Ramada Edson

04/01/2015

Do You Suffer From Hotel Fatigue?

You probably know the feeling – stuck in a hotel bedroom that looks exactly like the room you stayed in last week, and the week before that. The chair’s hard and uncomfortable so you end up sprawled on the bed. After a hectic day the thought of a table for one in a crowded restaurant is so unappealing that you opt for room service and blow a small fortune on a glorified sandwich.

If this seems all too familiar then next time you travel on business why not try a serviced apartment?

Serviced apartments are fast becoming the preferred accommodation choice for many business travelers. The concept of serviced apartments has developed in the UK in recent years following the lead of countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States. These apartments, often confused with suites, are generally found in prime city center locations.

Guests enjoy the space and freedom serviced apartments offer. Typically, in addition to your bedroom you will have your own private lounge, fully-fitted kitchen and of course bathroom. There’s space to relax on your own, entertain colleagues or even get some work done.

There are advantages of staying in a serviced apartment too when it comes to dining – fully-fitted kitchens offer an alternative to eating alone in restaurants and are ideal where a guest has special dietary needs. There’s more flexibility too – as breakfast can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own private lounge with no need to rush to meet the deadline for breakfast!

Serviced apartments are also ideal as a venue for small meetings and conferences and can offer executives and conference organizers an alternative for small meetings or debriefing sessions – look out for high speed Internet access which is available in the best serviced apartments now.

Serviced apartments generally offer the same flexibility in booking terms as a hotel – you can book direct via telephone or email and can book online. There is usually no minimum stay period and they are cost-effective too when compared to hotel rates, particularly when you take into account the possible savings on expensive extras, such as room service, bar and laundry bills. Sharing a two-bedroom apartment with colleagues is the most cost-effective option of all. En-suite bathrooms ensure no loss of privacy but the total price per apartment will be substantially less than two or even three standard hotel rooms. Maid service is included as you would expect in a hotel and the best serviced apartments have on-site reception facilities to provide you with any additional assistance you may require.

The serviced apartment market has emerged as a most cost-effective alternative to hotel accommodation and, at times the only option to consider. High in comfort, low in cost with complete consistency. Three C’s that provide a good benchmark for anyone needing to stay, for whatever length of time, away from home.

04/01/2015

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04/01/2015

5 Ways to Choose Your Hotel!
You are planning a holiday abroad for your family, and want everyone to have a good time. You surf the internet for hotel descriptions, but from the pictures that you see and what you read, all hotels project a perfect image of themselves. How can you tell which ones are better? You have never been there and know no one at your destination. At the same time, you don’t want a hotel room that will bust your budget. How do you choose?

Check Independent Hotel Ratings
Well, the first step you can take is to visit hotel search engines for guest ratings for hotels represented by the search engines. In addition to pre-negotiated rates with individual hotels, most agents ask for ratings and comments from previous guests. Reading their comments will give you a fair idea on what to expect from the hotels located in your destination. Be sure to read a few comments in order to get a fair overview. Certain incidences described may only be rare occurrences that may already have been corrected.

Hotel Chains and Facilities
Are they part of an international hotel chain? Most international chains have stringent standards that are adhered to as well as a standard theme across all chains. They may have similar facilities (health clubs, spas, business centers, etc) which are important to maintain the hotel’s high standards. Other things you can look out for include concierge, shuttle services to the city, airport transfers as well as good laundry services.

Location
Perhaps one of the most critical things when selecting a hotel is its location. Hotels that are near to shopping areas, train stations or the city center charge higher rates as compared to those located elsewhere. Analyze a map of the area before you book to determine the nearest shopping areas or access to trains which will give you much convenience in moving around. Also, check with the hotel if they have any large tour groups coming in at the same time. Hotels charge higher rates during high occupancy periods and do not have the flexibility of late check-outs. These are important aspects which, if overlooked, may affect your tour schedule as well as your impression of the hotel’s level of hospitality.

Rates and Discounts
Hotel rates are a huge factor when it comes to choosing a hotel. However, paying more does not necessarily mean that you will receive an equivalent level of service and standards. One of the ways to maximize on prices would be check if they are part of an alliance with flights or car rental companies, which offer discounts to customers of their allies. Sometimes, credit card companies offer their cardholders exclusive rates to special hotels which can be pretty attractive. Additionally, if it’s possible to use your frequent flyer points to redeem hotel discounts, this could help reduce hotel costs as well.

