Choosing Your Hotel Room

The perfect hotel experience (or lack of it) can make (or break) the perfect vacation. So when you make your room reservations, think carefully about what is most important to you. Here are some things to consider:

• Light sleepers and anyone requiring real peace and quiet should request rooms far from elevator banks, the front door, the kitchen, or central air conditioning and exhaust fans.
• Be specific about what view you want (and if the hotel describes your room as having a "partial view" of the ocean make sure that it doesn't mean you'll see a glimpse of blue water only if you stick your head out the window to the left).
• "Historic charm" can mean different things to different people; if you are expecting antiques in the bedroom but brand new fixtures in the bathroom, make sure that that is what you'll find when you arrive.
• "Star" and "Diamond" ratings are often based on the availability of services like cable tv and 24-hour room service, so if high-thread count sheets mean more to you, make sure you ask about them.

Sometimes, you can get the best room the hotel has available just by asking for it! So when you arrive, don't be shy about asking for a free upgrade.