hotels articles

Many families, couples and singles hit the road every year for vacation. Many look forward to spending quality time with family and friends, while others simply want to get away and unwind from the every day stresses. Some are looking for peace and quiet, while others are seeking adventure and daring.

Most will just get away for a weekend or for an entire week or two. A smaller handful will take a month or two away from it all. Whatever the vacation, most people want to make the most out of their time away from home.

When you search for lodging accommodations, what are you looking for? Luxury? Budget? Family Friendly? Rustic?

In many cases, people will search for a hotel or motel for their stay. Hotels and motels have their advantages and disadvantages. When you stay at a hotel or motel, privacy might be somewhat limited. Usually, you’ll have other people staying within close proximity to your room. In some cases, that might not matter if you are simply using it for a place to sleep. If there are loud visitors in rooms close by, a good nights sleep is not always possible.

Some advantages might be: a room with a view, swimming pools, spas, restaurants and room service. Some even offer day care!

BUT what if you are looking for a little privacy during your stay?

Lets talk about Vacation Rental Homes.

Many people are turning to vacation rental homes, these days. Often, the cost of renting a private vacation home is very close or the same cost as renting a room at a hotel or motel. In Michigan, for example, rental homes can range on an average from $80 per night to $200 per night. In some cases rates can run $300 per night or more for luxury homes.

Many rentals offer weekly rentals only, while others will rent on a nightly, weekend or on a monthly basis. Some owners will offer discounts for longer term stays.

There are several advantages to renting a private vacation home.

Privacy

First, there is usually a lot more privacy! That will vary, depending on location and closeness of neighbors. For example, a home on an all sports lake with close homes won’t be as private as a secluded retreat out in the middle of some wooded acreage. Some homes might offer quiet settings on a private fishing lake, while others will offer swimming and boating on an all sports lake. In some cases, you may be able to rent a home on acreage for some extra privacy or for hunting and fishing purposes.

Usually, renting a private home can offer you more space to enjoy. This usually includes: private bedrooms, living room, full or partial kitchens, full or partial bathrooms with showers and tubs and a private lot or acreage setting. In some cases there will be a garage available for car storage during your visit.

Unique Experience/Settings

Each vacation home will be unique. Some will offer luxury accommodations, while others may be rustic or offer mid range comfort.

The great thing about shopping for a vacation rental for your stay is, that you can browse through several possibilities that can fit your needs and budget. Different rentals will offer different settings and experiences, depending on what type of vacation you are looking for. Rentals will range from private homes to cabins and sometimes, private condo units.

If you are looking for boating and water skiing, you can browse though lists of homes and cottages offering those types of amenities. You can often look at several pictures and find out more about the lakes that these homes are on, before you make a choice. Some may even offer boat rentals or free use of a boat already at the rental unit.

If you are looking for a ski resorts or homes near ski hills, you can look and various homes and locations online or in magazines. This is the same for homes and cottages on acreage or lakefront.

Locations

Another major advantage to renting a vacation home is that sometimes you can find accommodations in a desired location where there are no hotels or motels available. For example, maybe you want to visit some relatives up north, but you don’t want to stay at their house. What better way to enjoy your visit, than to rent a vacation home nearby?

Also, vacation rentals are available all over the world! You can find vacation homes in just about any country and often at great prices. I’ve had people stay at our Michigan Vacation Rental USA from as far away as England!

Price

Often, you can find advantages on the rates for a private house rental. Many hotels/motels can charge anywhere from $45 to $300 or more per night for your stay. For a budget hotel, you often get what you pay for. Some budget hotels don’t offer the best experience for your dollar.

Here in Michigan you can rent a clean and comfortable vacation home for as little as $80 to $130 per night. Of course, that amount will vary per rental.

Another thing to take into consideration about renting a vacation home and price, is that in a home you are usually able to cook your own meals in a kitchen. Therefore you can save on the cost of going out to eat for your meals. For a family on a budget, that can save a lot of money and offset the cost of what type of accommodation they can afford.

