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Star Treatment

Why settle for a ho-hum room? Here's how to get the best.

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This story appears in the May 2004 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »

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 . 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 .
  • 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 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 , ask how much itmight cost to upgrade to a suite or a room on the level.If there's availability, an extra $10 or $20 per night could beworth it.

Chris McGinnis, travel correspondent for HeadlineNews, is author ofThe Unofficial Business Travelers' PocketGuide.

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