| Ever wonder what the real difference is between a | | | | flat screen LCD television that was 51" or more wide, |
| three star hotel, and a four star hotel? Do you think it | | | | a desk that provided internet hook-up for a PC, and a |
| will be nicer, more luxurious, with better service? Well | | | | fancy up-to-date alarm clock that had an iPod |
| you might be surprised to find that just because you | | | | attachment. |
| are spending more money on your hotel stay, does | | | | 6. Sound proof rooms - As we settled in, it was |
| not necessarily mean that you will be getting more for | | | | obvious that the walls were not as sound proof as |
| your money. | | | | one would hope, and we could here other hotel visitors |
| When traveling with my husband and 3 kids, we | | | | banging, knocking, and talking as they past our room. |
| almost always stay at 3 star hotels and an occasional | | | | 7. 24 Hour Front Desk Help - This was a wonderful |
| 2.5 star hotel. Our overall experience has been | | | | feature that I took advantage of when the high tech |
| pleasant with mostly happy memories, and minimal | | | | (and very loud) alarm clock in the room next to ours |
| complaints. | | | | went off at 4 AM and continued to ring for over an |
| Recently, we decided to upgrade our usual hotel stay | | | | hour. I called the Front Desk staff who quickly took |
| from a 3 star to a 4 star hotel stay in an attempt to | | | | care of the problem. |
| discover what the difference was. We booked our | | | | 8. Swimming Pool - The swimming pool was top notch, |
| room through for $65 a night (before taxes and $80 | | | | and very kid friendly with a ceiling made of glass so |
| after taxes) - which saved us a substantial amount of | | | | the sunlight (or moonlight) could shine on the pool. The |
| money on the room up front - but we were quickly | | | | Jacuzzi was very nice too, although none of the jets |
| caught off guard by some hidden costs once we | | | | worked, but at least the water was warm. |
| arrived. | | | | 9. Activities and Leisure supplies - There were lots of |
| Our 4 Star Hotel stay provided us with the following | | | | pool toys for the kids to play with, well stocked pool |
| experiences: | | | | towels, and plenty of pool furniture. There was also a |
| | | | back patio area outside with an out door BBQ pit, |
| 1. Ambiance - When we arrived, the hotel was | | | | hammock, and more lounge chairs. |
| certainly stunning with marble floors, granite pillars, | | | | 10. Four Star Services - This 4 Star hotel provided a |
| spectacular lighting, and outstanding architecture. The | | | | very organized folder that provided all the services, |
| registration desk girl seemed a bit new and although | | | | from airline phone numbers, baggage pickup services |
| she had all her lines memorized, she had a lack of | | | | that pickup and check your bags onto your flight, to |
| confidence about her. | | | | local baby sitting services and so much more. But |
| 2. Additional fees - When up grading from a room with | | | | when I asked for information on the local baby sitting |
| twin beds, to a King bed, we were never informed that | | | | service at the customer service desk, he literally had |
| this would be an additional fee of $48 on top of the | | | | no idea about the service and was very apologetic. I |
| price we had already prepaid on Hotwire. | | | | waited until he finally did find one phone number for a |
| 3. More additional fees - We were told that we could | | | | local baby sitting company in the area, and with |
| have our vehicle valet parked, or we could park it in | | | | complete uncertainty, handed me the written number |
| the Hotel parking garage, both of which were a | | | | to try out and see if it works. So much for 4 star |
| minimum $10 additional fee (this was never mentioned | | | | services. |
| on Hotwire when we originally booked the room). | | | | When we checked out, we discovered that our $80 |
| 4. Upkeep - As we made our way to the 3rd floor, I | | | | room rate from Hotwire had now turned into a $155 |
| inspected every inch of the hotel along the way. The | | | | hotel stay with 3 star service. When traveling with a |
| elevator was beautiful with laminated wood floors, and | | | | family, parents need to be certain their budget will not |
| mirrors. I was surprised though, upon entering our hotel | | | | diminish due to unforeseen expenses and it is |
| room to find that I had experienced nicer and larger | | | | important to be able to know up front what the costs |
| rooms in 3 star hotels. The paint on the bathroom door | | | | will be while traveling. So overall, I will seriously |
| was chipped and there were little areas of wear and | | | | reconsider staying at a 4 star hotel again, and will stick |
| tear here and there. | | | | to 3 star hotels for a while since they always seem to |
| 5. Technology - The technology was top notch with a | | | | be predictable in pricing, comfort, and service. |