1. To score a larger room, request a corner room
because they’re usually bigger.
10. If you arrive at your hotel before check-in,
you can usually drop your bags off with concierge
and request an access card to their gym and other
2. For the quietest room, ask for one midway along
the hallway. These are generally further away from
elevators and ice dispensers etc.
facilities. Perfect for freshening up after a flight.
11. Early check-ins and late check-outs are not
unusual requests and yet many of us feel sheep-
3. Request a top floor room to avoid noise filtering
down from above. However, expect to pay more
for r ooms higher up. Especially if you’re staying at
a hotel with club floors.
Make the most
of your stay
with one (or all)
of these nifty
hotel hacks.
4. Do a little bit of research about your hotel’s ameni-
ties prior to arriving - especially the perks it might
offer. From complimentary bike rentals to discount
spa prices, it’s worth knowing what the benefits are.
5. Avoid calling front desk for special requests
between 9am – 1pm. It’s their busiest time and they
won’t be able to help as easily.
6. Take a HDMI cable to attach the TV to your laptop.
The next episode of Peaky Blinders is all but a WiFi
password away.
7. Pack a power board so you can charge multiple
gadgets all at once. Check your voltage first.
ish asking for them. Don’t be. Most hotels will be
happy to accommodate. But call ahead - the day
before is best.
12. Forget something? This happens all the time and
hotels expect it. Don't dash out to the local store
for toothpaste, plug adapters or iPhone chargers,
they're all behind the front desk.
13. Ask for children’s toys. They might not advertise
it, but most hotels stock art supplies and various
toys to keep their smaller guests occupied.
14. Avoid paying for WiFi by signing up to the hotel’s
loyalty program. Many of the bigger chains offer
complimentary internet.
15. Check in advance about daily resort fees. These
are particularly common in the USA. They’re a
mandatory fee added to your nightly room rate
8. Failing that, charge your phone using the USB slot
on the back of the TV.
(to pay for the upkeep of facilities).
16. Got a young tot in tow? Take a baby-proofing kit
9. Invest in a WiFi travel router that will set up a
single hotspot for all your devices to share.
which could include a few outlet covers, table-cor-
ner covers, tape and rubber bands.
Ask for a newly renovated room. Most large hotels
are regularly upgrading so there's no harm in asking
for the one with the freshest lick of paint.
CITIZENM TOWER OF LONDON HOTEL
LONDON THE SILO
CAPE TOWN THE FOUR SEASONS SEYCHELLES
AT DESROCHES ISLAND
All the flare without the fare, stay in London (and in
luxury) for a reasonable price. All the essentials are
free, including free movies and free WiFi throughout.
The Tower of London is a mere seven minute walk
away and there are more Union Jacks than there are
bedrooms. And there’s 370 of them! Opening 1 March 2017, this upmarket hotel is built
into a former grain silo and soaks up the views of
the V&A Waterfront. It also boasts pillowed glaz-
ing. Inserted into the external panels, this gives the
appearance of gently inflated windows, and at night
will resemble a huge glowing lantern. Coconuts, reefs, champagne sand and crystal clear
water. No wonder the A-list elite flood to Desroches
Island. From 2017 The Four Seasons will add 40
beach suites and 11 private residence villas into the
mix, complete with world-class diving, snorkelling
and water sports.
H OUS E OF T R AVE L
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