If you travel a ton like I do, what do you look for in a hotel that sets it apart? Before your stay- during your stay? What if anything could the website provide that could be helpful before and during your stay?
Looking for solutions you would like, from all types of travelers: single travelers, families, business travelers etc. Thanks and have a great weekend.
Answers (16)
Free wireless throughout~
The ability to reserve specific rooms, like one reserves seats on a plane via the website. I know this will probably never happen, but it'd be nice.
I agree with Audrey, #1 is free wireless.
In terms of the web site, especially for business travel, I like a listing of nearby services--restaurants other than the ones at the hotel, banks, car services, etc.
Power. More power. Power.
I'm a business traveler averaging four or more trips a month. I want the business area of the room (the silly desk) to have strips for all my gadgets up at the desktop level. I want enough spots for all my gear, and that means remembering that some of the plugs are those stupid too-big ones that eat up spots.
Room-darkening is vital, because I work crazy hours.
We don't read the newspapers. Let me opt-out when I register.
Shuttle service. At the Marriott in Ontario, California, the drivers there were INSANELY friendly and helpful. They brought us everywhere as if we were their own personal limo customers. Free, and without any complaint (they were tipped nicely, but hey!)
The website. Oh, the website. Do you REALIZE what a social networking opportunity the website could be? What if there were an opt-in social network attached to every stay? Think on that a moment. What if a software startup and a VC were in the same hotel but didn't know it? What if an upcoming sports star and a scout were there, and wished they knew of each other. See it?
I'll save the rest for my meeting with your lords and masters.
Mike, I'd like to be able to select my room online.
Wireless connection, good room service (most of the time I'm arriving late traveling across country so room service until mid-night is preferred), ability to extend check out, and proximity to my clients are the features that I look for when booking a hotel for business travel.
Regarding the website, I'd like to have a web check-in facility. My plane lands, I visit the website, check-in using my confirmation number and security code, the site allows me to select my room by using a hotel map, and confirms the room number. When I arrive at the hotel, I do not need to stand in line, only pick up a key and go straight to the room.
During the stay, I'd like the ability to make a reservation at local restaurants off the website. If I'm new to traveling to a city, I'd love to get some good suggestions, and reserve online.
When making a reservation online, I'd like the site to send me an outlook notice with driving directions from the airport (or a location of my choice) -- or a link from web mapping site -- like google or yahoo -- in addition to the confirmation information. By the way, I'd like the option for that information to be sent via text message to my phone.
I think Chris Brogan's idea about networking is really interesting, particularly when I'm outside the US. I'd love to meet other professionals who speak English or are in the same industry.
Perhaps you opt-in when you register, email invitation gets sent to all registrants, then the hotel sponsors an informal mixer w/one free beverage. It's easy to see how this could be irritating, but I'd probably participate when I'm in Russia!
I don't mind paying for broadband access but is HAS to be reliable. That and a decent bed and everything else is a bonus - seriously.
i'd like to know what it is walking distance in terms of restaurants, shops, spa-services (with recommendations by hotel staff). maybe an obline concierge can take care of reservations/appts for you. ability to select specific rooms (and see glimpes of actual room). the social networking is a great idea for those hoping to meet others (you could select your type of meeting: business networking/singles socializing/couples socializing/families, etc).
before my stay I want to easily find directions from airport, hwy, etc and transportation solutions to get there. ie ny from Kennedy fast easy safe trains - faster than cabs in traffic. I practice Yoga and most hotels do not have even mats in their health clubs. I can easily find a Yoga studio but would love a google direction link to know it's proximity to the hotel. Free internet in a US hotel is a real bonus. when a hotel room rate is $400 plus it's so tacky to pay for an internet access.
when a hotel has an in room fax machine, it is great when they offer a printer cable for your computer.
websites often neglect to provide actual telephone number, fax, email access, address easily visible in the site. this problem is often on the sites for multi property hotel companies.
Absolutely free wireless, on-site quality restaurant for room service while I work and the beds.
- Free WI-FI big plus
- Surrounding Services, Restaurants,Coffee Shops, Office Supplies, Stores, etc.
- Directions, Aiport, Car Rental, Convention Centre, etc.
- Room Picture, Meeting room specification & autocad drawings of all meeting spaces
- Audio visual supplier info
Tom F
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Michael:
The things I look for include:
* Location -- near an airport or smack in the middle of downtown? How easy is the place to access?
* Wireless network -- gotta have.
* 24-hr room service -- ditto.
* Coffee in the room -- I don't *want* to send out for $20 room service coffee. I want to make a pot when I get the urge.
I'd love to go to a hotel website, enter my meal preferences & then be given a list of local restaurants and menus that match my selections. That'd be a great bonus. Show me what's within walking distance.
best,
Tom
I look for:
- experience: what will this hotel offer in terms of something unique, special, and inspiring in aesthetic and experiential terms.
- proximity to food, preferably walking distance to a variety of choices
- proximity to other interesting places to see.
Costas P
Co-Founder at Happen® and Winkle™
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Hi Michael,
What I look for is the availability of the following:
- Good bed & early breakfast
- Wifi
- Invisible staff
- Taxi stand nearby
Cheers,
Costas
costas@costas.nl
Eric M
Thought leadership strategist, writer, event producer, and speaker specializing in leadership and sustainability
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I look for a hotel that can provide a unique experience as it will be part of how I get to know whatever city I am in. To that end, I'm not a fan of the chains that strive for an identical guest experience no matter the location. I prefer boutique hotels. Even though it is a chain, Kimpton does a great job (wine tasting and massage in the lobby, restaurant that can stand on its own, Aveda amenities). Wireless Internet access is increasingly a requirement (and best when it is included in the room charge). In terms of a web site, I would love to be able to put in more preferences and have them honored (newspaper preference, high floor vs. low floor, etc.). And, please, why isn't every hotel offering some sort of hypo-allergenic amenity package? I was recently at a Hilton where everything supplied included an ingredient to which I am allergic and the hotel had no alternative to offer.
I've started keeping all of my favorites at www.executivenomad.com.
Links:
Clarification added October 22, 2007:
After reading the other answers I'd like to add a strong "second" for:
- social networking potential
- coffee in the room (and a bathrobe, please, for those of us doing e-mail at 5 a.m.)
- the tackiness of charging for Internet access (and the business center, gym, etc. for that matter) when the room is $350+
- the option of printed suggestions for restaurants, shops, sites within walking distance
