Visitors from specific countries are permitted to travel to the United States for a period of up to 90 days (for business or pleasure travel) without having to get a Visa.  There are specific requirements for countries to get on the waiver list, including security requirements, and the countries are generally considered developed economies.  Individuals from visa waiver countries must apply for travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, and meet a variety of additional requirements.

There are currently 35 Visa Waiver Countries:

Europe:  Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Asia:  Brunei, Japan, Singapore, South Korea

Oceania:  Australia, New Zealand

US visitors to those countries also are not required to have a visa, as part of reciprocity agreements, although Australia does require visitors to file an Electronic Travel Authority.

Visitors to the US can learn more about the Visa Waiver Program, its applicability and requirements from the Department of State.  Likewise, US residents wishing to travel abroad should also check regarding visa requirements for countries not on the wavier list.

Photo credit:  SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

A.  It may seem like I’m always traveling, but really, I have quite a few days off at home every month!

But, to get to your question, keeping in touch with people is important to me, whether I’m traveling and keeping in touch with people back home, or if I’m at home and keeping in touch with friends that I’ve made while traveling.  Since I’ve become a bit of a geek, most of my keeping in touch involved technology of one sort or another, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time I sent a postcard or an actual letter.

Phone:  At home I have a VoIP service, which saves a lot on phone bills.  I also have an iPhone, and use my minutes freely.  When I’m in the car, stuck at an airport, or otherwise have fee time, I’ll pick up the phone and call someone.  Nothing beats the occasional pang of homesickness like a call back home.  And when I’m lying on a beach somewhere, basking in the sun, it’s also a bit of a treat to talk to someone back home in rainy Seattle.  If you travel a lot, spring for a phone plan with a decent amount of minutes so that you can keep in touch.

Email:  This is probably my primary means of communication, because it doesn’t involve coordinating schedules or time zones to make a connection.  While some may see email as impersonal, it’s often the best means to catch up with me.  It’s also a perfect way to share photos and say “wish you were here with me” or “hey, I’m lying on a tropical beach where it’s sunny and I hear it’s still raining back in Seattle.”   Since I always travel with a laptop and my phone, it’s easy to get a message to the people I care about.

Skype:  This is my primary IM service, and I use it daily.  I have a couple of Skype chat groups that I belong to, and popping in from the road helps me continue to feel a part of what’s going on.  I recently downloaded the Skype app to my phone, and gave it a try earlier this week.  I had a bit of a trauma going on, and joining in the group chat was a way to keep me focused on what I could control rather than what I could not.  Skype is also great for international calls that can typically rack up big charges.  Calling computer-to-computer is FREE, and calling land lines or cell phones has very cheap rates.

Text Messaging:  I’m not a big texter, nor is my circle of friends.  We’re far more likely to just send an email or pick up the phone and call.

Twitter:  I generally don’t Twitter when I’m traveling, and this is for a variety of security reasons.  Like not alerting all my followers that I’m not at home.  I will occasionally live tweet an event, but found that I’m far more active on Twitter when I’m at home.

Facebook:  While traveling in Europe earlier this summer, I posted photos and updates on Facebook.  Since I get to approve who sees the information, I was comfortable sharing where I was and what I was doing.  I tried to update with photos every day or so.  Some people asked if it was a hassle doing all of while on vacation.  Not at all!  It was fun for me to load the photos onto my laptop, take a look at them, and choose which ones to share.  I had a great time with it.

I rarely feel like I’m cut off from the rest of the world.  How about you?  What tools do you use for keeping in touch while on the road.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Consumer Traveler – Chris Elliott shares good advice about dealing with a bankrupt, or soon-to-be bankrupt, airline.  Ignore this advice at your peril.

Ciao Amalfi – Taking the boat from Salerno to Amalfi.  Just a little slice of heaven.

London Bridge

Travel Blog Camp – Registration for this travel blogger meet up opens. . . and closes.  If you’ll be in London next month, it may still be worth getting on the waiting list.  I’ll be there, so let me know if you will too!

Almost Fearless – Commonsense tips for travel safety.  Don’t let fear run your life.

