What are things you wish you knew about a hotel...
Jul 6th, 2005, 02:38 PM
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What are things you wish you knew 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, 02:57 PM
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A Starbucks or similar good coffee house nearby.
A decent bookstore nearby - I always like to have something on hand to read or to find maps/info about the area I'm in.
Excellent beds (I must be getting old if this is one of my main concerns!!)
Quiet room location availability (yeah....I'm pretty sure I'm gettin' old...)
A decent bookstore nearby - I always like to have something on hand to read or to find maps/info about the area I'm in.
Excellent beds (I must be getting old if this is one of my main concerns!!)
Quiet room location availability (yeah....I'm pretty sure I'm gettin' old...)
Jul 6th, 2005, 03:03 PM
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Your daughter is a wise woman, Laura. You should also make sure your search criteria include (and I'm sure they will):
-- Concierge service (especially to get VIP passes to the nearby nightclubs)
-- Scheduled airport shuttle pickup
-- Available in-room refrigerators (nowadays, they lose those and put minibars in instead)
-- Kitchen/kitchenette
I would also assume you could screen by proximity to a subway station/train station....
-- Concierge service (especially to get VIP passes to the nearby nightclubs)
-- Scheduled airport shuttle pickup
-- Available in-room refrigerators (nowadays, they lose those and put minibars in instead)
-- Kitchen/kitchenette
I would also assume you could screen by proximity to a subway station/train station....
Jul 6th, 2005, 03:23 PM
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I'm another old fart who's concerned about an excellent bed and quiet location 
I'd also add room service or restaurant hours, in addition to the hours for the airport shuttle -- helpful for those with very early or very late flights.
And non-smoking floors and public areas (not just non-smoking guest rooms) for those people who don't want to be bombarded with smoke when they leave their guest room.
This sounds like a great project -- thanks for doing this! If I think of any more I'll let you know.
I'd also add room service or restaurant hours, in addition to the hours for the airport shuttle -- helpful for those with very early or very late flights.
And non-smoking floors and public areas (not just non-smoking guest rooms) for those people who don't want to be bombarded with smoke when they leave their guest room.
This sounds like a great project -- thanks for doing this! If I think of any more I'll let you know.
Jul 6th, 2005, 03:35 PM
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I'd like to know the approx amount of state, local, county, entertainment, etc, etc taxes that will be applied to the room rate. I just returned from a trip where the taxes added a considerable amount to the total cost (like 30+%!!).
Jul 6th, 2005, 03:43 PM
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Not necessarily my choices, but questions I frequently see asked that are often not available as a search option or are incorrect
family rooms
swimming pool
views/height of building
for non US hotels a/c or not
family rooms
swimming pool
views/height of building
for non US hotels a/c or not
Jul 6th, 2005, 03:58 PM
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Location to (whatever interests me) would be nice, if I knew the city, but that info on it's own and no knowledge of the neighborhoods could really backfire. Many nightclubs are located in not so great areas or out of the way areas, etc. Not having that knowledge could put one in a hotel that is not necessarly the best option for the rest of the vacation. Just a thought.
Jul 6th, 2005, 04:33 PM
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I want to know how far various transportation hubs are, and approximate taxi/shuttle cost.
If a bus, subway, or rail line runs nearby, I want to know WHAT bus route, what station, or at least the address of the station.
If there's internet access, I wish to know "wired" or "wireless" and if I need to state the need for it, should only part of the facility have access.
How about a simple floor plan with dimensions for various rooms, especially "suites"?
What are the hours the restaurant / lounge / business center / shuttle operated? What charges for local and LD phone, or other electronic services. It would be nice to be able to see the menus as well. I don't care about a fancy web presence, just good content.
If a bus, subway, or rail line runs nearby, I want to know WHAT bus route, what station, or at least the address of the station.
If there's internet access, I wish to know "wired" or "wireless" and if I need to state the need for it, should only part of the facility have access.
How about a simple floor plan with dimensions for various rooms, especially "suites"?
