Recommendations

Hotels

Check-in Tips and more

Get the Best Room:

Become a member of the hotel club not just for points, but for the up-grade opportunities. If you use it once a year, it will be well worth the time to join. Most do not charge a fee. They will also send you special information.

If you use a Travel Agent, always ask for a specials. They know how to get up-grades. Travel Agents can also get you airline tickets as part of a package cheaper than you can get on line or when they say are not available. You don't have to use the hotel or car package that is included in the package. A short hop, you can do yourself, but longer distance or lack of flights, use your local travel agent I use. When we were flying to Chicago for my son's US Navy graduation, it was less than 30 days and the best I could get was coming back on Sunday at $1,000 each. Our travel agent got us a hotel special for $25 a night ( Marriott Courtyard ), free Alamo car, and a Saturday return, which we wanted for $1050 total. We did have to stay in Los Angeles for 45 minutes going over, but surely it was worth the money and the ability to come back early, too. I could not negotiate this with American Express or over the internet.

Whether you are a member or not I still ask for up-grades when I arrive at the hotel. If I already have one, I still ask for a better one, Always. I do this all the time and have gotten really good at it. I am always friendly, and if I have stayed at another one of the hotels, I talk about it first. How great I was treated. How well I liked the hotel. And then, if the desk does not assure me that we don't have a "great room" or "great view," whichever is appropriate.

If the hotel is overbooked, or there is a big convention going on, and I am given "no way." I ask if there is a cancellation or a change tomorrow, let me know, or what is the procedure. I will move for a great room or view.

I usually let them know I want to see the room first. Never take your luggage up. Go look at the room yourself. I have left Sue or Sue and the kids downstairs or made them wait while I check in, while I check out the room. You are paying for this. The first times I did this, I had complaints from the family. But soon they got used to me a check in and found ways to entertain themselves or look around while I do my thing. Call from the room or go back down to the desk, ask for the manager and settle for the assistant manager. A few times I have rejected the second room or suite, too.

Use a good, friendly attitude. I often get up-graded again or receive a suite or a much better location; and several times the presidential suite. If they hesitate, ask for a smoking or non-smoking room. Sometimes they have plenty of one or the other rooms. Tell them it is your anniversary. Tell them why you are traveling. Let them try to make it a more memorable event. Tell them why you are here. Why you chose this hotel. Try to make a contact with the person so you are not just a number, but a human being who may return or may have something in common.

I am not nasty. I am very friendly, but insistent. Often the bellmen will not help you as they are trained not to tell you the best room at the Bellagio or the Biltmore or the Plaza as you have to find this out the hard way.

After doing this for quite some time, it has become second nature. Let me tell you that rarely does complaining help. Rarely does being annoyed help. Rarely trying to be a big shot help. People who complain and yell and threaten get put in the room next to the elevator or the ice machine. Being friendly, being nice, but expecting "more", works for me. While the family may be impatient for a short time, I am known to get the best for the best price as this is my routine when I check in. I also practice when I travel by myself. Sue can testify that I have called home from the presidential suite more than a number of times.

What to Bring:

Always take your own wine and Champagne. Bring more than you need as it does not go to waste ( if by air: pack in plastic bags in your suite cases and small box as many airlines will not accept a full case ). Brings snacks or things you may like. I rarely use the courtesy bar. Not because it is expensive, but I get what I like, not what they have to offer.

Always bring your own "boom box" and CD's. Even if they have a CD player, it may not be located in your bedroom or by the spa, if you have one.

Bring a small coffee serving pot. We have a silver plated one like they have at hotels. You don't have to wait a half hour or more in the morning to go get your own coffee ( especially useful for free breakfasts or regency room ).

Tips

Bring plenty of one dollar bills and five dollar bills.

I usually pay $2 to $3 per bag, and give $7 as a rule of thumb, or $10 to the bellman, both ways. If there are four of us, I then tip $5 per person and not by the luggage. If there is a lot of luggage, or he is very helpful with ice or advice or information, and especially if it is a smaller place and I know he or she will be back, I tip more.

I always give the servers an extra tip, even if 18% is built into the bill. I always give a minimum of $3 when exiting the car, entering the car, and have given more, depending on the circumstances. Don't be cheap. You will be treated differently when you tip. The word gets around. Others see what you have done. I take care of everyone as this is how they make their living, and if they are good, nothing beats a good word topped with cash.

Remember your Traveling Companion

I am really spoiled as Sue does all the packing, helps tremendous in preparing, and often is the one who arranges everything with the Travel Agency. She also unpacks and puts things away. She packs up when we leave the hotel, too. I go out of my way to show my appreciation. I try to do everything else, from coffee to ice to waiting on her hand and foot. She has earned it. It is her vacation or trip to. I pour the wine, do the errands, and I don't complain. She can choose the music, the food, the movie, if she wants, eating in the room, going out, you name it. She has earned it.