| If you're planning an overnight trip but not a camping | | | | Browse for services according to your personal |
| excursion, you're going to need a place to sleep. The | | | | preferences and the purpose of your trip. For |
| internet brings an abundance of lodging choices right | | | | example, if you're on your honeymoon you might |
| to our fingertips and it can be difficult to choose. | | | | want a nice bottle of wine brought directly to your |
| Booking online can be a bit like rolling the dice, as you | | | | door, but if you just need a place to stay overnight |
| are leaving your experience in the hands of chance. | | | | on a quick business trip, you don't really need room |
| There are a few top factors to consider when | | | | service. Of course, some degree of customer service |
| selecting a hotel. | | | | would at least be appreciated in the form of, at the |
| Price | | | | very least, someone at the front desk to answer |
| Hotel rooms are like automobiles - there are different | | | | any questions. |
| classes in different price ranges that equate to | | | | If you're looking for true hotel-level service, beware |
| different driving experiences. Your personal budget | | | | of some extended stay or all suite hotels which may |
| dictates which class you are going to choose. The | | | | really be a time share or a condominium situation. |
| number one consideration is how much money you | | | | These accommodations will offer a minimum amount |
| have to spend; after determining your budget, the | | | | of service, if any at all, and a frequent (but |
| following five factors are going to be the real | | | | unadvertised) practice is cleaning the room and |
| differentiators in selecting a winner. Fortunately for | | | | changing the bed sheets only once per week while |
| today's traveler, online travel sites and computerized | | | | you are there. |
| reservation systems have created a level of | | | | Accessibility |
| competition that allows you direct access to the best | | | | Depending on whether or not you're equipped with a |
| discounts hotels have available. Depending on the | | | | rental car, this may or may not be a pretty |
| season, you may even be able to stay at a 5-star | | | | important factor. Even if you're only on business, |
| hotel for a 2-star price! | | | | you've got to eat, so you'll want to be able to |
| Facilities and Amenities | | | | quickly and easily make it around the local area and |
| Amenities span the range of in-room conveniences | | | | do some basic shopping. Of course, if you're here on |
| such as hair dryers and coffee makers to on-site | | | | vacation, this is directly important. As close to the |
| dining, shopping, fitness and indoor pool facilities. Just | | | | sand and surf as possible is really key if you're |
| about every hotel room in the world comes with a | | | | making a trip to a tropical getaway. You don't want a |
| television set, but not all offer internet connectivity. | | | | lengthy drive back to the hotel with sand in your |
| This is probably a must if you're travelling on business. | | | | shorts to be part of the itinerary. |
| If you're staying for a few days, or travelling with | | | | Traveler Reviews |
| children, it's usually helpful to look for a room | | | | See a bargain that looks too good to be true, like a |
| equipped with a refrigerator and microwave. Consider | | | | $49 hotel room in Midtown Manhattan? Read the |
| the purpose of your trip and how much time you will | | | | reviews by other fellow travelers! The hotel could be |
| be spending in the room. Amenities, such as free hot | | | | cursed by low water pressure or unbearably slow |
| breakfast, are the nice little extras that can tip your | | | | elevators which may or may not be a deal breaker |
| decision between two hotels at the same price in the | | | | for you. At least you will know in advance and be |
| same general location. | | | | able to make an informed decision. Another thing to |
| Cleanliness | | | | look out for at low-price sites is whether your |
| Hotels and motels are required to maintain at least a | | | | "dream" room has a private or a shared bath. |
| minimum standard of cleanliness, but some do a much | | | | Contrary to popular belief, not all hotel rooms come |
| better job than others. If you can, look at the level | | | | with a bathroom just for you! Of course most do, |
| of maintenance on the overall property - if the whole | | | | but in historic and extremely expensive destinations |
| place is in a state of disrepair, it's likely they're cutting | | | | (such as New York City) older hotels with shared |
| corners on the washing and scrubbing too. Generally | | | | "facilities" do still exist. |
| speaking, a higher price equals higher attention to | | | | It's hard to recommend any one factor over any |
| detail. Not to say that you always have to stay in a | | | | other and it's probably best to look at all of them |
| brand-new hotel. On the other hand, some older | | | | together. What might be right for one visitor might |
| hotels with a bit of wear and tear around the edges | | | | not really suit the needs of another. However, you |
| can be an excellent budget alternative to five-star | | | | can usually boil the bare essentials of selecting a hotel |
| joints. It all depends on the management. Look for | | | | into the above considerations. You may place one at |
| customer reviews or other information that can give | | | | a higher priority than another, but all of these are, |
| you clues about how clean is the property. | | | | generally, pretty important to most travelers. |
| Services | | | | |