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Twice each
year we complete a detailed review of
www.Hotels-near-Airports.com
and
www.HiwayGuide.com
By 'complete', I mean we
make a valiant effort to contact each and every hotel in the continental
United States by phone. A specific set
of questions is asked about room rates and amenities offered. The purpose of
this exercise is to accomplishes two goals: 1. assure that the information we
present to you, our web site viewer, is as accurate as possible, and 2.
establish the current trend of room offerings by the lodging industry. These
detailed canvasses currently take about 120 days for the
www.Hotels-near-Airports.com
web site and 180 days for
www.HiwayGuide.com
web site.
It has always been difficult to get
accurate information from many of these hotels. And, there are even occasions
where the responses to our questions are deliberately deceitful. Most of these
properties do try to gives us an honest assessment of their offerings and a
few even take it upon themselves to contact us when they make - or are about
to make - significant changes in their offerings.
Increasing demand for oil, especially by China and India, have
helped boost the cost of oil nearly 500%. Airplanes use the stuff and the
costs to the airlines has risen dramatically, Not only have the
airlines had to find a myriad of ways to increas their revenue (from you)
but they have cut back on seats, flights and even destinations. Once, flying
could be a pleasure. Now it is a grind but, unfortunately, still a necessity
for many.
Room rates this summer of 08 were
frequently higher than what they had been in recent years. Hotels near
airports that depend upon air travelers, however, have had to decrease their
rates. In fact, many have closed because business is insufficient to
maintain them. As the percentage of room occupancies increases (due to these
closings) we will probably see higher rates.
If you encounter a hotel which is either completely booked or, for
some reason, is not currently accepting on-line reservations, just telephone
our reservations center. The 24/7 (toll-free) number is 1-888-254-0637. To
get the discounted rates, use promo code 5143.
(International callers use 01-210-507-5997)
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continued from column 1
We have also unveiled some trends in
the industry that affect you.
1. Fitness
facilities are still the norm among hotels rather then just appearing in
a few. This is a reflection on the current American desire to improve physical
health and wellbeing.
2.
'Wideband' Internet connections
have seen a huge increase in the number of hotels offering these services.
Many of these offerings are 'wireless' which requires a minimum installation
investment (running cables in a preexisting structure is very, very expensive
as well as disrupting to the guests). Frequently, the 'wideband' offering is
free to the hotel guest. Sometimes it is free only if the guest
opts for a more expensive room. They should tell you on the reservations page.
Many also state on the overview page which does not require you to be making
a reservation. In any case, it you are not satisfied with the offered
arrangement, kill the reservation and check out the other hotels. Let your
mouse get you the right deal at the right price.
3. Free
Breakfasts are very common in the economy and mid-range
hotels. There is a wide variance in what these hotels consider as 'breakfast'.
At the bottom end, breakfast is coffee and doughnuts or bagels. At the deluxe
end, breakfast is a full, cooked-to your-order meal. The latter offering is
usually cited in the hotel's overview page; the former is rarely ever
mentioned.
4. Inside
Swimming Pools have become more common. Several of the hotels' managers we have
queried have expressed the opinion that, as people have become more conscious
of the dangers of laying in the sun, there has been a simultaneous upswing is
the quest for inside swimming pools.
5. The Travelers
Reviews link, which you'll find on the overview pages, is even more
important now than ever before. The line will also tell you how many reviews
have been entered by previous guests of that hotel. Click on the Travelers
Reviews link to read these reviews. (You'll find it near the top of the hotel
'Overview' page in a special data block in which the hotel name, address,
price range and, usually, photograph are displayed.) |
