Totally disagree that all the butler service is subpar and needs to be improved. Of course we are members. As you may know the butlers work in pairs for early/late shifts and days off. They somehow communicate at shift turnover but much of the time are there together. Both trips our butlers were outstanding and supplied very good service. But the first set (Oct17) were fired for doing too much for the guests (I am sure there is more behind it). The second set was just as good (Apr18) and we hope they are still employed in Aug18 and then Nov18 for our next trips as we will request them again. But as I have posted on other strings, I tip right off the bat (to insure promptness) and tell them more is coming if Rayanne is satisfied. Has work so far and I hope it continues.
Well that simply is not what he have experienced. Never seen a pair of butlers working in pairs. 5 trips now since this new method in effect. And as far as day off.....no one steps up There is no butler. If you negotiated waivers or additional items into your contract you want and expect them fulfilled and it fulls to the butler to obligate the entitlement Those are the so-called deal breakers! If you ever had Damian back before reno then you know that all butler service currently at TTR is subpar. And that was the title of thread.
Well this is our 1st time and we supposedly have butler service too... butler pool service and Butler Beach service or something like that and this is a 3rd one that I have read that the butler's disappear. Oh good grief they better cater to this diva!!!!
@marshe...Peace! As I have written different strokes for different folks. And most definitely different strokes to different folks. We get stroked and you do not, simple as that. You must not know who I am, and we are...lol! This is NOT fake news. You are entitled to you experience, since it is your experience, and hence your opinion. We on the other hand am entitled to express my experience and opinion. The butlers have been nothing but helpful. What I wrote is all true...our butlers in both instances worked in pairs and we were covered our entire stay but not always all day. But the butlers found me and advised and asked if we needed anything before going. Hence my bright pink (0r other bright colors) cowboy hat so I could not be missed. We also had cell phone numbers and FB contacts. We notify them when we will arrive, etc. Yes we are our best advocates, and you are for you...proactive arrangements as needed. We have had rooms decorated, even for friends b-days and anniversaries, medicine supplied, liquor, reservations, chair saves, etc. We are members but have NOTHING in our contract about waivers, perks, butlers, freebees, etc...NOTHING. All you have to do is be nice, appreciative, and just ask. I have no idea to what you are referring as we have the most basic of memberships and minimum outlay of cash. We have been twice and will go again in August, making it 3 times since reno. And then again in Oct-Nov18 and then again in April19....both booked. If we experience anything different I will certainly advise. If you are there then we should chat about it. I recall Damian and he did something for us and at the time we were not members. He was certainly a great man. I know you want him back but he is gone just like all of your (an my) youth and like a bunch of things at the old TTR...just the facts dude. My point is SOME of the butlers are just as good, and just as friendly and helpful and that is our experience. We just hope they are still working for TTR when we visit in the future.
Keep it civil please guys. Just like many of the past legends, Damian has moved on. I'd guess he's getting paid more money for probably less hassle, that's a step most of us would take I think. I've known him for years but I wasn't Premier before his departure so never knew him in a working capacity only really as friends. The butler service is something that keeps coming up I've noticed. We've been 5 or 6 times for short stays since the reopening and to be honest have really never had a need for a butler. I'm not sure what they are even supposed to do. Can we not make dinner reservations ourselves or go across the street to get our own medication/smokes/alcohol? I don't know, I'm a simple guy with simple pleasures and I feel a bit uncomfortable asking a butler to do something I could easily do myself. I don't need a slave. Last few times on check in they've said "oh just wait for your butler to show you to your room". Well, I know exactly where my room is, I just want to drop my bags and get out of there, but then have to wait for a butler to show me the room and how the aircon works and the blinds etc. I already know mate, just leave me alone! That said, for those who do need a butler I think the current issues are down to two things: 1) High turnover. They seem to keep getting fired, move to a different job or leave before they have much experience. Means they are constantly learning the job, and when they are dealing with other new staff that are learning their job too then there's bound to be some hiccups along the way. 2) Too many guests per butler. I may be wrong, but I don't think Referrals had butlers before, and of course there were no tower rooms. Considering how many tower rooms there are, and how many Referrals there are the ratio is probably less butlers per guest than previous, even though the number of butlers has increased. 3) Over demanding guests tying up their time with trivial requests. I'll leave that one there.
