Key Features That Make a Hotel a Safe Place to Stay In
Booking accommodation is one of the key aspects of a successful vacation. It will be a temporary home and launchpad to explore the travel destination. This is not an easy feat as it has a myriad of factors like location, amenities, reviews, and more to consider. Ensuring a safe space to stay while away from home is of the utmost importance. So selecting the right accommodation that meets and exceeds every requirement can be all the difference between an amazing vacation and a disaster. With the hotel industry expanding exponentially over the last few years, the challenge is not to find a hotel but to conduct research and book suitable accommodation. Prepare a checklist of a few elements that you, as a traveller, need to keep in mind and pay close attention to when planning a vacation.
Location is Key
The location of the hotel and its proximity to all the places to visit on your itinerary are important. It helps save on time and travel costs by choosing a hotel in a central location. Do not go ahead with the first and cheapest hotel that appears in your online search. In fact, use Google Maps and Street View to check the appearance of the surrounding area. It can also be used as a medium to gauge the safety of the area, like its proximity to a police station or a hospital. Check the hotel website, customer reviews, and other online forums to determine if the hotel is the ideal accommodation and if it is centrally located.
Pay Attention to Hotel Reviews
Thoroughly read what people have to say about the hotel that they stayed in through travel blogs for hotel reviews. Read through at least 5 to 10 reviews before making a hotel booking. Look out for any information on room cleanliness, customer service, complaints, facilities available, and the overall atmosphere of the hotel. One can even consider starting a chat thread to find out more information about any particular hotel. Use these amalgamated findings as resourceful information to finalise the booking for the accommodation. Avoid booking a hotel without substantial reviews.
Review Payment Policies
Read up on the cancellation policies outlined by the hotel. This approach will help assess the feasibility of cancelling or modifying the hotel booking if required, as well as the costs associated with it. Some hotels have a 24-hour window, while others may have a 72-hour cancellation policy. Being better informed will help save on cancellation costs, if any. Additionally, most hotels ask for credit card details for incidentals and safety deposits upon check-in. Be prepared if the reservations and bookings team places a hold on the card until check-out. Moreover, ensure the room is booked under the desired name and that the designated person carries suitable ID proof for verification purposes.
Luggage Storage and Room Locker Provision
Sometimes, the arrival time and check-in time do not match. People may arrive at the destination with all their luggage before check-in. Check if the hotel offers a luggage storage facility. This will enable the guests to easily store their luggage and step out to explore the vacation destination without worrying about their luggage safety or waiting for check-in to move out.
Additionally, check if the accommodation is equipped with a locker and possesses adequate security. Vacationers often carry a few valuable items that may require a locker facility. Ideally, avoid carrying too many valuables with you on a vacation to avoid any hassle during travel.
The Significance of Hotel Star Ratings
A hotel’s star ratings are essential to understanding the service quality they deliver. It can be used as a key indicator of service quality, amenities, room quality, ambiance, and the overall guest experience. It also provides a generic idea of the services that will be offered based on the number of stars. A higher star rating generally signifies superior services, luxurious accommodations, and a broad range of premium facilities like pillow turndown service, spa treatments, and laundry service.
Do not use the hotel’s star rating as the primary factor in finalising the hotel. Rather, use it as a benchmark for the service and comfort extended during the stay.
All in all, conduct thorough research before making any hotel bookings for a safe and fun vacation. Strike a balance between personal needs and expectations from an accommodation and hold it against the hotel’s offerings to make a better-informed booking decision.
Also Read: Goa And Medical Tourism
