While the Internet can provide you with a lot of information about the hotel you plan on staying at for your vacation, sometimes things go wrong that can have everyone grumpy. If the vacation involves a lot of outdoor activities, weather can keep you from participating. Another problem could arise if someone in the family becomes ill and has to stay in the room. In addition, you do not want to be stuck walking around an amusement park or trying to get to a reservation while carting all your luggage around.
Hotel Activities
Some hotels will have restaurants, gift shops, arcades, or even recreation rooms available for guests. Make sure you ask what is available and what the cost is to use them. While you may not get an exact figure for restaurants, you do not want to get there and find out that there is nothing within your budget. It is also a good idea to find out about Wi-Fi connectivity and if it will support a game system if you bring one.
Nearby Attractions
If you are going with a specific purpose in mind, and that somehow falls through or does not take as much time as you thought it would, find out what else there is to do in the immediate area. A canceled hike could be replaced with a trip to a museum or theater. You should also ask about nearby places to eat and if there is easily accessible public transportation.
Early Check-in and Luggage Storage
Your plane or bus might arrive many hours before normal check-in. If you have reservations to go someplace before you can check-in, ask if the hotel will allow you to check-in early or if they provide a secure place for you to store your luggage. You should also make sure you have someplace to keep your belongings if you must check-out hours before you will be leaving.
Ground Transportation
Find out if you need to arrange for airport limo service or if the hotel provides a shuttle to and from airport or bus station. You do not want to be standing around the airport trying to figure out how you are going to get to the hotel.
Knowing as much as possible about the hotel and the immediate area around it can make your vacation more pleasant. You won't have to spend time in the room trying to figure out what to do and how to get there.
