Today’s travel consumers are those of an internet savvy society, and although the travel part is a piece of cake, It’s choosing a hotel that is a time consuming task.  Online technology offers us so many choices, that filtering through the fluff is like a part-time job!  The service that Hotels for Hope offers is hands down a time saving choice for groups. However for those of you who travel solo, by the time you check-in to a hotel, you want to kick back and let someone else handle the responsibilities.

We all have expectations when it comes to hotel selection; I call mine Great Expectations.  I’ll give you three quick and easy items that you can check off your list to help you find the right hotel.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Top notch customer service makes any hotel feel like home!  Finding a friendly and motivated staff will ensure that you have a great visit.  On any occasion it’s reassuring to know that just an elevator ride away is a smiling face and a “my pleasure” just waiting to be spouted out.  I want the promise of the cheery bowl of Red Delicious perched atop the check-in counter and each day when I return to my room I’ll find a perfectly fluffed pillow, towels rolled or hung and a fresh pack of coffee in place for the morning perk.   A stellar experience means that I’ll be more enticed to return for my next me, me, me weekend!

BRAND STANDARDS

Brand standards, or for those of us who can embrace our need for control, I’ll call it ORDER!  The upside to consistent brand standards are easy to spot: hair dryer is neatly tucked away near the vanity, extra blankets & pillows are up in the closet and each morning I can find a nicely heated waffle maker next to the juice machine.  Other amenities that tempt me are crafty design & room organization, green amenities and onsite dining.   It doesn’t have to be all trial and error to find the brand that best suits you and your travel style.

DÉCOR /DESIGN

This is the big winner in my quest for hotel perfection!  I can honestly say this was the driving force behind this blog.  In MY Great Expectations, I compare the importance of updated décor at a hotel to shoe shopping, or choosing a glass of wine! I like it nearly any way it’s dished out – clean lines and earthy tones or exploding bits of color and lavish design.    As I was walking up the sidewalk to the office this morning and saw a giant sized beetle struggling to get his feet back on the ground and I was quickly distracted by my black, peep toe, wedges with a perfectly placed button on the outside toe.  Along the same lines, when a guest checks-in for either leisure or business they’re looking for a distraction from the norm.  A traveler wants something beautiful  or well designed to surround them and hoteliers are listening to their requests and making changes for the better!

Make your expectations great next time you choose your home away from home!