Plan your vacation well in advance, especially if you want to revisit favorite places and stay in the same accommodation. Many bed and breakfasts can book 6 months to 1 year in advance so your plans are assured. Newcomers to B&B holidays can surf the net in the winter to plan a wonderful summer itinerary. Use the internet to book early and avoid disappointment, and remember – many B&B’s are open year around!
Hotel prices in Thailand may vary considerable between online sites. Therefor it’s recommended to compare multiple booking sites before choosing the right deal. Our preferred place to find cheap hotels in Thailand is LowCostHotels.com which compares many providers and surfaces the best deals. The site rates many types of accommodations like hotels, motels, hostels, B&B and so on and rates them by various vectors to find great bargains.
When you’re ready to book a cheap hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Patong, Pattaya, or Phuket, just jump to LowCostHotels to find your deal. By our experience it’s not rare to find there cheaper rates than in TripAdvisor or Trivago. You can also try to query Booking.com directly for hotels in Bangkok, but why not compare when it’s so easy as 1-2-3?
The secret to a great time at a bed and breakfast inn is matching the inn’s personality to yours. If you are a late riser (or at least want to be on vacation), ask if the inn has flexible breakfast times. If you like privacy, ask if the meals are at a common or individual tables. Always ask if the bath is private or shared. Inns are as different as their owners, and information is the key to finding the best inn for you.
The best tip is to use the net when securing any travel reservation, from airplane fares, lodging, and all stops in between. In comparison to the conventional method, ie. travel agents, telephoning, the dollars saved are monumental.
Keep a Trip Check List which includes things you want to be sure to take care of before your departure. It might include such things as putting a “hold” on your mail and newspapers, turning your hot water heater to the lowest setting, unplugging your computer, watering all plants, connecting a timer to turn on lamps, making sure all appliances such as irons and coffee makers are turned off, setting security system, notifying a neighbor that you will be away. Check these items off as you take care of them and enjoy your trip knowing you haven’t left necessary tasks undone!
For tips on packing list read here
When calling to make a reservation at a B and B, ask your host or hostess to tell you what makes their accommodations unique. Perhaps it’s their gourmet breakfasts, or their close proximity to local attractions. They may be famous for their mystery weekends, or because they serve high tea when guests arrive. They’ll be glad to share their claims to fame with you, and you can decide if this sounds like “your kind of place.” If it is, now’s a good time to share with him/her any special needs you have so everything will be ready just for you.
Those of you that plan on staying at a B&B need to look for B&B’s in the country, because you will learn so many things about life that you can never learn from staying in the city. You will learn about animals and farming first hand, in some cases where milk comes from and how animals can be great pets also. Most people will find the country is also very quiet and peaceful. A B&B in the country will be an experience that you will not forget!
‘Kitchenette’ can mean many different things: full kitchen, wet bar, beverage station. Depending on which type of establishment or locale you are staying in, there can be regulations which dictate what type of ‘kitchenette’ can be offered. Some have stoves, some have just microwaves; some have utensils and dishes, some do not; some facilities are shared, some are private. When booking your reservation, make sure you know what is available for your use. You can save money by preparing your own meals, but know what facilities you have before packing for a pleasurable travel experience.
When you call a B&B remember to ask them:
- How big the room is – many Victorian houses have small rooms
- If the bath is ‘down the hall’ – how long is the hall?
- What time is breakfast? If you are on vacation, you don’t want it to be 7:30 a.m.!
Instead of choosing your vacation dates based on your favorite time of year, ask your chosen innkeeper about favorite seasonal pluses at that location. For example, most people go to San Juan Island, Washington, in July, August, or September. Often this time of year, the island is brown from lack of water, overcrowded with tourists, and the Orca whales rarely come around. In May, the Orcas are active, and the island is green and not overcrowded.
While making a reservation with your bed and breakfast innkeeper, note that he/she can also act as your personal concierge by booking reservations to your favourite show or restaurant, even sometimes when there are no reservations available.
How do you select a great B&B? Ask what they served for breakfast this morning. Was it buffet or sit down? Can you walk to shops? Do they use hotel quality mattresses? (If yes, say no!) Does the innkeeper live on the premises? (If no, say no – or you’ll be staying at a ‘hotel by another name’.)
Avoid a hassle and surprises. Check with the local Better Business Bureau first, to see if the establishment at which you want to make reservations has had any problems with clients in the past.
Many B&B’s, ourselves included, are more than happy to accommodate special diets. Just give your hosts a call and explain your dietary needs. If you give them at least 48 hours notice you’ll have the most success in having your special meal. Bon Apetit!
Safety Tips for Staying in Hotels
Fire Precautions
- Always know where the nearest Fire Exit is located. It is worth the time to pop out of your room, and check where the exit doors are.
- Always know, and ask, if rooms are equipped with Smoke Detectors, and Sprinklers
- Conduct a spot check on any fire exit door, to ensure it is not locked from the inside, or blocked by furniture/rubble. This is a common occurrence even in five star hotels. If you discover the fire exit door is obstructed in any way immediately contact the General Manager, or Duty Manager
In-Room Security
- Never leave valuables lying around. Use the in-room safe.
- When in your room double lock the door.
- At the reception, do not announce your room number aloud.
- Check that any balconies are high enough to ensure the safety of any children. Similarly windows should be firmly secured so that little fingers cannot open them.
- In the unfamiliar territory of a hotel room, there may be many sharp corners, breakables or electrical points which could pose a danger to children. Do check the room thoroughly to prevent any accidents.
Poolside Safety
- At the swimming pool, ensure the hotel has a life-guard on duty.
- Do not drink from a glass at the pool or beach. Insist the Management change to plastic/non-splinter cups.
- Never leave your child unattended at the pool — even when there is a life-guard on duty.
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