Mexico: The Land of Beautiful Beaches and Margaritas
Mexico is one of the most visited places in the world. With its
warm hospitality, all inclusive resorts and great weather, it's
easy to see why. But, there are a million choices. If you've
never been, (or even if you have), how do you select the ideal
hotel in Mexico for your specific needs? Plus, how do you ensure
you will receive the level of quality that you're expecting? As
in many developing countries, there is a whole range of different
properties to choose from, some of which can be limited in terms
of modern conveniences they provide. But then again, this may be
exactly what you're looking for! Regardless, here are some tips
on how to find a quality hotel in Mexico and advice on how you
can ensure you are prepared as you search for that perfect Mexico
vacation getaway.
Doing it Right: The Hotel Selection Process
Amenities, Price and Location. Those are the three most important
considerations as you plan your trip to Mexico and book your
hotel. And if you can plan far ahead, it just makes things that
much easier. So where do you start?
The Internet: Using online travel reservation services to compare
hotel amenities, prices and check reviews.
1. If you have a certain hotel chain that you prefer, such as
Marriott, check their website first for specials and discount
rates. The top hotels will guarantee their rates as the lowest
available. This gives you the security of knowing that you are
getting the best price and are booking through a reputable
source.
2. Many hotels will offer vacation package deals which bundle your
room with meals and other hotel amenities. Depending on your
needs, this can be a great way to increase convenience and save
some money.
3. Check out property pictures, maps, and video clips from hotel
websites.
4. Find out how other travelers reviewed the property. This
information can be found at various websites, such as
http://www.epinions.com/ offer this.
5. Check The Mexico Hotel Guide, TravelWeb, and PlacestoStay all
of which have lots of independent hotel information.
Don't Pay Too Much! Look for the deals.
1. If you have some flexibility, determine if they offer lower
mid-week rates.
2. A good way to find local hotels is to read travel bulletin
boards and look for recommendations made by other travelers,
such as those made on Tripadvisor.com.
Hotel Specific Issues
1. How is their customer service history? Have they received
positive ratings from independent organizations?
2. If the hotel is part of an international franchise, find out
how the chain rates this property within their organization.
3. Is the hotel located in a safe part of the city or area?
4. Is any major construction going on in the area that could
impact your stay?
5. Will there be any large groups at the Hotel during the time
you want to go?
6. Do they have a concierge, shuttle, laundry service or other
extra service?
7. Is one side of the hotel better than the other?
8. Is public transportation located close by?
9. What types of restaurants to they offer?
10. Is there a fitness and aerobics room?
11. What are the local attractions?
12. Is this a new hotel or have they gone through a recent
remodel?
13. What is their cancellation policy?
14. Do they offer smoking/nonsmoking rooms?
15. Do they have agreements with airlines, rental car or other
partners? You could benefit.
16. Is the airport close to the hotel's location?
Other General Recommendations
1. Be flexible if it's feasible for you. The hotel sets their
prices by supply and demand, so it helps to know when the
peak season is. If you don't know when the best rates are,
just ask them.
2. Frequent customers of chain hotels can register on the
hotel's web site to save time and effort. By doing this,
your hotel room preferences will be automatically included
when you reserve your room.
3. By calling the hotel directly, rather than the chains 800
number, you might get a room at the last minute, or during
peak travel times. The front desk at the hotel are more hands
on when it comes to the hotel's capacity and can check for
cancellations or no-shows.
So there you have it, the best advice to finding your perfect
Mexico hotel! Keep in mind; there are many great hotels in all
areas of Mexico. From Cancun to Puerto Vallarta, there are plenty
of reputable hotels that you will want to return to again and
again. If worse comes to worse, use a reputable travel agent to
help you find a great hotel. They can remove the uncertainty
when it comes to selecting high quality accommodations.
Finally, enjoy your stay! Mexico awaits!
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