Finding the right hotel accommodations that will meet your needs and expectations is almost like finding a needle in a haystack. Not quite, but almost like it. If you're the type of traveler that has particular preferences, finding the hotel that will suit you, well ahead of your scheduled trip, would serve you best.
Travel agencies will be a good starting point of your research. More so, online travel guides will also be able to assist you in making the right choice of hotel. But before you tackle the quick points of finding the right hotel accommodations, here are a few questions you should have ready answers to:
1. Are you planning a vacation or a business trip?
2. Are you travelling with an infant or children?
3. Would you prefer downtown hotels, airport hotels or city hotels?
4. What is your budget?
5. How many days do you plan to stay?
Having answers to the above questions will help you set your sights on a specific kind of accommodation and will help you maximize your trip. For most parents like me, I base my hotel preference on the three criteria I have come up with over the many years of travelling:
SAFETY: First ground rule should include the safety considerations of me and my little girl. Every year when we plan out our trips, I consider hotels that are strategically located near police stations, first aid stations, clinics or hospitals, and even fire stations. If we are going for a really far away trip like our last year's island hopping adventure, I opted to check in hotel accommodations that included 24-hour security, enough hotel staff to assist you in whichever way, with pools that are constantly guarded by "life guards", and most importantly, have great fire proof plans and fire extinguishers on hand.
It is also essential to note that hotels that have garnered a three, four and five star rating would provide their best security and safety assistance to their hotel guests. However, if you prefer a more intimate and personal setting, I have discovered that bed and breakfasts, travel lodges, inns and business hotels prioritize safety in their considerations as well.
CONVENIENCE: Finding a grocery store, a pharmacy or even a parlor should be possible if you are the kind of traveler who would put convenience in your preference list. Hotel accommodations are now being marketed by the convenience that they offer to their hotel guests. Most hotels can be found in the middle of the metropolis or downtown area wherein good restaurants, shopping centers, recreation centers and relaxation centers are within an arm's reach.
Even far flung hotels specified for weekend get-aways, honeymoons and quiet retreats also mark convenience in their priorities. These hotels provide their guests add-on services like in-house massages and spas, free internet connection, room food service, and in-house parlors, boutiques and souvenir shops, restaurants, coffee shops and bars.
It is also important to know if the hotel that you are considering provides airport transfers and that there is a steady stream of transportation for your easy travel. If you are travelling overseas, it is also important to consider that your hotel is located near foreign exchange establishments or banks.
BUDGET: Hotel accommodations abound and the only way to narrow down our choices is if we set our budget from the beginning. Most hotels offer packages wherein discounts may be availed if we stay for more than one night or if we avail of more than one room for groups travelling together. For a lengthy stay like a month or two, hotel accommodations may offer much lower rates and additional perks.
For whatever hotel accommodations you may choose, and whatever preferences you may have, always remember the three: Safety, Convenience and Budget. This will help you achieve a stress-free vacation or business trip and will allow you to maximize your travel plans.
Enjoy globetrotting!
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