Stress-free Hotel Stays

By Michele Blandino

As in most aspects of long distance travel, booking a stay in a hotel is prone to its share of snafus and headaches. Between wondering whether your late arrival will result in the room you have reserved months in advance being given to another guest or negotiating a later check-out time, a successful hotel stay is often measured in terms of how few trips one needs to take to the front desk.

Late Arrivals

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make your stay slightly less stressful. First, it’s important to understand that although you may have “secured” your reservation with a credit card, the hotel will only hold your reservation until 6 p.m. on your arrival date. The reason is simple; most hotels frequently overbook their rooms because they can virtually guarantee that a certain percentage of the guests who have made reservations, won’t arrive at all. As a result, if you know you are going to be late, it is suggested that you call the hotel to inform them you are indeed planning to show up.

Booking Online

With the increased presence of travel-oriented Web sites such as Expedia.com and Hotel.com, many people are less inclined to book their hotel reservations the old fashioned way – via the telephone. While there isn’t much that can surpass the ease and convenience of booking your reservation online, there are some things to be aware of before you point and click your way to your vacation destination. First, because the hotels usually assign blocks of rooms to these sites, it is very likely, especially if you are making a selection based primarily on price, that you will end up with one of the hotel’s worst rooms – the ones located near the elevator and other highly traveled – and noisy – areas. Similarly, it is often not possible to make special requests when booking online. As a result, if you need a particular amenity during your stay such as a crib or a refrigerator in your room, it is recommended that you follow-up with a telephone call or a fax.

Using the telephone to book your reservation has other advantages. For example, if you are staying at a particular property for the first time, chances are you are going to have questions that can’t be answered by simply reading a Web page. The unfortunate reality is that most places do not measure up to the Internet portrayal. Taking a few moments to chat with the reservations clerk or a travel agent can help you to properly evaluate whether or not the property is appropriate for your needs.

Extending your Stay

Depending on your location and the need for the room following your departure, it may be possible to delay your checkout beyond the standard 11 a.m. deadline. The key here is to make your request as early as possible; by giving the hotel staff adequate notice, you are providing them with the opportunity to make the arrangements that may be required for you to utilize the room for a few extra hours.

A final word. While the ideas and strategies presented here may be successful in the majority of cases, it is important to understand that the policies of each hotel are different. As a result, it is best to contact them directly if you have a specific question or concern.