Can I travel and get the service I deserve?

We are bombarded lately with articles from every expert, speaking of the art of Hospitality and which property offers the best of the best. Then there are the little guys who aren't affiliated with a ginormous corporation to back them and they worry are they not given enough.
Seems like we have a bit of a dilemma on our hands if you ask for my opinion. Good customer service practices should ALWAYS be in the forefront of anyone in business today, either in Hospitality or Business, makes absolutely no difference. It's such an extremely simple concept but some seem to fail in the understanding of it. Treat those guests with the utmost respect, deliver the goods in a timely fashion and ensure them a clean and inviting establishment. They WILL return. Time and time again.
The old adage is true, if you provide the best service you can, they may not always remember it specifically but they will remember how they were treated. Although lately with social media and instant communication, I can assure you that if someone has had a horrible or trying experience, the world will certainly know about it in seconds. Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin......any format that there is a following and you have the makings of disaster.
Here is a quick list of simple rules to follow when we think about Hospitality service:

1. SMILE- ridiculous right? And yet, everyone reminds us of this topic multiple times. It is so easy to get caught up in daily tasks but when you have a guest in your midst, SMILE. They may have just had the most horrible of flight, screaming baby, turbulence, they could have been delayed for many hours and they have just arrived and all they want is a room. They are twisted up like a top and ready to burst.....do them a favor and smile. They will lighten up and it gives the guest a moment to breath and calm down.
2. BE HONEST- this might be an iffy one for some employers but really.......honesty is the best policy right? Wouldn't you yourself want the truth instead of a fluffy version? I want to know that there are no rooms available, or your going to walk me. I want to know that my flight is delayed because of troubles in LA and I need to make arrangements for my meeting this afternoon. I believe that most people would agree that telling me the truth rather than sugar coating it will cause alot less pain and alot less anger towards you. Take a deep breath, most people will understand it is NOT your fault your just merely the messenger. And guests, remember that Front Desk Agent is scared of you right now. DO NOT use that to your advantage. You know it's not THEM, they are merely trying to check you in. BE NICE!!
3. FOLLOW THROUGH- I have been in the business for some time, I know what guests really want. Personally for me, if your offering something to me, FOLLOWING THROUGH IS KEY! Don't offer me something extra and never provide it, I realize your busy but follow through. When checking into a Hotel and the guest has requested something, take the 5 seconds to call the room and ensure the guest has received it. Nothing infuriates me more than asking for towels or a specialty item that has been promised by the desk and I return to my room and feel forgotten. It is beneficial for you to take the time and call. The guest is going to totally put you in his good books after this tiny simple task. TRUST ME
4. LISTEN- look I realize that your 1500 room Hotel is overbooked and you have call out's in Housekeeping and this guest is completely melting down in front of you and your scared and embarrassed and probably angry but let me tell you something, take them aside, away from the other guests earshot and allow the guest to vent. 9 times out of 10 they merely want to be heard. They just need to get out what has happened in their day, their flight or work. Let them finish and THEN take the time to ensure that you have their best intentions at heart and you are going to do everything in your power to correct any wrong doing on your part. The guest really is going to appreciate the time and it will also most times allow them to cool off alittle. Most times, they will even recognize the error in thier ways and apologize. NOT ALWAYS however but alot of the time.
5. BREATH- it may sound just like the #1 and the SMILE comment but I assure you, if you take a few moments to take some deep cleansing breaths, it will help. Your heart rate will slowly start to go down and you have provided your brain some extra oxygen. You will also be more calm and the ability to fact that opportunity with grace will occur. It's difficult I realize. Hey, I can tell you that I use to be known for freaking out alittle, but nowadays, I recognize that it's NOT me that they are angry at, merely the situation and I certainly didn't cause it. I am the one trying to fix it.

Simple tips that are extremely helpful. I know that I try daily to ensure I am following my top 5 list and although it doesn't always work, you see, I am being honest with you, but 99% of the time it really does. The end result is always 100% guest satisfaction and sometimes putting yourself in a calm, cool and open frame of mind is exceeding the guests expectations and isn't that why we are in the Hospitality Market to begin with?