PlanetEye Traveler – Green Travel – Green travel iPhone apps.  And you know how I love my iPhone apps!

EyeFlare – A couple travel organizers for your consideration.  These are such personal things, and I think it’s best to look and compare several before making a decision.

Travel & Leisure Blog – It will cost you more to sit next to your traveling companion with these new reservation fees from British Airlines.

IB Traveler – Places to experience French culture, even if you’re not in France.  Good list, but I still want to go back to Paris.

Gadling – Don’t mess with my free wi-fi access.  Could mooching it soon become a thing of the past.

Intelligent Traveler – Ken Burns talks about his new PBS mini-series, The National Parks:  America’s Best Idea.  I’m recording the series.

Location Independent – Tips to lighten your load when packing.  While I’m not a fan of all the choices, everyone should be able to walk away with an idea to implement.  Me?  I’m going shopping for a wireless travel router.

The Vacation Gals – Tips to deal with a fear of flying.  It’s real and it can be paralyzing, but it also can be tamed.

Travellious – All those gadgets need power, and here’s how to get it.

PlanetEye Traveler – Disney – Help your kids have a successful experience in getting Disney character autographs.  These tips will help kids of all ages.

West Seattle Blog – A local story that brought tears to my eyes about an assisted living center and the cats who live there.  If you doubt the healing powers of a pet, these stories will change your mind.

Seattle MetBlogs – Great photo of a reptilian resident of the Pike Place Market.

Photo credit: slideshow bob @flickr

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Depending on what you want out of your vacation, frenetic levels of activity, rocking night life, or peaceful sandy beaches, you’ll want to choose an island that fits your personal preferences.  While sharing the basics of beautiful sun, sand, and surf, each island has its own special ambience, so be sure to make the right match up and have a perfect vacation in paradise.

Here’s a brief rundown to help with your preliminary research.

Waikiki Beach shortly after sunrise, ©2009, Mary Jo Manzanares

Hawaii, the Big Island:  This is the largest of the islands, and also the youngest in development.  On the windward side of the island, you’ll find lush, tropical rain forests and quaint little inns, while on the leeward side of the island is lava rock beaches and big resorts.  There’s also an active volcano on the island, Kilauea.  The Big Island has lots of off-the-beaten-path kind of spots, and with a little luck you’ll be able to find one of the island’s hidden black sand beaches.  If you want activity, you’ll find resorts along the Kohala-Kona Coast offering golf, sport fishing, snorkeling, and tennis.  Specialty tours include Kona coffee plantation tours, swimming with manta rays, hiking across lava beds in Volcanoes National Park, or gazing at the stars at Imiloa Astronomy Center.

Oahu, the Gathering Place:  The most populated of the islands, you’ll find the best in shopping, dining, nightlife, and beautiful hotels and resorts.  The most popular area is Waikiki Beach, where you’ll find options, in all budget ranges, for hotels, dining, shopping, and things to do.  The trade off, however, is beaches that are more crowded, and a little faster, more hectic pace.  Drive or hike Diamond Head, get a little culture at the Polynesian Cultural Center or Iolani Palace, or spend a day at the beach or out on the water.  For a quieter Oahu experience, you could check out the North Shore.  With only one resort (Turtle Bay Resort), it’s a slower, more relaxed pace, and a wonderful antidote the frenzy that can overcome Waikiki.

Maui, the Valley Isle:  Offering something for everyone, Maui is full of quiet, peaceful activities as well as home to bustling and energetic nightlife.  The windward side is fairly remote, with plenty of out-of-the-way spots to spend some quiet time.  The leeward side has plenty of resorts, and development, but you’ll also find a few secluded areas as well.  You may want the solitude of watching sunrise from the top of Mount Haleakala or the adventure of driving the road to Hana, or exploring the shopping, dining and nightlife of the former whaling village (and now main tourist town) of Lahaina.  You’ll find plenty of beautiful water for diving, swimming and snorkeling, and can choose to stay at a major resort (Kapalua, Kaanapali, or Wailea) or find a condo of small hotel.  Maui, with all it’s variety, is a popular spot with honeymooners.