Cape Cod has a wide variety of lodging options to suit the requirements of every vacationer. From luxury resorts to camping; from chocolates on your pillow to walking to the bathroom facilities - you can select the level of service and cost that you desire - and most importantly - that fits your wallet!

There over 375 places to choose from to stay at on Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Hotels and motels account for about a half of this number, with bed and breakfasts making up about 35%. We found 23 campgrounds and there are also quite a few luxury resorts. The rates varied as widely as the variety of accommodations. And, of course, you can expect to pay top dollar during “high season” in July and August. Since more and more people travel in the late spring and early fall these days, we have noticed that rates have for those times are not as low as they used to be, but they are still quite a bit cheaper than prime summer time.

The traditional standard Cape Cod hotel is widely sought after lodging for families wanting a reasonably priced vacation place to stay. You can expect your accommodations to include a reasonably sized room with one or two beds, private bathroom, television and telephone. Amenities may include complimentary breakfast, a pool, internet access and/or a restaurant on site. Generally speaking, the more amenities and the closer to the waterfront, the higher the cost. Most rooms will accommodate 4-6 people, with at least one person being 18 or over and owning a credit card. With costs ranging from $60 to $400 in the summer and $45 to $200 during off-peak times, there is something affordable for every budget.

Some people like the anonymity of staying at a Cape Cod hotel, but for others, a more intimate and quaint setting represents the perfect vacation. There are over 140 Bed and Breakfasts on Cape Cod and the islands that can satisfy this desire. Each has its own unique character and special history and offer the selective traveler a different kind of vacation experience than a hotel can. The first difference you will notice is price as they are almost always more expensive.

The other differences you will notice are attention to personal service, limited number of rooms available, the beautiful and unique decor of the rooms, and the delightful, homemade breakfast that is prepared for guests. Interacting with the owners is also often mentioned as one of the highlights of a stay at a B&B. On Cape Cod many B&Bs are old ship captains’ houses that have been converted. The original beauty of these old buildings has been maintained, and the furnishings and decor enhance the history and unique background of each. You can tell that the owners take a special pride in caring for their residence and caring for their guests. A stay at a Cape Cod bed & breakfast is a relaxing and delightful way to experience a bit of New England history on your vacation.

Luxury resorts on Cape Cod, though few, are everything that the upscale traveler could ask for. With tennis, golf, spas, fine restaurants, children’s programs, exceptional service, and excellent accommodations - not to mention high cost - Cape Cod resorts offer all the amenities the most discriminating person might desire. Resort prices can range up to $1,000 per night, but generally cost is not a factor to those seeking the absolute best.

Camping on the Cape also has many choices. From large campgrounds with over 450 sites to small ones with less than 80, you can find a place that suits your family. Most offer many more amenities than years ago - a few even have internet cyber booths! The cost can still add up, but is still cheaper than staying in a hotel. In “high season”, you can expect to pay anywhere from $33 to $46 per day for a tent site with water and electric service. Off-season those rates range from $18 to $34 per day. If you add extra adults, children, guests, a boat, or cable, your cost goes up even more.

Orlando is calling to you and your family to come and visit! You have been putting it off long enough, finally it is time to give into the urge to come to the sunshine state and enjoy the many attractions that Orlando has to offer! Orlando houses Disney World of course, one of the main attractions that makes you want to come. So where should you stay and how close to the huge theme park do you really want to be?

Here are a few tips in finding lodging and how far you should go to make your family vacation one that you will remember forever.

Where to stay:

* Trade in the old hotel rooms that are too cramped without enough room for you and your kids to have some breathing room. Instead, rent a villa that is so close to the park you’ll feel like you know your way around in no time.

* Only a few miles from the Disney attractions, vacation villas are perfect for families big or small, with any size villa available for the perfect lodging amount for your family!

