Questions to Ask When Choosing Motel Accommodations
When you're ready to make a reservation at a hotel or motel whether in person or online, you want to ensure that you find the right room that will work for you and that offers all the features that will make your stay more enjoyable. You also want to ensure that you don't have any expectations about your room or the facility; if you don't travel often, you may simply assume that all motels and hotels are the same and don't realize the many different features they may or may not offer. Note a few questions to consider and ensure you know before making your reservation.
1. Is cooking allowed in the room?
Don't assume that if a motel accommodation comes with a microwave and coffeepot that you are allowed to plug in a hotplate and do any of your own cooking. Very often there are restrictions on this type of thing unless the room has a kitchenette, and even then you may not be allowed to use your own hotplate or other cooking devices. If you want to bring a tea kettle or anything else for your own cooking, always ask if it's allowed and don't assume that you can make your own decision about this. Otherwise, you might face eviction from the motel and even costs for smoke cleanup and any damage your cooking might cause to countertops.
2. Are pets allowed?
If you haven't traveled in years then you may assume that no motel will allow pets but this isn't always the case. Before you put your pet in a boarding facility or ask someone to watch it while you travel, check for motels that offer accommodations for dogs and cats. There may be restrictions on where they're allowed in a motel, but even if you need to keep your pet in your room or are provided a small dog walking area in the courtyard, it can be a good choice for those who don't want to leave their animal at home.
3. Is there shuttle service?
When visiting a city to see certain tourist attractions or even visit very large and well-known businesses, you may want to ask about a shuttle service. Very often certain motels will have shuttle services from airports to their facility, but may also arrange them to certain museums and natural parks, or even large businesses that often hosts visitors from out of town. Don't get a taxi for any location before you ask about a shuttle service from the hotel or motel of your choice.