- Home Exchange
Before booking a traditional hotel, explore options such as a “home exchange” with another family. There are online services dedicated to the facilitation of such exchanges.
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- Ask Hotel Staff About Their Favorite Restaurants
Ask any of the hotel staff about their favorite restaurants or activities. You'll find most are anxious to brag about their favorites.
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- Identifying Hotel Through Matchbooks/Stationery
Have the name of your hotel readily available on a hotel matchbook or stationery. When you get into a taxi, all you need to do is give the driver the matchbook.
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- Restrictions
Some hotels operate strict policies allowing no children to stay in the rooms. Many hotels will not allow pets to stay. It is vital that you check this before booking your hotel as it can be very frustrating having to find a different hotel on arrival.
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- Breakfast
Look for hotels and B&Bs that include breakfast in the cost of the room. Not only will this speed your morning along, you can save your money for a more tasty meal later in the day.
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- Extension Cord
Hotel outlets aren’t always placed in the most convenient spots. Pack an extension cord so you can use your laptop computer or the ironing board from your preferred spot.
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- Valuables
Items stolen from a hotel room (whether out in the room or in the safe) are rarely covered by hotel insurance. If you must bring valuables along, ask the front desk staff to put them in the hotel safe. Check to see what the hotel’s liability limit is to make sure there is sufficient coverage if they are stolen.
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- Long Distance
Avoid running up extortionate hotel room phone bills and buy a long distance call card, which can be used in public phone boxes or at the post office.
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- Sold Out
If a hotel chain’s toll-free operator tells you the hotel is booked up for the nights you’re interested in, call the hotel directly; there’s a chance the nationwide operator has outdated information.
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- Parking
Hotel parking lots can have dark areas surrounded by trees, dumpsters, etc. Park in a spot that is well lit, close to the main entrance, and away from an attacker’s potential hiding place. If in doubt, park at the check-in spot and ask someone from the hotel to accompany you while you park your car.
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