* You think hotels are the way to go because they have pools and housekeeping? Welcome to the world of villa resorts – where you basically live in a house for your stay, have the accommodations of a hotel with housekeeping, restaurants, pools, sports activities and more. No need to fuss, and the best part is that in a villa, you have as much space as you would at home! What more could you want?

Why is it good to be close to Disney?

* You won’t be the only one frequenting the Disney attractions, everyone else visiting Orlando will be on their way to the theme park at the same time as you are. This means traffic and anxious kids in the car ready to get to their destination. The solution? Stay somewhere that is close to the Disney attractions, but still comfortable. The vacation villas will allow you to get Disney easily and quickly without having to go through as much traffic as others who will stay in hotels and motels on a tourist strip of restaurants and fast food chains.

* Disney is close to many other main roads that are essential when traveling to other parts of Florida. If you have a day planned for the beach, want to explore the Kennedy Space Center, or experience the Florida Everglades, being close to Disney World also makes you close to convenient roads that will get you where you want to go with no confusion and hassle.

* Many times, when you stay close to Disney, the deals, discounts, and special prices are a lot easier to get and are offered more frequently. When you stay at an Orlando villa, a Kissimmee villa, or a Davenport villa you can easily hope for a good deal to come your way whether it be on prices of lodging or prices of attraction tickets.

* It’s fun! Usually Disney is the main reason why you and your family want to be here, so why not treat yourself and stay close to the hot spot?! Enjoy being in a place that is close to the action so when you get home late at night, you aren’t more exhausted from the long drive, but can make it back to your villa quickly and easily.

Other tips to know when staying in a villa close to Disney World:

* Be careful of the tourist traps (and this is for anywhere you go in Orlando). Trinket shops, grocery stores, gas stations, and even restaurants can easily hike up the prices when they know you are coming to spend money on vacation. Though you cannot avoid this completely, you can be aware and not spend your money all in one place. Make sure souvenirs you buy are not just cheap look-a-likes of the real thing and avoid the many gift shops lining the strips leading up to Disney World. Be aware of your spending!

* See Disney fireworks from your villa! If you decide not to stay until the parks close to see the fireworks, you can see them from many places outside the parks. Depending on the level of your villa and the place where it is located, you can see the bight fireworks in the distance. Sometimes it is just as fun to sit and watch from a far in the comfort away from crowds as it is actually being there. Ask the information desk at the villa resort for advice on where to see the fireworks and when they usually begin.

* Ask around for short cuts! Many Floridians know shortcuts that get them around the traffic that builds up as you enter the parks, so these shortcuts do exist! Don’t be afraid to ask the informational desk at your vacation villa resort and they most likely will be able to tell you an easier way that is less traveled, but be willing to experiment and be open to having to find your own way!

* Take a day off! Just because you are staying close to Disney World doesn’t mean you have to go there everyday of your vacation. Take a couple days in between long days at the attractions to enjoy relaxing by the pool, playing sports, or hanging out in your villa. Though the kids will have a ball at the theme parks and never forget their experience, sometimes they can enjoy themselves just as much by playing in the pool for the day. Many times this relieves you of the responsibility of trying to make sure everyone has a great time.

* Take a shuttle! You may have rented a car and assume that because you are so close the theme parks, that you should drive, but many of the vacation villa resorts have a shuttle to Disney World for you. Though some days you may want more of an option to go around where you want, other days taking the shuttle allows you to be more relaxed and puts the pressure on someone else! You are close to the park and it shouldn’t take long to get there and back. Check with the driver about return times and places.

Since you are going to be visiting the Disney World theme parks so often and will be so close by for a convenient stay, make sure to use this checklist when packing for your vacation villa in Orlando, Kissimmee, or Davenport, Florida! Checklist for your Orlando villa vacation:

* Lots of sunscreen! Even when the sky gets cloudy you can get burned!

* An umbrella or ponchos for Orlando’s tendency to rain for an hour or so in the afternoons.

* Water! Bring water bottles in a bag with you to Disney or make sure to buy some there so as not to get dehydrated while walking around in the Florida sun.

