A while ago, travel blogger Come fly with me a hotel challenge. What is most important when choosing a hotel? We'll tell you what we think and hope to hear your views!
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1) What is most important when choosing a hotel?
We have to admit, we are totally addicted to social media. What's important to us is that there is good WiFi in the room. If only that is available, we can put up with all sorts of other things ...
2) What is the first thing you do in a hotel room?
Taking a photo to post on the blog! If it's a press trip, it's stressful so we don't have time for anything else - then just drop your bags and head out into the city.
3) What does it look like to book a hotel, how do you go about it?
If we book in advance, we check Tripadvisor or ask a travel blogger who has been there. But sometimes we don't book in advance - then it's just the way it is.
4) What is worth spending extra money on?
WiFi and good location. We don't want to spend a lot of time in the room, so it's not important that it's luxurious, but it's nice to be close to things you want to see and do.
5) What is the best hotel you have stayed at in Sweden?
Wow! We have a motorhome, so it is very rare that we stay in a hotel in Sweden. With work I once stayed at Ulfsunda Castleand it was cosy. In the evening you could sit in front of the crackling fire in the library before retiring to your little room, each with its own name and design.
6) And in the World?
We stayed very cosy in modern bungalows at the La Pari Pari on Langkawi in Malaysia. Everything was clean and fresh, WiFi was fast and the staff were so wonderfully personal that you missed them when you left.
7) What gives a hotel extra points?
Nice and helpful staff who offer themselves and are happy to go the extra mile.
8) A real low point in terms of hotels...
In Irkutsk, Siberia, we stayed in a hotel where the spring in the bed was so bad that Peter hit the floor when he sat in it, haha. Not so good!
9) How important is breakfast?
I mean, I love breakfast. The breakfast does not have to be huge, but it should be quality and feel a little extra luxurious. Hotels without breakfast go out of business.
10) Three good things in a hotel room:
1) Fast and good WiFi, 2) plenty of power sockets and 3) maps and information about important things, such as sights - and what time breakfast is served!
11) Three less good things:
1) Lack of emergency exits or bars on the windows, so you don't know how to get out in case of fire, 2) Very complicated technology in the room so you need a manual to switch on the lights/watch TV and 3) Continental breakfast.
12) What type of hotel do you prefer?
Small and cosy hotels with a personal touch.
13) Do you complain if you are not satisfied with the room?
If there is no WiFi, we complain. Otherwise, we are probably (a little too) nice as hotel guests.
14) Is there a hotel chain that is particularly close to your heart?
Wow, we have no idea! We usually stay in small personalised hotels and not so often in chains, so we probably can't answer.
Top image in post: Hotel Park in Split, Croatia
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Lennart says:
Hotel,
it was a very long time ago.
Got enough during the active period.
The only positive was the breakfast!
18 August 2016 - 7:03
Anette says:
We stay a lot in hotels, mainly when travelling in Asia but also here in Sweden nowadays. In Asia it is often large and luxurious hotels but I must say that I prefer small charming family hotels preferably with homemade breakfast with local products. In France there are many small cosy hotels.
18 August 2016 - 7:25
Mr Steve says:
Hotel accommodation, a memory nowadays. But, there were many nights. especially at work and during the 90s when I lived more in hotels than at home. I have mostly good memories, the bad ones I have repressed.
Location, breakfast, clean and fresh were most important to me. WiFi was not on the wish list at that time... Was it in the stone age?
18 August 2016 - 7:29
Goatfish says:
Hotel accommodation obviously increased as I became lonely.
In 2013, I probably visited ten hotels in a row during my all-inclusive Inlandsbanan journey. And I liked the familiar ones with organic breakfasts best.
Freshness, a comfortable bed and silence are essential. Wifi is depending on the type of trip, it can also be nice to rest from the internet.
18 August 2016 - 9:09
Ama de casa says:
Fun challenge! 🙂
We have quite similar opinions on what makes a hotel good or not. First comes good wifi and good location. The location wins over wiffi if we are at home (in Spain, that is), because then we always have the mobile wiffi as an emergency solution in case the one at the hotel is missing or works poorly. Anders (who is almost always the one who chooses and books, I tend to find unnecessarily expensive alternatives 😉 ) is a genius at finding good and affordable hotels via booking. The comments give good clues if, for example, wiffit sucks 😉.
But one thing separates us - breakfast. I am not in need of a good hotel breakfast. If it is missing or is too expensive (as in most paradors), we go out and have a bun. I can't eat much in the morning (unfortunately - again - later in the day) and then a breakfast buffet for up to 17 - 30 euros feels TOTALLY unnecessary. If you are lucky, breakfast is also included in the paradors 😀.
18 August 2016 - 10:15
admin says:
Lennart, breakfast is one of the positive things about hotels 🙂 .
