Travel Tips

To get the most out of your holiday, preparation is the key whether you are travelling abroad or around the UK. When you have decided what you want you want from your holiday, the next step is find a location and accommodation that will meet your needs. If you are looking for a romantic weekend getaway for example, a hotel in central Blackpool at the height of summer may not provide the scene you are seeking!

It may be advisable to avoid public holidays if you can as these are the times when travel and accommodation are at their busiest and most expensive. You should also research your chosen area to ensure that your visit does not clash with any other local events that you are not thinking of attending, as this may also make the area busier and accommodation expensive. Your research will also reveal any local attractions and events that might be of particular interest to you.

If you do not intend to stray far from the hotel or cottage, ensure that your accommodation meets your requirements and has all the provisions you need to tuck yourself away.

Once you have planned and booked, all you need to do is get ready to relax!

Self-Catering

A self-catered holiday can be much cheaper than a hotel or other catered facilities, and allows greater flexibility with your time. There is much more freedom to explore, as you don't have to be at your accommodation at a certain time to eat.

A disadvantage of this is inevitably is that you either have to bothered to cook on your holiday, or you need to have taken into the cost of eating out on top of your holiday expenses.

With a self-catering apartment or cottage, you will generally get more privacy. The only people to access your accommodation will be you, unless you have made a special request or it is stated otherwise when you book. There will be no maid entering your room, and unless you are in a self-catering holiday complex you will not be exposed to other holidaymakers on your doorstep.

However, isolation is only beneficial if everything is running smoothly. If, for example, you are in a self-catered cottage in a rural area of Scotland and bad weather causes a fault in the property, will there be nearby assistance?

Some important questions to ask should cover the number of bedrooms and style or size of available beds. Beds are not always in separate bedrooms. You may find that the sofa becomes a bed, and so you had better make sure that someone is happy sleeping in what is usually a communal area.

If you intend to explore the area or do some shopping on your break, find out how close you are to any local shops, restaurants, or places of attraction. Holidaying with the family? Ask what the facilities for children are like.

Hotels

Hotels can be a convenient way to stay on holiday. This particularly true of the UK, as the standardisation of the hotel ratings system means that you generally know to expect from your chosen hotel, and this helps to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Hotel accommodation aims to provide everything you need under one roof, ranging from basic living requirements to luxurious décor with service and facilities well beyond the boundaries of normal expectation. You can expect someone to always be on call should any problems arise, and any mess you make is cleaned up for you by the maids.

Obviously, the standard of the hotel facilities and service is reflected in the cost. Therefore if you want to be waited on hand and foot in the finest surroundings you can expect to pay the price. A cheaper hotel with poorer facilities may prove less value for money than self-catered or bed and breakfast accommodation, especially as you will have to pay for your food at the restaurant on top of the price of the room.

Hotels are not considered the most child-friendly places for a holiday, particularly if you are aiming for the top end of scale. If your beak is city based, hotels are likely to be quite central to the area which will make it easier to find. This is especially useful if you are arriving by public transport.

Some important questions may concern their ratings and customer service record. If you do not know their rating, or they have not volunteered themselves for the rating system is may be worth asking some questions of the hotel itself and of people who have visited to find out. By using internet search engines you may be able to find a forum or webpage with a review of the hotel.

You might like to ask them when the hotel or rooms were last renovated. This will indicate the wear and tear of the room as well as its modernity. Does the room contain the features or facilities that you need? Think about what you want from your room in regards to how long you will be staying.

Is the hotel located in a safe area of the town or city? City hotels are often centrally located; does this put you at risk or mugging or pickpockets? It will also be worth asking if there are currently any developments being built in the area during your stay, as well as whether they have taken any large group bookings that could disturb your stay.

Aside from these usually unforeseeable circumstances, don't forget to review the hotel's policies and ensure that you can concur with them. For example: no smoking in the hotel. What about your special requirements; can the hotel meet them?

Look carefully at what hotels in your chosen location are offering. Could it work out more cost effective to use a more expensive hotel than a cheaper option? Higher priced hotels may offer some meals included in the price, and provide free coffee with morning newspapers. If the hotel has a pool or other fitness and health facilities, that could save you spending money on other entertainment.

It is always worth contacting them and telling them that you are calling around and looking for the best rates available.

Reservations - Once you have decided on your hotel and are making your reservation, ensure you confirm and record all the relevant details. Get confirmation of the quoted rate and write down the name of the person you have spoken to. Make sure you are definite on the type of room you have booked and the check in/out times.

When checking in at the hotel, take along any confirmation information you have been sent or have written down in case there are any discrepancies and ensure that you are aware of any extra charges that may incurred by the end of your stay for drinks etc.

Hotels reserve the right to cancel reservations that are not guaranteed. If you get delayed, contact the hotel and let them know.

Problems - If you arrive at the hotel with a reservation and find that there is no room available due to overbooking or another reason, there are a number of options to pursue:

• If they are a chain hotel, see if they have nearby hotels with vacancies for you.
• Get them to call competing hotels to find you a room. If the cost is greater, ask them to pay the difference.
• If the room is unavailable through the hotel's fault and not yours, ask for compensation and keep receipts of undue costs incurred.

Bed and Breakfast

Bed and breakfast accommodation differs from hotels in several ways. At a B&B, there isn't necessarily a front desk, and you won't always find someone available on-site. Breakfast is included in the cost of the room.

B&Bs are usually more like houses than hotels, and are indeed often renovated houses. The décor, welcome and ambience are much more homely and can feel friendlier and more intimate than a hotel.

It is important to note however, that bed and breakfasts are not always the most modern of developments and as such are not disabled-access friendly. Find out beforehand what space is available.

Bed and breakfasts are often located in quite residential areas so make sure you get clear directions. It is worth finding out your positioning it relation to local attractions also.