louise1928
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 27, 2001
- Messages
- 226
A friend of mine who I had lunch with today, is a world traveler. This lady has been everywhere imaginable (I'm not exaggerating)...From The beaches of South Florida to Hong Kong, she's been there. She travels alone 80% of the time, and usually stays in 2, or 3 star hotels. The only time she splurges is when she travels for a quick getaway (1 or 2 nights), otherwise she is a bargain hunter, which is why she said she's able to travel all over the world as much as she does. One thing I have noticed about her travel stories, is that she never complains about her accomodations, (actually, she never complains about too much of anything), but I asked her "what is your secret to always enjoying your vacations?" and she said...(my home away from home)....She said there is nothing like being on vacation, and really enjoying your temporary home. Especially after long days outdoors, exploring, sightseeing, etc., you definitely want to come home to comfort.
She said when choosing a place to stay, there are only Three things that matter to her, Location, Housekeeping and Service. People who have been there and done that are your best resources for finding good accomodations. All the glossy brochures are just that, brochures... Travelers tell the real story. You have your picky vacationers (nothing is good enough, right down to the toilet paper), and then you have people who really enjoyed their vacation, despite not having enough towels in the room, or that it rained 1 day out 7....
Once she gathers enough information about her destination, she chooses 3 places to stay, read reviews on each place and picks one from that point, and keep the other two on file for future visits. She said she has stayed at the same hotel for 10 years (In Paris France), as long as they keep up the good work, they will continue to get her business. She said one year she missed going to Paris, and received a letter from the Manager, just to check up on her....They were concerned because she contacted them every year at the same time, for new ressies, but that year she didn't, due to family issues. She also stays at the same hotel when she travels to Madrid every 2 years, and the same hotel when she visits Hawaii. Theres nothing wrong with trying to new places, but know what you want, and stick with it. Good Quality customer service at hotels/resorts, etc. go a long way.
She says she has stayed in many 4 star places, where the service was the worst, and right down the street was Motel 6 that well deserved a 4 star rating, but at the same time, she's stayed at 4 star places that were superb.... If the service is good, rooms are kept well, place is in a good location, why stay anywhere else?? If you prefer 4 and 5 star hotels, make sure you really get what you pay for......She feels that places who charge megabucks$$ for hotel stays are expected to deliver, and they should.
Oh, by the way, She was at Universal Orlando last October with her sister and extended family..They stayed at the Portofino Bay,and although I was surprised she stayed there, she said, the only reason she stayed there, (her sister is an assist manager at a Lowes Hotel), so she was able to get a good discount, and she said the hotel was beautiful and the service was excellent.
NOTE: These are just her personal travel opinions and suggestions. ENJOY
Opps, I forgot to add something else.. She also said, people who are traveling with kids have every right to be picky, after all, you want your kids to really enjoy themselves, but she said throughout her travels, (25+ years) the one thing that she has noticed with people on vacation with children is staying at resorts/hotels that are not catered to children. She said that is a HUGE mistake, because resorts/hotels, that do not cater to kids, will NOT cater to kids..........Especially she said beach resorts.......So many now have children programs, there is no reason to take your kids to a place that is packed with 90% adults. She sees so many groups of kids, young and old that are simply bored on vacation with nothing to do..... She always advises her niece to ask the resort/hotel, what services they offer for kids, no matter how nice the place is. After it is a family vacation, but the kids need a break from their parents to...
She said when choosing a place to stay, there are only Three things that matter to her, Location, Housekeeping and Service. People who have been there and done that are your best resources for finding good accomodations. All the glossy brochures are just that, brochures... Travelers tell the real story. You have your picky vacationers (nothing is good enough, right down to the toilet paper), and then you have people who really enjoyed their vacation, despite not having enough towels in the room, or that it rained 1 day out 7....
Once she gathers enough information about her destination, she chooses 3 places to stay, read reviews on each place and picks one from that point, and keep the other two on file for future visits. She said she has stayed at the same hotel for 10 years (In Paris France), as long as they keep up the good work, they will continue to get her business. She said one year she missed going to Paris, and received a letter from the Manager, just to check up on her....They were concerned because she contacted them every year at the same time, for new ressies, but that year she didn't, due to family issues. She also stays at the same hotel when she travels to Madrid every 2 years, and the same hotel when she visits Hawaii. Theres nothing wrong with trying to new places, but know what you want, and stick with it. Good Quality customer service at hotels/resorts, etc. go a long way.
She says she has stayed in many 4 star places, where the service was the worst, and right down the street was Motel 6 that well deserved a 4 star rating, but at the same time, she's stayed at 4 star places that were superb.... If the service is good, rooms are kept well, place is in a good location, why stay anywhere else?? If you prefer 4 and 5 star hotels, make sure you really get what you pay for......She feels that places who charge megabucks$$ for hotel stays are expected to deliver, and they should.
Oh, by the way, She was at Universal Orlando last October with her sister and extended family..They stayed at the Portofino Bay,and although I was surprised she stayed there, she said, the only reason she stayed there, (her sister is an assist manager at a Lowes Hotel), so she was able to get a good discount, and she said the hotel was beautiful and the service was excellent.
NOTE: These are just her personal travel opinions and suggestions. ENJOY
Opps, I forgot to add something else.. She also said, people who are traveling with kids have every right to be picky, after all, you want your kids to really enjoy themselves, but she said throughout her travels, (25+ years) the one thing that she has noticed with people on vacation with children is staying at resorts/hotels that are not catered to children. She said that is a HUGE mistake, because resorts/hotels, that do not cater to kids, will NOT cater to kids..........Especially she said beach resorts.......So many now have children programs, there is no reason to take your kids to a place that is packed with 90% adults. She sees so many groups of kids, young and old that are simply bored on vacation with nothing to do..... She always advises her niece to ask the resort/hotel, what services they offer for kids, no matter how nice the place is. After it is a family vacation, but the kids need a break from their parents to...
