When travelers plan a vacation, the first thing on their mind is often where they will stay. After all, lodgings are a major part of the travel experience and many hotels offer amenities that can’t be easily replicated elsewhere — including spas, golf courses and restaurants.
What’s more, a hotel’s location is key because guests spend most of their time doing other things during a trip, such as sightseeing and visiting nearby attractions. The best hotels are close to major cities and near airports. They also tend to be within walking distance of area shopping, dining and entertainment.
But finding the right hotel for you can be challenging. One big reason is that different hotel chains cater to a variety of different types of travelers. For example, Marriott, the world’s largest hotel chain, offers ultra-luxury options like St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton, sleek urban destinations like JW Marriott and W Hotels, tried-and-true standards like Westin and Sheraton, and even extended stay brands such as SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn.
Some hotels may even offer special amenities or services aimed at certain groups of people. These include rooms designed for families with children, business travelers or solo travelers. In addition, there are a number of hotel amenities that can appeal to all travelers such as fitness centers, pools and spas.
While all these hotel amenities are important to consider when choosing a place to stay, the most important factor is whether you’re happy with the quality of the service. After all, if the hotel you choose doesn’t meet your expectations, it will spoil your entire trip.
A recent survey conducted by CivicScience revealed some interesting findings regarding hotel reviews. The survey found that most travelers don’t trust any of the most popular hotel review sites. In fact, only 20 percent of respondents said they trust any of the top five hotel review websites.
The good news is that there are a few trustworthy hotel rating websites. Here are a few of our favorites.
These sites are overseen by a team of expert hotel inspectors who conduct surprise evaluations of hotel facilities and anonymous guest surveys of the staff. Hotel ratings are then published and updated regularly. This is a great resource for researching hotels.
In addition to providing detailed and helpful reviews, these sites also have a unique feature that helps potential guests save money. They highlight the total price of a stay by including all fees and taxes that other hotel booking sites tend to bury in the fine print or hide behind a hidden filter.
The Philippines is a tropical paradise with more than 7,000 islands, endless beaches and a wealth of colonial remnants. The best Philippines hotels offer stylish rooms with a touch of local flavor and state-of-the-art amenities. One such property is Discovery Primea in Manila, which offers 32 super-stylish suites with dramatic views and a tasteful mix of contemporary and colonial styles. Each room is also equipped with high-end appliances and a flat-screen HDTV.