* A small pad of paper or a signature book for the autographs of Disney characters.

* Snacks for when you are leaving for or returning from the theme parks to either keep with you in the car for hungry kids or in the kitchen at your villa.

* A good attitude to have a total blast in Orlando! With a villa as your “home away from home” who couldn’t have the attitude of an angel? Enjoy!

The summer is right around the corner, and thousands of Americans are planning vacations and trips. Traveling on a budget can be tricky, but it is not impossible. The key is to plan ahead, and try to the make the most out of what you have. Contact your credit card company beforehand to find out what kind of deals they have to offer. Many have rebate programs for travel expenses. If you are using a rental car, find out if your insurance covers you in case of an accident. You can save quite a bit by forgoing the car rental insurance policy.

The following is a list of tips and tricks to make your summer vacation the best ever.

1. Get a good deal on a hotel. Unless you are staying with friends or family, you will probably be in the market for a good hotel room. Normally, you can spend your entire budget on hotels and motels. I suggest trying a site like priceline.com. You can name your own price, and get some really great deals on rooms and car rentals.

2. Plan your trip out beforehand. Spend some time mapping out your trip, highlighting areas that you plan to visit. There will most likely be a few pit stops along the way. Planning ahead will help ensure that you have enough money to cover all of your activities. Don’t forget to factor in souvenirs and snacks.

3. Keep the kids entertained! Traveling with young ones can be a challenge. You want to have plenty of activities and toys to keep them occupied. Try looking at CouponChief.com for some great coupons for toys and travel gear. Don’t forget books and magazines as well. The trip will go faster, and you won’t have to field as many “are we there yet?” cries.

4. Don’t forget the tunes. Stock up on your families favorite CDs and tapes. Include a few titles for each family member to help keep the peace. Try a discount music store, or look for a coupon on an e-coupon site.

5. Be easy on the gas pedal. If you are driving, you may be concerned about the high gas prices. You can save a significant amount of your gas budget by planning ahead. Make sure that your tires are properly inflated, and that your car is in good working order. Staying at a constant speed will also help you save on your gas bill.

No mountain vacation is complete until travelers have stayed in a cabin. Most mountain lodgings consist of beautiful and historic wood cabins not unlike the ones early settlers lived in. Rest assured that though these cabins look rustic, they often have all of the modern day amenities that people look for in a lodging. There are literally over a thousand different cabin models to choose from. They vary depending on location, amenities, and size. A solitary traveler, couple, or entire family or group will be able to find a cabin to suit their needs.

Mountain cabin rentals provide a great alternative to standard hotels and motels. They can vary in size from one bedroom to over ten. A secluded one-bedroom cabin is perfect for a honeymoon or any sort of romantic vacation. A larger cabin is perfect for a family reunion, corporate retreat, road trip, or any other large group activity.

Cabins can come with all of the features of modern hotels. They can have hot tubs, cable TV, fireplaces, and other comforts. Of course, a major advantage of mountain cabin rental is the mountains themselves. Many cabins are situated within walking distance of the mountains, and have breathtaking mountain views.

Mountain cabin rentals are common in most mountain locales. The types of cabins differ from region to region. For example, colder locales have warmer cabins with fireplaces and other heating options, while cabins located in warmer climates may feature swimming pools. Many cabins are located near ski slopes, hiking trails, lakes, or other outdoor activities. One advantage of cabins is their privacy; visitors are not stuck close together as they are in hotels. Cabins can either be secluded in the mountains or clustered in small groups.

Mountain cabin rentals provide unique comfort and charm to mountain visitors. Cabins often have all of the modern features and amenities of hotels, but in a more private, rustic setting. Different cabins can accommodate groups of any size.

Nelson BC is located in the West Kootenays region of British Columbia, Canada. If you look at a map of British Columbia, the Kootenays are located in the southeast area of the province. Nelson is approximately midway between Vancouver and Calgary. If you are coming from the US, Nelson is approximately a three-hour scenic drive from Spokane, Washington (including time for the border crossing).

