| Like many travelers today, you probably spend time on | | | | bell captain to lock these up. |
| Priceline and other online sites to get the best price for | | | | 4. Dress appropriately |
| your hotel room. | | | | Dress appropriately when checking in or otherwise |
| But did you know that just a few minutes of your time | | | | dealing with hotel staff. |
| could make the difference between whether you | | | | This doesn't necessarily mean business attire in New |
| have a pleasant stay at your hotel -- or even whether | | | | York City, but you should look as if you belong at your |
| you'll have the room you paid for on online? Here I'll | | | | hotel. Like it or not, the people who watch over hotels |
| give you five EASY tips that could make all the | | | | and restaurants judge you by your appearance. |
| difference in your hotel experience. | | | | Why is dressing well important? |
| 1. Call the hotel | | | | For one thing, check in is the best time to secure a |
| An ideal time to avoid hotel problems comes prior to | | | | free room upgrade. |
| check in. | | | | On the phone, reservation clerks usually refuse to |
| Phone your hotel around an hour after making an | | | | move you beyond a standard room when you are |
| online reservation. Have a printout of your confirmation | | | | paying a standard rate. Standing in front of a desk |
| available, while on the phone. Check if the hotel has the | | | | clerk looking as if you deserve an upgrade puts you in |
| correct dates and room type (nonsmoking or smoking) | | | | a better position. It's harder to say "no" to someone in |
| in its records. At that time, you can also request a quiet | | | | person-especially if he or she looks important. |
| location away from elevators and soda machines. The | | | | I never demand an upgrade. Instead, I ask how much |
| few minutes this phone call takes could make a big | | | | one, such as a lake view room, would cost. In some |
| difference in your comfort at the hotel. It resolves | | | | cases, the check in clerk will simply give it to you, |
| potential problems while the hotel still has alternatives | | | | especially if you've been polite and friendly. |
| available --unlike at check in when certain room types - | | | | It helps, I believe, to check in with a credit card that |
| or the entire hotel - may already be full. If the hotel | | | | shows you travel a lot and, if you have one, with the |
| does not have a record of your online reservation, call | | | | frequent traveler card of the hotel chain where you |
| the customer service number found on the printout of | | | | are staying. |
| your confirmation. | | | | American Express and airline-sponsored MasterCard |
| 2. Bring a printout of your hotel confirmation | | | | and Visa cards indicate someone who may be more |
| Be prepared for possible human or computer error. | | | | likely to return. |
| Always take along a print out of your confirmation | | | | 5. Be friendly to hotel staff |
| number and reservation specifics. | | | | Cultivate good relations with the hotel staff. Unfriendly |
| Without "proof" of your reservation, you may be | | | | and overly assertive hotel guests lose in the long run. |
| helpless when dealing with a hotel that has no record | | | | Better hotels have concierges whose job it is to help |
| of you. | | | | you have a pleasant stay. They resolve hotel |
| Your discount hotel reservation made with Hotwire or | | | | problems and obtain hard-to-get concert tickets and |
| another online site actually passes through a number | | | | other items. Use them when available. |
| of computer systems, which sometimes fail to | | | | However, all hotels have people on staff who'd love |
| communicate. Or, you may show up at an overbooked | | | | help you. Ask for restaurant and other suggestions. |
| hotel, where your reservation somehow became "lost." | | | | Take the time to learn what they enjoy most about |
| 3. Check in early | | | | their city. They'll help you whenever they can. |
| Try to arrive before late evening. If you must arrive | | | | In summary, ensure a pleasant stay by: -- Calling the |
| very late, call the hotel that day to confirm that you | | | | hotel to make sure it has your correct reservation |
| are on your way. | | | | information after you've made an online booking, -- |
| If your hotel overbooked and is now full, this is not a | | | | Taking a print out of your online reservation on your |
| problem you want to deal with, especially at one | | | | trip, -- Checking in early to avoid problems, such as |
| o'clock in the morning. | | | | overbooking, -- Dressing appropriately so that your |
| If you show up too early, your room may not be | | | | hotel will want to give you their best service, and -- |
| ready, but at least you've claimed your reservation, | | | | Greasing the wheels by being friendly and respectful. |
| and can leave your luggage while you go about your | | | | These small efforts on your part can almost always |
| business. | | | | give you a smooth hotel stay. |
| By the way, never leave laptops and other valuables in | | | | Have a great trip! |
| your room when you're not there. It's best to ask the | | | | |