Bench sitting on Kauai, ©2009, Mary Jo Manzanares

Kauai, the Garden Isle:  Less commercial, less developed, and more tropical, Kauai is the oldest of the islands.  This is a wonderful island on which to relax, while still offering a few attractions and things to do.  Most activity centers around the lush tropical foliage of the island, with Fern Grotto (a natural lava-rock grotto with hanging ferns, accessible only by the Wailua River), Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific), Na Pali Coast (cliffs, sea caves, remote beaches and waterfalls), hiking, inner tubing, and zip-lining.  Princeville and Poipu are the resort areas, and a little more upscale, and Hanalei and Koloa are older, more historic Hawaiian towns.

Lanai, the Pineapple Isle:  The smallest of the island, Lanai will appeal to people who want to escape the crowds, and be alone.  With only a couple resorts, you won’t find a lot of tourists here.  But that doesn’t mean you won’t find upscale accommodations –- two of the resorts are operated by the Four Seasons.  There’s still a variety of terrain, though, and you can go from beach to forest in very little time.  Rent a jeep and go island exploring, check out Shipwreck Beach, Kaunolu (King Kamehameha’s summer fishing village), and Garden of the Gods (which some swear looks a bit like Mars).

Molokai, the Friendly Isle:  The most secluded and laid back of the island, Molokai harkens back to what Hawaii was like years and years ago, making it one of the most historic and cultural significant islands.  There is only one resort (the Aqua Hotel Molokai with 53 rooms), although you’ll find a few small inns and private residences that rent out rooms, so the island never gets very crowded. Molokai was the residence of Father Damien, a Catholic Priest who cared for the lepers who once sought refuge on the island.  Many of the residents of the island are descendants from the original lepers who lived here.  There are, however, NO active cases on leprosy on Molokai, so it is a safe place to visit.

Photo credit:  both from Mary Jo Manzanares

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Slow Travel gives you an opportunity to connect to a place and its people, rather than racing through a bunch of cities.  It’s about experiencing culture and heritage, not just about finding the nearest fast food drive-thru.  In other words, take time to stop and smell the roses – or look at the sunflowers!

Slow down and take time to look at sunflowers in Italy

As part of the slowing down process, a number of cities banded together to create Cittaslow, and to set up and official Slow Cities charter and designation.  To get the designation, a city must have less than 50,000 residents and meet 55 criteria covering environmental policy, infrastructure, quality of urban fabric, encourage of local produce and products, hospitality and community, and awareness of the Slow City movement.  Applying cities are thoroughly vetted before being granted the designation, and are regularly checked to maintain compliance to standards.

There are more than 120 Slow Cities in 16 countries around the world.  Most can be found it Europe, with the majority located in Italy, but they are also found in Australia and South Korea.  Cowichan Bay in British Columbia is the first Slow City in North America.  It comes as no surprise that there aren’t any Slow Cities in the United States.  Maybe that will change soon.

What do you think of the slow city movement?  Could you slow your vacation down, seeing less but more in depth?  Or do you want to experience more when you travel?

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

—

I’m not well traveled and that’s a fact I plan on changing.  When I landed in Chicago for the first time in July of 2009, I felt like a real cosmopolite jetsetter.  I was only there for 48 hours.  But every time I go somewhere new, I’m increasingly more aware of how few things I’ve seen.

From time to time I check out a Lonely Planet book or read one of the Rough Guides.  Then I sigh and dream and…

No more!  I’ve made a goal to hit at least two countries in 2010.  These wonderful, affordable books helped me choose.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I’m a cheapskate librarian.  I checked them out at the library.

In A Sunburned Country

Most of my blogging mentors live in Australia.  But somewhere in between watching Crocodile Dundee and meeting my cyber-pals, I read Bill Bryson’s book In A Sunburned Country.

I was first exposed to Bryson by his epic tragicomedy A Walk In The Woods, about his ill fated, under prepared effort to hike the Appalachian Trail.