Anette, we have also stayed in some big hotels in Asia. I can imagine that there are small cosy hotels in France. There we have only stayed in a motorhome ...
Steve, I remember the days of not caring about WiFi. Feels both incredibly distant and like yesterday at the same time 😉.
Geddfish, resting from the internet sometimes sounds wise. I haven't really gotten to that point when I do... I get stressed out when there's no internet, haha 😉.
Ama de casa, it sounds like we think pretty much the same (except for the breakfast then). I also don't want to pay as much as you write, but I like it when breakfast is included in the price! Since I wake up shaky and almost dizzy with hunger every morning, I find it hard to eat breakfast in town. Before that, I have had time to faint like... haha.
18 August 2016 - 10:25
Jenn - forever abroad says:
So fun to read everyone's thoughts and preferences about hotels! 🙂
18 August 2016 - 10:31
Ditte says:
Most important for me when we choose a hotel is probably the location in the first place and preferably I want a good view. Not always possible but a wish. and a room where it is quiet and fresh. A good wifi is also important.
The first thing I do in a hotel room is look at the view, the bathroom and try the bed.
The absolute best hotel I have stayed at in Sweden is the Grand Hotel in Stockholm. Outstanding in most things!
Booking hotels varies, but often on recommendations of all kinds; blogs, friends .
I sometimes look at Trip Adviser but many people may have very different opinions.
Usually we like smaller, cosy hotels, preferably "boutigue" hotels that do not belong to a chain, but sometimes they are also larger.
If I'm not happy with the room or anything related to it, I leave. I have bought a product and want it to be "delivered".
Sometimes I think it's wonderful to eat a really good hotel breakfast in a nice environment, but then it's not worth spending several hundred kronor on it if it's not included. And you can only eat your fill.
Can also enjoy a picnic breakfast by the sea.
It's nice to read other people's thoughts.
18 August 2016 - 12:16
4000mil.se says:
Nice to read yours too!
Yes wi-fi yes. I try to pretend it's not important to me. I can spend time socialising and relaxing instead. Not at all dependent on the Internet and social media. But then when it happens and the wi-fi is down or something, then you go completely crazy. 🙂
18 August 2016 - 12:42
BP says:
I probably have about the same requirements for hotels as you, although we often choose apartment hotels, where you can cook breakfast yourself and are not forced to have breakfast at a certain time. Oh wifi is of course A and O. The location is important and it should be clean and fresh.
18 August 2016 - 13:23
Berit says:
We prefer apartments, "apartment hotels" or B&Bs - especially when we are in warmer climates - because we like small, cosy and personal accommodation, where we can make our own breakfast, preferably on a balcony with a lake or sea view!
.....Besides being fresh and comfortable, wifi is also important!
- BUT LOCATION is most important!
1. it should be within walking distance of the place we are exploring!
2. balcony with a beautiful view, preferably a lake or sea view!
However, in big cities there are slightly different requirements, but even then we usually choose smaller hotels where breakfast is included, within walking distance of the city centre. I usually look at Trip Advisor, or go on other people's recommendations when choosing accommodation.
Great to read what others think!
18 August 2016 - 13:56
Sanna Rosell says:
Any hotel that has oatmeal at breakfast gets top marks from me!
18 August 2016 - 14:43
Comsi Comsa says:
For me, breakfast is very important, it should feel luxurious and there should be a lot to choose from. The room should be clean and tidy, preferably a little luxurious and the bed and bathroom should be fresh, yes the room and everything else should of course also be fresh. 🙂 The location is not so important because I am mobile and can get where I want..... I also want Wifi. 🙂
Hugs ♥
18 August 2016 - 14:59
Åsa says:
Haha! Trans-Siberian Hotel Corridor/The Shining! Wonderful! The location is probably most important to me, and comfortable blankets. I hate when it's not a duvet but a top sheet with a heavy knitted blanket! Often mustard yellow Ugh.
18 August 2016 - 15:49
Role o Carina says:
The location, the pool and the good breakfast are a +...:-)
Take care.....
18 August 2016 - 17:06
admin says:
Jenn, right?
Ditte, interesting to hear that the Grand Hotel is so good! We have had their seafood buffet and their afternoon tea a few times, but we have never stayed there... Picnic breakfast by the sea sounds cosy! 🙂
BP, we haven't stayed in aparthotels that many times actually, but I can imagine it's an interesting option!
Berit, we haven't stayed very often in aparthotels or B&Bs (as we often stay in a motorhome on those occasions), but I think they sound like interesting options! And of course it's a bit different how you think, if it's a small holiday village or a big city...?
Sanna Rosell, haha, how common is that?
Comsi Comsa, nice to hear your reasoning! Interesting that you don't think the location is important, I should also be able to get there, but maybe I'm a bit lazy, haha.
