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Staying at a hotel on vacation or for business can sometimes be a hassle. However, with some planning and by following these hints, your stay can be convenient and enjoyable! From reservations to check out, there are some simple guidelines which will make your stay worthwhile.
All hotels accept reservations, and most have a toll-free reservation line to make it easier on your wallet. Use it! When calling for a reservation, here are a few bits of information you will need to provide:
*Address/home phone number
*Credit card number
*Number of adults/children that will be staying
*Any special needs (handicap accessibility, extra cots, etc, refrigerators, etc.)
When calling, the guest representative will ask for the above information, and your smoking preference. Credit card policies differ from site to site, so be sure to inquire about policy. While some hotels accept your credit card as a means to guarantee exactly what you request, others only accept the number as a means of guaranteeing you a room. This means that there will be a room for you, but it may not be a room that you prefer!
Be honest about how many people are in your party. This does make a difference in what type of room will be assigned. If you say that you have two people, (a married couple), and rooms with two beds are limited at that site, they may place you in a room with one bed. If you have more than the two, it will only be inconvenient for you if all the rooms with two beds are sold out. Also, if you are traveling with a business partner, be sure to request TWO beds, or you may end up sharing more than the room! It is wise when reserving two rooms, and you plan to use one room for parents and another room for children, to either ask in advance if adjoining rooms are available, or to have one parent in each room.
Special needs include handicap accessible rooms, extra cots, or a refrigerator. Ask in advance if the hotel has elevators and accommodations for those with disabilities. If not, they must know in advance if you need a first floor room to be able to accommodate you! Regarding smoking preference, please keep in mind that just because a person was assigned a non-smoking room does not mean that previous occupants did not smoke. The hotel cannot control whether people abide by the rules; however, hotels do all in their power to make rooms free of smoke odors by airing the room out during cleaning and spraying odor-killing disinfectants.
When checking in, provide your confirmation number and check that you are getting what you requested. Sometimes mistakes do happen, so please try to be understanding and the clerks will do all that they can to make your stay comfortable. Most sites only provide two keys per room as a security precaution, not to inconvenience anyone. Some sites will require a key deposit, refundable at check out. If you are paying cash for your stay, a phone deposit is required to activate your phone. Some charge for local calls, others do not. It’s not personal, it’s business, so ask in advance about surcharges, and expect it as the norm.
Upon entering your room, immediately check that it will accommodate your needs. If you wait until later in the evening, it may not be possible to change rooms, or get the things you need. Some hotels offer 24 hr housekeeping services, but if not, then you may have to wait until morning. Ask for irons, hair dryers, extra soap/shampoo at this time to save some inconvenience. It’s also a good idea to bring along swimming towels, so as not to make repeated calls for towels during your stay. If a hotel offers room service, keep in mind that there is a fee, however, most places will not add on a gratuity. It’s good practice to tip, and to make sure that you order everything you want on the first call. To keep calling for single items (salt, ketchup, extra napkins) is inconsiderate, especially when you choose not to tip.
At check out, if you’ve paid by credit card and do not wish for a copy of your receipt, simply call the front desk and ask them to check you out. Be sure to leave your keys on the desk. If you happen to take the key with you, there may be a charge ($10-20) added on to your bill. Otherwise, ask to see a copy of your room statement before checking out, to ensure that the charges are correct. Make billing arrangements at reservation time, instead of waiting until check out. If your charges are to be billed to your company, the company must call to confirm this. If you plan on splitting charges between two people, or picking up the tab for more than one room, please mention this beforehand, to ensure speedy check out.
The main thing that will make your stay more enjoyable and convenient is you! Your attitude towards staff can either be one of understanding and kindness, or one of belligerence and impatience. If you approach a situation with impatience and a mean attitude, you’re less likely to get what you want right away, than if you had spoken to the staff with some decency and respect. If you do a bit of planning ahead of time, bring along a positive attitude, and follow the these hints, your vacation or business trip will be much more enjoyable!
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