Sunburned feels similar, but is set in Australia and contains fewer disasters.  Bryson’s facts are funny and informative without being pedantic or condescending.  What I mean by that is: sometimes I read a travel book and feel like not only have I not been anywhere, I’m not interesting enough or smart enough or wealthy enough to travel.

But that’s my issue.  Above all, Bryson’s writing is passionate.  His love of travel is obvious and infectious.  I’m easily swayed when I hear someone rave about something.  Bill raves about Australia the way I talk about libraries and kettlebells, although he’s got a lot more skill in getting people to buy in than I do.

Hilarious, educational without being stuffy or boring, and absolutely perfect—In A Sunburned Country is helping me to take a big step.

I’m A Stranger Here Myself

This book is a fun crash course in the United Kingdom and modern-ish America.  After living in England for 20 years, Bryson comes home and settles in New Hampshire.

His description of how the British give directions was worth the price of the book for me, but I’m someone who can’t read a map.  Oh—I keep forgetting that I didn’t buy the book.  But I would!

His description of how much Americans eat is also perfect and sad.

Stranger wasn’t quite as funny for me as some of Bryson’s other work.  There’s a lot of contemplation and introspection here.  But it doesn’t hurt the book.  The wonderful thing about Bill Bryson is that his fans are never disappointed.

Whether he’s talking writing about the English language, science, Shakespeare, Australia, bears, wombats, crumpets, or what it means to be married, he’s always himself.

My favorite books are always the ones where I can tell the author had a blast writing them.  Bill Bryson loves to write, travel, and have a good time.

And with that, I’ve got to figure out how to get some money and time together and hit the road next year.  I imagine I’ll be back here at the blog often, pestering people for advice and asking questions about dingoes and English muffins.

—

About the Author: Josh Hanagarne writes World’s Strongest Librarian, a blog with advice about coping with Tourette’s Syndrome, kettlebells, book recommendations, buying pants when you’re 6’8”, old-time strongman training, and much more. Please subscribe to Josh’s RSS Updates and Stronger, Smarter, Better Newsletter to stay in touch.

Photo credits:  Barnes & Noble (book covers), Josh Hanagarne (headshot)

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

So I settled in for a good read.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it past more than a handful before I began scratching my head.  OK, I remember that Lonely Planet is published in Australia, so maybe things are a bit different down under.  Still, they sell a lot of guides to a lot of people that aren’t in Australia, so there should be a broad perspective.

I kept reading.  OK, they tackle issues about packing, health and medical issues, and school quite nicely.  Pretty good stuff about preparing your little one and yourself for traveling.

But honestly, after that I pulled up short at the Transport Section, specifically by Air.  And the light bulb over my head came on.  AHA!  I know now why so many people on my flights are so ill equipped to travel with children – they must have read this guide and taken all the bad information and advice to heart!  Because this section reads like it was written by someone who hasn’t traveled since the 1970’s, or haven’t flown on a US airline in the past 10 years.

Here are a few of the gems you’ll find:

• Almost all airlines have children’s activity packs on board medium-to-long-haul flights which will complement the toys and activities you’ve brought.
• Plus, many airlines now have good audio and visual entertainment for children so they can plug into the children’s audio channel and also watch the kids’ movies or shows.
• Special children’s meals and activity packs are usually available
• Nappies and baby food are available for infants
• On most long haul flights, airlines will carry emergency supplies of nappies and, upon request, can provide jars of baby food.
• Car seat information that varied from having to buy a seat for it, not being able to use it for take off and landing, and paying a child’s fare for the seat.
• All airlines carry a number of bassinets or sky cots on long-distance flights.
• Some airlines insist that you wear an infant restraint belt to keep your infant in
• Most airlines will heat up bottles and also provide baby food, upon request.

And unfortunately, that’s where my enthusiasm for the guidebook petered out.  Although the remaining sections of the book dealt with specific types of vacation plans, and specific suggestions based on a variety of destinations, the errors in the initial part of the book made me hesitant about how much credibility to give it.

