What would you like to know about a hotel...
Jul 6th, 2005, 02:39 PM
#1
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What would you like to know about a hotel...
When you are searching for a hotel when planning a vacation, what are some of the things you would like to be able to search for/by?
For example, I asked my daughter and she said she would like to search for hotels by the proximity to popular nightclubs. Very logical search criteria for a young adult.
Please let me know any and all criteria that would be helpful in your search that you don't usually see in travel sites.
Current common search features are a given... like does it take pets (and the cost), is it beachfront, etc...
I am working on a hotel automation project and I want to make sure I am not overlooking and interesting possibilities.
I appreciate any and all ideas!
~Laura
For example, I asked my daughter and she said she would like to search for hotels by the proximity to popular nightclubs. Very logical search criteria for a young adult.
Please let me know any and all criteria that would be helpful in your search that you don't usually see in travel sites.
Current common search features are a given... like does it take pets (and the cost), is it beachfront, etc...
I am working on a hotel automation project and I want to make sure I am not overlooking and interesting possibilities.
I appreciate any and all ideas!
~Laura
Jul 6th, 2005, 03:03 PM
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We almost always stay in the heart of the city...in Rome, we stayed near the Trevi Fountain, in London we stayed in Victoria, in Paris, we stayed in the 7th, in Athens, the Plaka, and in Istanbul, Sultanahmet.
We're the kind of people who want to minimize travel time to the sights, want good access to food and entertainment, all in a decent neighborhood. Our last criteria is usually flexible...we like to find places for around $100 US a night. Sometimes that means a small room in London, or a nice place in Paris, but the most important thing is proximity to the center of the city. We also prefer small, family-run establishments that are in keeping with the local flavor. If it has chain names including "Marriott", "Radisson" or "Best Western" we will definitely not stay there.
Julie
We're the kind of people who want to minimize travel time to the sights, want good access to food and entertainment, all in a decent neighborhood. Our last criteria is usually flexible...we like to find places for around $100 US a night. Sometimes that means a small room in London, or a nice place in Paris, but the most important thing is proximity to the center of the city. We also prefer small, family-run establishments that are in keeping with the local flavor. If it has chain names including "Marriott", "Radisson" or "Best Western" we will definitely not stay there.
Julie
Jul 6th, 2005, 04:09 PM
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We try to stay in hotels in the heart of the historic areas of cities, that offer comfortable accommodations, have elevators and a decent breakfast. Really, just a nice place to relax after a long day. We love a helpful front desk and have been lucky in that respect, but that is usually only found through personal recommendations.
We also want laundry service at some, not all, of our hotels during a trip. We don't necessarily look for common areas like a bar, restaurant, internet area or sitting room, but have found them very enjoyable and useful when the hotels offer these amenities.
If the trip is during the summer, I would definitely want screens on the windows and air conditioning...no question about that.
Carol
We also want laundry service at some, not all, of our hotels during a trip. We don't necessarily look for common areas like a bar, restaurant, internet area or sitting room, but have found them very enjoyable and useful when the hotels offer these amenities.
If the trip is during the summer, I would definitely want screens on the windows and air conditioning...no question about that.
Carol
Jul 6th, 2005, 04:41 PM
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Location, location, location. I want to know if it's located conveniently to public transportation, shopping, restaurants, attractions.
Not a deal-breaker, but how about being able to search on hotels with internet access (both wired and wireless.) Or other amenities, like an in-room fridge (not mini-bar.)
Not a deal-breaker, but how about being able to search on hotels with internet access (both wired and wireless.) Or other amenities, like an in-room fridge (not mini-bar.)
Jul 6th, 2005, 05:00 PM
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A few of the details I desire to know:
*proximity to transportation (public and taxi stands)
*ammenities in the hotel/room - safe, mini-bar, a/c, hair dryer
*elevator for my heavy luggage!
*tub vs. shower - I like to soak my feet after a long day!
*proximity to transportation (public and taxi stands)
*ammenities in the hotel/room - safe, mini-bar, a/c, hair dryer
*elevator for my heavy luggage!
*tub vs. shower - I like to soak my feet after a long day!
Jul 6th, 2005, 05:09 PM
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moldy's list is similar to mine. The main thing I need to know is about the room. It's not just a 'place to sleep and shower' to me. It's got to be really comfortable, otherwise, everything else is affected.
Jul 6th, 2005, 05:13 PM
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Thanks so much... this information is very helpful!
I am pretty weak when it comes to the needs of international travelers and it is particularly import that these needs be addressed.
I really appreciate your help with this!
~Laura
I am pretty weak when it comes to the needs of international travelers and it is particularly import that these needs be addressed.
I really appreciate your help with this!
