Real Life Experiences
It's all well and good to read guidebook reviews and study hotel Web sites, but often the most valuable information about a hotel comes from other travelers just like you. That's where sites like TripAdvisor, Virtual Tourist and MyTravelGuide come in.
These sites (and many others, including the major booking engines) offer honest hotel ratings and reviews straight from the mouths of real travelers. This is where you can read about how the staff behaves, get an idea of how clean the rooms are and learn whether the wireless Internet connection actually works. Many sites also allow users to post photos of their hotel -- which are usually more realistic and less glamorous than the professional snapshots you'll see on the hotel's own Web site.
Of course, it's always a good idea to take traveler reviews with a certain degree of skepticism. Overly fawning reviews may actually have been written by hotel employees in disguise, while some negative reviews may come from super-fussy travelers who simply have an ax to grind. But despite the occasional misleading review, most traveler ratings are an honest, unbiased and invaluable resource when deciding between hotels.
Another way to get feedback from other travelers is by posting on our message boards. When asking for advice and recommendations, be specific about what you're looking for. Do you have any special requests, such as a view or kid-friendly accommodations? Do you need a queen-size or king-size bed? Do you want something close to town or in the country? The more explicit you can be about what you really want, the better chance you'll have of finding something you'll be happy with.
Pick Up the Phone
Though these days you can do a lot of research on the Internet, sometimes it still pays to pick up the phone. Calling a hotel directly, rather than dialing the chain's main 800 number, might get you a room at the last minute or during peak travel times.
National reservations desks often have a cap on the number of rooms they can fill at any given hotel, with the rest left to the specific hotel staff. Those working at the front desk have a better sense of the hotel's capacity and will be more likely to check for cancellations or no-shows. Whomever you call, having a list of prepared questions will help you. Avoid calling in the morning or mid-afternoon, when front desks are busiest. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Does one side of the hotel have a better view or less noise?
Is there parking nearby?
Is the hotel near public transportation?
Is there a restaurant, and is breakfast included in your rate?
Is there a fitness center on the premises?
How far is the hotel from the beach/theater/meeting/convention center/highway?
What are the neighborhood attractions?
How safe is the neighborhood?
What is the hotel's cancellation policy?
Does the hotel offer smoking/nonsmoking rooms?
What are the hotel's environmental policies?
What facilities are there for the disabled?
If you are overseas or in a bed and breakfast, ask if there are shared bathrooms or showers, and how many there are per room. Also, ask about air-conditioning and where to make meal arrangements. Keep in mind that if you're not dealing with a known chain, user ratings and guidebook reviews are suddenly even more important -- and you should always ask about special packages and rates.
Before You Sign
When you do finally decide on your accommodations, ask to see the room before you actually check in. There may be something you overlooked or the hotel neglected to mention. Your room might be right above the disco, undergoing renovations or just a lemon. Be choosy. If you're not happy, don't be afraid to say so. You should never be apprehensive about asking too many questions. You'll be glad you did.
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Editor's Note: IndependentTraveler.com is a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, which also owns VirtualTourist.com. The TripAdvisor Media Network is an operating company of Expedia, Inc., which also owns Expedia.com and Hotels.com.
It's all well and good to read guidebook reviews and study hotel Web sites, but often the most valuable information about a hotel comes from other travelers just like you. That's where sites like TripAdvisor, Virtual Tourist and MyTravelGuide come in.These sites (and many others, including the major booking engines) offer honest hotel ratings and reviews straight from the mouths of real travelers. This is where you can read about how the staff behaves, get an idea of how clean the rooms are and learn whether the wireless Internet connection actually works. Many sites also allow users to post photos of their hotel -- which are usually more realistic and less glamorous than the professional snapshots you'll see on the hotel's own Web site.
Of course, it's always a good idea to take traveler reviews with a certain degree of skepticism. Overly fawning reviews may actually have been written by hotel employees in disguise, while some negative reviews may come from super-fussy travelers who simply have an ax to grind. But despite the occasional misleading review, most traveler ratings are an honest, unbiased and invaluable resource when deciding between hotels.
Another way to get feedback from other travelers is by posting on our message boards. When asking for advice and recommendations, be specific about what you're looking for. Do you have any special requests, such as a view or kid-friendly accommodations? Do you need a queen-size or king-size bed? Do you want something close to town or in the country? The more explicit you can be about what you really want, the better chance you'll have of finding something you'll be happy with.
Pick Up the Phone
Though these days you can do a lot of research on the Internet, sometimes it still pays to pick up the phone. Calling a hotel directly, rather than dialing the chain's main 800 number, might get you a room at the last minute or during peak travel times.
National reservations desks often have a cap on the number of rooms they can fill at any given hotel, with the rest left to the specific hotel staff. Those working at the front desk have a better sense of the hotel's capacity and will be more likely to check for cancellations or no-shows. Whomever you call, having a list of prepared questions will help you. Avoid calling in the morning or mid-afternoon, when front desks are busiest. Here are some suggestions to get you started:If you are overseas or in a bed and breakfast, ask if there are shared bathrooms or showers, and how many there are per room. Also, ask about air-conditioning and where to make meal arrangements. Keep in mind that if you're not dealing with a known chain, user ratings and guidebook reviews are suddenly even more important -- and you should always ask about special packages and rates.
Before You Sign
When you do finally decide on your accommodations, ask to see the room before you actually check in. There may be something you overlooked or the hotel neglected to mention. Your room might be right above the disco, undergoing renovations or just a lemon. Be choosy. If you're not happy, don't be afraid to say so. You should never be apprehensive about asking too many questions. You'll be glad you did.
You May Also Like
Editor's Note: IndependentTraveler.com is a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, which also owns VirtualTourist.com. The TripAdvisor Media Network is an operating company of Expedia, Inc., which also owns Expedia.com and Hotels.com.