When booking a hotel these days, it’s not just about luxury or location; it’s also about safety, comfort, and getting the best value for your money. Here’s a useful, step-by-step guide to help you choose the best hotel for your stay.
1. Put your safety first
Your safety should never be an afterthought. Look out for:
- 24/7 front desk staff: Make sure trained hotel staff are available at all hours, not just night security guards.
- CCTV Coverage: Ensure lift areas, corridors, and parking spaces are covered.
- Room access security: Key cards are more secure than key locks.
These basic checks help prevent the most common safety issues during a hotel stay.
2. Assess the neighborhood.
A safe hotel, but located in a dangerous area, will be of no help either. Remember these points:
- Specify the location: maps instead of hotel names.
- Stay away from isolated areas: It may be dangerous to walk through industrial areas or poorly lit areas.
- It is preferable to stay in active zones: areas around hotels located close to highways, marketplaces, and business centers tend to be safer.
3. Ensure Cleanliness and Maintenance
A clean room is the foundation of a comfortable stay:
- Daily Cleaning: The linen and towels are to be changed every day for each guest.
- Functional Amenities: Constitute a point to see the reliability of AC, geysers, and power backup.
- Ask directly: Avoid those hotels that appear reluctant to respond to questions about cleanliness.
4. Comfort and Sleep quality.
Restful sleep is essential for any traveler:
- Mattress and soundproofing: The mattress and soundproofing qualities should also be inquired about.
- Room location: When asking for a hotel room, it is helpful to request a location that is not close to the elevator
- Top floors for light sleepers: Noise reduction and privacy.
5. Food Safety and Hygiene
You should never bet on meals:
- Kitchen on site: Safer than food that has been reheated or sent out.
- Fresh meals: Prefer breakfast foods that are made fresh.
- Begin with something easy: If you’re not sure, stick to meals that are easy to digest on the first day.
6. Staff Behavior as a Safety Indicator
You can learn a lot about a hotel by how its staff interacts with each other:
- Pay attention to their tone: staff that is polite and professional usually takes excellent care of guests.
- Don’t give evasive answers: If someone is hesitant to answer, it could mean bad service or policies.
7. Emergency Preparedness
Be ready for the unexpected:
- Fire safety: Find out where the fire exits are and what the evacuation plan is.
- Extinguishers on each floor: A must for safety.
- Hospital ties: Very important for families and older people who travel.
Tips for Women and Family Travelers
Taking extra steps can ensure that your stay is both safe and comfortable.
- Policies that benefit women include designated floors specifically for families or women, if available.
- Safe hallways and elevators: access that is well-lit and watched.
- Believe confident answers: Hotels that give clear answers usually put safety first.
Business Traveler Essentials
For stays that are focused on work:
- Wi-Fi and power backup that are always on: no interruptions during work hours.
- Quiet rooms are great for making calls or doing focused work.
- Check-in and billing go smoothly: Don’t let peak hours slow you down.
Quick Final Check Before Booking
Before you click “Book”:
- Call the hotel once
- Ask three direct questions about how safe, clean, and comfortable the place is.
- Go ahead if the answers are clear and sure. If the response seems defensive or unclear, it may be best to refrain