Åsa, haha, I don't like those blankets either. And by the way, the staff (well, the women) at that The Shining hotel had SKY-HIGH heels... 😉.
Rolle and Carina, thank you for your comment! 🙂 I don't always care about pool, but in some contexts it's great to have access to!
18 August 2016 - 18:30
Yank says:
A private toilet and a good breakfast are important to me when we stay in a hotel. Yes, of course the rooms should be fresh and the beds comfortable. I would like to have wifi if we are going to stay several nights 🙂.
18 August 2016 - 18:55
Matts Torebring says:
No not a hotel, I want to stay in our motorhome. I hardly remember when we last stayed in a hotel.
18 August 2016 - 19:58
åsa in åsele says:
It's been a long time since I stayed in a hotel,
I would like to hear about your visit to Irkutsk in Siberia,
Have you blogged about it?
Sounds exciting 🙂
18 August 2016 - 20:53
admin says:
Ami, own toilet I can agree with!
Matts, motorhomes are great! In Sweden we very rarely stay in hotels, but abroad we mix motorhome trips with other trips.
Åsa in Åsele, we travelled on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Beijing in 2006. We did not blog then, but we have written a bit about the trip afterwards: http://www.freedomtravel.se/2013/03/resan-med-transsibiriska/
18 August 2016 - 22:20
Freya says:
Breakfast, wifi and close to the centre, that's most important for me!
18 August 2016 - 22:40
Elisabeth says:
When I stay in a hotel, it's usually on the way through Europe down to the marble house in France. The first priority is that the dog is welcome - which she always is in France and almost always in Germany. It's for her that we take the car and for her that I cast longing glances at motorhomes along the road...
I agree that it does not have to be luxurious, as long as it is clean and feels cared for. Small and personal is better than big and boring but I still usually want to be left alone, as I almost always have many miles in my travelling legs when I finally decide to sleep.
I want good pressure in the shower and storage areas in the bathroom, as well as many electrical outlets and strategically placed mirrors. If the hotel does not have free wi-fi, I get angry and wonder what century they live in;)
So most important of all - breakfast! It should be robust, have good freshly baked bread - preferably coarse and sourdough - the juice should preferably be freshly squeezed, the coffee strong and the scrambled eggs well prepared and creamy. If it is made with egg powder, I will never come back! I see it as an insult to my taste buds! How gullible do they think their taste buds are? Breakfasts are very serious things - they will take me many miles further.
18 August 2016 - 22:41
admin says:
Freja, totally agree with you on these things!
Elisabeth, haha, of course breakfast is serious stuff!!! Lovely with someone who appreciates a good breakfast 🙂 Good pressure in the shower I can also agree as a big plus!
19 August 2016 - 8:40
Anna, Travel on a Cloud says:
I'm glad you answered the questions too! (And thanks for the link!)
Haha, wifi for you seems to be what a nice bed is for me. But sure, I agree, it's important to be able to connect.
However, it must be perfect with a motorhome in that you always have a good bed with you. Laughed at the bed in Irkutsk. Poor Peter ... 😉
19 August 2016 - 9:53
Renate's travels says:
Interesting reading! I see that we have many similar preferences when it comes to hotels and accommodation 🙂 For me, a great necessity is also that the pillow is good to sleep on! If I come to a hotel room that only has a flat, small well-used pillow to offer, I will be quite disappointed. I like to sleep with my head high, haha. Otherwise, breakfast and wifi are one of the most important things to me! If the location is good, and the room may have a nice view as well, then it becomes a real luxury!
19 August 2016 - 12:33
Amanda Ekeroth says:
If you are eager to participate in a competition, I have just organised my first "Blog of the Week" competition on the blog, you will find the post under the category "Competitions", so feel free to look in there! =)
20 August 2016 - 2:04
Steel city anna says:
Great questions and answers! The most important thing is the location and the first thing I check is whether the bathroom is fresh. I like to spend extra money on it being a cute, cosy and personal place. The breakfast is extremely important 🙂
20 August 2016 - 2:06
admin says:
Anna, yes, it is good to have the bed with you in a motorhome! We also have better mattresses in the motorhome than at home 😉.
Renate, the pillow is not completely unimportant, but I think it's worst when it's huge and hard, haha.
Amanda, ok, thanks for the tips
Steel City Anna, it's nice to have a fresh bathroom!
20 August 2016 - 7:08
Aaa says:
That depends so much on where you are. I would love to stay in a luxury hotel, preferably old and historic, every time, but the price is still the deciding factor.
20 August 2016 - 13:46
Maria's Memoirs says:
I especially agree with 1 and 2 😉 Let's see if I also get my thumb out soon and make this list myself 😉.
26 August 2016 - 11:26