrade – but you have to let the hotel know. As Ronnie Orr of Highbullen Hotel notes: “If you’re lucky enough to be celebrating a special occasion then make sure you make a song and dance about it.”
Use your social media prowess
Despite all your witty tweets about your latest flight nightmare and your wry observations on the latest episode of An Idiot Abroad, you’re still stuck at 300 followers. No matter – you don’t need to be a Kardashian to use your social media following to your advantage. According to Andrew Crookston, hotel manager at St Martins Lane, schmoozing the hotel staff through social media is the way forward. “Contact a key figure at the hotel a few days before your stay,” he says. “Check out the hotel’s Twitter feed and email the guest experiences manager who is responding to comments.” If you can’t bear to actually ask outright, just tweeting in general about the hotel can work wonders too.
“Use some social media love,” says Christos Hajipapas from Cyplon Holidays. “Tweeting about your impending arrival or writing on the hotel's Facebook page are great ways of making them aware you're staying with them and puts you on their radar before you even come through the doors. Obviously a good following on those platforms will help your chances, but it's not a necessity.” A relief for all those avid tweeters who haven’t quite acquired the sacred blue tick yet.
Become a regular
As if you needed another excuse to visit your favourite hotel more than is strictly necessary, but being a well-known face and reminding the hotel of how often you visit can help you jump through the proverbial upgrade hoops. Adrian Grant, hotel manager at Tamarind by Elegant Hotels, opines that if you’re a loyal customer, hotels “will often upgrade if availability allows.” Plus, regular guests know that booking direct with the hotel, rather than through an agent, is always the best way to go if you’re looking for an upgrade. No shame in digging out that suitcase for a third time this year if it’s for such a worthy cause.
Always be polite
This isn’t just when you want an upgrade, obviously – more of a rule for life. However, it will take you especially far when you want the room with the plunge pool and the private butler – and the politeness should start from the moment you think about booking your trip. “We remember each and every guest and they're looked after by the same person from the enquiry through to their stay,” says Georgina Porteous of Ibiza Summer Villas. “So, if you've been a delight throughout the booking process, your chances of an upgrade are far higher.” While this might seem obvious, apparently too many of us forget about this one crucial life lesson when checking into hotels. "While there is no guaranteed route to snaring an upgrade at a hotel, being pleasant and presentable will go a long way,” says Elliot Adams of HotelTonight. “You'd be surprised how many people trip up on one or more of these fundamentals, B-list celebs in particular.” Now we’re curious…
Just... ask
The very thought of it makes us blush an improper shade of red, but unfortunately, if you want the butler and enormous balcony, it has to be done. While it’s not the most elegant thing in the world to request, plucking up the courage to boldly ask the receptionist will probably not elicit any eye-rolling – and may even prompt the magic words you so long to hear. Mike Morgan, director of the Welsh Rarebits hotels, says: “It’s very true that if you don’t ask you don’t get, so swallow any apprehension and just ask the question. Being polite and smiley will go a long way.” As long as the smiling masks our acute embarrassment, that will be just fine.
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