Traveling should be considered one of the best American past times. In fact, according to a recent AAA Travel survey, nearly 100 million Americans are planning to take a family vacation in 2019. Taking a vacation is easy, but planning one is a lot more difficult. There’s the budgeting, requesting time off, researching destination and tourist spots, and most of all, setting up comfortable accomodations for your stay.
Planning Matters
After planning out all the other details of your vacation, you might be wondering, do hotels really matter? Can’t I just go with the cheapest one? Or get an Air BnB? The short answer is no! Finding the right hotel with the best hotel features is essential to put your mind at ease and make your vacation go smoothly. Without adequate planning, you could just end up a hotel that makes your vacation miserable. Even worse, you could end up being unable to make reservations. Luckily, sites such as Yelp can help you choose the best hotel by checking out their reviews.
Why Choose a Hotel?
Though you might be tempted to stay at a hostel, Air BnB, or other accommodations while you travel, hotels are by far the best option for your security, safety, and peace of mind. Finding a hotel with the best hotel features can also help make your trips easier if you’re traveling with children, for business, school, and any other unique situation. To start choose the best hotel for you, here are 15 of the best hotel features you should look out for no matter the kind of trip you take. You deserve the best! So ask for the best and choose the best hotel for you and your family this vacation season.
1. Scenic Location
The best hotel features include luxury, charm, elegance, and an overall beautiful aura. None of this is possible without choosing a hotel at a great scenic location. Nobody wants to look at drab, ugly views from their window after booking a long air charter to get to their destination. Be warned- some hotels are known for posting false advertisements that make it seem as if the views are spectacular, but really they are depressing! Make sure to look at real photos taken by real vacation-goers to get the most of the scenic view your hotel has to offer.
2. Safety and Security
Hotels should provide you with a sense of security, and make you feel as if they know how to handle an emergency in case anything arises. The best hotel features include top-notch personal security onsite, updated digital room keys, and at the very least functioning cameras. Also, keep on the lookout for properly placed fire-extinguishers, AED machines, and a working fire alarm system. You never want to book a hotel that lacks these features, and want to make sure you’re in a safe area as well. Look up crime statistics, recent news articles that could shed light on past events at the hotel, and even call your hotel beforehand to test their knowledge on safety practices. It’s better to be safe and diligent than not!
3. Disability Accommodations
Every business should have disability accommodations, and hotels are no different. It’s not just enough to have ramps for manual wheelchairs, but also have accommodations for things such as service animals, service options for the hearing and seeing impaired. Conscientious accommodations for the disabled are among the best hotel features, and are a sign of a great hotel.
4. High-Speed Internet
If you’re on vacation and want to Skype with family back home, or are on an important business trip and need to finish up reports, it’s important to find a hotel with only the best and highest-speed internet. A reliable connection can prove to be the difference between a great, or miserable, stay. Research reviews about the wi-fi, service signal, and overall customer satisfaction other visitors had with the internet service. You won’t regret it.
5. Great Food
The best hotel features also include everyone’s favorite thing in the world: food! Yes, a great hotel should have ample food options, whether at their bar or restaurant. The tropical wallpaper is a nice touch but is the food really exotic and flavorful? Does the hotel provide options for vegans, vegetarians, or gluten free meals? What do others say about the hotel’s bar and restaurant? Spending a little bit of time researching the food options at your hotel will only serve to benefit you (and your appetite) later on.
6. Air Conditioning and Heating
Whether you’re staying at a luxurious Alaska Inn, or down in humid Miami, the temperature of your room should at the very least keep you comfortable. The hotel should be no different Nothing is worse than staying in a hotel whose commercial air conditioning or heating system is down. Or, staying in an extremely cold or hot room, yuck! See what other visitors say, and make sure to include this tiny detail into your list of best hotel features to look out for.
7. Tailored Rooms
Everyone has different tastes, and your hotel should understand and accommodate for this. Want a room facing the ocean? One facing the city? Do you prefer a modern room with automated blinds, or even a themed room? The best hotels will make sure to accommodate you and have a room that is sure to fit your needs. Don’t settle for less, and ensure that during the booking process, all your needs are met beforehand, without fuss or hesitation. Be warned, however, that in order to get the best results, you must book in advance to secure that dream suite.
