What To Look For in a Hotel
There are numerous considerations when deciding what to look for in a hotel, especially in a foreign place.
Choosing a hotel is an art form that takes more work than simply reserving the first room you see, from the distance of your hotel to the city’s attractions to balancing your budget with comfort.
What To Look For in a Hotel
When we’re not at home, we all need a place to sleep and unwind. A relaxed and comfortable hotel room in a hotel that satisfies your needs can be the difference between a fantastic trip and a nightmare, whether you’re on a business trip or a family holiday.
But how can you find the perfect hotel that strikes the right blend of amenities, comfort, price, and location? Is it enough to look at the hotel’s rating, or should you dig deeper?
A Good Location
You want a hotel that is in the heart of the city. You want to be near the major attractions and public transit when you’re on vacation. The last thing to do is spend hours on the bus or subway to get from one place to another or seek a free parking spot. Most people prefer to stay in the city center or near the beach; after all, walking 15–20 minutes back to your hotel for a shower and changing clothes after a day in the sun may be a real nuisance!
However, if you are on a business trip, you will want to stay near the commercial district or the location of your business meetings. After all, your time is valuable, and you don’t want to squander it by traveling from your hotel to your workplace.
However, a good location comes at a cost – literally. The higher the price, the more central the hotel is to the “hot locations”.
Amenities and Rooms
Your hotel is more than just a place to sleep and shower. It is a home away from home, and whether you’re here for work or pleasure, you should feel at ease. So, what exactly should you be on the lookout for?
Does the hotel provide connecting rooms if you’re traveling with your family and need more than one room? Is there a family suite with one room for the parents and another for the children? Is there a sofa that folds out? Also, is it better to have a double bed or two single beds? Taking a bath or a shower – or both? Is there a separate toilet? Is there enough room in your closet?
What are the included amenities in the room? An iron, a safe, a telephone (are local calls free?), TV, hairdryer, internet (if it’s free, great; if you have to pay, check out the cost because it can be pricey), tea and coffee, mini bar, and so on are some of the items we’ve come to anticipate as standard.
Holy Grail of Amenities
In the same line, there are four facilities you should make sure a hotel has before arriving, as these are the most often reported concerns on review sites like TripAdvisor. There are four: air conditioning, parking, Wi-Fi, and breakfast. Furthermore, you should always check to see whether there are any additional expenses related to these services. You surely don’t want to arrive at the hotel expecting free Wi-Fi to discover that it isn’t (yes, there are still many places that charge for this basic amenity). Check our reviews for this information, and if you’re still worried, contact or e-mail the hotel to double-check.
Here are some more pointers on the Holy Grail of amenities:
- A luxury such as breakfast or parking may be listed on hotel websites without a price. It does not necessarily imply that it is free. Make sure to double-check!
- Though air conditioning usually is standard in the United States, it is not always the case in other nations. If it isn’t stated in the room descriptions, it isn’t usually available or only available in select rooms.
- Sometimes hotels will offer to park, but it is a third-party garage that is not on-site.
- One pricing may include breakfast when you book a stay, while another does not. Before making a reservation, be sure you’ve chosen the correct choice.
Mini-Bar
Regarding the mini-bar, take care! While it is convenient, the snacks and drinks might be somewhat pricey when compared to the cost of the same items at the corner store. Another thing to remember is that many new mini bars will charge your room as soon as you take the can of coke or the bag of peanuts out of your space. You will be charged even if you return it unopened. Check it out, especially if you’re traveling with children, to avoid any unpleasant surprises when you check out.
Shuttle Service and Parking
Finding a parking spot is one of the most challenging aspects of traveling by automobile. Is parking available at the hotel for guests arriving by car? What is the total of parking spaces open? Some hotels may have dozens of parking places, while others may have a few, which could be a problem if you plan on driving and then return to find no parking. Is parking free, or do you have to pay a daily fee? Is it safe to use?
Does the hotel provide a service shuttle from the station or the town center if you arrive by train, coach, or plane? Is it necessary to make arrangements ahead of time, or does it run regularly throughout the day? Is there enough room for your luggage, and how many persons can it accommodate? Is it a complimentary service, or does it require payment? If so, how much will it cost?
Luggage Storage Check-in and Check-out
Check the hotel’s check-in and check-out times and whether they have luggage storage for early or late arrivals. Can you prolong your stay for a few hours without paying for an extra night?
Hotel Services
The list could go on and on. Restaurants, coffee shops, and in-room shops? Is there entertainment at the hotel, such as a piano bar or a kids club (this can be a lifesaver!)? Is breakfast part of the room rate? Does the hotel equip with meeting rooms and a business center? Also, consider if it does have a pool, a spa, or a fitness center? Is there washing and dryer you can use — it’ll be a lot less expensive than the hotel’s laundry service?
