- Parking
Hotel parking lots can have dark areas surrounded by trees, dumpsters, etc. Park in a spot that is well lit, close to the main entrance, and away from an attacker’s potential hiding place. If in doubt, park at the check-in spot and ask someone from the hotel to accompany you while you park your car.
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- Children
Don’t forget to ask the hotel to block adult movie channels and to remove any magazines with suggestive advertising.
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- Guaranteed Reservations
You arrive at the hotel with a guaranteed reservation, but there is no room. Depending on your credit card company’s travel program or the hotel’s booking policy the hotel can be required to pay your first night at the other hotel, cab fare and a phone call home.
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- Not happy with your room
When you arrive at the hotel and the room doesn’t meet your expectation of the description initially given; or your expectation period – say so! Go back to the desk and ask to be moved to another room. Remember – you are paying for the room and that room is your sanctuary for your stay.
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- Spring Break
Because many people didn’t travel since New Years, there is penned up demand for travel and many suppliers report record inquiries and bookings for this time period.
This will result in higher than usual pricing for travel, including hotels in popular vacation destinations. What you may not realize is that during these periods many city center hotels are often less busy than normal and often offer great deals on rates.
Why not plan a trip to a city nearby or maybe a stay in your own city?
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- Advance Reservations
In today’s environment, hotels make their best rates available in advance through online booking systems and often in their reservations centers. However, if you arrive at your reserved hotel and find that better rates are available, chances are they will change your rate. Should they refuse, complain and take your future business elsewhere.
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- Your Housekeeper
Room Attendants are probably the most under appreciated employees in a hotel. They work for eight hours, pretty much by themselves, completing repetitive tasks, and rely very much on being self-motivated.
Make it your business to find out the name of your room attendant if you can. Even if you can’t, leave a little note saying thank you. I am not suggesting that you leave a tip, although this was a practice many years ago. Your recognition of that employee generates motivation as this rarely happens. The result will be great service for you!
If you frequently stay at a particular hotel or stay for several days, this method becomes even more effective. Often times the room attendant will have your room prepared based on your preferences.
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- Hotel Reward Programs
When selecting a hotel often times your decision is influenced by the type of reward program the hotel offers. The larger chains all have their own ranging from Starwood’s Preferred Guest to Holiday Inn’s Priority Club.
There are differences though within these programs. If your goal is to earn free stays and you have a preferred brand it makes sense to stay within that chain. However, if you are looking to combine several of your frequent travel programs you should select a hotel program that allows you to convert their miles or points to your airline’s program.
In addition you should check if the hotel allows double dipping. Double dipping is the term used if you collect rewards from multiple programs for the same purchase. For example, if you stay at hotel X collect points from their program in addition to airline miles.
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- Hotel Rates
As a group, whether corporate or otherwise, understand how the hotel arrives at your quote. If possible and appropriate use a travel agent, travel planner or meeting planner to make your arrangements.
As an individual check your rates and there is nothing wrong to ask at check-in what other rates or specials are currently available.
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- Hotel Address
Always carry your hotel's phone number and address with you on a piece of paper, business card or even a match book so you can get back there after your day of sightseeing. Don't assume the cab driver will know where your hotel is by just the name.
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