Have you watched or heard of people using the valet or bellman and wondered how that worked? Watch this informational travel video to learn about having you car valet parked and your luggage handled by the bellman. This is a useful hotel tip, travel tip or restaurant tip. http://www.boomerandseniortravel.tv Quick Tip #28b

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There are different hotel room categories or hotel room types. Hotel rooms come in a variety of bed configurations. Each category of bed configuration or category of accommodation is charged at a different room rate. You may see a deal, special or rate quote that appeals to you but it is best to check to see that the rate quoted is for bed arrangement, number of people and category of accommodation that you want. It wouldn’t do to book that rate and then find out it was a single bed if there were more than one person supposed to be staying in the room.

Here are some of the bed configurations hotels and resort accommodations come in:

• Single – One bed
• Double – May be 2 single beds, 2 double beds, or 2 queen beds
• Twin – 2 single beds
• Triple – May be 3 single beds or 2 double or queen beds with one single bed, roll away bed, or sleeper sofa
• Quad – Bed arrangements that will accommodate 4 people, usually 2 to a bed
• Suites – Larger Rooms that may include another room, sitting area, kitchenette, Jacuzzi or Deck. Depending on the accommodations the number and size of beds may vary.

Categories – Hotel rooms and resort room categories differ as well. The more prestigious the category the larger or more amenities it may come with. Some types of categories are standard, deluxe, jr. suite, suite, executive suite, presidential suite, two bedroom suite, view or balcony, kitchenette or apartment.

The room position – What area of the hotel it is located in, whether it has views, is it near elevator or amenities like the pool or restaurant.

Amenities – Jacuzzi, bathtub, shuttle service, balcony, Mini bar use, breakfast, snacks, gym, swimming pool, restaurant or hair salon. The list is endless and different with each hotel or resort.

Before booking a hotel, resort or other accommodation make a list of your requirements:

Number of people in your group:

Number of rooms, beds and sleeping arrangement:

Room category:

Where in the hotel you want the room:

Amenities:

If you have this when you book your room or consult with a travel agent you will get what you want in your accommodation. Even though you book online or with a travel agent always check directly with the hotel to see that they have your reservation correct and that it includes everything that you had requested or believed was to be included in the price. Be sure to check if there are any undisclosed charges or fees that are not included in the rate that you have been quoted. Pre-planning and requesting what you require will reduce your travel frustrations and you won’t be shocked, disappointed or upset when you arrive at your hotel or resort.

Quick Tip #17b No more bumping in the dark or waking up you sleeping partner when you travel.

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Hotel – Short term overnight accommodation.

Resort – Accommodation providing a wide verity of amenities and recreational facilities. It is more about the experience. Usually used for vacation or getaways.

B & B – Some sort of breakfast is included with your hotel night stay. They breakfast to range from a drink or coffee with a roll to a full breakfast.

Home exchange or House Swap – This is exchanging your home for another house for a set time period. This is often arranged through a travel service or club that you join.

Fireman Entering Room

Today I am going to cover how to be prepared to survive a hotel fire if there were a fire in the hotel, motel or resort you are staying in. Just like you do fire drills at home you need to know your hotel fire safety instructions and fire evacuation information.

Eliminating panic is one of the key factors in surviving any disaster including a fire. If you plan ahead what you will do in a disaster then you can remain calm at that critical time. Remaining calm allows you to think, function and in a positive way.

This is especially important if you are staying in hotels that are not well regulated or have little or no hotel fire safety preparation. I have stayed in many hotels where I wondered how anyone would get out from upper floors where they barely have a fire department.