The Gibson Hotel, Dublin

Do you know what?

There's so much to write about this week, I don't know where to start... so I'll start where I am right now.

That's the Gibson Hotel, in Dublin, just next to the Irish O2... where Beyonce is playing for the next two nights.  Quiet my stay ain't.

Anyway, The Gibson is a great hotel; it's modern but quirky and I love that.  For example, there a very lifelike model of a sheep in reception (which is on the 3rd floor) looking down at the floor and reading a newspaper.

Last time I stayed here was back in September 2013.  There's a really good restaurant called the Coda Eatery and the company I work for are kind enough to put me on a dinner, B and B package.

The issue is that the nice restaurant doesn't open on a Monday night and, if you're on the dinner package, you're left with something called the HemiDemiSemiQuaver Bar... and I'm not kidding.

The HSDQ Bar only Thai food which is okay except every dish has prawns or noodles in it and I don't like prawns or noodles.  So I asked if I could order something from the Room Service menu and have it delivered to the bar.

This was met with a flat no so I had to slink off to my room and eat on my own like a sad git.

At the end of my stay I was given a feedback form and I mentioned the incident on the form.  A couple of days later I got a call from the General Manager asking for more details.  He agreed with me that to deliver Room Service to the bar wasn't a big issue and he apologised.  'Next you stay with us', says he, 'let me know and I'll sort you out a couple of drinks.'

Okay, fair play... situation closed in my mind.

So I'm back at The Gibson and had forgotten the problem I had and I certainly didn't make myself known to claim my free drinks.  But as I checked in the receptionist really surprised me: 'Welcome back, Mr Lambert.  I know you had a bit of a problem last time you were here so please accept a complimentary upgrade and some drinks vouchers.'

Aha... this is more like it, thinks I.  Brilliant service recovery, fantastic systems, expertly delivered.

So, I have a suite a 4 vouchers for drinks.

I ventured down tot he bar on Monday night for my dinner... after all, if they've listened to my feedback surely they would have done something about Room Service being delivered HSDQ.

'Can I order something from Room Service?'

'No, sorry you can't.'

More drinks for me at my next stay?