Hotel is like a home away from home therefore it is important to find the hotel that have the facilities you need, which is, a clean and comfortable place to stay.
What are your travel needs, the following are points to consider:
1. Location. Do you want to stay in the city or outside city? If time is an important factor and you would like to be in time for your appointment in the city, perhaps a city stay would be most ideal. However, a city hotel tends to be more expensive than a hotel outside the city. Would you like to wake up to the sound of waves, panoramic view of the mountains or the majestic view of a castle? Or would you like to be near shops and major attractions. It is a fact that hotels nearer to major attractions, amenities and city center are costlier than others.
2. Your budget. Most hotels rates are based on per room per night basis though in some places, the rates on per person per night. Decide how much you are willing to pay for the entire hotel stay. It is also important to bear in mind that in some places, there is a single supplement levy on the room if you are on your own.
3. Comfort. Would you compromise comfort with cost? It is not usually wise to book hotels based on price only. Sometimes, the discomfort of a poorly maintained hotel could spoil your holiday. On the other hand, if your budget permits, would you choose between a warm, welcoming hotel with superb customer service or a cold, unfriendly hotel with gold plated taps? A clean room with comfortable bed, TV, phone, clean bath or shower facilities, tissues, soap and shampoo, safe deposit box and good air conditioned or heating system are all the basic necessity for a comfortable hotel stay.
4. Special need facilities. Do you require any special need facilities such as ramp for wheelchair and Braille characters in lift?
5. Fitness facilities. Do you need swimming and gym facilities continue your regular exercise? Would you like a spa treatment on your holiday?
6. Internet facilities. Do you need to read your emails or keep up to date with work? Most hotels have business center with internet facilities. Some hotels have wireless internet connection for you to get connected to your laptop anywhere in the building.
7. Parking facilities. Does the hotel have parking area for their guests and is the parking secured? Is the parking chargeable or free?
It is important to look around for the best hotel deal without compromising on your comfort. The three common ways to find a good hotel is:
1. Through the travel agent though sometimes a travel agent might not be truthful with their recommendation especially if they have to push the hotel that is paying them the most commission. Their knowledge of the hotel is usually from the hotel itself and from brochures. However, there are good travel agents who would recommend a hotel based on the customer needs, their own experience or customers feedback.
2. Recommendations from friends and relatives. The experience of others can help lower the risk of booking a bad hotel. The advantage of friends and relative recommendations is they have been there and their experience is your first contact with the hotel. The disadvantage is their needs could be different from yours.
3. Internet. The internet is probably one of the best ways to find the hotel for your stay. There are many online sites that offer price comparison on hotels in your place of visit. These sites usually give a brief detail about the hotels, the distance from city and airport and comparison with other hotels in the vicinity. There are also travel review sites offering reviews by people who have actually stayed at these hotels. Read these travel reviews; look at photos of the hotel and the location before making your final decision.
The hotel you stay in can make or break your holiday. It is worst when you are on a working trip and you can’t get a good night sleep. A good and comfortable hotel need not be expensive and price should not be the only factor for your decision. Take your time and plan carefully, you will surely be able to find the right hotel.
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