We all have expectations for our hotel/motel. Let us discuss these expectations.
1) Cleanliness - This covers everything from toilets to dust bunnies on the floor. No one likes to crawl between the sheets to find a blood spot! Ewwww! That always makes you wonder who died between those sheets that you are about to sleep in (among other things). So you make a quick phone call and a maid comes up with some fresh, stainless sheets and hands them to you (of course they conveniently TRY get out of remaking the bed at which point you invite them in and make it very clear that this is what they get paid for). BTW, this happened to me at one hotel. And about the dust bunnies, whose hair is that anyways? How long has it been here?
2) Necessities - Towels, toilet paper (which needs to be placed in easy reach), but sometimes what can really make or break the necessity expectation is the bath products. Every hotel/motel puts at least two soaps neatly wrapped and ready for us on the bathroom counter. But it's the extra stuff that counts. Yes, soap is needed. But shampoo and conditioner would be nice too. Also, I love the places that leave some hand cream. I don't care how "cheap" the hand cream is, it still works. One place I went to left a mini sewing kit along with the other supplies! Yes, this shows the guest how the hotel values their customers.
3) Supplies - You might think that this should have been the title to #2. But the supplies covers things like closets, mirrors, ice bucket, iron, etc. It is true that you may not view all of these as necessary supplies. I don't remember the last time I used an ice bucket. However it is nice to have one in case you wish to make a drink at night. Mirrors are also important. It is true that you have one in the bathroom but if someone is using it or if it is fogged up to due to a lack of fans (also a necessary supply), you need to have a back up. And the location of this backup is also important. It needs to be near a good light source. Also, every hotel/motel needs an iron. After having traveled any distance where clothes have been folded in a bag, I often need an iron. Well, you get the point. It is true that these are things we can live without, but it's a nice homey touch.
4) Cable - Need I say more?
5) Beds - Of course, bed bug free beds are preferable. Also flees. Flees are not fun to find in your bed either. I won't continue with that line. Everyone knows what I'm talking about. Let's discuss the covers. I don't care how cheap the hotel is trying to be. If I'm shivering all night because there is not enough covers (with the ac off), you have not fulfilled your end of the deal. I pay, you keep me warm and comfy. The length of the bed is just as important. I am 5' 3.5" and if my toes hang off the edge of the bed, it is NOT long enough. I can only imagine how Theo, 5' 8", is doing. And the TV should be placed in such a way that I can watch it without leaving my bed (I love lazy vacations and see #4).
You can only imagine what is inspiring me to write this. I will not give out any names but I am up on vacation. I am staying in a lovely town. However, the motel that I am staying in is severely lacking. Yes, the people are very friendly. But no iron, short beds (no bugs which is a plus), and a general lack of supplies (they do have bare necessities though) makes me wish for a different hotel. I don't understand. For how much we paid, I think they should at least have a fan in the bathroom, or an iron, or longer beds.
So how do you go about choosing a hotel/motel? Just remember, you don't always get what you pay for. Think of how long it takes to care for each room and the cost of such. Minus this from the nightly rate. This can give you a good indicator of what kind of room you will get. Also, read all reviews :-)
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