How to choose a good hotel

Choosing a good hotel when travelling to another part of the country or abroad could be a hassle if you don’t understand how to deal with it properly. To ensure that you have a good time when staying at a hotel, take it upon yourself to find the right place, and to do things the right way the first time.

1.       When choosing a hotel, it is always easier to leave it to a travel agent. Travel agents generally know what to look for in a good hotel, and they know to ask about specials and family rates, should they apply to you. If you want to deal with them hotel yourself, it is always easier to do it by phone. That way you can make sure of any information you need, and you can record detailed information such as reference numbers and employee names.

2.       Make sure you guarantee your booking in case you get delayed on a flight or in traffic. Hotels only hold rooms for a certain amount of time, so if you feel you might be running late, call the hotel to ask them to hold your room until you arrive, instead of handing it off to the next family in the queue.

3.       Some people may be caught by that dreaded thing called ‘overbooking’. While this does cause a bit of a hassle, most hotels, like airlines will make arrangements and send you to another hotel in their chain, or a hotel that they have arrangements with. If they do not offer this, contact your travel agent so that they may organise alternative plans for you, either via the hotel, or other methods.

4.       Customer service doesn’t always have to involve management. The clerks at the front desk are trained to help you with most queries without having to resort to calling the management.

5.       When checking in to your hotel, make sure to have all of your check-in information ready to save time at the desk. When dealing with the check-in clerks, confirm that the fees are the same as the previously discussed prices. Also ask for a hotel card in case you get lost while exploring a new city so that you can find your way back.

6.       When booking over the phone or via whichever media you choose, query whether or not the hotel offers services such as internet, gym equipment, hair dryers, mini-bars, cable or satellite television or any other services or products you may need. When checking in, request that these items be taken to your room, as some hotels may only have a limited number of items such as televisions or hair dryers.

7.       Before checking out, make sure that you haven’t left any personal items in the room. Make your way around the room, checking every drawer, corner, under the beds, or in the creases of furniture for items you may have left behind. If you need extra time to check the room before checking out, ask the front desk for extra time so that you won’t be charged for an extra day. When paying your bill, read it carefully to ensure that all items on the list are supposed to be charged to you. If paying cash, make sure it is noted on the receipt that cash was used.

Contact Ungilobe Gateway Travel and we'll suggest the best options in the area you are wanting to visit. We've done our homework and know the right places for you.