Room with a View

Whether it’s the silhouette of a city skyline or the glow of tropical sunset the room is without question the most important aspect of any hotel stay. Depending on size, amenities and of course the view daily room rates can vary drastically. So how do you get that oceanfront room without paying the equivalent of college tuition?

The first step begins with making the reservation. Booking through third parties such as tour companies or discount travel sites can sometimes hurt your chance of an upgrade. These entities many times have pre-reserved blocks of rooms set aside in certain floors or sections making it difficult to grant room move requests or upgrades. Instead always book directly with the hotel. Also make sure to join any loyalty or rewards program the brand offers. These programs are almost always free and make the impression you will be a return guest even if you never have any intention of a repeat visit.

When your plan your trip can also have a dramatic effect on the possibilities for an upgrade. Avoid making reservations during weekends and peak travel periods to increase your chances. The lower hotel occupancy is the more aggressively the hotel staff will honor or grant upgrades.

Always check in late. As inconvenient as this sounds it is possibly the best way to ensure an upgrade. As time goes on in the day the chances of the hotel selling out vacant high end rooms greatly diminishes. Front desk staff will routinely start upgrading check-ins that arrive after 2-3 hours of the posted check-in time.

If you still did not end up in the room of your dreams all is not lost. Return to the front desk in person and explain that you are not happy with the room. Politely request to be relocated at their nearest convenience and give a reason if requested. Reasons that will generally get a guest relocated include proximity to the elevator, an unpleasant odor in the room and noise from an adjoining room or hallway.

Finally always try to make your interactions with hotel staff as cordial and friendly as possible. The hotel is officially under no obligation to give you complementary upgrade. Staff who work in high pressure customer service jobs are extremely appreciative of customers who treat them with respect and are way more likely to reciprocate.. A smile can sometimes be worth more then a hundred complaints.

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