Boutique Hotels
Finally, apart from chain hotels, boutique hotels may are great alternatives for romantic getaways for couples or families seeking hotels of a more distinctive theme. Many boutique hotels have fewer rooms but offer more value added services such as spas within the bedroom, breakfasts in bed or even in-room massages. In the end, your choice of hotel really depends on what you want out of your holiday.

04/01/2015

How to choose a great hotel!

Whether you're going on a honeymoon, looking for a function venue, or just grabbing a couple of days out from your hectic schedule, choosing a hotel is one of the most important decisions in ensuring you have an enjoyable time. Despite the importance of finding the right hotel, it can often be quite difficult to strike a balance between quality and price, and often those hotels which appear more desirable are less than affordable. So what should you look for in selecting a hotel, and where should you go to try and find that perfect accommodation, whatever your needs?

One of the best ways to determine which hotel is right for you is to consider what you're looking for, and to match your requirements against the star rating assigned by tourist associations. Generally, the star system ranks from 0-5 on an ascending scale
depending on the extent of facilities and luxuries within the hotel. The higher the number, generally, the more expensive the room rate, which can help you gauge value for money. Of course, if you find somewhere with a higher star rating at a lower cost, then you can be sure this is likely to provide better value for money in terms of facilities and the level of service you can expect.

Another way to choose a good hotel is by going on word of mouth. What do your friends think about various hotels in the region? Has anyone you know had a particularly good (or bad) experience of hotels around about the one you are looking for? These can be good ways to ensure you get good value for money out of your hotel, and it can also be a great way to ensure you don't get disappointed. Additionally, the recommendations of people you know aren't tainted with commercial interest, and if someone tells you they had a good experience, they're more likely telling the truth than if you hear it from the hotelier himself.

Finally, a good place to check for hotel reviews and recommendations is the Internet, and there are numerous travel sites which host impartial reviews and write ups of various hotels and hostels. This can be a great, low cost way of ensuring you find a hotel that meets your requirements, and provides you with an enjoyable trip to help you relax and unwind.

Selecting a good hotel is never an easy process, but if you know where to look to find value for money, you might just end up with the right hotel for you. Finding a good hotel is partially down to knowing what you're looking for, and a great deal of it also comes down to experiencing what's available and at what price. However, with realistic expectations and an understanding of where to find good hotel rooms at an affordable price, you should be able to circumvent this traditional process, and end up having a great time, whatever the reason for your break away.

07/04/2014

8 Unexpected Travel Costs – And How to Minimize Them

From parking to Wi-Fi, little expenses can throw your trip budget out of whack.

Fifteen bucks a day for hotel Wi-Fi or 20 bucks for a theme park T-shirt might not seem like much on their own, but little extras here and there can add up to some serious cash you may not think to include in your vacation budget. Here's a look at strategies for identifying and (where possible) minimizing pesky travel costs.

1. Hotel parking. If you’re parking a car at a big-city hotel, expect to pay big bucks. In some cases, valet parking may be your only option. “There’s no such thing as free valet parking because you’ve got to tip the guy when [your car] comes out,” points out Laura Daily, a consumer travel savings expert and executive editor of livingonthecheap.com. If the hotel’s parking rate gives you serious sticker shock, she suggests seeking alternate parking options nearby. If the cheapest option is outdoors, "look and see if this is a neighborhood that you don't mind walking during the day,” she adds. Sometimes joining the hotel’s loyalty program could score you discounted parking, or it might make more sense to rent a car just for the time you need it rather than the entire trip.

2. Departure taxes. Some destinations like Costa Rica charge visitors a departure tax, which is unavoidable if you're set on that destination. If you’re booking through a travel agent, he or she should warn you about departure taxes or visa requirements. “I always make sure to ask them, ‘Are you a U.S. citizen? Are you on a green card?’” says Kristy Hall, vacation consultant and family travel specialist with The Tropical Travelers, a travel concierge service. “That's the kind of thing we try to give people a heads up on.” If you’re booking on your own, do some research so you won’t get blindsided by the $26 cash-only departure tax when you fly back from Costa Rica.

