When you travel, one of the most important decisions you make is where to stay. Hotels offer a wide range of experiences, from the basic and budget-friendly to the luxurious and extravagant. No matter what your budget or travel style is, there’s a hotel that can meet your needs. Be sure to check availability, though, so that you are not disappointed.
The hotel experience can be broken down into three main categories: accommodations, amenities, and service. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Accommodations
This is the most basic level of hotel service. Your room will be clean and comfortable, but don’t expect anything too fancy. The hotel may offer a few basic amenities like Wi-Fi and cable TV, but don’t expect anything beyond that.
The main thing is that you have a place to rest your head in relative comfort and are protected from the elements. You also want a place where you can at least have breakfast made for you to start the day. These are the basic requirements of any B&B or hotel. This compares to camping which might be a little uncomfortable until you get used to it.
Think carefully about the accommodation you choose because if you are planning to stay a while then some options are more suitable than others. For instance, there is a limit to how much time you would want to spend inside a tent. There are also extended stay options with hotels, where more amenities are provided. This is something that we shall talk about next. We can build on our enjoyment by adding more amenities and services too.
Amenities
Amenities are the extras that make your hotel stay more pleasurable. Things like a swimming pool, fitness center, business center, and on-site restaurants all fall into this category. The level of amenities will vary from hotel to hotel, so be sure to research what’s available before you book.
If you desire to continue your fitness regime while you are away on vacation, then you will want to book a hotel that includes a gym or fitness center. They can be kitted out with a range of equipment that allows you to work on your cardiovascular as well as continue to strengthen and tone your muscles.
For a lighter exercise, that is more relaxing too, there is swimming. That is if your hotel or accommodation has an accompanying swimming pool. This can be indoors or out. I suppose when it is indoors you can think of it as a more luxurious one, although that does not necessarily follow. It is worth checking which type you might expect before booking your room. In Philadelphia, the summers are generally warm, humid, and wet. Although, if you are getting wet, anyway, warm rain might not be too unpleasant a prospect.
Service
Service is the staff’s commitment to taking care of you during your stay. This includes everything from the front desk to housekeeping to the concierge. Good service will make your hotel stay more enjoyable, so be sure to ask around for recommendations before you book.
In boutique hotels, you can expect more personalized services. Luxury hotels offer more attentive services too, from room service to the restaurant table or behind the bar. The customer will be the number one priority, although running the hotel and the customer experience do tend to go together to make sure that everything functions as it should.
When you’re planning your next trip, keep these three aspects of the hotel experience in mind. Doing so will help you find the perfect hotel for your needs. Your budget will dictate the experience that you have, but so will your choice of hotel. Seek out one with a good reputation that has plenty of favorable reviews online. These will give you a clue as to how the experience might also be for you.
