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