Filed under: Decades of travel and dozens of hotel stays have taught me one indelible lesson: whether it’s a spartan roadside motel or a high-class resort that ferries guests around by gondola, it’s the basic amenities that make or break a guest’s hotel experience. Usually the breaks are caused by minor tweaks that can be easily avoided:
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Cleanliness – Even the fanciest room can make me afraid to bust out an ultraviolet light in the room if it’s not well-maintained. Conversely, a small, no-frills room can be plenty homey if it’s taken care of.
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Continental Breakfast – Don’t even bother advertising a continental breakfast if you’re going to put out an anemic spread that nobody wants to look at, let alone eat. Day-old danishes, a Rube Goldberg contraption full of Corn Flakes and off-brand froot-loop-alike cereal, child-size cups of yogurt and fruit that’s been left out just an hour or two too long are not going to win a discerning traveler over, even if they are getting for free.
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Ice Machines – I can’t think of a good excuse for a decent hotel to continue to use one of those old, robot-from-Forbidden-Planet-looking ice machines. They’re noisy enough to keep guests up at night if they’re roomed close enough to the monstrosities, they’re bulky and unattractive, and they’re horrible energy hogs. And yet, I still see the antiquated obelisks jutting up in stairwells all over the country. FFEMAX’s selection of Scotsman ice machines meets the new FEMP energy efficiency guidelines and offers a sleek look without sacrificing capacity.
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Friendly Staff – I remember staying on Cape Cod and having the plumbing in my room malfunction. These things happen, and they’re often not anybody’s fault, but the manager didn’t apologize or offer to move to another room. The hotel was clean and modern and had a great location, but I’ll never stay there again. Even when tragedy doesn’t strike, a smile or helpful tip from the front desk staff can make a huge difference in the quality of a stay. Remember, a hotel’s staff is a key link between out-of-town guests and the community, and guests won’t know the best places to eat, shop or see the sights without their help.
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News access – Even on the road, travelers like to feel connected. Complimentary newspapers and magazines or a TV tuned to a national news channel in the lobby are great way to make guests comfortable and keep them in touch with what’s going on in the world.