• Nothing beats arriving in a new town and checking in to a nice clean room, hopefully with a view, preferably of some water, unpacking a few things, playing some music and freshening up a little as you settle in. Much better than finding blood splatters all over the walls, dirty sheets, urine smells and no running water for flushing after you've just had an emergency trip to the toilet.
· It's hard to be happy if you don't like your room. You shouldn't be overly fussy but if you don't like it see if they have something else or move. Sometimes when they are short on rooms, they may try to give you something less than what you booked. Like a room with no window for example. If it's only a night or two it might be easier to put up with it especially if it is a busy time.
· As with all real estate location is very important. You want to be close to shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. You want close access to the nightlife but also peace and quiet for sleeping. When you have your own transport, it can be nice to get a place in the middle of nowhere. It's all about getting maximum enjoyment and value. Just click on the recommended hotel and if you don't like it or the price pick one nearby from the map.
· Running water (is first thing you should check), clean sheets (clean everything), fly screens, hot water, TV, wifi, fridge, fan / AC, safety box, maid service and no smells are all basic requirements. As mentioned, location is very important, as is the view (mountains, river, sea, lake, icon, town square, tourist attractions, cityscape, pool, etc), it's always nice to have a pool, balconies, patios and rooftop terraces also rate highly. If it's a road trip, the recommended hotel will have parking.
· In developing countries, the recommended hotel will be less than AUD$100 for the best value 3- or 4-star place available. Sometimes 5-star places come into the equation. In the developed world they could be double that. It's best if you are travelling as a pair, trio or a couple as the prices are halved or more. If you are alone, low on funds or young and want some company have a look at Hostelworld.
· Sometimes it is cheaper to have a booking and other times as a walk in. Check the price on your phone before you walk in. If it is the busy season or some event is on it always pays to book ahead early. When in doubt - Book. Sometimes you will find some excellent specials. I have found Booking.com prompt and very helpful to deal with. Plus, it is very handy to be able to make bookings that are fully refundable, easy to cancel and require no payment until you get there.
· When you check in ask out about the security box situation and get your valuables locked away as a first priority. The best ones are at reception that require 2 keys to open them. The keypad safes in the rooms are convenient but can be easily opened (although generally safe). Maids are not always honest so don't leave valuables in your packs unless they are locked with proper zips. Don't forget to reload the fridge with drinks from the nearest 7/11. Warm bottled water outside the fridge is usually free and the cold stuff inside you have to pay for. Just swap them over.
· It's a good idea to grab a hotel business card off of the front desk when you arrive and put it in your wallet so that you can find your way home later.
· Booking.com is recommended as you don't have to pay anything until you arrive at the hotel and can usually cancel for free up to a week before. This is particularly useful for the festivals where you may have to book a long time ahead. Make sure you roll your mouse over the little blue highlighted question mark and read the fine print before you book. It is also handy as all of your bookings are available in your account on your phone and on the web.
· Back in the old days before the internet we would plonk one person down in a café with a cold drink looking after the bags while the other one went off to find something in the area. It still works quite well.
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Capsule Hotel in Ginza, Tokyo
· Often a hotel can arrange tours, transport and other things for you. Check their prices and if you do use them, you have the added security that they'll know who the driver was etc. Some do free airport, bus or train station transfers as well.
· Small family run places are much more appealing and friendly than the big resorts with a heap of rooms and customers.
· Sometimes it's worth roughing it a little for a unique sleeping experience such as a few of the pictures in this section.One room we had in Kunming, China in 1985 was one of a kind. Every two flights of stairs were sealed off to make a triple room. The legs on the beds were sawn off short at one end and long at the other so they sat flat on the stairs. It was a lot of fun but I'm not sure it would have passed the Fire Department regulations.
· Often the hotels will add an extra bed for a reasonable price to a room if there are three of you travelling together. Always use the latch on the door even in the daytime. Maids and managers have keys and sometimes help themselves. Whether a hotel is cheap or expensive is not a measure of how secure it is. If there is no latch a simple rubber or wooden wedge will stop any intruders. There's no need to be paranoid but a few simple steps here and there can save you a lot of grief and stop the trip being spoiled. People do get robbed when they are in the room.
· It is worthwhile locking your pack when you are not in the room. Make sure your pack has 2 rings for the padlock to go through. Otherwise, the zipper can be pulled through the zip and a nice little hole opens up. One maid caught red handed with a handful of useless Greek Drachmas responded without missing a beat "you should put this in the safe, somebody could steal it!" It doesn't hurt to keep a secret stash of US dollars hidden in your main pack for emergencies. And when there's no safety box it's a final option for your valuables rather than carrying them with you. Which is not recommended if you're going out for a drink.
· It's a good idea to carry your own padlocks for rooms, safety boxes and even motorbike chains. Some beach side bungalows only have latches.
· Generally, laundry is pretty expensive at the hotel so it's best to walk to one around the corner. It's always a lot cheaper by weight than by the item.
· When you check in to the hotel, they may want to photocopy your passport and they should give it back. Don't let them keep it. It's worth making a few copies and carry one or two around with you. In some countries you are supposed to carry your passport with you at all times, but a photocopy is much better. Plus, you need it to change cash now.