How to get a Hotel room Upgrade - Free

How do you get an executive room, with access to the lounge, providing free alcohol on tap and lots of lovely things to eat??

A few tips that work.....remember, they won't work everytime, but make sure you use them when booking or staying in a hotel.

(1) Email the hotel before you go to let them know that it is a special ocassion and ask if they could try to find a room with a good view for you.
(2) Telephone the hotel a couple of days after sending the email and again just check they received your email. Stress the importance of the trip, birthday etc etc and see what they can do.
(3) More often than not you can stop here - as you will often be upgraded, just by asking! however point 4 can be used as a last resort:
(4) If you are booked into a standard room, don't challenge it at the reception desk. Instead go to the room and after 5 minutes telephone reception, to advise that you aren't happy with the room - too small, smells of smoke, dirty tiles in the bathroom etc etc. Remind them that you booked for a special ocassion and that you chose their hotel specially, as it got great reviews and offered fantastic rooms!
More often than not they will upgrade you to a better room.
As a final resort make them feel bad and almost offer to pay for an upgrade - Ask how much it would cost to upgrade your room, and then say that you are really dissapointed that it has come to this. If you are struggling - always ask to speak to the manager!

Good Luck