Hell’s Hilton

The stench of cigarettes fills the room, moist and soiled sheets hug the sunken bed and and a a combination of mould, pubic hair and toilet paper decorate the bathroom…

We’ve all experienced holiday accommodation from hell. From the moment you open the door you just know you’re not up for a good night’s rest. It’s not that bad, right? You’re hardly going to be there anyway…

Dirty, old and cramped motel, hotel and hostel rooms are in abundance across the globe. You never really know what to expect when making a booking. We can only hope that the picture is legitimate.

So what’s the trick? How do you avoid dodgy accommodation?

Star rating

The age old gold star rating will assist in avoiding bed-bug boudoirs. There is generally a unique star rating system within every country. In Australia accommodation is measured by AAA Tourisms’  FIVE STAR scheme. They rate and review accommodation by measuring it against three factors:

1. Facilities & Services
2. Cleanliness
3. Quality & Condition

This measurement scheme assists travellers in selecting quality accommodation.

Testimonials

Before deciding on your accommodation it is always wise to do a quick search online to read some reviews on your top picks.. By doing this you’ll be able to see what others have said about their facilities, service etc. Trip Advisor is one of the most popular amongst travellers.

Call the accommodation service desk

Often traveller’s book accommodation via online accommodation deals sites. We no longer purchases direct as aggregator sites provide all the options often at reduced rates.

Before making your booking it is recommended that you call the accommodation service desk direct. Simply ask if they can explain the facilities available to you while staying. Based on the service you receive from the phone conversations you can determine if this is a place that will meet your expectations

Consider the above points to ensure you’re not making a blind booking. Not all of us have the budget to stay at five star hotels all the time, but it is possible to select a quality facility for a price that works for you.