It's astounding how many hotels -- even brand new or recently refurbished places -- still don't have the facilities that today's business traveller needs.
We've all been there: oh, you want to plug in more than just one thing? You'll need to ferret under the desk and unplug one of these four other things from the power point floor box. Need a pick-me-up in the morning? Sorry, only instant "coffee" is in the room.
But on the other hand, there are some hotels with those little touches that make all the difference.
So consider this the business traveller's hotel wish list.
Enough power points
The first thing on the wish list is a plethora of power points. I travel relatively light, and have four things I need to plug in: camera, laptop, phone, headphones. It's rare that I can find enough plugs in the room, let alone near the desk, without having to move furniture.
Abroad, I really appreciate places with international power points too: the ones that'll take power points from the UK, US, Australia...any of the common plug shapes, really.
This is one of those really easy refits -- subject, of course, to local electrical regulations -- that really makes a difference to the business traveller.
If that won't work, try offering a selection by the desk for those times when you know that your multiplug adapter is in the bag somewhere, but you were rushed leaving Hong Kong and you're not sure if it's in the carry-on or the laptop bag.
While you're at it, hotels, put a power point or two on either side of the bed. If there are two people in the bed, both will want to plug in their phones overnight.
And no, if you have something already plugged into it, like a light or a clock radio, that doesn't count as a power point.
Espresso machine
Coffee. Proper coffee. Made from coffee. Not instant. In the room. It's the most important way to start the morning.
We like the simple Nespresso machines when on the road -- they're relatively foolproof and make a good espresso or long black.
Alternatively, a simple plunger coffee pot -- and free coffee, not "that'll be $7 from the minibar" -- is miles better than instant.
A proper desk
If you have to work in your hotel room, you'll quickly learn which hotel chains outfit their hotels with desks that are comfortable to work at, and which go for desks that are more form than function.
A desk like this one, in a hotel refurbished just this year? Not the way to go.
That always ends up with us perched on the sofa or chair with a laptop rather than inviting backache and RSI by trying to work somewhere that's just deeply uncomfortable.
Extra points if the desk is one of those height adjustable ones.
And while we're looking at workspace, let's have a decent chair as well, one that gets you at the right height to be able to type on a laptop on the desk and supports your back.
Docks for your phone
Whether you're carrying an iPhone, BlackBerry, Android phone or Windows device, there's nothing like having some of your own music playing to make a hotel room feel like it's yours.
That can be done simply -- with a simple headphone jack cable to plug into the clock radio -- or as an all-in-one iPhone dock option.
But if a hotel goes for it, they'll need to keep their hardware updated: newer iPhone owners will know all too well that some iPod docks aren't compatible with the extra power that the iPhone requires.
Shoeshine service
While staying at the Four Seasons in Sydney recently, we really appreciated the small touch of being able to place shoes outside the door at night and having them magically returned, as if in a German fairytale, by the shoe polishing service.
This is relatively up there on the swanky list, but it shouldn't be that hard to get right, and it's a real boost to the business travel quotient of a hotel.
What's on your list?
Do you agree with everything on the list? What would you swap -- and what can you absolutely not live without? Share your thoughts with our readers below or join the conversation on Twitter: @AusBT.
About John Walton
Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.
1 on 23/6/11 by David