Hotel Tips for the Smart Independent Traveller
If you are a serious traveller who wants to see the world as much as possible for as long as possible you need to watch your expenses. Here are our tips.

Planning Tips  

• Most people have to book hotel rooms in far-away places sight unseen. Get as much information about the establishment you can before you book.
• Find out if there are big events on in the city on the days you will be there.
• Get to know a particular hotel chain you like and fits your life-style. Generally other hotels in the same chain will have similar standards.
• Look for newly constructed hotels. Their amenities, including TVs and pools, are likely to be new as well.
• Hotels that offer 'suites'  are generally newer or has had extensive refurbishment, as these have only become popular in the last 10-20 years; therefore, you’ll more than likely find better quality standard rooms at these hotels as well.
• If at all possible, try to get pictures of the hotel you’re planning to book over the Internet. A picture is worth a thousand words.
• Always pre-book a hotel. There is nothing worse arriving in a strange city, in the pouring rain, at night and you find there is a big event on you didn't know about and there are severe lack of rooms available.
• Make sure you are aware of the hotel's cancellation policy, when making a reservation with a credit card as there may be a fee.

   
Checks to do when you Arrive.

• The hotel lobby says a lot about a hotel. If it’s dirty and ugly, the rooms will almost always be the same or worse. Check it when you walk in.
• When you get there, if the front desk staff aren't friendly, it’s safe to say that your service will be less than perfect.
• Before hand, decide what room location you would like and ask for it at reception. eg. On a busy street a back room is quieter, rooms over the restaurant can be noisier and smellier, usually it is quieter the higher you go in the building, ask for a non-smoking room or floor if you are a non-smoker - they are generally cleaner and fresher.
• To get the room you want check in as early as you can. If you aren't happy with the room you've been assigned, ask to see another straightaway before other rooms are taken up.
• Confirm checkout time

   
Avoiding Extra Hotel Room Charges

Checking out of some hotel rooms can give a you a major shock and serious damage to the credit card. With taxes, room service, phone charges, the mini-bar and other "hidden" fees, that $99 deal you booked online can turn into a $199 bill, literally overnight. Keep these tips in mind on your next stay to keep your hotel bill within your budget.

• Telephone Charges
  Check what the phone charges are at each hotel you stay in. They should be posted somewhere in the room, if not call reception and ask. Usually it is much cheaper in the long-run to use your cell phone and if you have one we recommend usig it instead of the room phone.
• Room Service
  Room service is expensive. Walk down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast and other meals, or better yet, walk down the street.
  If you do order room service, pay close attention to the fees tacked on to the bill. Many hotels automatically add a 15 percent gratuity, so don't tip. This all should be spelt out in the documentation in your room - check it all before you order.
• Internet Access
  Many hotels are adding high-speed Internet access to their amenities. This is a great service if you are doing a lot of work online while on the road. Be aware that there is often a charge for this service. For a quick email check, you may want to use your modem and dial-in. With a local access phone number (talk to your ISP), you will only pay the hotel's fees for a local phone call. It may be much cheaper to visit the Internet Cafe up the street.
• The Hotels favourite - the Mini Bar
  If you are the type of person that has late-night food and drink cravings, plan ahead and buy-it down the road and carry it in. That 3 a.m. Snickers bar may cost you $5. The mini-bar tempts you by stocking tasty snacks, alcohol and other luxuries right in your room for convenience, but you are definitely paying for it. If you don't prepare, don't worry too much - choose things that you know you can nip out the next morning and buy the identical item at the shop across the road and replace before they come to service the room.
  Always do an inventory of the mini-bar when you arrive and report any shortages to reception immediately - if there is an error it always seem to be short changed instead of overstocking it - strange that!
• Porters
  Avoid porters if you can by using a suitcase on wheels -- and wheel it to your room yourself.

  
Stay safe and protect your valuables

Concerned about protecting your valuables from theft while staying in a hotel room? Here are some safety tips to keep in mind.

To protect yourself:

• Keep the door to your room locked at all times. If you are inside the room, turn the deadbolt and fasten the security chain.
• When you leave your hotel room, pull the door completely closed behind you. Make sure the latch has engaged. Try the door and make sure it is closed and locked.
• Do not open your door to strangers. Use the security viewport to see who is outside your door. Do not trust someone claiming to be a hotel employee if you are not expecting one. If you are unsure, call the front desk to check. Leave the security chain engaged while opening the door for further protection.
• Check all windows and doors in your room every time you enter it and leave it to make sure they are closed and locked.
• When entering or leaving the hotel after dark, use the main entrance.
• If you travel often, consider buying a portable alarm system to hang on the doorknob for added protection. These movement-sensitive devices can awaken you if a door lock should happen to fail.

To protect your valuables:

• Use the safe provided in the room if there is one to store keys, wallets, extra cash and credit cards, jewellery, and other small valuable items you are leaving in the room. If no safe is supplied, check with the front desk. They may have locked storage available for your use.
• Don't leave cash, travellers checks and expensive electronics and jewellery lying around the room.
• Leave larger expensive or breakable objects at home, if at all possible. If you must bring them, store them in the closet and out of the way of the cleaning crew.

By using your common sense and taking a few precautions while on the road, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from danger and hang on to your possessions.