What are the hours the restaurant / lounge / business center / shuttle operated? What charges for local and LD phone, or other electronic services. It would be nice to be able to see the menus as well. I don't care about a fancy web presence, just good content.
Jul 6th, 2005, 05:31 PM
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These are all awesome! I swear I will not take credit for all these great ideas, in fact I am proud that I am part of the Fodors community!
All these ideas will be presented!
If anyone has anything to add... by all means do!
All these ideas will be presented!
If anyone has anything to add... by all means do!
Jul 6th, 2005, 07:21 PM
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These aren't things you can search by, but ones I sure wish I knew about beforehand - all from firsthand experience, and not necessarily from low end hotels either.
- When is the last time they changed the filters on the AC unit? Don't look, you'll be thoroughly grossed out.
- how noisy is the AC (especially the below the window /outside wall units)
- does the fluorescent light in the bathroom really incessantly buzz all night long
- in which rooms can't you hear the highway truck traffic at 6am?
- in which rooms can't you hear the garbage truck backing up at 6am?
- is the queen bed a true queen or a 'hotel queen'. It might just be me but hotel room beds always seem smaller than the one i have at home
- what is the pool temperature? (above 80 or below 60?)
- how much does that bottle of water on my table (without a pricetag to be seen) really cost.
- which rooms are over the disco lounge
- which ones have air vents connected to the bacon deep fryer
- are the greens being sold in the 'farmer's market' on every street corner around the hotel really legal, Mary Jane?
- Does the adult video store next door turn off their 50Megawatt blinking neon lights before 4am?
- do the bugs come with the room or do I have to pay extra?
- does the hotel have true room darkening shades?
- was it a non-smoking room yesterday, or are you removing all the ashtrays now just to humor me?
- fitted sheet on the mattress or just an undersized flat sheet that will come undone at 2am?
- water pressure/flow in the shower
- what millenium is the mattress from and how many spring will I feel in my back?
I'm sure I can think of others - let me know when these are on the TTP search engine and I'll be happy.
- When is the last time they changed the filters on the AC unit? Don't look, you'll be thoroughly grossed out.
- how noisy is the AC (especially the below the window /outside wall units)
- does the fluorescent light in the bathroom really incessantly buzz all night long
- in which rooms can't you hear the highway truck traffic at 6am?
- in which rooms can't you hear the garbage truck backing up at 6am?
- is the queen bed a true queen or a 'hotel queen'. It might just be me but hotel room beds always seem smaller than the one i have at home
- what is the pool temperature? (above 80 or below 60?)
- how much does that bottle of water on my table (without a pricetag to be seen) really cost.
- which rooms are over the disco lounge
- which ones have air vents connected to the bacon deep fryer
- are the greens being sold in the 'farmer's market' on every street corner around the hotel really legal, Mary Jane?
- Does the adult video store next door turn off their 50Megawatt blinking neon lights before 4am?
- do the bugs come with the room or do I have to pay extra?
- does the hotel have true room darkening shades?
- was it a non-smoking room yesterday, or are you removing all the ashtrays now just to humor me?
- fitted sheet on the mattress or just an undersized flat sheet that will come undone at 2am?
- water pressure/flow in the shower
- what millenium is the mattress from and how many spring will I feel in my back?
I'm sure I can think of others - let me know when these are on the TTP search engine and I'll be happy.
Jul 6th, 2005, 08:26 PM
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Is there a Kids Club? And, if so, clearly state WHAT AGES the club accepts.
Also, are there ADJOINING/CONNECTING rooms (via interior door)?
Finally, many hotel websites fail to list 2 bedroom suites, even if they are available. For that information, I've frequently found that I must call the hotel directly to inquire and reserve. That drives me nuts! Why can't the suite be listed on the web site along with the standard rooms?
Also, are there ADJOINING/CONNECTING rooms (via interior door)?
Finally, many hotel websites fail to list 2 bedroom suites, even if they are available. For that information, I've frequently found that I must call the hotel directly to inquire and reserve. That drives me nuts! Why can't the suite be listed on the web site along with the standard rooms?
