Star Treatment
Why settle for a ho-hum room? Here's how to get the best.
Instead of settling for another beige box when you check into ahotel on your next business trip, use these strategies to score abetter, bigger, more luxurious room.
- Always ask. Never sit back and let a computer or a frontdesk clerk choose your room for you. When you check in, ask forsomething specific, such as a great view, morning sun, a king bedor a room near (or far away from) the elevator. By doing so, youavoid getting stuck with the room no one else asked for.
- Show your stripes. Are you a frequent or returningguest? Let the person checking you in know that. Mention somethingyou really liked or disliked about your last room, and requestsomething different this time.
- Don't settle. If you get to your room and somethingis wrong--it's too small, a light doesn't work, the view isbad, the neighbors are noisy or it smells awful--call the frontdesk immediately, and let them know you're coming back down fora reassignment. Your next room will most likely be better. (This isespecially true at big downtown hotels that have a variety of roomtypes and sizes.)
- Extended stay? If you're staying at the hotel formore than four or five days, or plan to return frequently over anextended period of time, write the hotel manager a note a week ortwo before you arrive. Let him or her know you intend to stay for along period of time and would like a price break or aspace-available upgrade. When you check in, ask to say hello to themanager, who may have already marked your reservation for anupgrade.
- Pay up. If trying to get something for nothingdoesn't seem to work at the check--in desk, ask how much itmight cost to upgrade to a suite or a room on the concierge level.If there's availability, an extra $10 or $20 per night could beworth it.
Chris McGinnis, travel correspondent for CNN HeadlineNews, is author ofThe Unofficial Business Travelers' PocketGuide.
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