Is It Time to Check Out or Sleep In?
Hotels play a big part in our travel experiences. A good one makes the whole journey one to remember while a bad one can ruin your entire vacation—that’s why we’ve put together a list of green flags to embrace and red ones to sprint from.
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1. The Good Reviews are Old
It’s always a good idea to scout reviews before you book anything, but pay attention to their dates as well. Good reviews are only as valuable as their recency, so something’s likely amiss if all those five stars are years old.
2. No Mattress Protector
Mattress protectors seem like a little detail but they’re actually important indicators about a hotel’s cleanliness. The last thing you want is to go home with bed bugs, so make sure your mattress has its suit of armor. If not, you’ll probably spot other unpleasant details.
3. Staff Shortage
While we don’t need staff to answer our every beck and call, paying customers deserve prompt service. Keep your eyes peeled for the number of staff on duty. If you can’t get a hold of anyone at the desk or there’s a line at check-in, that hotel’s likely given up on quality service.
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4. Unkept Exterior
A hotel’s exterior reveals just as its rooms. Imagine walking to the front doors after a long day of travel…only to see trash in the parking lot or disheveled shrubbery. When a hotel doesn’t care about its exterior, you can bet your boots the interior isn’t any better.
5. Broken Appliances in the Room
The whole point of a hotel is to have a safe, clean place to stay—not one riddled with problems. No one wants to deal with broken mini-fridges or sputtering coffee makers, and paying customers shouldn’t have to. Broken appliances are a telltale sign of poor maintenance.
6. Filthy Carpets
You can tell a lot about a hotel room from its carpet. While stains are bad enough, take note of any lingering pet hair and odor too. If the staff didn’t thoroughly clean a fundamental part of the room, imagine what else they left behind.
7. The Photos are Lacking
Hotel photos are just as telling as apartment listings—it’s a giant red flag when they don’t show your room. We can’t glean much from close-up shots of the pillows or windowsills, so stop to consider why your hotel has such secrecy. Clean locations can’t wait to show off their accommodations!
8. Unpleasant Odors
Believe it or not, unpleasant odors can mean all kinds of things. While it’s never good to inhale cigarette smoke or mold, overly strong air fresheners are another alarm bell. Hotels often use them to mask unpleasant odors, which shouldn’t be there in the first place.
9. Signs of Unwanted Guests
Bed bugs are a traveler’s worst nightmare. Remain vigilant in your hotel room and know what to look for! Dark spots on the mattress seams, blotches on the headboard, and inexplicable bite marks when you wake up are all massive red flags.
10. Lackluster Breakfast
There’s nothing worse than an uninspired breakfast. Instant coffee and packaged cereal hardly says “fine dining” and it’s often a good indicator of a hotel’s overall quality. While not every spot offers a five-star buffet, it’s always nice to have something more than yogurt.
With the icky stuff out of the way, it’s time to explore a few telltale signs of a good hotel.
1. Above-and-Beyond Staff
From timely room service to kind online responses, hotel staff tell you everything about the quality. Outside of their bedside manner, good staff also protect your safety; they remain discreet about room numbers and won’t announce any accommodations to the entire lobby.
2. Quality of the Bathroom
You can tell a lot about a hotel from its bathroom. Does it come with complimentary bathrobes and slippers? Were you offered deluxe-sized toiletries? How’s the water pressure in the shower? Those little details paint a larger picture, so make sure you pay attention!
3. Complimentary Snacks
For free? In this economy? Only at the best hotels! Small things like water pitchers and free coffee create a welcoming environment, and let guests know that their comfort comes first. It’s an even bigger bonus to score free snacks.
4. The Staff Leaves You Alone
There’s nice and then there’s too nice. Some hotel staff go way beyond the pale, following you around like royalty and not letting you handle things on your own. It seems nice on the surface but it’s actually quite invasive—and can make you wonder if they’re compensating for any of the hotel’s shortcomings. Great staff helps, but doesn't make you uncomfortable.
5. Pristine Public Spaces
Superior hotels keep every nook and cranny clean, not just its rooms. Inviting lobbies, manicured landscaping, and clean public bathrooms all signal a caring staff.
6. Free (or Available) Wi-Fi
Though Wi-Fi was once considered a luxury, internet access is now a must-have amenity. Most hotels have it built into the cost of the room while others charge a small fee for usage—either way, it’s a good indicator that they put your needs first (especially when it’s free).
7. Amazing Dining Options
The best hotels offer stellar dining options. From bars and in-house restaurants to delectable breakfast menus, a good hotel ensures you won’t go hungry. That kind of wide selection also enhances guests’ convenience.
8. Deluxe Amenities
Amenities can make or break your hotel stay. Anything from in-house gyms to relaxing indoor pools offers guests more bang for their buck—and indicates a five-star stay. Some of the best haunts even have their own spa.
9. Spacious Rooms
No guest wants to pay for a closet, let alone stay in one all week. Good hotels offer comfortable rooms with clean bedding and space to move around. This is especially important for any guest in a “smaller” room!
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10. It’s the Little Things
Does the staff greet you with a smile every morning? Does your room offer modern outlets? Is the coffee good? They sound inconsequential on the surface, but it’s those very details that contribute to your entire stay—and they can take your review from four to five stars.
