Comments on: What do you look for when booking a hotel?

By: velvet

velvet — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:18:41 +0000

Thanks for your comment Rich! I tend to do the same: search hotel availability using the map view. A good bar is always a plus!

By: Rich

Rich — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:16:01 +0000

I always look at hotel availability using the map view as there is usually a specific area I want to stay in. …location, location, location. Another thing that I look for is any info regarding the latest refurbishment. …updates generally = cleaner, brighter, etc… I don’t pay much attention to UGC and I really don’t care about the service or food at a hotel…although a friendly staff and a good bar is always a plus.

By: velvet

velvet — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:54:02 +0000

Thanks for your comment Margaret. Totally agree with all your points, especially misleading websites!

Keith

By: Margaret Leach

Margaret Leach — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:46:06 +0000

I want a hotel room which is clean and unmarked – I don’t want to feel that it was last redecorated decades ago and thousands of previous guests have left their mark, literally. Dirty grouting and rusty fittings are a particular hate in the bathrooms – and shower curtains of any sort. Helpful service from the moment I first enquire about booking – and no responses in .pdf attachments which I have to get to my office computer to open. Most important of all is: no lies or false impressions on the website.

By: velvet

velvet — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:08:32 +0000

Hi Sandy,
Thanks! You’re right, when booking for a safari, you obviously want to be close to the wildlife. Any tips on how to pick out the good ones or places with great guides?

Cheers,
Keith

By: Sandy Salle

Sandy Salle — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:04:15 +0000

Fabulous tips, thank you. Being a safari geek, location that has plenty of good game, great safari guides is key. I love your blog, thank you very much!

By: velvet

velvet — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:01:38 +0000

Thank you Amy for your comment.

Best regards,
Keith

By: Amy @ The Q Family

Amy @ The Q Family — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:55:39 +0000

Lots of great tips. For me, with kids we tend to go for condo or apartment rental. But sometimes, in the city I will look for location and amenity.

By: velvet

velvet — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:09:57 +0000

Thanks for the comment! I agree. In a city, location is everything; close to the major sights (or where I have to be) and close to public transport. On an island, at the beach and restaurants but away from the nightlife (if it’s very busy).

Cheers,
Keith

By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:05:01 +0000

Location. In the city, I like it to be in the heart of everything and close to transit. On and island I like to be on the beach, but away from night life. The rest of the time, as remote as possible.

By: velvet

velvet — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:00:13 +0000

Thanks for your comments David! Thanks also for contributing the discounts for this post! I had a lot of fun doing it and hope we can work together again some time soon.

Cheers,
Keith

By: david bennet

david bennet — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:23:36 +0000

@velvetescape: really nice initiative!

@traveleditor, I would say I agree with @ItalyTravelista, I often found myself reading misleading reviews on Tripadvisor as anyone can publish reviews and hoteliers are using it as a way to push their own hotels or tell negative things about their competitors (Only few of them thx god!). But that’s my own point of view and Tripadvisor is often useful for getting extra details such as the price of the Wifi…!

@iledere, concerning the availibility of Wifi Internet, I couldn’t agree more, what would we do without a connection for our Iphones, Netbooks & co!

Speaking of Internet, I will have something really nice to announce soon, a personal initiative I hope you will like and support.

Best regards and happy travels!!!

David