I have never stayed in a hotel. Now retired after working 55 years and expect to travel some from my Nevada ranch. When I stay at a hotel, what services are included in the room rate and what will I be billed extra for? I'm curious and don't want to look like a rube my 1st time out; even though I am one.

Congrats on your retirement - hope you enjoy your travels.

When you see a hotel rate, it does not include taxes - and there can be several tax add-ons. Make sure you figure that into your budget. Also, in cities, parking is usually extra - and it can be $10-25, or even more in a big city.

As far as what the rate includes, it includes the use of room, TV, any little soaps/shampoos they leave. You will be charged extra for anything you take from the mini-bar/snack tray - and it will be many times what it would cost in a store. Pay-for-view movies, phone calls (sometimes local, always long distance) are extra.

Tipping the housekkeeping staff is a nice idea, but not required. If someone brings your bags to your room, you need to tip them.

When you book a hotel, do not settle on the "rack rate". Look for ads, promotions, try various websites (Expedia, Travelocity, individual hotel site) and shop around for the best rate.

I am sure others will have more comments for you.

Don't forget to think about motels as you travel. They come in all price ranges (check the internet for deals, sales, discounts for seniors) and all qualities...even in the same hotel/motel family. Parking will be free, you may or may not get the little shampoos, and you'll still get TV (pay and regular), probably a pool, phone calls will usually be extra here too.
Motels are closer to the Interstates, for easier availability.

Watch out about those phone calls!

Sometimes all local calls are free. Sometimes there are stiff charges for using them. Some places even charge a fee if you make a credit card or phonecard long distance call. Ask the clerk what the hotel's procedures are. Sometimes a short walk to a payphone can really save you some $$$.

Some hotels, especially suburban ones catering to businessmen, often have a free breakfast buffet. Nice, but not always a given. Good luck in your retirement. (there is no x in my REAL eddress)

Some hotels really do nickel and dime you, so be alert. Besides the charges that people have already mentioned, you may see extra things like energy charges or resort fees at certain hotels. Also, definitely watch out for room service charges. In addition to the price on the menu, you'll also be charged tax, usually a delivery charge, and also a gratuity on top of that. The extra charges really add up if you just want to order something like a pot of coffee, so watch out.

I think we're scaring this guy off.

See your room before you agree to staying in it. Don't stay by the elevator, the stairwell or the room with the ice machine.
Fold the bedspread down and do not use it.
Sometimes no matter where you are calling, they charge you a dollar to just pick up the phone.
Order room service at least once.
Have a great time.

topping for Carlos

If you guys haven't scared poor Carlos off, no one will! He was looking to enjoy travel and not appear the rube, not be warned of the most obscure pitfalls (bedspreads with frigging germs)! Energy charges have been pretty much eliminated. Resort fees, (usually only in a large and nice resort) are meant to replace much of the tipping.

And how many people actually LOOK at a hotel room before booking it? If I had to guess a percentage, it'd be less than 1%. I wouldn't waste my time. Let's keep this simple, if you don't like the room or the location, unless they are full, it can be changed.

*Of course* a room service meal has tax. Any meal unless in a tax free state (is there one?) has a tax. I've never paid a delivery fee. YES, Carlos, do be aware the tip is usually already included on the room service tab. No additional is necessary. That was good advice. It is stated as such on the tab, but a guest hurriedly checking the bill could miss the fact that it is listed.

No, phone calls aren't free. Bring a cell phone if you have one. The stuff in the little servie (sp?) bar is expensive. Be aware too that the bottled water you often see sitting out in the room is generally NOT free.

Many hotels have self parking as well as valet parking. Self park is more often than not free. Valet may be free depending on the hotel, but you should tip the valet parkers when they retrieve your car.

We leave tips for the maids as well, a couple of dollars a day. Many do not. That's fine, your discretion. If bellhops take your bags to the room (optional in most hotels) a tip is pretty much expected. Turn down service in the evening (nicer hotels) is included at no cost and no tip expected.

Health Club use is most likely free. The few that charge, make it clear. Your room key is usually your admission to the health club, pools, tennis courts. Golf will normally be extra.

Some hotels provide airport shuttle service at no charge. Tip is generally given to the driver who has also helped you with your bags. This is just common sense stuff.

Congratulations on retiring at a time when plenty have had to postpone it! Have wonderful fun traveling and don't worry about appearing to be a rube. Actually, there are more than a few hotels that might even find that refreshing. You'll be just fine.

Geeeez,
"friggin germs" has been a subject on other threads here, bedspreads are known for being not washed each time a new person takes a room.Just advice.
No one suggested seeing the room before booking, only before agreeing to take it, in case it is a dump. Don't you do that?
Everyone has given excellent advice, you repeated it.
Geez, keep it simple!

