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	Hotel Reservation Tips
	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

• Is the front desk staffed 24 hours a day?
• Does the hotel offer non-smoking rooms?
• Does the hotel allow pets? What size?
• What is check in time? Check out time?
• What is the policy for late check in?
• What is the hotel's cancellation policy?
• How much is the room tax?
• What is the fee for local calls?

• ask if they offer discounts (corporate, AAA, senior, etc.)
• if lower advertised rate, ask for that rate
• shop for internet discounts and web-only rates
• travel agents can often get better deals
• ask for extended stay discount for long trips

• Does the hotel have a restaurant or cafe?
• Is there a pool or other recreational facilities?
• Is there a playground or other children's facilities?
• Is there a phone in the room?
• Does the room have a private bath?
• Are there business facilities (fax, internet, copier, etc.)?

• make reservations with a credit card in case you have problems
• travel insurance will protect you if trip cancelled
• read travel insurance policies carefully for exclusions
• check your confirmation for errors as soon as you receive it
• give someone your itinerary -- arrival, departure, hotel
• double check your reservations before leaving

• find out what the neighborhood is like
• research photos on the internet and in travel guides
• stay away from hotels with numbers on the keys
• ask for a room not on the first floor
• make sure there is a deadbolt on all exterior doors
• doors opening into interior hallways are safer
• check the fire escape route upon arrival
• use the hotel safe for valuables
• use the hotel main entrance after dark
• hang the "do not disturb" sign and leave TV on when gone

 

Copyright Ramona Creel, all rights reserved-- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.

Ramona Creel is a modern Renaissance woman and guru of simplicity -- traveling the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of radically downsizing, and inspiring others to regain control of their own lives. As a Professional Organizer and Accountability Coach, Ramona will help you create the time and space to focus on your true priorities -- clearing away the clutter other obstacles and standing in the way of that life you've always wanted to be living. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a travel writer, social commentator, and blogger, she shares her experiences and insights about the world as we know it. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. And be sure to follow her on Twitter and on Facebook.

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