While some international carriers offer a few more amenities than US carriers, with the move to ala carte ticket pricing, the extras have gone away.  That includes things like activity packs and special meals.  On an international flight they might be available on some airlines, but to raise that expectation to the level of almost all or most is a true disservice to a parent.

The same goes for nappies.  At one time we may have had ONE diaper, but it’s long since gone away.  Other Flight Attendant friends say that maybe there will be one, but certainly a parent should count on it.

Baby food and bottle warmers.  I have never had baby food stocked on a flight for the 20+ years that I’ve been flying.  No one else seems to remember it either.  One friend said that she thought Emirates and/or Singapore might carry it, but no one that I talked to has actually seen it.  Ditto for the bottle warmer.  I’ve never seen one.  And we don’t have microwaves either.  If someone needs to warm a bottle, we try to put some hot water into a barf bag along with the bottle and get it to warm up that way.  Maybe some of the Asian or European airlines have these features, but with so much code sharing going on, and with so much of the audience for this book being US-based, the books leads you to conclude things that simply aren’t accurate.

Let me clear up a few other things –

Sky cots are available on some transatlantic and transpacific flights.  Check with the airlines in advance.

Inflight entertainment may be available, but it may or may not be child friendly.  Be prepared to censor.  And pay.

Child’s fares are rarely available any longer, except as part of a package where the hotel and air fare are priced in combination.  If you want a guaranteed seat for a car seat, you’ll need to buy a ticket.  If the plane isn’t full, you will likely be allowed to bring on your car seat and put it in an unoccupied seat at no charge.  This applies for infants under the age of 2.  Infants may be strapped into the car seat for take off and landing, a far safer place for them to be than on a parent’s lap.

I’ve never seen an infant restraint belt, although I hear they exist.  Policies on their use will vary from airline to airline, but a parent should not be surprised if they are not allowed.

I really tried not to be too ethno-centric about this book.  But when it’s priced for US sales, I expect it to address issues for the US traveler.  And when it comes to air travel, it fails. . . miserably.

When I raised my concern to the Lonely Planet people who sent me the book for review, but questions were answered with a disinterested we’ll let the editors know.  I’ve waited to post my review to allow plenty of time for a further response.  It’s been long enough, and I’ve heard nothing back.

I know there are lots of other books about traveling with kids that have been written, so I’ve lined up another one to review.  I’m hoping that will lead parents in the right direction.

I cannot recommend the Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children based on these errors and/or misinformation.  I give it a 2 star rating, and that’s solely based on the country-specific suggestions that make up the second half of the book.

The book is available from Lonely Planet ($19.99), Amazon ($14.39), or from your local book store.

Photo credit:  Amazon

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

And I’m not talking about a vacation to go visit family – I’m talking about a real vacation – for everyone!

Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland

I first tried the holiday vacation plan nearly 10 years ago, and while I don’t do it every year, it’s become an important part of mixing up my holiday celebrations.  It’s also done a lot to restore peace and balance in my life, something for which I am very thankful!  The vacations have occasionally occasionally included extended family members, sometimes not, and I’ve found that getting people out of their usual places and roles, can go a long way toward establishing new traditions and having fun.  You don’t have to do the same thing every single year!

In past years, I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving on a cruise (several times, including cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal) and in Hawaii.  This year’s plans haven’t been finalized yet, but since I’ll be in London earlier in November, this may be a stay-at-home year.

Need some inspiration to do a mind switch on a Thanksgiving vacation?  Why not suggest something different for this year?

Here’s a Thanksgiving travel package that I came across to get you started thinking outside the box:  Spend Thanksgiving, including a hearty dinner, at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland.

Ashford Castle is located on 350 acres on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong.  It’s surrounded by the lake, river, mountains, and lots of green.  The Castle has 83 guestrooms, and features an equestrian center, a falconry school (the first in Ireland), a 9-hole golf course, and fly fishing.  There are several dining rooms and bars on property.

For a Thanksgiving stay, you can take advantage of the Thanksgiving special which is a 3-night package that includes breakfast each morning, and a gourmet Irish-style Thanksgiving dinner.  Packages start at €375 (about $548) per person, and is offered for November 26 – 28th.