The city of Nelson was established on the southern shores of Kootenay Lake in the late 1800’s. Commerce originally centered around mining, forestry and trade. In the early 1980’s, the main sawmill in town closed down and the economy of the city suffered. Since then, Nelson has become more diversified, and along with forestry the area is now well known for it’s arts, culture, tourism, and outdoors opportunities.

If you are planning a visit to Nelson, there are a number of hotels and motels to choose from. The main hotels include the Prestige Inn, the Hume Hotel, the Best Western, the New Grand hotel, and the Alpine motel. If you would like to stay right downtown, your best bets are the Hume, New Grand, or Best Western. These three hotels all have their own restaurants. The Prestige Inn is located right on the shore of Kootenay Lake, if you like to be near the water. If you are traveling by RV, there is a Walmart at the main mall in town. RV’s can often be seen spending the night in the Walmart parking lot.

The main street in Nelson is called Baker Street. Here you will find a diversified assortment of stores and cafes to browse, including fine coffee houses, restaurants, outdoor outfitters, ski and snowboard stores, bike stores, gifts, arts and crafts, and bookstores. If you’re a coffee lover, a stay in Nelson wouldn’t be complete without a taste of locally made Oso Negro coffee. If biking is your thing, you’ll have to make a stop at the Sacred Ride bike shop at the west end of Baker Street. There are three major banks on Baker if you need to access cash. Looking to buy property or a house in Nelson? There are three real estate storefronts on Baker Street where you can peruse photos of Nelson and area realty.

Need some ideas of things to do in Nelson? You could spend some time down at Lakeside Park. There is a sandy beach for swimming or sun tanning, lots of grassy areas for picnics, a children’s playground, and soccer and baseball fields. There is also a heritage streetcar ride that travels between Lakeside Park and the Prestige Inn. You can go swimming indoors at the Aquatic center, which has a full pool, kids pool, sauna, steam room and hot pool. The Aquatic center is located in the newly constructed recreation center, which hosts Nelson’s new hockey arena.

Outside of Nelson, you can travel up highway 31 to Ainsworth Hot Springs (approximately 45 km north) for a day in the natural warm spring waters and caves. The hot springs are directly adjacent to a hotel and restaurant. You can also take the longest free ferry ride at Balfour (35 km north of Nelson) across Kootenay Lake to Crawford Bay. If you prefer mountain biking, park off-highway at the start of any forest road and spend a day exploring on the mountains. Wildlife you may see include deer, elk, moose, cougar and black bears. The highway turn off to the Whitewater ski hill is 10 km south of Nelson. If you park at the highway turn off, you will find the Nelson Nordic ski club cross-country ski trails. Other towns you may want to visit within an easy day’s drive include Kaslo, Ymir, Salmo, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland, and Slocan City.

Travel to Nelson continues to increase, and most of it comes through ‘word of mouth’ advertising. Some who thought they were coming for a visit ended up relocating here, saying they have never seen any other place quite like Nelson. So whether you’re looking for some relaxation, an adventure, or a chance to be revitalized, the odds are you will find it in Nelson.

Here it is almost summer again and swimming pools are one of the greatest places to meet all those hot & sexy single women in those skimpy bikinis you’ve been dreaming about. I’m going to be talking mainly about swimming pools at apartments, condos, country clubs, resorts, hotels and motels.

Here’s the techniques I used successfully to meet and pick up hot & sexy beautiful single women at the pool:

You’re going to need some very important equipment. Your appearance is also very important and you want to make a good impression upon entering the pool area. I would suggest wearing a pair of stylish swimming trunks. GQ, Playboy, and Penthouse magazines offer some good examples. Undergear Catalog offers a real good selection (call 1-800-854-2795 and request a catalog). Also, I would suggest wearing some nice thongs, sun glasses, an unusual hat, and a Hawaiian or surfer shirt. The idea is to create a refined look and not to look like a bum.