@Steve On your #3 point I would agree. But some do Your #1 point is supporting my main point. They keep getting fired....even the somewhat OK ones but are not getting better. They get fired. Why? Must be subpar. And Way way too tip hungry. After 5 trips we would expect improvement in the learning curve. But very few last, and are not good and are replaced. And a general mediocrity proliferates. And too many guests per butler is without merit. Damian was the only butler all day, every day and for a short time they had night butlers till 11:00 That was it. No staff. They did it all, for all members on property and yes Referrals had butler service pre-reno. And it was fabulous. Never once in over 20 trips with Damian hear anyone complain about him or his service. Nowadays....it is rare to spend a day at TTR without someone mentioning a shortcoming of their butler, or experiencing one. I am saying the training is very poor and needs to be improved. Nearest I can figure is that TTR relied on the old time employees to train the new hires and by osmosis they would learn the TTR way. But the old guard have become frustrated at the new crops lack of professionalism. And a general malaise is creeping in. Damian can help tremendously on that and then return to his "Gravy" gig. As you know Steve, Damian is not very far removed currently, and could be dispatched fastidiously if premier services continue to decline. And People are noticing a rapid decline. Only by raising the flag can results be extracted. Obviously it is long time members who know the differences in level of service currently passed off as premier-status, and they are the ones who can possibly move the needle on this. Truth is, the butlers are in many ways the main face of Premier. The same as the check-out cashier is, at the grocery store. They are the representative you are most likely to interact with most often. The front line in a manner of speaking. Many things are starting to lack from a premier members vantage point. Not just the butlers. But the butlers are a good starting point to try to get improvements. you have to know what it is, that is missing, to know when it is no longer provided. Maybe after the butlers improve we can work on getting Eme back. Still miss that guy. He was never really replaced.
We just can't wait for our trip we are super excited! vacation can't come fast enough! 21 more days and we are with all of the party people yaaaaay!!!!
@Steve...I understand but I am be civil but have just had a different experience than @marsh...and am entitled (I really hate this word) to write a discenting opinion based on my experience to date. This is a forum. Yes I do know the subject title of the OP. Although I might not look or sound like it, I am a friendly guy and enjoy the discussions. Better at the sexy pool, Bash, or at dinner than here but this is it for the moment. Anyone yet not visiting might get the wrong idea if this is nothing but a complaint forum. At the same time it is warranted...for some. @marsh point is things have gone down hill from his experience and perspective and mine is that the service we have received has been fine. I understand old vs new TTR and many have visited many more times in years past before the renovation...and some a few more since. We have never been overbearing or needy but if the bulters have asked what they can do we have informed them. Now we have not gotten every request fulfilled and some of been later then we thought...but that is acceptable with them being too busy. Yes you can see them standing around at times if you know where to look. And as others have written there is a total lack of conmunication. I think the butlers do not have much power, except requesting dinner reservations (yes, and everyone can make their own, but the butler may be able to get you that special timeslot or table, and have to get mgt approval for many things which adds to nothing happening, delays, and more confusion. Of course there is Kyle’s method of showing the hostess a little love $ at times too. Yes, they have way too many guests ad we have spiken to them and do not know how they do it. Some change is inevitable and necessary but has unintended consequences. But I stand by my statements that just like many other things since the reno, TTR has changed...some will say for the betterand some for the worse. All of the new visitors have no idea. Heck even I dont know the old too well but did have a chance to see some. A potential solution for TTR mgt, if everyone keeps complaining, rather than train and retain the staff, is to eliminate the position all together. Maybe an intended consequence? Especially if they are understaffed due to firing, transfers to other positions, or lack of folks to hire! As an enployer, in the past, I have been there. The best and worst thing of being a business owner are employees and employee relations! Ad we have all realized and discussed turnover at the new TTR appears to be rampant...hence my comment that things have changed and my opinion is that they are not coming back to exactly what was before. And it does not matter how much we ask or inform mgt. Much has to do with new people in new mgt positions and not knowing before. And of course the real elephant in the room...the true intent of the rebranding...part of their strategic plan for new clientele, etc. Too much for here.
Does anyone else agree that the best reality tv show EVER would be place @marshe and @FakeNewsTeam in a house big brother style locking the doors and just watch what happens? We could throw Damian in there (my attempt to keep this on topic) and Chinos and Noela and @Vodkawater (since she likes to pose for the camera in bikinis, kind of a big brother thing) and wow we have a hit. Throw @Steve in as the Julie Chen style moderator and I would be hooked.
