Hotel Tips

It has probably happened to everyone at least once: That charming B&B or upscale hotel turns out to be not quite as advertised when you see it in person. To avoid that kind of disappointment in the future, watch for these five warning signs that your hotel isn’t quite what it seems.

1. The Pictures Are Heavily Photoshopped! Sure, the photos on the hotel’s website look nice, but don’t we all try to post only the most flattering pictures of ourselves? Filters, creative cropping, and Photoshop can make almost any place look like the Ritz. If the official pictures look too good to be true, that may be a warning sign that they are.

2. The Website Is Seriously Outdated! The Internet is an essential tool for travelers nowadays. If a hotel can’t be bothered to update its website, what are the chances it has bothered to update its furnishing and fixtures and whatnot?

3. It’s Hard to Reach a Real Person! If you can’t get hotel management or reception to respond to your email or phone inquiries in a friendly, timely manner when they’re trying to win your business, what makes you think they’ll be helpful once you’re actually staying there?

4. Google Maps Street View Tells a Different Story! If your hotel claims to be located right in the middle of all the best attractions, don’t just take its word for it. Verify the property’s central location by plugging the address into Google Maps.

5. It’s Listed on the Bedbug Registry!!! We’re sorry we even have to mention this, but have you ever checked out the Bedbug Registry? You’d be surprised at just how many otherwise nice hotels wind up with these little critters running around between their sheets. That’s why it’s a good idea to check out your hotel on the registry before you check in. One or two isolated complaints shouldn’t cause too much concern, but a number of recent listings ought to raise a red flag.