3. Hotel or in-flight Wi-Fi. Choosing a slightly more expensive hotel with wireless Internet and other amenities included may be cheaper than a lower base price with extras tacked on, says Carrie Hayward, editor of disneytravelbabble.com. "We could stay at a much nicer place for less money just because they didn't nickel and dime us," she says. Sometimes hotels give free or discounted Wi-Fi to members of their loyalty programs, according to Daily. Alternately, instead of paying for hotel or in-flight Wi-Fi, preload your tablet or smartphone with plenty of videos, games and reading material you can enjoy offline.

4. Snacks on the plane. Meals on a plane or snacks during a long layover can eat into your vacation budget. Hall figured out that her rewards credit card will cover up to $200 a year in luggage fees, snacks or TV on the plane, since they travel a lot. If you don’t have a card that credits for snacks, consider packing your own.

5. Checked bag fees. Before trying to check that 100-pound suitcase, check your airline’s luggage fees and restrictions so you can pack and budget accordingly. “If you're a frequent flier, often they'll waive the checked bag fees,” Hall says. You might also find certain deals. For example, Spirit Airlines charges passengers for carry-on bags but offers a discount if you pay for your bags during online booking rather than at the gate.

6. Airline help fees. If you're booking a complicated airline ticket with multiple legs, you might get charged $25 or more for booking through the airline’s customer service. Instead, Daily suggests asking for the website help desk. "When you get one of the techs, explain what you are trying to do and ask them to walk you through the booking process," she says. "I always say, 'Would you mind staying on the line with me to make sure I don't goof it up?' Nine times out of 10, they will. I still get the complicated ticket I want but don't pay those pesky help fees for talking to a live person."

7. International roaming charges. Using your U.S.-based cellphone overseas can lead to some hefty roaming charges, so consider turning off data roaming while traveling internationally and using your smartphone's Wi-Fi instead. If you need to make calls, "buy a cheap cellphone in that country if you're traveling internationally," Daily says. "Quite often, you can get throwaway phones."

8. Souvenirs. Bring children to a theme park and just try escaping without buying any mouse ears, action figures or other souvenirs. Unfortunately, these branded mementos don’t come cheap. “One trick I see a lot is parents will go to the 99 cent store and buy their souvenirs before they leave,” Hayward says, “and then dole those out over the trip.”

07/04/2014

How much to tip at hotels, and when: A primer for guests

Though he's a seasoned business traveler, Kevin O'Connor isn't sure what to tip at hotels.
"I am always unsure, so frequently I don't tip when I probably should," says O'Connor, a Toronto-based consultant who has spent about 130 nights in hotels since the beginning of last year.

O'Connor isn't the only frequent business traveler who's uncertain about who to tip and how much to tip at hotels.

That's not surprising, says Michael Lynn, a professor at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration who has conducted two national tipping surveys.

A third of the country doesn't know to tip 15% to 20% at a restaurant, so it's understandable that many people are unsure what to tip in a hotel, he says.

To try to eliminate uncertainty, USA TODAY asked etiquette and hospitality experts and hotel companies for advice on what to tip at hotels in the USA. Their responses aren't consistent in every instance, but there's a consensus for some common tipping situations:

•Valet parking staff. Don't tip a hotel staff member who opens a guest's car door at the hotel entrance or parks the car in a valet lot. The valet who retrieves the car from the parking lot should be given $2 to $5.

•Bellmen. The common tip is $1 to $2 per bag. More can be given if the bags are heavy or the bellman provides other services.

•Maids. They should receive $1 to $5 daily. "The tip should be paid daily to ensure it goes to the person that took care of your room," says etiquette expert Patricia Rossi.

•Concierges. No tip is needed for directions, restaurant recommendations or answers to simple questions. A $10 to $50 tip is recommended for a concierge who obtains hard-to-get event tickets or a table at a popular premier restaurant.

Despite such suggestions, hotel guests "should expect great service, and there is no obligation to tip," says Vivian Deuschl, a vice president for luxury hotel chain The Ritz-Carlton.

"However, most people do, understanding that hourly wage employees really appreciate gratuities, especially during a time when business is not as robust as past years," she says.

'Don't tip out of guilt'

"It is not the guest's responsibility to make up for a drop in a hotel employee's earnings during a recession," says Roberta Nedry, president of Hospitality Excellence, which provides concierge and guest service training for hotels and other clients.

