Etiquette in expensive hotels.

[flimsier]

For our anniversary in October I've booked us into a 5* hotel in Prague for a week.

Now I'm always embarrassed by what I'm expected to do in posh hotels, like am I supposed to pay for a morning paper? I know I'm supposed to tip the porter, but how much? At the restaurant, is it usual to say there's nothing on the menu that you like and ask them to make something else (it's been offered once when I equivocated)? Do cabs ordered by the hotel cost more?

I love staying in these places, despite not being able to afford to often (after our wedding was the last time) or being anything like as loaded as those around us, but would appreciate tips from others who have stayed in such places.

[fanta]

Pinch the towels!

[pinkmonkey]

For our anniversary in October I've booked us into a 5* hotel in Prague for a week.

Now I'm always embarrassed by what I'm expected to do in posh hotels, like am I supposed to pay for a morning paper? I know I'm supposed to tip the porter, but how much? At the restaurant, is it usual to say there's nothing on the menu that you like and ask them to make something else (it's been offered once when I equivocated)? Do cabs ordered by the hotel cost more?

I love staying in these places, despite not being able to afford to often (after our wedding was the last time) or being anything like as loaded as those around us, but would appreciate tips from others who have stayed in such places.

The paper is complimentary - if it isn't they'll tell you when you check in.

Tip the porter - its usually about $1 -~$2 a bag, but I often make the excuse I've not got any currency (usually true) and ask for their name and tip them when I check out.

I've never asked for off menu in a hotel, but if its a slight adjustment to something on the menu, I cant see it being a problem.

Sometimes cabs ordered by the hotel cost more - it's best to check (she says after dashing into a hotel lobby last week to book a car because there were no taxis at the rank, only to find out they'd ordered a mercedes limo to take me for about £60 for a 20 min journey. :rolleyes: )

Don't be afraid to ask. They are used to lots of questions.

Edited to add: don't bother pinching the towels - they take your credit card imprint when you check in for a reason, when you check out they count up stuff like towels, any that are gone they add the cost to your bill.

If you must nick them, whip them off the maids trolley when shes in a room cleaning. I didn't tell you that.

[Donna Ferentes]

Don't take a taxi in Prague if you can avoid it anyway.

[Shanksy]

For our anniversary in October I've booked us into a 5* hotel in Prague for a week.

Now I'm always embarrassed by what I'm expected to do in posh hotels, like am I supposed to pay for a morning paper? I know I'm supposed to tip the porter, but how much? At the restaurant, is it usual to say there's nothing on the menu that you like and ask them to make something else (it's been offered once when I equivocated)? Do cabs ordered by the hotel cost more?

I love staying in these places, despite not being able to afford to often (after our wedding was the last time) or being anything like as loaded as those around us, but would appreciate tips from others who have stayed in such places.

In the Czech Rep. with tipping you usually just round up the price to a suitable number. Usually by about 10-20Krns, which comes out to about 25-50p. Round up more if feeling extra genreous or there is a large group all paying together.

The taxi drivers are absolute buggers there and will try and fleece you no end. Getting one from the hotel will probably be cheaper, if you can get them to find out the price before hand, but still expect them to ask for more when you get to your destination.

There was a famous incident not too long ago when the Mayor of Prague pretended to be an Italian tourists and the cab driver ended up charging him many times the going rate for a cab.

And unless you can read Czech then i'm not too sure why you should worry about buying papers, although there is one english paper called the Prague Post.

With the restaurants you order the food seperately, for example when ordering a steak, it usually will not come with a side order, and you have to order chips, or what ever you want as well.