Cultural Etiquette Around the World: What You Should Know Before You Go
When choosing a hotel, use a search engine
Most tourists use online booking systems to choose a hotel. But the best way to see all possible options and conduct a little marketing research is to type in a search engine “hotels *city*” or use your usual online tourist portal and choose hotels in the city.
Call or write to the hotel director
If you are not shy and want to get favorable accommodation conditions – write to the hotel or call them.
Make a list of places where you want to stay and contact them directly: “I am so-and-so, I want to stay with you on such-and-such a date, please provide a special price – better than Booking.” And do not forget to indicate your wishes, arrival time, allergies or accommodation with a child.
Check coupon offers at the last minute
If you decide to spontaneously go on a weekend trip with friends, feel free to go to the coupon site. A discount on a country vacation from 40 to 60% is guaranteed. On such sites there are offers not only for accommodation in a classic hotel room, but also in cottages, villas, chalets.
Upgrade your room at check-in
Many hotels have a little-known but very convenient service where you can upgrade your room category for an additional fee at check-in. This can make your premium stay significantly cheaper. If you arrive at a hotel when it is not very full, you have a chance to get a double upgrade for the price of a single.
Ask to see several rooms
Most hotels assign a room category to a guest at the time of booking, not a specific room. At the same time, rooms of the same category are generally very similar, but may differ in small details.
When you receive your key card, simply ask if you can see several different rooms of the booked category. And feel free to follow the tour. Pay attention to the view from the window, the convenience of furniture arrangement in a specific room, soundproofing, proximity to the elevator, and so on. All this will allow you to choose the best place to stay.
Traveling with a girlfriend? Say it’s your anniversary
Any self-respecting hotel offers services for various events: birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. The classic wedding anniversary package includes a cozy room with a large bed, a bottle of champagne, fruit platter, and sometimes breakfast delivered to your room. You can take advantage of this offer if you simply inform the hotel (preferably before arrival) that you have a romantic anniversary.
Ask for dishes and hot water in your room
You can always do this, for example, to make your own breakfast. This helps you save a lot. Buy yoghurts, sliced food and tea at the nearest store, and ask the hotel for dishes for easy serving and boiling water.
Dry your laundry on a towel dryer
Modern hotels are packed with gadgets, but the old favorite radiators for drying wet shoes or washed underwear and socks may not be available. An electric or water heated towel rail in the bathroom will come to the rescue and solve the problem.