I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels…

How to book a hotel? Like so many of you around my age, you’ve seen it all when it comes to hotels, motels, resorts and motor lodges (dating myself there, huh?). Over the years, and for a wide variety of reasons, I have found myself in many different overnight accommodations of varying quality.  Through my experience, I have learned that choosing the right hotel needs to be a compromise between getting a great price, and getting the amenities and service you are looking for. Let’s talk about different things for you to consider, and the tools to help you get the best price.

Choosing The “Right” Hotel Anywhere

This is a bit of a tough blog this week, because what is the perfect hotel to book for me might be completely wrong for you. My assumption for anyone following my suggestions is that you are looking in the mid-priced range, want to get the best value for your dollar, and want to feel safe and secure. That’s true for me no matter where in the world Sweet Husband and I are traveling, so let’s stick with those parameters, and determine what exactly is the “right” hotel…

Extra fees stink!

Nothing is more frustrating than committing to a price, only to find out that the total, actual price is significantly inflated. Here are a few of the very common, very frustrating additional fees I’ve seen tacked on to hotel rates lately.

Parking fees – Even my beloved Las Vegas has fallen into this trap, with almost all of the properties on The Strip and Fremont Street charging for parking. While I understand it in some very urban areas, what I resent is when it is a “hidden” fee, and you don’t find out about it until you get your check-out email. Make sure you know what the fee might be, and then weigh that against having that rental car if you’re visiting a city.

Resort fees – The popularity of this entire bogus fee has been staggering, and not just in the biggest metropolitan areas. I’ve seen resort fees in some smaller areas and locations, and they frustrate me. They are now charging for all of the amenities that used to be free—and some of the amenities I won’t even use! Again, make sure you know what you will be charged to avoid the surprise.

Extra guest fees – I just booked a hotel for Bryce Canyon, UT, and the price changed when I went from two to four guests. I didn’t balk at it, because the rate offered a free breakfast, so I completely understand upping the price if more people will be at that buffet. But in all other circumstances, I don’t think hotels should charge anything if the existing bedding fits your travel party. 

My “must haves”

I’ve got this in quotation marks, because they aren’t absolutely required. Heading to Hawaii this year, for example, doesn’t offer free breakfasts at any of the hotels in the resort corridor, so it just isn’t happening. Remember that when you book your hotel. Whenever possible, though, these few things are absolutely on my short list.

Free and GOOD internet – Come on, hotelier, don’t make me use my hotspot to access my email! In this day and age, there is absolutely no excuse for not providing quality internet to every guest. Recently, at a very high end hotel for a conference, internet wasn’t included in our very expensive registration fee. Complaining to both the front desk and the convention people, I ended up using the internet in the lobby, which was free. I also won’t be returning to that conference next year. Bad way to cheap out, people. 

Free breakfast – Disney hotels don’t offer free breakfast. Neither do higher end hotels in most major destinations. So, no, this isn’t a “requirement” for me. It is, however, one of the reasons I always start my searches with certain brands, because they are known for providing this perk in their hotels. When we traveled as a young family, I had three teenagers for years—having a free breakfast to start the day was key to so many great experiences. If you can get it, I highly suggest it. 

Hotel vs. Motel – What’s The Diff?

• Size – As a general statement, hotels are significantly larger, with many more rooms, than motels. Traditionally, motels were one- or two-story buildings with a small lobby for check-in. Parking was just outside the room, and motels were known as an overnight stop, and not a destination.
• Services – While motels gave for small and clean, hotels tend to provide significantly more services and amenities. While both might offer a pool, the hotel will not only include a hot tub, but will have upgraded pool towels. Towels will also be available in the 24-hour gym/work-out area, which you also won’t find in a motel. The front desk will be located in a larger space in a hotel, often accompanied by comfortable chairs, and perhaps a free coffee service.
• The door – This is a key one for me, especially when I travel without Sweet Husband. Hotels provide enclosed hallways with interior doors to the rooms. This simple difference makes me feel significantly safer and more protected, and not only from the elements. So, think very carefully about this one when you are traveling if you have any concerns of this kind. 

