Friday, July 4, 2008

9 Secrets That Hotels Don't Want You to Know


If you travel a lot, there are some hints you might be surprised regarding hotels. Here's what you need to know...


  1. You get the best rate by calling the hotel's local number, not the 800 number, which usually links callers to an off-site, centralized call center. Instead of asking for the reservations desk, ask to speak with the manager on duty, the general manager, or the sales director. They have the authority to negotiate room rates.

  2. Rooms are more expensive in the morning. The best time of day to make a reservation by phone is right after 6pm. This is when hotels wipe out all the no-show reservations that were unsecured by a credit card. They then offer those rooms at bargain rates. NOTE: In cities like New York or San Francisco, the deadline is 4pm.

  3. Everything is negotiable. Check if the parking is overpriced. If the lot looks like half empty, offer less than the daily rate. If you're planning to have lots of phone calls, some hotels offer a per-day flat fee for long distance in the US and local calling (usually $9.95), but you must ask for it.

  4. Rooms are available even when a hotel has no vacancies. In any large hotel, a few rooms usually are listed as "out of order" at any given time. The problems might be something as simple as a stain on the carpet or a chair that has been sent out for repairs. If you're desperate for a last minute room in a hotel that claims to have none available, tell the manager you are willing to take an out-of-order room with a minor problem.

  5. A thief takes one credit card, not your entire wallet. It's no secret that crime is common in hotels. The new twist is that some thieves now take just one credit card when they find a wallet in a room, and leave everything else untouched. Often, the victim doesn't notice the card is missing until the credit line is maxed out. Travel only with the credit cards you really need, and check your wallet carefully if you accidentally leave it unattended.

  6. It pays to tip the housekeeper every day. Exchange a few pleasant words with the housekeeper if you see him/her-and leave a $2 or $3 tip each day. You'll get better service. Housekeepers are the most overworked, underpaid, underappreciated people in hotels.
    Knowing the housekeeper also reduces the chances that your room will be burglarized. Dishonest housekeepers are less likely to target guests they have met. And if a thief enters your room while it is being cleaned and pretends to be you-a common ruse-the housekeeper will be able to spot the impostor.

  7. Your bags aren't safe with the bellhop. Even in elite hotels, luggage can be stolen right off the luggage carts in the lobby. And the hotel assumes no legal responsibility for the loss.
    If your bag is going to sit for more than a few minutes, ask that it be placed in a secure room. keep valuable items in the hotel safe.

  8. Hotel rooms are infested with germs. Certain items in hotel rooms never get cleaned. Trouble spots include the TV remote control, telephone, and clock radio. Travel with a package of antibacterial wipes, and clean these items when you arrive.
    Also, while reputable hotels provide fresh linens, bedspreads might be cleaned only once every few months. Ask for clean blankets as soon as you arrive.

  9. The lost and found is a great resource for cell phone users. If you use a cell phone, odds are that someday you'll forget to bring your recharging cord or lose it in transit. If you're staying at a hotel, there's no need to buy a replacement. Recharging cords are the No. 1 item left behind in hotel rooms. Most hotels are willing to lend chargers from their lost and found.

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