Hotel room essentials
Don’t let your trip be ruined by a dodgy hotel room. Before you commit to a stay, be sure to check for these elements.
How is the location?
As the saying goes: location, location, location. Before you even think about booking, pick your ideal location, says Peggy Goldman, president and founder of Friendly Planet Travel. “Especially if you’re [travelling] for the purpose of sightseeing, it’s really important to be in a place that’s very accessible,” she says. First, look at a map to find all the attractions you plan to visit and find a spot that’s central to those. If the sights are spread all over town, don’t stress – as long as your room is near public transportation, you’ll be able to get everywhere quickly. Settle on a cheaper, less central hotel, and you’ll likely end up spending more money (and time) on Ubers.
Does it feel safe?
When it comes to location, safety is even more important than convenience. “One of the big pleasures of travel is to walk around and really experience the area,” says Goldman. That’s not so easy if your hotel room is in a sketchy area. Online sources like TripAdvisor can clue you in to what the area is like, says Goldman. If you pull into the hotel and just don’t feel comfortable, you’re better off cancelling your reservation than risking your safety.
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