by Lydona Atchley

Created on: August 14, 2008   Last Updated: January 21, 2012

My husband and I travel a great deal and have to stay for months at a time with his job. When looking for a hotel for more then a couple of days there are many things to be examined and weighed, to be able to be comfortable there.

 You will need to know if they have weekly or monthly rates, many do, but some of the larger chains do not. You need to know, what amenities they offer, do they have microwaves,iceboxes, hair dryers, coffee makers, etc. in the rooms. will they clean everyday.

Can they adjust their housekeeping to meet your needs? My husband works nights and sleeps days, so we have to have a hotel that will clean our room after 2 pm. Do they have unlimited internet access?  Do they offer special programs or breakfast deals with the room that will save you mone?. Do they offer coupons to local eating places for extended stays?

 Do they have a problem with some staying in the room during the housekeeping time?  Are they handicapped ready? Can they help you acquire things you need? Will they work with you to make your stay enjoyable? Talk with them and see how they respond to you on a one on one level everyday.

There are many hotels where the staff is friendly at the start but after a week or so they are not as friendly. They would rather have different guest in. Make sure the staff knows that you are there for an extended period of time. There is no excuse for a staff member not to know that the guest is there for awhile.

When we have to be at a hotel for more then three days, we let everyone working there know that we are there for a longer period of time. We tell them what we need to be comfortable, we try to keep the lines of communication open and always be friendly to staff.

Ask and make sure if they offer laundry service. Some hotels also have a errand service , if you ask , some will run to the stores for you and do your shopping pick up your meals as long as you pay them a little extra. This is good for handicapped and elderly that may have an emergency or do not like getting out late at night.

Always get the rate in writing and a receipt weekly, when you are ready to check in ask that  upon the end of your stay  will they give you a complete read out of the charges and taxes, for your records, I do this everytime and it helps at tax time.

Make sure it is okay to to bring pillows and blankets from home. Call ahead and find the hotel that will work with you and give you the best rate. Never just go in blind and think that because it is a large chain that they are going to oblige.  I found out the hard way, you get less sometimes from them, than smaller hotels.

Once you find a hotel, or chain that will work with you, always try to stay in the same no matter where you go, and always fill out the questioner they have for you at check out, it helps make the hotel stays better.  It also helps to keep the room up and be friendly.

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