Hotel guests from another world

03 June 2015 - 02:00 By Leonie Wagner

Guest relations in the hospitality industry is about pleasing guests but what happens when they want swan-shaped towels or the Big Five as a parting gift? Just as well then that there's a Camps Bay hotel concierge service that boasts that it can accommodate guests' most outrageous requests.Recently an American guest booked two adjacent suites - one for her, one for her luggage.Hotel staff were dumbstruck when a truck filled with 55 suitcases arrived at the entrance.Sometimes guests, to the deep chagrin of hotel staff, must be disappointed.One at the same hotel was confused and upset when she found out that her flight didn't land at the hotel.Although it's not unusual for tourists to South Africa to think that lions and rhinos roam freely, it was thought to be a bit odd when a Russian guest wanted to buy the Big Five.At the Sun International hotel in Durban, love guides the needs of tourists, many of whom ask for romantic touches such as swan-shaped bath towels and rose petals on the bed.A hotel guest in Durban asked for two double beds - to be shared by 12 people.It could be something about the beach that emboldens people to make outrageous requests - hotels in Johannesburg, and The Palace, at Sun City, have not had similar experiences.Legendary funk singer Chaka Khan, who will be in the country for the Delicious International Food and Music Festival on Saturday, is no exception.The American I'm Every Woman singer is known for requesting sandalwood-scented candles, brand-new bedding and a dressing room close to the stage because she "cannot be required to go up or down stairs"...

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