Your most important item to bring with you is your ice chest. Stock it with an assortment of liquor. I’d suggest some beer, wine, coke, and pre-made mixed drinks that come in cans you can purchase at your local liquor store. Don’t forget the plastic bar glasses! Also, bring your inflatable air mattress and an extra one if possible, and a good-sounding radio.

OK, now you’re looking the part and you’ve got all your attraction ammunition with you. Let’s take it step-by-step using these proven techniques:

You’ve entered the pool area. Make a complete circle around the pool to check out the available women. While you’re walking and you catch the eye of a female you’re attracted to, instantly remark, “Hi” or “Hello” or “It sure is a pretty day isn’t it?” If you get a response, keep walking and make a circle and come back to her.

When you return ask her, “Can I join you?” Most likely she won’t mind. Introduce yourself and offer her a drink. Turn on your radio and ask her if there’s any particular station she would like to listen to. To establish some physical contact, ask her to rub some suntan oil on your back. If you’ve played your cards right and turned on your charm and conversational skills, you should be on your way to some romance and fun in the sun.

I realize it could be expensive to just rent a room for a day, in hope of meeting women. However, it could pay off in big dividends. What you can do to cut down on expenses is to share the room with a couple of your buddies and all three of you go woman-hunting.

Hotels and motels are great places to approach the world’s easiest target for a casual affair (the woman on a business trip or vacation). She’s more relaxed and casual and she’s away from the prying eyes of family, friends, and neighbors. She will let her hair down and she doesn’t have to worry about her reputation or what people think, being that she’s away from home.

The best places to approach women are at the pool, club, or restaurant.

In conclusion, I might add that if you don’t want to rent a room, you can still meet single women at hotels and motels. The clubs are open to the public, so it’s free game in there and it’s a good place to hang out and meet out-of- towners. Also, you can drive to a hotel or motel in your bathing suit and hang around the pool and strike up a conversation with all those women. Be sure and bring a change of clothes with you in case you want to go somewhere afterwards.

Just south of Palm Beach and less than an hour’s drive north of Miami, Florida, you will find the resort city of Delray Beach, Florida, with it’s over two miles of clean well maintained sandy beaches, historic downtown shopping area, beautiful gardens and parks, world class tennis center, golf courses and it’s large variety of hotels and motels.

Looking for a place to stay? Try the Breakers-On-The-Ocean, (561) 278-4501, with it’s picture perfect beach setting and it’s 200 feet of private beach, complimentary beach cabanas, putting green, ocean front suites and ocean view apartments, the recently renovated and restored Colony Hotel And Cabana Club, (800) 552-2363, with it’s 70 guestrooms, all with vinage tropical furniture, fabrics and colors, hardwood floors, unique appointments and Florida works of art, personal air conditioning and operable windows or the Delray Beach Marriott, (561) 274-3200, with it’s soft sandy beach, heated pool, on site spa and fitness center, rooms with private balconys and it’s Marriott service. If you don’t like these hotels there are numerous others to choose from.

Feel like some golf? Check out the Delray Beach Golf Club, (561) 243-7380, a 1923 Donald Ross Design located off of Atlantic Avenue just three miles west of the historic Downtown Delray Beach area. This jewel is a meticulously manicured championship track, and features 6,907 yards and a par-72 or the Lakeview Golf Club, (561) 498-3229, a 3,006 yard, par 60 executive golf course, built in 1972. There are also over 100 other golf courses surrounding the Delray Beach area.

