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Last Updated on July 29, 2024 by Alaina
I like to call myself a seasoned traveler, somebody who is lucky enough to have been to several different places in the world. Some of this has to do with the nature of my job, but that’s not the focus of this article. Instead, I’d like to share the thing that bothers me most when I travel: picking the right hotel.
Perhaps it’s just my own experience, but I get anxious about the place where I will live during my stay in a strange city. I like to think of my hotel room as a home away from home. Therefore, I invest a major chunk of time reviewing hotels.
I am familiar with giant travel resources like Trip Advisor and Travel and Leisure. For hotels, I really like going through hotels.com. Quora and Reddit can be quite helpful in figuring out the true customer experiences as well.
The repeat destinations are easy as you know the place and it’s easy to adjust yourself according to it. However, new places are always part exciting, part horrifying. I prefer to enter every new city prepared, and I am extremely glad I live in a time where you can easily gather information about any place.
For example, when planning a trip to Asheville, I found a perfect hotel that not only met my needs but exceeded my expectations. You can experience luxury at a hotel in Asheville with a rooftop restaurant and bar, offering an unparalleled view and dining experience. This kind of detailed research helps ensure a satisfying and memorable stay.
My Guide to Picking the Right Hotel
I don’t always find the absolute best all-around deal, but I try, and when I do it’s because I always look for the following things in a hotel room:
Bedroom – quilts, furniture and more
When picking the right hotel, another thing I prefer to know ahead of time is what the room looks like. One of the first things I looked for was the type of bed and quilt cover sets. I love plush, comfy, and cozy bedding! So when it comes to picking a hotel, I always try to choose one that has the same quality of bedding I have at home.
The furniture, decor, and layout of the room also play a big role in my decision. Personally, I am a minimalist interior fan and I enjoy modern settings. If I can find that in a hotel room, then I am more than happy. But when I research a hotel room, I make a point to look at everything such as the paint, the flooring, and especially the size of the room.
I want to make sure the room has a clean and comfortable atmosphere, with furniture that is functional and will cover my needs for as long as I am there. Of course, researching the room online doesn’t show me exactly what it will look like, but it does give me a pretty good idea so I am not unpleasantly surprised once I arrive.
Bathroom – cleanliness is utmost
The list for the bathroom is pretty short. Really I just look to make sure it has a comfortable and functional layout with enough counter space for me to keep my things. However, more than anything else, I look at the cleanliness of the bathroom. I don’t like cracked, dirty, and dated tiles, toilets, tubs, and sinks. Everything needs to be repaired and cleaned very clean.
Room Service
Moving on from the physical aspects of the room, next thing on my agenda is always room service. They should be respectful of how a customer is served. It is not only about being the quickest but also paying attention to the details.
Security
The safety of the hotel is very significant. I usually check the hotel’s website for details about security. A hotel can’t get rid of the unrest in its surroundings, but strict security measures are always satisfying.
WiFi
You won’t believe how many hotels have terrible internet services; or maybe you can because you’ve been there and done that. The way I look at it is thus: if you can figure out the internet speed and wifi signals in your hotel room beforehand, it is a blessing. Especially if you work online like I do. In hotels with really, really bad service, I use my phone as a hotspot instead. It makes a world of difference. Check with your provider to see what type plans they offer. For many, the extra cost is minimal
Hopefully these tips will help you when picking the right hotel for your next vacation or trip! Happy travels!