For the sake of all that is good and decent, heed my words. When it comes to having a great trip, selecting the right hotel is paramount. It doesn’t matter where you go, or what you do. Without a good night’s sleep, and a clean shower you will be miserable.
I don’t need the top of the line, but at the same time, my hostel days are over.
Here are my top three tips for selecting the correct accommodations for you.
- Know your primary needs. Here are mine – a comfortable bed, clean bathroom, WIFI, and access to caffeine in the morni
ng. Here are a few other amenities for you to consider when making your own short list: air conditioning, pool, business center, breakfast, valet parking, free parking, parking in general, entertainment options for children, room service, a pet concierge, a personal stylist, a 24-carat gold iPad. Granted, the last few are a bit of a stretch for those of us without trust funds, but you get the idea. Know what you need and want and make sure your hotel offers those items. - Read the reviews on Trip Advisor or another similar website. Don’t skip over the bad ones. In fact, give those extra attention. With some experience, you’ll be able to wade through the legitimate negative reviews, and the ones written by somebody who just likes to complain. My general rule is if there are more than five negative reviews within the past few months, I’ll keep checking for other options regardless of price.
- Carefully review the immediate area surrounding the hotel. Is it near mass transit? Are there any good restaurants within walking distance? Shopping options? How about a Walgreens or CVS? Museums? Night life? Is it safe? If I’m in a place without a car, I want to be within two blocks of a subway entrance or a bus line. I like having a market or a few restaurants nearby. If I have a car, I’m not quite so particular about the immediate area since it’s pretty easy to travel for what I need.
What about price? While that is something most of us need to consider, it’s not my #1 by a long shot. I’ve had enough trips around the sun to know that in many cases you truly do get what you pay for. I’m all in favor of a good deal, but I will not sacrifice my primary needs to save a few bucks.
These three tips have served me well. I encourage you to take your primary needs into consideration, and also take your time when making your selection. Doing a little research up front will lead to a happy result.