Search Results for: blog bye bye bathtubs

Finding a Home Away from Home on the Road

I lived in a hotel near downtown Honolulu for 37 consecutive days while I looked for a place to live on the tiny salary I received upon taking a new job as a TV reporter at the CBS affiliate. The place was a dump, but the location was ideal. I was a block away from the station, which was vital given that I didn’t have a car, and less than two blocks from Ala Moana Beach. The station worked me like a dog, so I didn’t spend much time in my hotel room. Still, it would have been nice not … Continue reading →

Creative Lodging

According to ABC News, hotel rooms in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are going for upwards of $500 per night in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLV. I cannot image dropping that much money on a space I would only be using to sleep and shower in. I couldn’t pay a fraction of that price for a hotel room, and I wouldn’t, given there are much cheaper alternatives, though maybe not so much in the city hosting the Super Bowl the night before the big game. Still, if you are looking to cut down on the cost of lodgings … Continue reading →

Make the Most of Hotel Rewards

In a previous blog I may have suggested that being a Starwood Preferred Guest member pales in comparison to being a Hilton Hhonors member. That’s simply not the case. I merely mentioned that unlike my Hilton HHonors friend, I have not made the most of being a member of a hotel rewards program. Being a Starwood Preferred Guest member certainly has its privileges; however, you can’t take advantage of the perks unless you know what they are and how many points you need to accrue in order to score them. You earn points by staying at any of the 1,000 … Continue reading →

Does it Pay to Join Hotel Rewards Programs?

I am a member of the Starwood Preferred Guest program, yet I have never redeemed my points for a single reward. Conversely, my BFF, who is a member of Hilton HHonors scores free stuff all the time. She would undoubtedly tell you that it is well worth it to join a hotel rewards program. Me; not so much. So why is my pal such a fan of Hilton HHonors? For starters, the rewards are amazing. In addition to free hotel stays, you can redeem points for: *Tickets to Disneyland *Car rentals *Cruise certificates *Gift cards to Starbucks *Jewelry from Tiffany … Continue reading →

Being Nice Pays Off When Traveling

The nicer you are, the more you can get for free when traveling. At least that’s the word from a so-called “travel expert” who appeared on CNN earlier today. The cable news network’s “expert” was on TV spewing his knowledge about the busy holiday travel season and took a question from a caller regarding hotel upgrades. The caller wanted to know how he could score an upgrade without having to beg, steal or pay. The expert’s advice: Ask nicely. Interesting concept. Actually there’s a bit more to it than that. According to the expert, staying in a single room for … Continue reading →

Dealing With Noisy Hotel Guests

How do you deal with unruly guests at a hotel? A. Contact the front desk staff and have them handle it B. Pound on the wall separating your room from the offender’s C. Knock on the loud guest’s door and politely ask them to keep it down D. Hail a “sleep warden” and have them kick out the belligerent guest If you are vacationing at select hotels in the United Kingdom, answer “D” is an actual option. “Sleep wardens” are all the rage at Travelodge properties in Europe. The specially trained staff members patrol the hotels’ halls making sure that … Continue reading →

Cheap Hotels Get New Look

The last time I stayed at an economy hotel I was greeted with tissue paper-thin sheets that nearly ripped each time I turned over in bed, stained carpet and missing light fixtures. Still, I didn’t make a fuss because you get what you pay for, right? Maybe not. According to a new report, several budget hotel chains are getting a makeover that would impress even the pickiest travelers. For example, the new look of Motel 6 includes platform beds with crisp white sheets and taupe coverlets; 32-inch flat-screen TVs; modern furnishings that maximize space and hip wall decorations. Ditto for … Continue reading →

When Did Your Children Start Taking Showers?

Bath time in our home is a key part of our bedtime routine. However, it is also a monumental production… for two reasons: First, the bathtub has morphed into another playroom. There are more toys in there than an average daycare has in its entire building. That’s not counting the 31 “flavors” of bubble bath, gels, beads, funny foam and other various accoutrements that my daughter chooses to enhance the water with on a nightly basis. This, of course, turns what could be a simple 5-minute wash-n-go, into a 55-minute (when I’m lucky) play-a-thon. Second, my preschooler screams like a … Continue reading →

Calling all Travelers: Prepare for Fewer Phone Books

How many times did you use the phone book during your last hotel stay? Lodging owners say not enough to make it worth keeping them around. Some major hotel chains are giving bulky telephone directories the boot from guest rooms. Earlier this week Omni Hotels announced plans to eliminate phone books from its 45 hotels. “We found that that no one uses them anymore,” a hotel spokesperson said. “They just collect dust and take up drawer space.” What’s more, the hotel points out, they aren’t good for the environment. Omni execs say they plan to recycle more than 30,000 phone … Continue reading →

How Would You Rate Your Last Hotel Stay?

Was your last stay at a hotel a nightmare? Did you have to deal with bed bugs, noisy neighbors or poor service? If you did, you aren’t alone. According to a new survey completed by 53,000 people who stayed at a hotel in the last year, their experiences were nothing to brag about. Guests didn’t hold back when it came to filling out the annual J.D. Power and Associates North America Hotel Satisfaction Survey, which found that overall guest satisfaction, which covers everything from reservations to check in, room quality, fees, food and prices, was down in all segments except … Continue reading →