Planning a trip? Smart tips to book hotels

For many travellers, booking hotel rooms for accommodation is probably the most challenging aspect of planning a trip. They would know that rooms come in various categories and sizes, offering different facilities and services, but at times, not sure what would suit their need. Usually, in all hotels, there are standard and deluxe rooms. The standard room comes with basic facilities and will be the cheapest. These rooms will, however, have ensuite bathrooms, coffee tables, chairs, television and intercom. Meanwhile, deluxe rooms stand out for their size and facilities, like a balcony that opens to fabulous views of the ocean, garden or mountains. Such rooms are usually called sea, mountain, or garden views.

Besides, there will be single rooms, double rooms, triple rooms, quad rooms, suites and many more categories. Usually, a queen-sized bed would be 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, while a king-sized bed is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. However, the width of a regular double bed is 78 inches, and its length is 84 inches. Twin sharing or twin beds means two cots of 42 inches in width.

The room you need
A single room is designed only for accommodating a single person. Here, you would find only a single cot that is 42 inches wide. However, single rooms aren’t usually found in modern hotels or resorts these days. Even if there is a single room, the bed would be a queen-sized one 60 inches in width. Meanwhile, the double rooms for two persons will have two separate full-sized beds or a queen/king-sized bed. Those who need to stay in a single room but require separate beds could ask for twin sharing. Besides, there is also an option for a double room with single occupancy. The triple room will have a big cot and two small beds. It could also be three smaller cots, one double bed, a single cot or even two double beds. Meanwhile, there will be at least two double cots in a quad room for four persons. A quad room with four single cots isn’t usually found in the hotels.

The suite room is spacious and luxurious, with an adjacent living area. There will also be a kitchen. Moreover, suite rooms stand out for their luxurious features and opulent facilities. You could choose a standard double or deluxe room in the double room category. Meanwhile, the guests could choose from junior suites, executive suites or a presidential suite as their preference. A penthouse suite is located on the top floor of a hotel, offering mesmerizing views of the surrounding nature or the city’s skyline. These suites are incredibly spacious, heavy on the purse, and boast all the luxurious facilities.

Hotels today
Most hotels provide extra beds by charging an additional fee. However, it must be remembered that most highly reviewed hotels today wouldn’t allow more than three persons in a double room. Apartments are for long-term stays, so a kitchen and laundry area will be provided. Cabanas have a private swimming pool, or their room opens to the pool area. Nowadays, most hotels have accessible rooms with wheelchair ramps and other facilities for the disabled.

Although Jacuzzi refers to a hot tub with massaging water jets, it, in fact, is a popular brand for hot tubs or home spas. When these hot tubs became extremely popular, they began to be called the jacuzzi. So, a jacuzzi is a hot tub fitted with water jets, filters and hydrotherapy facilities. There are jacuzzis that are large enough to accommodate up to 2 – 9 persons. Hot tubs can provide a therapeutic hydrotherapy experience to soothe muscle pain and stress.

Meal plans
Hotels usually have four types of standard meal plans like,
CP (Continental Plan) – This plan includes the room rent and a breakfast (CPAI – Continental Plan All Inclusive includes the taxes too).
MAP (Modified American Plan) – Besides the room rent and the breakfast, it also includes lunch/dinner.
AP (American Plan) – This plan covers the room rent, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
EP (European Plan) – Only the room rent is covered in this plan.

Note these to ensure a pleasant and pocket-friendly stay at the hotels.
1) Ensure that taxes are included in the rates published on the hotel’s website or other booking sites.
2) Double-check the location while booking rooms, as the hotels would be farther than we had expected while booking. Maps would be helpful for this.
3) Although reviews may be paid or biased, it is better to go through the reviews before booking the rooms.
4) In most booking sites, the facilities available in the rooms may not be properly described. So, you could contact the hotels directly to learn more about the facilities and their services. You need not be ashamed to enquire such details. For instance, in Europe, most hotels do not include complimentary breakfast in the room rent. Besides, some hotels do not provide guests with toiletry kits with toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, or shaving kits. If these aren’t found in the room, do not hesitate to ask for them.

5) The guests should understand that most hotels are pet-friendly.
6) Understand the cancellation policies before booking.
7) Most hotels have luggage storage facilities. If the guests arrive at the hotel earlier than check-in, they can store their luggage at the hotel and go sightseeing.
8) Understand the check-in and check-out policies well before booking. Usually, the standard check-in is at 2 pm, and the checkout is at 11 am. Although some hotels may be willing to relax the check-in or check-out time, others charge an extra fee.
9) Guests can take most things like pen, paper, shaving kit, dental kit, shampoo, conditioner and soap provided in the room. However, they cannot take the books on the bookshelf in luxury hotel rooms.