What do you expect from the front desk agent at a hotel?

When you're checking into a hotel, do you like the front desk agent to be talkative and bubbly or do you just want them to give you your keys and let you be on your way? Does it matter? What about when you check out? Do you like for them to ask you how your stay was and ask about where you're headed?

That depends... I may be in a hurry to get to bed, or get to my room to pee or to call home or whatever. Or I may be happy of a little face to face human contact. I may enjoy the sound of your voice, or your accent, or staring at your ****. Or not. I may be cheating on my wife, or fleeing from the law, or be a very famous ,and for any of those reasons want to avoid notice. I may have a sore throat and want to avoid talking. I may be so sleepy it's a burden to make conversation. I may be desperate to get away from your cologne. I may be wondering what time you get off, and if you'd like to help me get off! I may really want to know where you got your earrings. You may remind me of someone I know, and if so that may be reason for me to prolong or foreshorten our interaction.

One thing you can be pretty sure of: If you match me, I'll be happier than if you don't. If I make lots of eye contact, take my time, and say more than is necessary, do the same. If I'm strictly business, match that.

But I'd say that one "hello," "welcome," "please," and "thank you" per transaction would rarely be out of place.

We travel a lot and the best reception is one that is friendly and efficient. We want to check in quickly without a lot of bother, and be welcomed by a warm smile. Checking out is usually rushed, so we appreciate the checkout that can be done in advance in one's room. Best hotels? For a chain, the Fairmont Hotels beat them all time and again.