How to Select a Good Hotel?

Whenever we contemplate on a tour, the first thing we have in our mind is a comfortable accommodation. If our destination is not a very familiar place, it is necessary to find out the details of various hotels in that area. Internet is a good source in this respect. All relevant information should be collected. There will be attractive advertisements about excellent accommodation at cheaper rates, but better ascertain the genuineness or credibility of such establishments. At times misleading advertisements will make your travel and stay horrible.

VISIT THE WEBSITES: It is very important that you visit the websites of the hotels and resorts to convince yourself about the facilities available. The ownership details, address, telephone or telex numbers, e mail address etc are to be collected and cross checked by contacting them. If possible ask for the testimonials of important guests who stayed there in the recent past. Information like the acceptance of credit cards and facilities like car rentals, communications and currency exchange are important. Once you are convinced about the bona fides of the establishment, book the accommodation and insist on an acknowledgment note indicating all the details of the faculties offered. Also verify whether you will be received at the Rail Head or Air Port and transfer arrangement will be made by them.

FAMILY AND BUSINESS TRAVEL: If you travel with family to enjoy holidays, certain facilities are expected. You need spacious rooms as the first prerequisite. Swimming pool as well as children’s park is required. Car rentals for sight seeing and shopping are another requirement. Facilities for entertainment will be an advantage.

But if you are on a business travel, it is necessary to find out whether sufficient communication facilities like international and domestic direct dial telephone, fax, email etc are available. These are essential in case you are not having a lap top with you. An accommodation near the Air Port may be preferred. Many other facilities are to be providing by a good hotel whether it is for a business executive or a family on vacation.

FEATURES OF A GOOD HOTEL: Proximity of the hotel to the Air Port as well as to a city will be preferred by the customers depending on their purpose of visit. Standard rooms and special rooms with deluxe facilities are always appreciated by executives on business travels. Families on vacation would like to have cable or satellite television, health club, coffee shop, laundry etc. Excellent room service is an essential requirement for all categories of guests.

Facilities like conference room, convention hall, restaurants and stores as well as catering facilities for those attending conferences are the requirements expected by the corporate guests.

RATINGS: Hotels are of different categories. Ratings are given by AA and UK Tourism Authorities to the hotels, taking into consideration the standard of services rendered by them. They are graded one star to five stars categories on the basis of the quality of service and standard of facilities offered to the guests. Maintenance of the premises and customer satisfaction are taken into account while awarding the ratings.

ONLINE BOOKING & CREDIT CARDS: Online booking of a hotel accommodation is the most convenient and cheaper option. Discounts up to 60 per cent are offered as concession to those who book their accommodation online. As far as possible make the payments through major credit cards. A very valid reason is that the credit cards companies refuse to extend their services to such establishments, if customer complaints and consequent requests for refunds occur in respect of them. Acceptance of credit cards by a hotel is therefore a favourable point for them.