Being “Brand Conscious”

I did a complete blog last Spring about our road trip down the California Coast. The hotel we book was going to be a little different for us. During that trip, we stayed exclusively in family owned and operated inns. We didn’t stay in a single place that was a chain, or that was particularly large. We opted instead for small, comfortable and unique establishments in small towns. It was a great trip, and I strongly encourage you to not only shop local but STAY local when you can, giving these alternative accommodations a try—they are fantastic.

Most of the time I travel, however, I am staying in one location for anywhere from three to seven days, and need the continuity and stable expectations that certain brands can afford me. What brands you choose will depend entirely on your own tastes and requirements, but I’ve commented on a few big ones here. 

Best Western

This is one of my go-to companies when I am staying somewhere unfamiliar. Based upon their own ranking system, I have a pretty good idea of the level of service I can expect and still enjoy the consistency of their brand. Always a solid choice.

Choice Brands

On the most budget level of hotels that I will consider, Choice brands include some of the smaller and cheaper accommodations that seem to dance between Hotel and Motel on my scale. While I would not use this brand as my first choice, I have had great success booking their locations—primarily as a one-night stop on the road from New Jersey to Florida, or the night before or after a flight near an airport. Clean and solid choice with absolutely no frills.

Higher end, but not higher price

Once considered only on the luxury level of hotels and resorts, these wonderful brands have expanded their holdings to include many mid-priced alternatives that I can highly recommend. In my experience, the linens are significantly upgraded from the previous brands we discussed, and the overall size and cleanliness of the rooms are also superior. All of my suggestions include pools, usually free parking, and a fantastic breakfast:

• Hilton – Look for Embassy or Homewood Suites as a mid-priced, high quality option. The newer Home 2 Suites is another great alternative under the Hilton brand.
• Marriott – With several mid-priced suite options, Marriott is another great chain. I love both Springhill Suites and Townplace Suites for a longer vacation. In London, we stayed at a Moxy without realizing it was Marriott, and were thrilled with the addition of a welcome cocktail—now that’s service, people!

Going independent

The great and memorable vacations of my youth were to the Jersey Shore or the Poconos, and we never stayed in a chain anything on any of those trips. Another plus for going independent and family-owned: Give them a chance whenever you can, if the price, amenities and reviews lead you to an independent, enjoy it!

Getting The Right Price

When we book a hotel, I’m a big fan of a bargain and hate the idea that the person staying next door paid less than me; so, I take the time to do some homework before I book. Here are the steps I take that I recommend you also do. While it may take a little bit of time, it will be worth it to know you are getting the right accommodations at the best possible price point. 

1. Start with travel sites – Start on the big travel sellers, but NEVER end here! Not only do they NOT include all brands in an area, but they are not usually the lowest cost anywhere I look. Start here to get an idea of the area, and how many different choices you might have.
2. Check the “hidden hotel” sites – I always make a stopover on Priceline or Hotwire, and have been rewarded with great prices. Very infrequently, and only when I am booking within a day or so of traveling. So stop here…but don’t linger.
3. Call the 1-800 line – Once I’ve narrowed down the choices, I call the toll free phone number for the chain and try to haggle for a lower price. I ask for discounts, upgrades, or anything else that might help me make a choice. I’ve lowered prices doing this several times.
4. Call the hotel directly – We should just start with this one, really. Call the DIRECT line to the ACTUAL hotel. These are the people that can upgrade that room right away, and hopefully will agree to remove the parking or resort fee for you. I’ve always had my best luck by going directly to the hotel itself. Sometimes, they will offer me discounts not listed on any other site, so it’s totally worth the phone call. 

Join The Clubs

While I’m not a very frequent hotel person, even I have gotten some perks from being a member of their free program. I’ve scored snacks and gifts from their little “store” in the lobby, as well as getting that free internet I covet. 

It’s free…join the club. Book your hotel with that in mind. Just remember to tell them you are a member at check in!

Follow-Up After

Going back to our discussion about when you book an independent hotel, family-owned accommodations, let’s talk about reviews. Sure, thousands of people review the popular resorts at every tourist destination in the world, but few take the time to review a smaller, boutique inn or resort.

Be the person who writes the strong review that might help them improve their occupancy rate, upgrade their services, and, please, keep that parking free!!!

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