"Tipping should not be a result of guilt, status or ego," she says. "I believe tips should not be automatic, but earned and deserved."

Civility expert P.M. Forni says hotel guests must first understand that there are two basic reasons to tip: to acknowledge that a personal service was provided and to reward excellence in providing such service.

Acknowledging the personal service "is essentially obligatory," but it's up to each traveler to decide whether the service received "deserves reward on top of acknowledgment," says Forni, who is a Johns Hopkins University professor and author of The Civility Solution: What to Do When People Are Rude.

There's no doubt a hotel guest should tip a bellman who takes luggage to a room, and $5 may be appropriate, Forni says.

"But if that employee has helped you with the thermostat, pulled the curtains, explained to you how to operate the safe and given you information on the airport shuttle service and the whereabouts of the closest pharmacy, you may want to add five more dollars as a reward tip," he says.

Carry lots of $1 bills

The amount to tip depends on "the level of the hotel" – such as luxury, midpriced or budget – and "the level of service," says Jacqueline Whitmore, author of Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work.

Guests should carry a sufficient amount of dollar bills to tip "just about every hotel staff member you come into contact with," says Whitmore, who founded a consulting firm, The Protocol School of Palm Beach.

Frequently handing out greenbacks can pay off, says Jeff Weinstein, editor in chief of the trade publication Hotels magazine.

"If you want to get great service, tip freely," he says. "It never hurts to be generous, especially if you plan on coming back. The staff will remember and take better care of good tippers."

But there's a flip side.

Hotel guests should "never be uncomfortable to not tip or tip well," says Roger Bloss, president and CEO of Vantage Hospitality Group, the parent company of Americas Best Value Inn and the Lexington Collection.

And guests shouldn't be intimidated by hotel staff aggressively pushing for tips, Forni says.

"Do not let anybody bully you into giving a reward tip," he says.

Hotel employees also "should not show favoritism to guests who tip more and be aloof, distant or unresponsive to those that don't," Nedry says.

07/04/2014

Help! I'm Stuck in a Hotel Room!

Just call me Eloise. Once again, I find myself living in a hotel. You see, if an employee wants to move up in the hotel industry, it often means moving around. A lot. And my husband moves up in his jobs. A lot. So every couple of years, we find ourselves moving to a new town and a new property.

In some ways, it’s really cool. We’ve gotten to live lots of exciting places. But moving a household is extremely stressful. It was tough when it was just him and me, but it’s extra-tough now that we have kids. However, working in this industry has one fabulous perk. When you get to a certain level of management, you’re usually allowed to live in the hotel until you find a new home. This relieves much of the move-related stress.
So here I am, at a beautiful property in downtown Little Rock, Ark. I mean beautiful. The food served here is amazing Southern fare, so it’s right up my alley. We’re in a suite that’s larger than my old house, I’m sure. The staff is very friendly, and they make me feel right at home. So what have I got to complain about?
Well, as I’m sure you road warriors can attest, too many nights away from home can really take its toll on a traveler. Once you spend more than a week or so in a hotel room, you start to get antsy. So I want to pass along some extended-stay survival tips that have helped me over the years, just in case you find yourself stuck in a generically-decorated box for any length of time.

Space matters- Go big or go home. Get the largest room — preferably suite — that you can afford. Little known fact: Hotel rooms shrink by 10 square feet each night you stay in them. Even agoraphobes can become claustrophobic after too much time in a small hotel room. So treat yourself to as much space as possible.

Ask for lots of extras- A refrigerator is handy. A DVD player can help break the monotony. An extra lamp may make you feel cozy. Your room may not come standard with certain amenities, but it doesn’t hurt to ask for them. Just speak to a manager about any special requests. There may be a small charge for some of these items, but it will most likely be worth it. Having your own coffee maker and small refrigerator for your cream is so much better than having to call room service for your cup of joe every single morning.

Keep it clean- You may be a slob at your house, but you should be neat as a pin in your hotel room. Again, it’s all about space. If you have dirty clothes draped over every surface, the room will feel small and chaotic. A messy room will make you highly irritable without your even knowing it.

