TraveLuxe

Hotels – Don’t Be Surprised

Everyone knows the obvious things to check – what size is my bed? What’s the view? Is there a restaurant/bar in the hotel? How close is it to the sites/area I want to be in? These days, wifi is also a top question, and definitely something to mention when you’re looking into hotel options.

There are other things, though, that unless you’ve been to a destination, you may not be familiar with. Still, they can change your experience, for better or worse, and if they’re important to you, best to consider before putting down money on your accommodations.

1. Other countries don’t have the same ADA (American Disabilities Act) laws that we do in the U.S. Elevators often aren’t required, and if they are they may be big enough for just you and your suitcase. Your name brand chain hotels will almost certainly have them, regardless of location, but your smaller boutique hotels, especially historic ones, may not.

2. A double room in other countries often means a double bed or two twin beds. Sometimes it means two singles pushed together to form a larger bed. It’s very important to know what bed type and room size you’re looking for in advance – this helps narrow down options and find the hotel that fits you best.

3. Most foreign countries include a Value Added Tax, or VAT, for travelers and this can be quite pricey. When considering room price, remember that you will be paying hotel tax and VAT on top of that, in addition to any other extras such as internet, breakfast, etc.

4. Hours of operation for services. Check if the concierge, room service, business center, etc are open 24 hours. What are the hours of the hotel restaurant/bars? Many people say “oh I never order room service, I don’t need the concierge”, but it can’t hurt to look. If your plane is delayed and you get in at 11 PM and are starving, room service may not sound bad – and depending on the area, it may be one of the only options for food at that hour.

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