Next to the airline tickets, I am pretty sure the accommodation cost and preferences get the most attention in everyone's preparation list when planning a trip to Europe. But sometimes, it can be more than just lodging.
Hotels come in all sizes and price range. There are friends who in their well intentions suggests a place or two for you to consider. There are a good number of websites and promo prices online. There are a ton of ads in any magazine on hotels in all cities of Europe. Remember, YOU will be travelling and it is YOU that will be living in these quarters, so it is best to yes, consider the suggestions but go online and look at the traveler's photos on each hotel and take the time to read the various reviews posted. Take these resources and make up your own mind about what will best work for you. Hotel photos tend to be focused on the best feature of each hotel and fail to mention their shortcomings (rightfully so, best for business to focus on the plus side and not the negative). Sometimes you will luck out and get a great place that is so ideal for you and your travel plans but do your homework, nevertheless.
The best tip I can give any traveler is to think outside the city center. Costs are lower and the excellent public transportation in Western Europe can get you in the middle of any city center with just a short subway ride or bus ride. If cost is a major factor in your budget, think accessibility and distance. If you love a bus ride or a train ride in the morning. You can save a good amount that you can otherwise spend on souvenirs and a very good meal.
There is no perfect hotel. Some have free breakfast included on the per night room price, others don't include this at all. Some have larger rooms, others have very small rooms. Some have toiletries and good towels others have no shampoo, conditioner nor lotion in a bathroom with "have seen better days" towels. Do your homework, take the time to look at reviews and traveler photos online.
I spent a very good portion of my research on our European trip with R, looking for hotels, very good hotels that will suit R. He likes a quiet room, ample space and just a ride away from the city center. I looked at hundreds of hotels online and eventually used a very good site to make my life and search a whole lot easier. I have called hotel chains and asked my questions before I booked a room online.
If you are a member of any hotel groups ask for a better rate. It pays to be a member of the larger group of hotels. They are worldwide and the membership is free.
I do not endorse any products on this blog but I will mention the hotels that we used (we paid for the hotels and we are not getting any monetary compensation for this review) and worked very well for us. Service was always very, very good and we also prefer any hotel that is close proximity to the cuty center where the museums are.
The next series of blog will focus on each hotel we stayed at and my reviews of each of them. They will be marked Series 7a and so on. They will be reviewed no particular order.
Note that most Scandinavian hotels do not have the kind of air conditioning we are all so used to in the United States. These places are cold most of the year so AC is not a priority. Of course there are hotels with very good AC, again do your homework.
The best hotel we stayed at was in Copenhagen, in my opinion. It was smack in the middle of the city. It was close to everything we wanted to see. It had a great breakfast buffet. Access to public transport was a breeze. I had a very cozy coffee place next to the hotel that I went to almost everyday, sometimes twice a day. Hotel service was excellent. I loved the bed, room size and the bathroom was one of the best during our trip. It was recommended by a friend who lives there. I will always be grateful for this because we loved the place and he made it one of the most memorable cities that we stay at during our trip.
In the end, we had to make our own reservation directly with one hotel in Germany because all the rooms in most hotels within our price range and extended price range fully booked. This hotel was a good 30 minutes from the city center. But it is what it is. We made most of what we had. We met some very nice people in that city. So you take the negative with the positive of a situation and make the most of it. Enjoy the experience.
Let me state that I am now a great fan of booking.com as a great resource in making my hotel reservations. The website is user friendly and my options are limitless. I like that they tell you everything what you need to know and they are transparent about pricing. If it says one price, it will be the same when you check out. Their website allows you to make reservation and they remind you when your check in time is coming up. You can check in via your mobile. You can confirm your arrival time.
Most hotels have a set check in time. They try to accommodate your request for an early check in but please note that they also have set check out time, so how could the hotel give you your room at 11am when the one occupying the same said room has paid to check out at 12noon. And the cleaning crew will need to get your room ready for you. I have seen people at hotels with such expectations just to give nasty reviews to hotels that are just following rules and yet going out of their way to accommodate you.
I mean, the websites of these hotels clearly states check in time and check out time. I am perplexed by the attitude other travelers have towards front desk personnel who have to deal with customers who show up hours before the actual check in time, and expect to have a room ready for them. I have seen how front desk people have to listen to customers complain about such insane demands. I feel for the front desk people in these hotels. They are there to help us. And they deserve respect.
Hotels from booking.com also asks you to review the hotels where you stayed a few days after you completed your stay. Please take the time to review them, they can only improve if we help them with our suggestions.
For major hotel chains, I also called and asked them questions which they are so kind to answer. Then based on that first contact, I make or do not make the reservations. The numbers are always 1-800 in the US. So I call. We stayed at two of these major hotel chains and I was very pleased with the outcome. Our stay was very good, on both hotels.
If you are going to spend your money on hotels, then I suggest taking the time to do your homework and do it until you find a place where you will leave your luggage, bathe, sleep and eat that is to your satisfation. There is always one hotel out there that is for you. Just be diligent in your search.
And if you have a local friend like I did, ask them to help you out. As a local and a friend, they will more than happy to help you and as a bonus they will get to see a friend in their city. Nothing gives your a warmer feeling than having a friend nearby, thinking that after all these years you will get to enjoy this side of Europe with them.
The best part about traveling is making the connections, positive connections with new people and if you are lucky enough they will be a new friend. And for older friends, re-connections.
No comments:
Post a Comment