~Laura
Jul 6th, 2005, 05:20 PM
#8
My comment relates to how a website is constructed. I would like to not have to spend five minutes working my way through a website, plugging in real or phony dates, just to find out what the hotel's rates are. If the rate is beyond my budget, it doesn't matter what the amenities, location and "charm factor" are.
Jul 6th, 2005, 05:26 PM
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These aren't all necessarily what I would personally need to be able to search for, but include things I think some people would:
Number of rooms
Size of rooms
A/C or not
Minibar or not
Hair dryer or not
Other amenities
Proximity to métro/bus/other transportation and name of the stop
What languages are spoken by the front desk
What kind of internet access available and at what cost
Pets allowed or not
Smoking rooms or not
Elevator or not (size of elevator)
Proximity to restaurants/cafés/theaters/other attractions
Balconies or not
Views or not
Soundproof glass windows or not
Description of breakfast and cost
Concierge or not
Special services (tour arrangements,etc.)
Special discounts or offerings
Lobby details
Bar details
That's all I can think of at the moment.
By the way, jules, the Best Western properties in Europe are not a chain - in fact they are some of the loveliest hotels on the Continent.
Number of rooms
Size of rooms
A/C or not
Minibar or not
Hair dryer or not
Other amenities
Proximity to métro/bus/other transportation and name of the stop
What languages are spoken by the front desk
What kind of internet access available and at what cost
Pets allowed or not
Smoking rooms or not
Elevator or not (size of elevator)
Proximity to restaurants/cafés/theaters/other attractions
Balconies or not
Views or not
Soundproof glass windows or not
Description of breakfast and cost
Concierge or not
Special services (tour arrangements,etc.)
Special discounts or offerings
Lobby details
Bar details
That's all I can think of at the moment.
By the way, jules, the Best Western properties in Europe are not a chain - in fact they are some of the loveliest hotels on the Continent.
Jul 6th, 2005, 05:30 PM
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Being able to search by hotel reviews or review rankings would be helpful.
And Jean's idea of posting room rates is good. Also, regarding web page design... pictures of the rooms are very important. And not just the nice suites - we want lots of pics of the standard rooms. And an easily accessible map showing exactly where the hotel is.
And Jean's idea of posting room rates is good. Also, regarding web page design... pictures of the rooms are very important. And not just the nice suites - we want lots of pics of the standard rooms. And an easily accessible map showing exactly where the hotel is.
Jul 6th, 2005, 07:20 PM
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Thanks, StCirq, I obviously didn't know that...I just thought they were another Motel 6 with a better breakfast like they are here in the States and skipped 'em. 
While I don't need to stay in a hostel to feel I'm getting a good deal, I do lean towards smaller hotels, with people who are personally invested in whether or not I have a nice stay.
Funny, because Stateside if I'm on the road, I'm just the opposite. I tend to stay in anything that has a Comfort or Super8 slapped on the side. Go figure.
What can I say. I'm complicated and a little bit cheap.
Jules
While I don't need to stay in a hostel to feel I'm getting a good deal, I do lean towards smaller hotels, with people who are personally invested in whether or not I have a nice stay.
Funny, because Stateside if I'm on the road, I'm just the opposite. I tend to stay in anything that has a Comfort or Super8 slapped on the side. Go figure.
What can I say. I'm complicated and a little bit cheap.
Jules
Jul 6th, 2005, 07:44 PM
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It always amazes me how many hotel websites for European hotels don't indicate whether or not there is an elevator, an important factor to many people, including me. The size of the elevator is really not important to me; as long as one person can fit in it, that's enough!
Of course, I want to know the location, including specific street address (not just area, or what THEY consider "close to the main attractions"
, and whether it has a private bathroom.
I also agree that I don't want to have to plug in my dates to find out the prices of the rooms. That information should be easily available.
Of course, I want to know the location, including specific street address (not just area, or what THEY consider "close to the main attractions"
, and whether it has a private bathroom.I also agree that I don't want to have to plug in my dates to find out the prices of the rooms. That information should be easily available.
Jul 7th, 2005, 05:50 AM
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Unfortunately, one person's "gotta have it or else" security need is another's "ho-hum."
Location maps are helpful (with other sites, etc clearly shown in relationship to the property) and proximity to public transport..and I am not talking about terms such as "close" or "nearby" but rather how close and how nearby.
The more objective the descriptions the better IMO.
Location maps are helpful (with other sites, etc clearly shown in relationship to the property) and proximity to public transport..and I am not talking about terms such as "close" or "nearby" but rather how close and how nearby.
The more objective the descriptions the better IMO.
Jul 7th, 2005, 05:55 AM
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Restaurants,hours;Room Service availability,is the RS menu limited at any time;Fitness facilities in house or how close,not just a 20ft x 12 ft space;indoor pool,nearly always beats out any other amenities.