Don’t get me wrong – I love my family.  Sometimes, though, you have to break with the old to establish new, healthier, and more memorable family traditions.

Have you vacationed for Thanksgiving?  How did it work out?

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Ashford Castle

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Book accommodations that have a kitchen.  Whether it’s staying at a condo, an extended-stay property, or maybe just a room with a coffee maker and refrigerator, these will all presents ways to help you save on food expenses.  With a full kitchen you can stock up on supplies so that you’re not dining out for every meal, while still keeping in mind that no one should have to cook every meal of every day – that’s not much of a vacation for the cook.  Even if you don’t have a full kitchen, stocking up on some cereal, milk, juice, coffee, and other snacks can help pare down this expense by many dollars each day.

Fill up at an all-you-can-eat buffet

Buy food at the local farmers’ market.  Many cities have these, and shopping there will give you a chance to mingle with the locals in addition to getting some fresh food.  Pick up bread and sandwich fixings for the room and pack yourself a picnic.  Try a local delicacy in a small quantity instead of spending big bucks to try it in a restaurant.  If there’s no farmers’ market, find a local supermarket.  Picking up some snacks to throw in your purse or a backpack will keep you from overspending while you’re sightseeing.

If you can’t get accommodations with a kitchen, look for a hotel that offers free breakfasts and/or afternoon or evening happy hours.  Eliminating breakfast can be a big savings, especially if you’re traveling with a family.  Even if it’s not a full cook-to-order meal, grabbing cereal, fruit, juice and coffee will give you some nourishment to face a full day of vacation activities.  Many hotels are offering complimentary “manager receptions” with reduced or free alcoholic beverages and light appetizers.  If you’ve got plans for the evening, this can be a way to get something light to eat, along with a cheap cocktail, before heading out.

Get take out or delivery service.  Picking up a to-go meal, or ordering in pizza, will get you fed without tempting you to overspend with all the other items on the menu.  You can drink the beverages you have chilling in the refrigerator, and save even more.  Ask for suggestions as the front desk, as most will be able to help give you some recommendations.

Consider the early bird specials.  Many a Seinfeld joke has been made on this topic, but restaurants offer discounts to get people in before (and sometimes after) the dinner rush.  Sometimes it will be a special (and often limited) menu, sometimes a 2 for 1, or maybe just a coupon for dollars off, but it generally represents a good value.  It’s not just for seniors either!  If you’ve had a hectic day, don’t pass up the chance to eat early and have a relaxing evening in your room.  And save money, too!

Make lunch your main meal.  Prices are usually cheaper at lunch, and you can eat somewhere fab for less.
Restaurant Happy Hours can save money on drinks and food.  Happy Hour discounts very between discounts for food, drinks, or both, so you may have to do some scouting around to find the best money saving deals.

Look for kids and senior meals.  Many restaurants offer special deals to these two important groups of guests, and some restaurants offer a kids eat free program.  Don’t be afraid to ask for a senior or kids specials if you don’t see it listed on the menu.  A restaurant may not offer a special menu, but may offer a half portion.  Ask.

Consider an all-you-can-eat buffet.  I’m not a fan of these type of buffets, as I rarely the food is very tasty.  Still, if your short on funds and long on hunger, squeezing this into the day may give you the budget relief needed to eat well another day.  And they’re usually great for families.  Consider making it a lunch buffet and you’ll usually save even more.

Look for a local restaurant rather than a chain.  These can be hard to find sometimes, so you may need to ask at the front desk or other people you meet.  Try asking where they go to eat, rather than for a recommendation.  A little hole-in-the wall place that locals go to will usually be budget friendly.

Use coupons.  From AAA to your hotel to those found in a newspaper or magazine, there are lots of coupons available.  Use common sense though.  It’s not a deal if you’re getting something that you don’t like or if you’re spending more than you normally would to use the benefit.

Have appetizers as an entree or share a meal.  You’ll need to be careful here as some restaurants have a minimum person order or will charge a plate fee to split a meal.  A salad and appetizer, though, can be enough if you’re not super hungry, and is a great way to check out a restaurant that you’re dying to try – and without breaking the bank.

