According to Travel and Leisure, the one thing travelers want in a hotel room is plenty of electrical outlets, preferably in convenient locations throughout the room. This rates higher than fast, free Wi-Fi, or a comfortable bed.
I will admit, that I like to have a couple outlets at the desk, for my phone and my tablet. If I bring a night light, I like an outlet in the hallway between the bed and bathroom. In the bathroom, Sheri needs a plug for her hair dryer and curling iron. When we do a road trip, we need outlets for our coffee machine. Yes, we bring our own, along with our Peet’s Coffee.
So, what else is important to me? I prefer low floors, in case of emergency, even though low floors are generally noisier. I also prefer a room a good distance from the elevator, ice machine, and ideally, noisy neighbors and kids.
Cleanliness is always important to me, whether in a one star or five star room. The givens, clean sheets, and a clean bathroom. But I also like a clean floor. And the air conditioning must be working well, I generally do not use a heater, even in Alaska! I have stayed in some hotels where they clean the room TWICE a day!
Since I like to use my tablet, I really enjoy a spacious and comfortable desk. And a desk chair that at least tries to be ergonomically sound. I stayed in a hostel a few years back in Dublin, Ireland, where a wood block served as my desk chair. Not very comfortable!
I also like having a good reading light near the bed, both for reading and to memorize maps of the city I am visiting. Having all of the controls to the rooms environment next to the best is a big plus. The Entrada at Snow Canyon in St. George, Utah has a complete array of controls at bedside, for lights, curtains, electronics, temperature control, and concierge.
No matter what kind of sleeper you are, closing the blinds or drapes is a key part to a good night’s sleep in a strange bed. I always cheat, using a closet hanger with clips to secure the two ends of the window covers. Perhaps I should carry clothes pins when the hotel’s hangers do not suffice.
In the search for perfection, my room should be on the Concierge or Club level. Why? Free breakfast, free drinks, free appetizers, and in some cases, free meals. Some of the best: Rasa wing of the Rasa Sayang in Penang, the JW Marriott in Bangkok, Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach, and some hotel whose name I do not remember in Sydney.
It does not have to be fancy, just functional and clean!