Good Value for Money
Of course, no one wants to pay too much for a hotel room. So it makes perfect sense that good value for money is a crucial element when judging a hotel stay.
Don’t mind overpaying for a hotel stay, but it had better be a memorable experience!
Expensive hotels are not necessarily superior to budget hotels, and a low-cost hotel room is not always a terrible hotel room.
Check out what other people are saying about the hotel accommodation you will book. They will almost certainly discuss whether or not it was worth the money.
Recommendations and Stars
The stars awarded to a hotel are a strong indicator of its level of service. However, check for guest evaluations and comments on the internet; the more photos, the better. Check with the local tourism bureau to discover if any complaints have been filed.
Hotel’s Website
While own ratings are exhaustive, it might take some time to update them when hotels alter regulations, add facilities such as a new restaurant or a spa, or renovate. It is advisable to double-check a hotel’s website. It also doesn’t harm to call a hotel directly.
Things You Should Check Right Away When You Enter the Room
For some, a hotel room is nothing more than a stopover; it’s a place to sleep and shower. For others, it’s a refuge full of fantastic perks: Bathrobes that are oh-so-comfy! A toilet that sparkles! Privacy!
You want your accommodation to be pleasant, clean, and safe, regardless of your camp. Before you lie down, unpack, or zoom to the first site on your schedule, we’ve prepared a list of items to check in your accommodation.
Tell the front desk if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Any improvements you make due to faults you detect early on are unlikely to cost you anything.
So put on your inspector hat and start inspecting!
Bedbugs
Bugs are typically friendly critters if they don’t land on your mattress. Whether you’re staying in a shady motel or a posh boutique hotel, you must check for bedbugs because their presence has nothing to do with the overall cleanliness of the area.
Examine all corners of your bed for tiny dark patches or white bug eggs to check for them. Check the seams and zippers of the comforter and sheet by lifting them. Make a sweep using your phone flashlight, to be specific. Don’t forget to look at the sofa and the carpet, too!
Surveillance Camera
Examine your surroundings for flickering lights, exposed wires, and suspect plugs. You should inspect the entire room, but pay special attention to smoke detectors, tissue boxes, garment hooks, mirrors, desk lamps, and other decorative items.
Turn off all the lights and look for a blinking red or green glow coming from the camera’s LEDs. You can also catch any reflected light from an object with your phone flashlight.
Hot Water
Is it practical, and is there a peculiar odor about it? Is there any corrosion or mold on the showerhead? The hot water may take a bit to come on, or you may need to turn a switch. However, it is preferable to test it now rather than later when you are exhausted and need a hot shower.
Toiletries
You may need to change your expectations for the tools and toiletries provided depending on the type of lodging. Always have some necessary supplies on hand or make a quick purchase nearby. If you were promised particular products at the time of booking and aren’t available, you may request them at the front desk.
Nobody wants to go into the shower only to discover that the restroom only has hand towels.
Wi-Fi
Even if you don’t feel compelled to keep your friends and family up to date, you may require Wi-Fi to check your flight confirmations or research that museum you’re hoping to visit. Check that it works and is safe, implying that you’ll need a password to access it. We recommend using a VPN to give extra security when going online.
You can always ask the information or front desk to verify if the connection appears slow or not to work. Sometimes all it takes is to restart the modem to fix the problem.
Thermostat
Is it too hot? Is it possible to be too cool? You can permanently alter the temperature as long as the thermostat or the AC remote function properly. It can take a bit for the chill or warmth to kick in, just as it does with hot water. However, if it is broken or you require assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the staff.
Electrical Adapter
Even when staying in a 5-star hotel, traveling overseas is nice until you discover that the electrical outlets are incompatible with your plugs. Hotel personnel may be willing to give you theirs if they have them, but this should remind you to do your homework and have your own.
Door Lock
Hotel guests frequently expect that their rooms will lock behind them. Don’t just take our word for it; put it to the test. Check if the door locks correctly by stepping out and closing it (while carrying your room card). Last but not least, remember to secure the deadbolt whenever you enter the room!
Book Your Stay with Us
Are you thinking of taking your family to a hotel for a few days at any time? Want to go somewhere you and your spouse will like and have fun activities for the kids?
The Canoa Ranch Golf Resort offers you the opportunity to play and relax in a genuinely beautiful setting. Our Green Valley hotel provides a great vacation getaway full of fun, relaxation, and memories.
It is critical to make your stay as pleasant, inexpensive, and friendly as possible. Book your stay at Canoa Ranch Golf Resort now!
