How to Choose a Hotel

L ike buying a house, go for location. It's often better to stay at the center of town where restaurants and shops abound. It makes it easy, each day, to get transport or walk to the action and this is especially for shopaholics, drop off purchases or broken shoes in your room. You save time and money as you can just walk or take a short ride to the hotel from wherever you are. If you are a s...mature traveler, you can take rest breaks in your room before savaging the next shop, cathedral or bar. Sometimes, even a difference of $50 will be worth spending given some of the wild taxi costs and fees that hit you to go to museums or restaurants.

Well, of course, where you can have a panoramic view of the mountains if that is your destination. Or, be at the waterfront in the lake or the beach if you are on the ocean. Or, right in the hotel where the conference you are attending happens to be.

D o this before you book hotels. There are so many sites now offering the latest reviews of hundreds of guests real and pretend. Do a list of the top five. You never know. sometimes rooms go so fast in places that are popular. Get the home websites of your top 5. Check these out, not just the reviews of others. You can view pictures and read about amenities and facilities. Remember, we view things with varied colored lenses. Some folks like the monster properties with all the business services. Vacationers often avoid these and search for "unique properties".

Going to the home sites of these hotels sometimes lets you book a room directly with the owner and you get lots more information. If they don't have to share their margins with agencies, they may be able to offer you better deals. But, for heavens sake Jose, don't make a hotel decision on a few pesos! Cheap is sometimes the dumbest bargain you'll ever make. If it is a smaller hotel, when you book through them you are their guests and so they feel greater responsibility towards you. Big chains, on the other hand, when you call them sometimes refer you to their internet deals as these are better.

Be careful with some websites. Some don't even have agreements with hotels they list on their site. In a crowded situation, you may just lose your booking.

T hey may know of places that are not listed. Because they have no stars or any other identity, they don't make the radar screen. Some of the greatest and most successful small places are careful about who they accept and add to "the hotel family". Some even ask for references! In some holiday spots, a pool is just a delight. In others, a hot water bath in a tub may be just the luxury needed. Or a spa, a cinema, a game room, a play room with nannies on hand. Or a snug bar with a chatty host and a chance to meet other guests. So ask those who had been.

B e clear about your "must haves" in a hotel room. An extra bed for your child, perhaps. A broadband internet connection in the room. Hot water, hard mattress, bamboo towels, no carpets, every fabric has to be made of natural fiber, and whatever. The list can be endless. Many mom and pop and family run hotels build their business by going the extra mile in this area. If you're not happy, they have a problem. As hotel owners know, a grumpy ex-guest has the marketing impact of a durian!