About that dirty laundry- ... Many hotels offer laundry and dry cleaning service, but it’s often not great. If the hotel does laundry in-house, employees may not have the time or the expertise to treat your garments as directed on the care labels. And if it’s sent out, it may be done by the low-bidder laundry service, which often means low-quality. Ask a sharply dressed employee for the scoop. He should honestly tell you if the hotel service is up to par, or if there’s a nearby dry cleaner that does a better job. And maybe this is just a personal problem, but I can’t stand for other people to wash my underwear. If you’re like me, don’t forget to pack a pair of skivvies for every day you’ll be gone, plus extras!

Keep some privacy- When you’re living in a hotel, you’ll feel more comfortable if you don’t have strangers traipsing in and out of your “house” every day. Chris Elliott has suggested simply leaving the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door , and I agree. You really don’t need your room fully serviced every day — bed linens changed, tub scrubbed, floors mopped and more. Chances are, you only need what I call a “trash and tidy” — wastebaskets emptied and towels refreshed — every couple of days. Just leave the DND on the door and flag down or call a housekeeper when you want the TNT. Wait until you know you’ll be out for a few hours to get the full works. You’ll probably only need a full cleaning once a week or less.

You’re not on permanent vacation, so watch what you eat.- I love hotel food, but I also love being healthy. I find these two passions are not compatible. Wanting to eat lots of room service while wanting to maintain your current weight is like wanting Obama and McCain on the same ticket. You must do one of two things: Eat less or exercise more. Take the time to go to a local market and get some fruits and veggies, low-fat string cheese, healthy cereal and unsalted nuts (this is where that refrigerator comes in handy). Use the hotel’s gym, or get a guest pass to one nearby. Order those exercise programs from the in-room movie menu. You’ve got to stay healthy, or else you’ll end up feeling rotten. (I can feel my hips spreading as I sit here and write this, since I just inhaled a delicious shrimp Caesar salad, but at least I went to a local yoga class tonight!)

Get out!- When your room is large, and the staff is nice, and the food is great, it can be tempting to hole up in your room. Don’t. Get out of the building as much as you can. Try a new bar or restaurant. Visit an eclectic museum. Grab a map and go for an aimless drive. Take the kids to a park. Whatever interests you, get out and do it!

07/04/2014

Tips for Hotel Stays with Pets

Whether you are hitting the road with your teacup poodle, a tomcat, or a terrier, there's some special considerations to find the best lodging for you and your pet. While more and more hotels are becoming pet-friendly, you still need to be prepared for the following.

1. Double-check pet fees and restrictions. Accommodations often have restrictions on the size and age of animals (puppies tend to be discouraged). Fees can range from a nominal daily charge to a refundable damage deposit to a hefty nonrefundable flat fee. Some places hit you with daily fees and require a nonrefundable deposit of $100 or more. Make sure you get an itemized list of all additional fees and are clear on which are nonrefundable. Note that daily fees can vary depending on the size or type of pet.

2. Scope out the surroundings. Looking at a hotel’s Web site may not be enough to determine whether the surrounding area is suitable for walking dogs. Chain motels in particular are often along busy roads with no grass in sight. When booking, ask about local green spaces and the safety and general noise level of the area.

3. Look for pet extras. Services are especially useful in urban areas where you’re more likely to leave your pet behind while sightseeing. Many hotels offer special beds and treats, dog-sitting and dog-walking services, and even spa services and pet-centric activities and events. Before you settle, shop around to see which hotel offers the most support for your pet

4. Request a ground-floor room. This is convenient for late-night potty runs, and means little unnecessary schlepping for you at properties that don’t have elevators.

5. Be wary of special "pet rooms." Often pet owners will get stuck in smoking rooms or older rooms with worn furnishings. When booking, ask tough questions about how the pet rooms differ from the rest of the property, and make clear your request for a no-smoking room.

6. Use a crate or carrier when leaving your pet alone in the room. This is for the safety of your pet and of the lodging employees, who might enter the room to clean. Also, be sure he will not disturb other guests while alone. If you must let your pet roam while you’re out, it’s best to hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Note that some establishments won’t allow you to leave a dog alone in a room even if it’s crated.

7. Control who comes into contact with your pet. Allowing too many people to say hello to him may add to his stress (and yours). Watch your pet for signs of anxiousness—yawning, excessive panting, avoiding eye contact—and give him a place to relax quietly. Most pets should have no more than one hour of intense meeting and greeting a day.