All of these tips won’t work all of the time, and some may just not be your cup of tea.  So pick and choose the ones you can use, and let me know of any others that work for you.

Photo credit:   SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Last Friday night, I arrived in Las Vegas, caught a cab, and was off to my hotel, arriving there 10:30 pm.  I had a reservation at a major hotel, and my credit card had already been charged for one night.  At the front desk, I was told that I could have a choice of a room with a king sized bed near the elevator, or a room with two double beds a bit further away.  I haven’t slept in a double bed since high school, so opted for the king room closer to the elevator.

Off I went to the room, only to get there and find that the room wasn’t “near” the elevator – it shared a common wall with the elevator.  The noise was deafening.  I called down to the front desk to ask for a different room, and was surprised that the front desk could hear me over the elevator noise.  They were actually very nice and sent someone up with a key to another room.

The other room was just two doors away, and I expressed my skepticism to the guest services person who had brought me my key.  He assured me that it would be quiet, so off I went.  At the door of the room, I realized that I could still hear the elevator.  After going inside, I could still hear it.  And I’m not talking about the little dinging noise that lets you know the elevator has arrived.  I’m talking about the roaring and whooshing noise of the elevator in the shaft.  This room was only slightly less noisy, and I knew that it would be a miserable place to sleep.

This brings us to the dilemma.  Horrible room, totally unacceptable, and it’s now after 11 pm at night.  What do you do?

There was a point in my life where I would have just made do with the horrible room, figuring that my complaint was trivial or that I would resolve the issue in the morning.  First, the complaint isn’t trivial.  A room with the noise level of these is simply unacceptable.  Yes, I know someone will probably be forced to sleep in these rooms, but it didn’t have to be me.  The hotel needs to do some soundproofing and bring these rooms up to an acceptable level, but until it does, no one should feel bad about complaining.  Second, by waiting till morning I reduce my leverage in getting a different room.  Absent an express commitment on the part of the front desk, I become a problem that has gone away.  If I accept it for one night, who’s to say that I won’t accept it longer.  I was staying for 4 nights, and it wasn’t going to be in a noisy room.

So back to the front desk I went with a new mindset.  I needed a new room, a quiet one, or I was prepared to leave and go to a new hotel.

When presented with these options, the hotel began “looking” for another room.  Now I happen to know that while this is a major conference and convention hotel, room occupancy rates in Las Vegas are pretty low right now.  I knew that it was extremely unlikely that the hotel was full.  In fact, based on the rate that I got for a Friday night, I knew darned good and well that they were not full.  In other words, I knew there was room inventory available, and they just needed to dig a little deeper.  More importantly, if this hotel couldn’t dig deeper and find me a decent room, there were lots of others that would.

Sure enough, the digging worked, and another room was found.  This involved giving me an upgraded room, a not unreasonable or unusual way to solve the problem.  Everyone was happy!

When requesting a room change, keep these things in mind:

• Be reasonable in your room expectation.  Quieter is reasonable, but absolute quiet is not.
• If the first person that you speak with can’t help you, ask for someone who can.  Often times employees are only authorized to make limited changes.  Don’t get angry with them, let them know that you understand and will make your request to someone who can.
• Be nice.  It’s not the front desk clerk’s fault that the room is noisy.  People want to help people who are nice to them, and no one wants to reward bad behavior.  Keep your cool and present your issue in a calm fashion.
• Don’t make threats.  Be prepared to move if that’s what you might do, but most people can see when you’re just being a bully.
• Don’t make false complaints.  Stories are rampant about people who complain about silly things in order to get an upgrade.  Rather than rewarding bad behavior, front desk clerks will upgrade someone other than the complaining party.  Be honest about your complaint.
• Accept a reasonable alternative.  While I would have preferred a king size bed, I wound up with a mini suite with two beds.  This is a reasonable accommodation.
• Be prepared to go elsewhere.  It may not be convenient, but staying in a horrible room is worse.

What do you do when you get a horrible room?  Do you speak up or suffer in silence?

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe