Phuket Thailand - Experts: Please comment on this "Joiner" policy

Bonehead · #1 01-08-2006, 05:46

Joiner Policy : According to hotel policy in cooperated with Thai Government, we would like to inform you that any bar ladies, massage ladies or lady-man who visits or happen to stay day time or night time with the registered guests, they have to left their identity cards with our guest services at the Front Desk. An amount of Bht 1,000/person/night will also be charged automatically into clients folio. Visitors or joiners have to leave hotel rooms/premises before 12.00 noon. Visitor ID cards will be returned upon their departure. The guests must be held responsible for any misbehavior, loudness, irritating voices, lost, missing items and damages of properties or assets in the hotel rooms which will be charged accordingly.

http://www.asiatravel.com/tharapatong/v4.html

Is this a problem for the girls, or are they used to it?

seafox · #2 01-08-2006, 05:51

Joiner fees are common at some of the nicer hotels. This means you will be automatically billed 1000 baht($27 US) when a lady stays in your room.

and the ladies are used to either having to leave their ID or at the least having their name written down at the hotel.

relax, no problems there.

At lot of resorts in the Patong area do not have joiner fees.

stevem · #3 01-08-2006, 05:56

Very common throughout the country, try doing a search.

Bonehead · #4 01-08-2006, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

Very common throughout the country, try doing a search.

I understand that; what I was looking for were comments regarding the leaving of an ID as well as the fact that the "guest" is responsible for any shenanigans that occur. I need to know if this particular policy is standard, or a bit out in left field.

seafox · #5 01-08-2006, 07:16

read what I wrote!

and of course you would be responsible for any damages or theft of hotel property, not that it is going to happen but that is standard around the world.

Bonehead · #6 01-08-2006, 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by seafox

...and of course you would be responsible for any damages or theft of hotel property, not that it is going to happen but that is standard around the world.

That's what I was looking for. Thanks.

shark1963 · #7 01-08-2006, 07:22

Its also better for you if she left her ID card at the hotel desk. If there are any problems the hotel has then the name and adress. Also for you security. But a joiner fee of 1000 bath is far to much, but also usual in the higher class hotels or in some cases also no guest allowed. Have a look in the section accomodation and transport. There is a thread about GF (girlfriendly) hotels, where you dont have to pay a joiner fee.

Bonehead · #8 01-08-2006, 07:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark1963

Its also better for you if she left her ID card at the hotel desk. If there are any problems the hotel has then the name and adress. Also for you security. But a joiner fee of 1000 bath is far to much, but also usual in the higher class hotels or in some cases also no guest allowed. Have a look in the section accomodation and transport. There is a thread about GF (girlfriendly) hotels, where you dont have to pay a joiner fee.

Is the consensus that Joiner Fees are totally bogus, and any hotel that charges one should be avoided? We want a good place, and really don't mind the extra $$$ if it buys a little nicer hotel.

stevem · #9 01-08-2006, 07:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonehead

Is the consensus that Joiner Fees are totally bogus, and any hotel that charges one should be avoided? We want a good place, and really don't mind the extra $$$ if it buys a little nicer hotel.

I wouldn't say avoided, but its up to you. In some places though if your paying a joiner fee you maybe be looked down at and generally not made feel welcome, especially in the restaurant for breakfast. Just stay at a GF place if your worried about.

Bonehead · #10 01-08-2006, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

I wouldn't say avoided, but its up to you. In some places though if your paying a joiner fee you maybe be looked down at and generally not made feel welcome, especially in the restaurant for breakfast. Just stay at a GF place if your worried about.

I appreciate the suggestions...that's good advice.

Coolhand · #11 01-08-2006, 08:34

Someone once told me, that the joiner fees go into a pot, after the hotel has taken an administration fee, and this money is used for welfare purposes. All hotels are supposed to charge it (not sure if guest houses count), but some elect not to.

Insomniac · #12 01-08-2006, 09:30

I'm not so sure about the hotels here in Phuket as i don't use them, but in bangkok if you're looking for a top quality hotel with no joiner fee try the Conrad at all seasons place. No joiner fee there, they even put condoms in the room for ya... Great hotel in my book. Not so sure about the Hyatt but i don't think they charge a joiner fee... Its actually a misconception that only the bi hotels charge a joiner fee. Most the international big brand hotels in Bangkok i don't think charge a joiner fee, although i could be mistaken...

Dodger · #13 01-08-2006, 11:41

One of my first trips I stayed at the Amari Coral Beach Hotel in Patong, they had no info on their website when I booked and it didn't occur to me to ask, so first night brought a girl back to my fully paid for room and they informed me of 1000bht guest fee. I managed to negotiate this lower for the rest of my trip and at the time was annoyed as i thought it a totla rip off.

However when I took girls back and spent the day round the pool, I got the evil eye all day from the other guests, thought at the tim eit was jealousey but have since come to realise it just not wanted at these hotels, they want to cater for couples and families and do not want the behavior that often occurs at girl friendly hotels.

So my advice choose a good hotel but one that is girl friendly if you want the best from your holiday.

jojo78 · #14 01-08-2006, 12:02

Of the big hotels in Phuket, the only one I know of (although I'm sure there are a few more) that doesn't charge a joiners fee is the JW Marriott.

A bit of a long way to take your bg from Patong though.

Captain · #15 01-08-2006, 14:47

Joiner fee can be 500 up to a few thousand Baht (I think Diamond Cliff is quite high). If you book through a travel agent (package) you are more likely to pay a JF, as you payed a discount rate at the hotel. Ask before if they have JF.
I prefer that girls give their ID card at the reception, as I see that as a security for me.
If I have a "joiner" for the night, I never have breakfast with her. She is paid in the morning and bye bye. I prefer to eat my breakfast quietly, alone and not in her company, and she most probably don't like farang breakfast and prefers going to one of those stalls around 3rd street. Besides, what is the use of having breakfast together? What do you want to talk about at the table, world politics, economics?
If with a steady girlfriend, then we have breakfast together.

dizbuster · #16 01-08-2006, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger

One of my first trips I stayed at the Amari Coral Beach Hotel in Patong, they had no info on their website when I booked and it didn't occur to me to ask, so first night brought a girl back to my fully paid for room and they informed me of 1000bht guest fee. I managed to negotiate this lower for the rest of my trip and at the time was annoyed as i thought it a totla rip off...

55555 same same for me

Unfortunately I didn't know about this forum (or any other) then so I had to learn the hard way same as you Dodger. Still, when I think back to some of the "discussions" that I have had with various hotel recptionists+managers, it does make me chuckle

urtheman · #17 01-08-2006, 15:08

The joiner fee also covers the extra cleaning of the linen.

The worst is when a guest gets an oily massage on the bed and they don't cover the bed correctly. Do you know what it's like to get soaked baby oil out of linen.
This is told to me by our housekeeping staff.

shark1963 · #18 01-08-2006, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

I wouldn't say avoided, but its up to you. In some places though if your paying a joiner fee you maybe be looked down at and generally not made feel welcome, especially in the restaurant for breakfast. Just stay at a GF place if your worried about.

Yep thats it. And as everybody knows are the room rates in LOS not per person.So if you would book two persons to the room the price is the same.This it why i say i would avoid such a hotel because a) look stevem´s post and b) its just to get some further money out of you. I have no problem if a hotels policy is NO JOINERS!!!but a joiner fee is for what??? Thats just my opinion

shark1963 · #19 01-08-2006, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by urtheman

The joiner fee also covers the extra cleaning of the linen.

The worst is when a guest gets an oily massage on the bed and they don't cover the bed correctly. Do you know what it's like to get soaked baby oil out of linen.
This is told to me by our housekeeping staff.

And what is about a couple that is booked into the hotel and have an oily massage? Does your wife then becomes a BG and you have to pay for her? Sorry urtheman but this sounds like acheap excuse for the choiner fee. The rooms are calculated for two persons if it isnt really a single room. I dont see any differences if i am booked in as a couple or if i have a joiner over night

Captain · #20 01-08-2006, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark1963

And what is about a couple that is booked into the hotel and have an oily massage? Does your wife then becomes a BG and you have to pay for her? Sorry urtheman but this sounds like acheap excuse for the choiner fee. The rooms are calculated for two persons if it isnt really a single room. I dont see any differences if i am booked in as a couple or if i have a joiner over night

I agree as sometimes in BKK I have an oil massage in my room, by the hotel's massage personel (Novotel and others).

Josssie · #21 01-08-2006, 20:51

I think Joiner Fees are only and simply to say "we are not happy with joiners, but because you are the costumer we allow it if you are willing to pay for it"!!!!!!! The fees are for nothing extra, because roomprices are already calculated for two persons to stay, including cleaning, breakfast etc etc.

I think best policy would be allow joiners for free or don't allow it

andy50 · #22 01-08-2006, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by urtheman

The joiner fee also covers the extra cleaning of the linen.

The worst is when a guest gets an oily massage on the bed and they don't cover the bed correctly. Do you know what it's like to get soaked baby oil out of linen.
This is told to me by our housekeeping staff.

and stubborn "jizz stains"too, can be extra difficult to remove

Bonehead · #23 02-08-2006, 08:38

I just don't want some wholesome family from Perth to point at us and whisper to their kids "look, those are very bad men".

Of course, we ARE very bad men, so what the heck do we care, eh?

urtheman · #24 03-08-2006, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark1963

And what is about a couple that is booked into the hotel and have an oily massage? Does your wife then becomes a BG and you have to pay for her? Sorry urtheman but this sounds like acheap excuse for the choiner fee. The rooms are calculated for two persons if it isnt really a single room. I dont see any differences if i am booked in as a couple or if i have a joiner over night

Hey Shark,

I'm in the industry and I didn't mean it that way "to cover cleaning costs"
All I was stating is is does require extra cleaning of the room for oily massages if the bed is not covered correctly.
Personally I don't endorse the fee being charged at all, you rent a room with a bed and if you want to fill it with five TG's that's your business as long as you don't bother other guests.If you damage the room you pay for it, period. In the area where my hotel as I believe most hotels don't charge joiner fee's it's the places closer to the "action" that do.

Cheers!

nelsonone · #25 04-08-2006, 08:37

IMHO it's just another way for the hotel to make money..........BTW it is not a requirement under Thai law to charge one but it is legally covered if they wish to.........

Yeah some places use it as a deterrent but only a few like Hoilday Inn Patong actually have a "no joiner" policy.........as in for no amount of money!!!!