Spend your days, sunning, swimming and playing on the two miles of, clean well maintained, beach. Go scuba diving or snorkeling in the clear warm Atlantic waters. Cruise the calm protected waters of the Intercoastal Waterway. Visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, (561) 495-0233, with it’s two museum buildings which house 5,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, including a 500-piece collection of tea ceremony items, more than 200 textile pieces and recent fine art acquisitions, and it’s 200 acres of expansive Japanese gardens with strolling paths, resting areas, tropical bonsai collection, small lakes teeming with koi and other wildlife, nature trails, pine forests and park and picnic areas. Visit the American Orchid Society, (561) 404-2000, a botanical paradise with thousands of orchids on it’s 3.5 acres of themed gardens and a magnificent display greenhouse. Play tennis at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, 561-243-7360, with it’s 14 clay courts and 7 hard courts, an upstairs pavilion and conference room, and a pro shop with a locker room, racquet stringing and merchandise. Go shopping in downtown Delray Beach, with it’s brick sidewalks, historic architecture, antique shoppes, gift shoppes, boutiques, art galleries and more.

If you want more to do, take a scenic drive down to Miami, stop in Fort Lauderdale on the way, or go up to Palm Beach and go shopping on Worth Avenue. Take a tour of the everglades or go sport fishing. There are enough activities in or near Delray Beach to keep you occupied for a day, a week, a month or even longer.

I just returned from a four-day vacation in the San Diego area, where I stayed at a well-known inn. However, the consumer alert from this experience could apply to any U.S. destination, and to any establishment in the hospitality industry. It isn’t my intent to single out San Diego, which is a lovely town for vacations, with many attractions in the area to visit. These include Mission Bay, Seaport Village, Star of India, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park in nearby Escondido, shopping malls, and much more.

Since I had arrived at about 3 p.m., I was able to check in at the inn, and make several trips in the elevator up to the fourth floor, with my mismatched, clunky luggage. I even had time to unpack and freshen up, before finding my way to an evening business reception 3 miles away. However, I know now what I didn’t know before — anyone can walk into a hotel that has inside corridors, and get all the way to the top floor without being challenged!

By the time I left at 5:15 p.m., two flyers had been pushed through the door to my room. I put the flyers on the table, and left a light on. When I returned to my room, I read the flyers. Both were from pizza delivery services, and had I not already eaten, I would have been tempted to order from one or the other. The prices seemed reasonable.

Next evening, when I returned to my room from the day’s meetings, two more flyers had been pushed through the door. On the third day, I was back in my room early enough to actually be there, when one of them came through. The person seemed flustered that my security locks were on, and had trouble finding space to shove the flyer through. At first, I thought someone was trying to get inside.

Because I was nervous, I decided to check the Guest Services Directory to verify how to summon help. Obviously, I had checked to see where the Fire Exits were — upon arrival — but I hadn’t bothered to open the directory. (I’d been to this area numerous times before, and stayed at a variety of hotels and motels.) What did I find in the directory but a Consumer Alert on a small laminated card, tucked inside the front pocket. It was underneath a laminated menu from a local restaurant.

To paraphrase here, but to retain the meaning of the verbiage, the alert read as follows: Many pizza delivery companies are putting unauthorized flyers underneath our room doors. Please do not contact any of these companies. Instead, contact the Front Desk at extension “0” for recommended quality restaurants.

This alert should have been displayed prominently in the room, not tucked away where guests were not going to find it. Few guests look in the directory when they are frequent visitors to an area. Perhaps these vendors are harmless people, trying to make a living; perhaps they are not. The fact is they should not have been walking around inside the building.

It did not make me feel safe, knowing that unauthorized persons could so easily get into the inn during evening and night hours, and probably during the day. Worse, they could, and did, get all the way up to the fourth floor, and probably higher. The two additional safety locks, in addition to the lock and the deadbolt on the door, now made sense.

Will I stay at this establishment again? No, I will not. It was enough that the room was very noisy at night, being too close to the freeway on that side. No wonder their online discount was such a good deal.

The lack of security, as evidenced by the pizza flyers, was the last straw. If their hidden consumer alert had been a sincere attempt to protect their guests, it would have been displayed openly. In addition, hotel security should have been walking the halls to foil unwelcome visitors. In a nutshell, fellow travelers, we now have something new to worry about, when making reservations. So, please stay alert, and stay well!