By Matthew Reider
If you have to stay in a hotel, there’s no reason why you should settle for anything less than a terrific experience. Even if you’re staying in the lowest priced hotel on the street, you deserve to have first class service and accommodations. Here are ten ways to make sure you do.
1. Place your reservation far in advance of your trip - If you can plan your trip far ahead of time, you are more likely to get a nicer room with the extras you need.
2. Call the reservation desk at the hotel - While it might seem cheaper to book online (and it may be), actually speaking to someone in person will help you get upgrades that might not be offered on these kinds of websites.
3. Work with a travel agent - Just like talking to a hotel desk agent, talking to a travel agent will help you get exactly what you want, for the price you want to pay.
4. Ask - More often than not, people will stay in a hotel and have a horrible experience, but only because they didn’t ask for something better. If you need something, call the front desk and ask. They will be more than happy to help you.
5. Complain - If something doesn’t go right with your room, be certain to talk to a manager while you’re still at the hotel. This will allow them the chance to make it up to you right then, instead of long after your trip is over.
6. Check your room - If you’re not happy with your room upon arrival, immediately call down to the front desk to see if you can have it changed.
7. Be specific about your needs - If you have allergies, smoking preferences, etc., be sure to let the hotel reservations clerk know. This will help them find a room that’s suitable for you or it will tell you that you need to find another hotel.
8. Tip the cleaning staff - When you leave a few dollars for the cleaning staff each day, you can expect to come back to a clean room that’s spotless instead of simply wiped down.
9. Be a regular customer - If you come to the hotel often, make sure to let the reservation desk know or sign up for a preferred customer program.
10. Thank them for their good service - When you follow up with a note about how pleasant your hotel experience was, you will make certain that you are treated well at any other hotels in the chain.
Matt Reider is the manager of CanuckAbroad.com which provides discount airfare resources, cheap hotel reservations and budget travel advice to get the most out of your next vacation!
