corcorinni

Does looking at a room first also apply to pkg tour groups ??

uhoh_busted

What a good thread to have topped. I have only once done this, when we were picking out a cheapo room to stay in Frascati, and didn't want to find ourselves in a bad dream. The rooms were large, plain and clean. No problem. Otherwise, it never occurred to me. Now, I have requested a different room when traveling on business in the States...like something higher up with less street noise in NYC, and once in Houston, again because of street noise. Funny how easy it is to sleep in hotels on vacations, but harder when on business! PLUS I am usually in more expensive hotels for business trips than for pleasure, so I figure if it's costing that much, it better be clean, quiet and comfortable.

Elainee

I've only once traveled with a group and that was in China, but I have did ask to have my room changed when it was unsatisfactory. And there was no problem...another room, much nicer. Of course this was in large hotel. Large hotels almost always have some rooms available.

daph

I think that bad hotel rooms are much like bad tables in restaurants. Have you ever been offered a poor table, turned it down, been seated near it at a better one and watched a succession of diners turn down the one that you refused? This has happened to us at least once [in the U S} and it's rather amusing to watch.

Debbie

<BR>I too would like to know if people do this for B&amp;B's. (Especially in Ireland) <BR><BR><BR>I wish I had done this in London. We had the Worst, most Awful, Disgusting room at the Harcourt house. but by the time we got all the way up to the room with our bags, we were too tired to seek other shelter.

cruelbee

Well, Debbie, it doesn't really matter whether or not people check out B&amp;B's rooms before paying, you can just start doing it yourself. I would check out any place where I am paying out money to use their facilities. <BR>I checked out a spa in Northern California and it looked so mildewy (is that a word?) that I decided to go elsewhere, before paying.<BR><BR>Try it, it is empowering.

Raven

Dear Sherry<BR><BR> I learned the hard way to ask to see the room first. Not only should you look at the room but pulled down the blanket to make sure the bed has been changed and make sure the towels are clean. This sounds like alot of extra work and it is. After a great day of sight seeing there is nothing like taking a hot shower only to find makeup on your towel, then pulling down your bed to find someone elses hair in it and if thats not bad enough actually getting a clean towel and fresh bed only to lie down and fall into a great crevice in the middle of the bed. I was so tired that night I just hung my leg over the bed and prayed I would not be totally swallowed by morning. It has been equally bad in the US and Europe. By the way yes, you can ask to see the room first if you are on a tour pkg. If it does not meet to your liking have them move you. Happy traveling and don't let the bed bugs bite.<BR><BR> Peace, Raven<BR><BR>

Jed

We usually accept the room given to us and don't see the room before we bring up the luggage.<BR><BR>But several years ago we made reservations at Metropole in Brussels. The room was really unacceptable. The second was also. The third was a large suite with a great view.<BR><BR>Thanks to this post, we will consider seeing the room first more often.

Dolcevita

topping for RosieM

francophile03

Once in Paris we assumed we'd get a room large enough (meaning room to at least walk around the beds) for the three of us. We got what appeared to be a very small double with the rollaway next to the door, kind of sticking out. The next time we made reservations at another hotel we requested a large room making sure of the room size this time. I guess one needs to be specific. However, it's probably best to see the room when you do arrive just to be sure.