On my last business trip I stayed in three different hotel chains, and two independant hotels, and "off" on these infernal machines turned out to mean, "turn on every 10 minutes and wake me up all night." It's not just the noise that is bothersome, it's the TERRIBLE USER EXPERIENCE and ENGINEERING.
These noisy machines violet the simple premise that we need quiet sleep, and that if we humans see an "Off" button, we humans take it literally. And we should! Instead these heaters are a clear a message about short-term profit thinking focused not on humans, but on profit margins and the air in the room. They come on when off to keep the air fresh in the room I assume. But instead of engineering a heater with a variable speed fan, enabling almost silent air freshening, these bastards go with the cheap, industrial fans with one speed - loud. This is as crude as most of their carpets!
It's a simple technical challenge that has been solved long ago with variable speed blowers and quiet fans like in a Renni wall heater. I have a Renni in our tiny house. It only comes on high when it really needs to, mostly it is almost silent as it maintains the air temperature.
Three of these heaters on a recent trip still went on every 10 or so minutes during a recent trip to a Sheraton in South Burlington, VT. Capitol Plaza in Montpelier, VT. Sonesta ES in Burlington, MA.
I also stayed in the independent old school Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction, VT. That had a very old steam radiator that was loud once at night and once in the morning, and I preferred to the crappy electric heaters. And the Coolidge had a SILENT little electric oil radiator heater if I needed it. And... the Coolidge also just gave me a $4.50 credit at the great cafe next door and was charming with seemingly 12' ceilings.
Thank god the Sharaton's had an exposed plug, so I could unplug it. I plugged it back in when I left because I understand the rooms need ventilation, but ventilation when occupied more important then me getting a good nights sleep? That's the clear message the hotel is sending to me. Fuckers.
On this subject, when is someone going to make a simple hotel for the likes of me. One that prioritizes a quiet, rejuvenating, and luxurious stay? while not making me pay for amenities I don't want?
My Hotel Wishlist for Solo Business Trips
Generally, on business, I'm looking for a break from my normal life, and quiet.- Quiet. No noisy machines, including refrigerators, fans, heaters, water drains, and large gaps in front doors for hall noise. Rooms all face away from any really noisy traffic.
- Double thick windows that still open.
- Thick walls.
- Comfortable beds
- Really good free, no limit, wifi.
- TV with STREAMING services like Netflix, so I can watch what I want, when I want to. I can watch a full movie when I arrive, without waiting for one on soon-to-be-dead Cable.
- Drinking water included.
- Gym, or Pool, or large tub to soak in.
- Small rooms. I don't need a large room mostly. I need small economy rooms mostly. If want a large room to have visitors, maybe a few on site are good as an option.
- Bar if one isn't walking distance. Snacks are okay if simple and done well.
- No food on site. I'd rather not pay for food if it's near by to hotel, since that is usually done better then a hotel can.
- Info for ordering in from delivery places nearby
