You’ve done your research and made sure that your hotel of choice is the best there is. You’ve checked all of the review sites, browsed the official website’s gallery, and finally booked your room online. So it’s time to relax now and just wait for your travel date, right?
Well, not exactly.
If you want to have the best experience, there are still a few questions you need to ask… and they’re best done in person right before you head to your hotel room.
Here are 9 important questions you must ask upon check-in to improve your stay and help you avoid unpleasant surprises when you check out.
1. Is there a resort fee?
Hotels have plenty of accessible amenities that will make your stay extra comfortable — but not all of them are free, as you’d assume. We often call it “resort fees”, a.k.a those sneaky, often unavoidable fees charged on hotel guests to cover services like Wi-Fi, parking, newspapers, or access to the fitness center.
There are a few hacks to get away with resort fees when you book online. But if you haven’t done any of these tricks to outsmart the sneaky hotel, the least you can do is to ask about your final charges and their breakdown, to avoid any surprises. Aside from resort fees, ask about the city taxes and extra VAT that can all show up in your hotel bill.
2. What are the paid amenities I can avoid?
Before you use a hotel facility or an in-room amenity, confirm whether or not they’re included in your standard rate. Ask which ones are free and which ones are going to be listed on your bill later on. This includes the tempting snacks you see in your hotel room.
If you can’t avoid them, then simply make the most of the amenities that are included in your hotel rate. Spend quality time in the pool area, work out in that fitness center, and use the wi-fi instead of turning on your mobile data.
3. Can I request a late hotel checkout?
Is your return flight scheduled at a later time and you’d want to have some extra time in your room? Don’t want to feel rushed about leaving your hotel room right before lunchtime? Whatever your reasons are for staying a bit longer, it often pays to ask for a late checkout right when you first check-in. Ask politely. You can even tip the concierge for the favor.
4. Can you give me a room with great views?
No, all rooms are NOT the same. There will always be a room with the best view and the house… and a room with the worst. The last thing you want is to pay for the same hotel rate and get an ugly view of the neighbor building’s construction works.
If that Kilkenny hotel advertised their rooms to have exquisite views of the Kilkenny castle and they’re an important aspect of your trip, then make sure to confirm you’re getting the room that you desire.
5. What are the things I can rent from the hotel?
Do they have products and services that you can rent to improve your experience? For instance, Hard Rock Hotels offer electric guitar and amp rentals for music lovers. Many properties have bike and golf cart rentals you can take to explore the nearby areas during your free time.
6. Do you have amenities outside of the property that I can access for free?
Not all hotels have their own pools, spas, steam rooms, and fitness centers but just because they’re not on the site doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these amenities during your vacation. Some hotels partner up with nearby establishments or sister companies to provide these experiences to their guests. They offer guests free use of the amenities at a nearby location.
7. Do you provide transportation?
Need a ride to the airport? How about a ride to the nearby terminal, shopping center, and tourist attraction? Simply asking about their practical extras, like airport shuttle runs and private cars, can save you time, effort, and money in booking a car.
8. Can you give me unbiased recommendations on dining, attractions, etc?
When it comes to information about the local area, the concierge is your best friend. They can suggest restaurants that serve the best version of the dish or cuisine you’re looking for, as well as the best tourist attractions, museums, shopping centers, and other places of interest. You can also ask for an ideal itinerary for your day trip, including the routes to take and avoid.
9. Is there a family (with kids) / group party staying next to my room?
If you’re looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing hotel stay that free of kids running around the halls or loud music banging in the walls, this is a question you may ask. Likewise, if you’re the bearer of the noise (like if you have rowdy kids or you’re hosting a hotel room party with your friends), it’s a courteous move to request a room that’s far away from noise-sensitive folks.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a travel and lifestyle writer. Aside from taking vibrant street photos, you can find her writing articles about travel, food, and lifestyle. To know more about hotels and travel blogs, you may visit Pembroke Hotel Kilkenny.