10. Deal with damaged property immediately. If your pet damages anything, immediately discuss the situation with the manager—don’t wait until checkout to resolve such matters.

07/04/2014

13 Things You Didn't Know About Booking Your Vacation Online

Finding an affordable online vacation package or a cheap flight is great, but not if it means sacrificing quality. Learn what to look for to ensure your next vacation is a success with 13 Things you didn’t know about online vacations.

1. They Know Who's a Mac and Who's a PC
Last year, Orbitz tracked people’s online activities to test out a little experiment: Do Mac users spend more on travel than PC users? Turns out that on average, Mac users lay out $20 to $30 more per night on hotels and go for more stars, according to the Wall Street Journal. As a result, the online travel site shows these users different, more expensive travel options first. To avoid inadvertently paying more, sort results by price.

2. Their Software Doesn't Always Sync With the Hotels
A guaranteed reservation is almost impossible to come by—but the risk of finding out your flight or hotel is overbooked increases with third-party providers. The middleman’s software isn’t immune to system errors, so always call the hotel or airline to make sure your booking was processed.

3. Double-Check Packaged Deals
Ever notice how travel sites recommend one-stop shopping, like a hotel, rental car, and tour package all in one click? These deals usually feature travel that no one wants, like flights with multiple layovers. Check the fine print.

4. A Travel Agent Might Be Better
According to the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the average service fee for booking airline tickets in 2009 was around $20. Yet that can outweigh $100 or more in straight savings, as well as added benefits (like upgrades and better flights) you can get from a travel agent. The New York Times’ frugal traveller did a series of test runs, finding the best available flights online and comparing that to what a travel agent could do. The results: usually, the travel agent came in cheaper—fees included.

5. Last Minute Travel Isn't What It Used To Be
At the advent of the online travel site boom, last minute was the time to book—cheap flights! Cheap hotels! Getaway this weekend! But the buy-and-fly magic has ceased to exist; now your sweet spot is about six weeks (or 42 days) before departure.

6. You Won't Build Hotel or Airline Loyalty
Don’t book online if you want to rack up those miles or points—at most, you’ll get the minimum, and your booking won’t make you eligible for any special offers, like double points on weekend stays. Work directly with a company or travel agent to build up the loyalty points that will get you upgrades and priority rewards.

7. Travel Agents Often Have Exclusive Perks
Online booking sites are all about dates, rates, and space, meaning their goal is to put heads in beds, says Misty Ewing at Virtuoso luxury travel network. But for the same price, an agent might have connections and special access. “For example, when travelling in Italy, you can take a cooking class with a local resident in her home—a level of authenticity not provided by the Internet,” she says

8. Corporate Travel Needs Are Often Better Done in Person
Planning a small business trip can become a logistical mess, and online travel sites offer little help. But specialty business travel agencies can help their clients with corporate events, meetings, and special services that online travel sites don’t deal with—and might be more likely to get you refunds on unused tickets.

9. You Might Not See Every Option Online
No travel site will show you options from every airline—and no one includes budget-friendly picks like Southwest or Ryanair. But travel sites leave out even more options for lodging, listing big names and omitting comfy little inns, bed-and-breakfasts and other rentals.

10. Once Your Trip is Purchased You're On Your Own
All trips, no matter how well planned, are vulnerable to cancelled flights, subpar hotel rooms, or torrential weather. An online travel agency can’t provide assistance the same way an agent can. Basically, when you arrive at the airport or hotel, you’re just another client who booked at the lowest rate. “You can’t VIP yourself,” says Ewing.

11. Online Deal-Sites Can't Give First-Hand Experience
A website can’t tell you the exact location of the room, the view, the size, or whether or not the room needs renovation. You'll have to do more research on your own or risk getting stuck in the dimly lit room in the back of the building with a picture-perfect view of the A/C shaft.

12. They Also Aren't As Current as an Agent
An online travel site often isn't going to share if construction is happening in the hotel or somewhere near by. Researching on other sites might turn up this information, but an agent is likely to be the best resource for knowing what's going on.

13. ...Or Know Who Else is Staying There
Planning a romantic getaway for two? That won’t matter to a group of high schoolers on their senior trip at the same hotel. An online travel agent can’t tell you when a large group is in-house, making it uncomfortable for the few guests who aren’t in the group.