| We've all done it, haven't we? You walk through the | | | | you are travelling to a colder climate (and particularly if |
| hotel doors, it all seems smaller than you'd expected | | | | selecting an older property) check out double glazing |
| for this price - a lot smaller - and the ever so slightly | | | | and thickness of curtains. |
| bored receptionist checks you into a cramped room | | | | * Noise |
| that overlooks the delivery area. There's a thin layer of | | | | A good night's sleep is paramount. Whilst great for |
| dust on the bedside lamp, the stiff curtains smell faintly | | | | getting you to/from the hotel, remember that key road |
| of smoke and the TV only has four channels. But it | | | | networks come at a price: how likely are you to be |
| was a tiring journey, you've already rummaged in your | | | | disturbed by early morning traffic? Staying in a city |
| suitcase and, although the bed feels a bit hard, well - it | | | | centre is wonderful for visiting the central attractions, |
| is a bed. Yet how much nicer to walk into a welcoming | | | | but how close are you to late night clubs and bars? If |
| Reception, open your door onto a clean, comfortable | | | | you do find it more convenient to stay in a busy |
| room and begin your next day after a good night's | | | | location, request a room facing away from the main |
| sleep? It can still be done while on a budget! Take a | | | | road. Wherever your choice, avoid being allocated a |
| look at our tips for choosing that great hotel deal online: | | | | room close to the hotel's public areas. |
| * Tariff | | | | * Access |
| Searching for a British hotel? Don't limit your search to | | | | Consider how you will be arriving. Is your hotel of |
| UK websites: often American ones offer better rates. | | | | choice as close to the station/airport/motorway as it |
| However, many US websites add sales tax onto their | | | | claims to be? Check Google Maps. If travelling by car, |
| listed prices after selection, so take care to check this | | | | make careful note of the parking arrangements. Whilst |
| out when comparing American and UK prices. | | | | at most hotels this is free and plentiful (accompanied |
| * Cancellation Policy | | | | by the caveat of 'first come, first served'), some |
| The majority of hotels use your credit card details | | | | impose a charge. Never automatically assume that |
| purely to secure your booking, only taking full payment | | | | parking is available - occasional ones have none at all, |
| once you arrive. However, occasionally some will take | | | | leaving you to seek out the nearest 24 hr public car |
| full payment up front - particularly if you are taking | | | | park and take overnight charges into account. |
| advantage of a special offer, such as '3 nights for the | | | | * Family Travel |
| price of 2.' Always check the cancellation policy, as | | | | How 'family friendly' is your hotel of choice? Does it |
| these can vary considerably from one hotel to the | | | | offer a children's menu at discounted prices? |
| next. Whilst many will allow you to cancel without | | | | Independently check the distance to nearby suitable |
| penalty given 24 hrs notice, others charge a | | | | attractions. Does the hotel have a secure play area? If |
| progressively more expensive fee. | | | | you are staying for a number of days, how about a |
| * Location | | | | pool? If the sleeping arrangements involve a cot or |
| All hotels claim to be within easy reach of everything | | | | roll-out bed, consider how this might impact on overall |
| you could possibly want - but just how accurate is | | | | space and freedom of movement. |
| their 'five minutes to the beach' or 'ten minutes from all | | | | * Breakfast |
| the top attractions'? Pinpoint your favoured hotel on | | | | Breakfast is not always included in the price. Some |
| Google Maps and request directions to places you | | | | bookings, particularly those on special offer, come as |
| intend to visit. How far does Google say the hotel is | | | | 'room only.' If you would like breakfast and it is not |
| from them? One hotel might visually appear closer | | | | included, check the cost - it could be less expensive to |
| than another, but if the route is less direct, it could take | | | | eat nearby. Again, checking Google Maps can help you |
| longer to reach your destination. | | | | here. It may be that you prefer not to eat breakfast at |
| * Arrival and departure | | | | all, in which case search for a hotel offering 'room only' |
| Check in and check out times can vary by up to two | | | | rates. |
| hours from one hotel to another - does your hotel of | | | | * Rooms |
| choice fit comfortably within your expected arrival and | | | | Make a tick-list of the facilities that are particularly |
| departure times? Some hotels offer early arrival and | | | | important to you and check them against what the |
| late check-out for a small additional charge. If you are | | | | hotel offers. Consider everything from the beds to |
| not travelling by car and have time on your hands | | | | those little extras. Maybe 20 channels on the TV are |
| after check-out, see that your hotel of choice is | | | | more important to you than a pillow menu? Perhaps |
| prepared to store your luggage securely for a short | | | | there is only a shower room - great for a refreshing |
| while until you return to collect it. On the other hand, if | | | | start to the day, but no good if you were looking |
| you are looking for a prompt morning departure, some | | | | forward to a relaxing bath after that long drive. There |
| hotels offer check-out over breakfast. If you need to | | | | may be wireless internet access, but is it free? And |
| leave particularly early, does your hotel of choice have | | | | are you paying inflated prices just for 'complementary' |
| an 'earlybird' option? Missing out on the all-inclusive | | | | custard creams, newspapers and the option of fresh |
| breakfast at your hotel makes for an added expense | | | | milk? |
| later on. | | | | Those most in the know are the guests, so always |
| * Climate | | | | read review websites, such as Trip Advisor, for posts |
| How controllable is the room temperature? Is there a | | | | about your favoured hotel BEFORE you book. Look |
| thermostat, fan, windows that open more than four | | | | closely at the statistics - yes, 90% of guests might say |
| inches? If you are travelling somewhere hot or humid, | | | | they would definitely stay there again, but what if there |
| air conditioning could be a key consideration. Similarly, if | | | | have only been five reviews posted in the past year? |