Geez, I've encountered pretty much everything that Carlos has been warned about in the previous posts during my hotel stays. They may seem obvious to you, but may not be to someone who has never stayed in a hotel as Carlos states that he hasn't. The advice given to him as to things to watch out for has been very good. Your post added nothing.

To julie and keepingit,

No, I have never looked at a room before taking it and never will. I'll wager a guess that less than 1% of the population does. Signing for a room does not lock you into that room if you get there and don't like it for any reason. All you need to is call the front desk and they will accommodate your request unless full. I've had to do this only once, when the room had been heavily smoked in. The request was handled cheerfully and immediately.

As for the bedspreads, I've seen the thread. Laughed at it then, laugh at it now. Spreads are normally turned back by staff, but trust me, I sure wouldn't worry if they weren't! That is just too extreme for me, and despite my obviously (to your thinking) poor health habits, I'm never, but never, sick. Go figure.

What did I add to the thread? What resort fees will do away with (much of the tipping). That a tip added to room service isn't a hidden charge. It's right there in front of you, but many fail to see it because they don't check the bill, just sign. A reminder that tax is added to every meal, room service or not so why even bring it up? That in all the hotels I stay in on business, and that's a lot, I've never ever seen a delivery charge for room service. I added that the energy surcharges someone mentioned are no more. That self park is most often free even in hotels, and some valet parking is as well, aside from the tip. No one mentioned that fact (free valet). I added the tip of taking your cell phone to avoid phone charges. I added the fact that the bottled water sitting around the room is NOT free. I added the fact that turn down service is free and so is the health club generally, though not golf. Not another soul mentioned those, and if you'll re-read the op, he was also asking what services were included in the room rate. I also added the bit about shuttle service, usually at no charge if the hotel is near an airport. Now lets douse the "you added nothing" whining, OK? I took a fair amount of time to address his issues, to correct some misconceptions, then added tips of my own. And you?

Geez, you've got way too much time on your hands. I don't know what hotels you stay in, but I see delivery charges, usually about $2.50, added to room service bills all the time. Self-park is not always free, particularly if it is in an underground parking garage. Health club access is not always free. I've been to any number of hotels where there was a charge to use the health club. Bed spreads are not changed between guests like sheets and therefore may not be clean, something that a new traveler may not realize. Many of your statements are misleading and some just plain wrong.

Jesse.

The following are cut and pastes from my original post. READ for pete's sake!

"Self park is more often than not free"

"Health Club use is most likely free"

Do you see the words "always free" anywhere? Those were your additions, not mine.

I don't argue that spreads are not washed between each guest. No where did I say that. I said, not in so many words, but implied, that worrying about the bedspread is absurd!! Good grief people.

As far as I can see, the only statement we are at odds with each other about is whether or not there is a delivery charge on room service. I've never seen one on any of my bills. If you have, then fine. Now, where are the "many wrong and misleading statements", aside from those you just made?

To Geez: Your posts imply that if you aren't bothered by something then its not important, or that if you haven't encountered something at hotels that you've stayed in then it doesn't exist. You try to dismiss the advice given by others if you don't think its important. The thread is not about you, its advice for Carlos. You can keep your value judgements to yourself.

Carlos, always ask the phone reservationist, "is that the lowest price you can give me". Ask that question at least 3 times 'cus they usually quote you the King Suite with the jacuzzi for the low low price of $239, then the King studio with the kitchenette for a better price of $189, then the 2 queens for $129, and then when asked again for "any other specials?", they'll say, "oh yes, we have a great weekend rate of $79 for 2 queens and free parking. This doesn't always happen, but VERY OFTEN. Bottom line, just keep asking for a better price. Also mention if you belong to any groups which might warrant a discount such as triple A, senior citizens, etc.----but then again, it might not be the lowest price, so don't stop at that discounted price---there might be a lower one to be had. Happy Traveling!! P.S. I love traveling and I love hotel/motel stays, but after one bad experience, I ALWAYS open the bed first and check that it's clean, BEFORE unpacking. I unpacked once, went out to eat, came back to the room, watched some TV, and then at about 11pm opened my bed to find that it was dirty. NOT FUN packing up and changing rooms at that hour of the night.

WOW! I really didn't mean to cause all that hassle amoung the people here. I really appreciate all the nice responses and well wishes. Have reserved a room in a Manhattan hotel in October and will take the nice advice y'all have offered. Thanks again.

Carlos, congratulations on your retirement! Since you are retired, I'm assuming that you may be 55 or older; don't forget to ask for/look for a senior discount when traveling. This can save you a lot of money on everything from bus fare (it will be 1/2 price for you in NYC) to admission to attractions and museums. Have a wonderful time and don't forget to report back after your trip!