8. On Site Gym
Staying for an extended period of time? Or simply have the need to workout everyday? No worries! The best hotel features include having a well-equipped, safe gym that should be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a gym is essential to your lifestyle, make sure to keep this in mind when booking your hotel. Not only should your gym be well-equipped with various exercise equipment, but that equipment should also be up-to-date and cleaned regularly. In addition, a spa service, sauna, and even classes are all part of the best hotel features to look out for.
9. Room Service
No one wants to leave the comfort of their bed during a honeymoon vacation, romantic getaway, or even after a long day of business meetings. Sometimes, we simply want great room service that is quick, open late, and offers great quality food even late at night. Room service is among the most essential and best hotel features. Some hotels even offer free drinks or dessert to wind down the night (how bad can that bed)! A hotel that is willing to go the extra mile to offer room service and complimentary comfort drinks and food, is one that is surely too good to pass up.
10. Complimentary Luggage Storage
If you’re coming in with an entire family, little ones, or are even staying for an extended period of time, chances are you’ll be bringing with you a load of luggage. Not to worry. The best hotels should offer self-storage options through luggage storage. Because this is such a common scenario, you should not expect to pay anything for this luxury! After all, the longer your stay, the better it is for the hotel. Consider researching into this self storage option if you know you’re going to have massive amounts of luggage that are simply too valuable to keep un-secured, or too big to keep in your hotel room during your vacation.
11. Referral Services
Found yourself in a bit of trouble out partying late? Need the help of bail bonding services for your friend? What about a bank nearby? Or a great club or restaurant? So many questions, and so little time to answer them, right? Wrong! The best hotels should be able to answer even the most obscure of your concerns in the form of referral services. These referrals can help point you in the right direction during your stay at the hotel, and can be given by friendly staff who are knowledgeable and understanding of the various services you might need during your stay. Keep in mind the questions and issues that might arise while you’re on vacation, and make sure your hotel is in the loop and up-to-date on the best services in town.
12. High-Quality Products
From the sheets, to the pillows, and even the bathroom shampoo, the products within your hotel should be only high-end, and even local offerings. The best hotel features include products that don’t hurt your skin, such as rough sheets or extremely acidic soap, and that keep modern trends in mind. For example, vegan soaps and lotions, products that aren’t tested on animals, and sustainable and ethically sourced sheets and towels are all great options that should be considered by any high-end hotel. Take a look at the products your hotel is offering, and ensure only the best quality are available for you and your family’s stay.
13. Modern Amenities
During your vacation you’ll want to make sure you have modern amenities available to you, not just for safety but convenience also. Make sure your room as adequate outlets that can handle computers and laptops, waste disposal built into sinks if you rent a guest suite with a kitchen, and microwaves that aren’t centuries old! These modern amenities might be overlooked by the hotel, and in doing so can cause safety issues and also make your stay more complicated when the coffee machine or fridge isn’t working. Look at reviews and call your hotel to ensure the room you get has only the best, modern appliances available.
14. Well Maintained Building
Imagine going on a night in the town, walking for miles, having a room on the 14th floor of your hotel, and suddenly having to walk up all those stairs because the commercial elevators are down! Sadly, someone somewhere has experienced this, due to their hotel not maintaining their building properly. It’s important not just for safety issues, but also for comfort, that your hotel maintains its building regularly. Check to see that all permits, for example on the elevator, are properly dated. Look to see that there are no flickering lights, broken doors, weird smells, and even leaks coming into your room.
15. Excellent Customer Service
The best hotel features mean absolutely nothing without great customer service. From the minute you step out of your taxi or Uber and into the hotel, it’s supposed to be nothing but high-end luxury and customer service. It’s important to look at reviews of others and their experience with the concierge, guest services, and even the managers that work at your hotel. A manager should always be available to handle and issues that may arise, and not be hidden away somewhere in a far-away office. In addition to great customer service during your stay, booking your hotel should be the same also. Easy booking, changing, and cancellation of dates should all be standard for any hotel worth their money.
You Deserve the Best
Travelling can be stressful, even if it’s during a vacation. The main reason for this is due to complications that can arise during your trip. Complications are even more common when you fail to choose hotel accommodations wisely, or choose to stay in less than stellar locations. Why put that stress on yourself? Do your due diligence by researching and reading reviews, looking at pictures, and calling hotels ahead of time. Though it may seem time-consuming, it is the responsible thing to do, and can save you time, money, and a headache during your business, school, or vacation getaway. You and your family deserve to be safe, well-pampered, and enjoy the most luxurious, best hotel features the industry has to offer.
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