Whether I am staying in Paris for a week or need a room as part of a road trip, my hotel preferences and criteria remain constant when booking the best option for my stay.

To give you a slight idea of where I’m coming from, below are a few general guidelines that I take into consideration when searching for a hotel room.

(White) Bedding

I am unapologetically a hotel bedding snob. Colourful comforter overlays? NO, thank you! Not only do I not do colour in the first place, but the germaphobe in me really appreciates how you can’t hide anything from a white duvet. For me, there is little to no exception to this rule.

Location

This will vary as per the trip. Usually I’ll ask myself the following:

• Do I need to be close to the airport?
• Can I get away with staying downtown?
• Would it be better if I were more central?
• How far away are any essential services?
• Would this trip benefit from a scenic view?

Ratings

Before booking my hotel room, I definitely take the ratings and some reviews into consideration before determining the best option. If a hotel receives less than a 4/5 rating, for example, I will rarely give it any consideration.

Cleanliness / Updates

While I appreciate little things like USB-C chargers, a new or recently updated bathroom that is spotless makes me way too happy! Bonus points if the bathroom has a separate vanity counter for getting ready.

Photos

I need to see multiple photos. A hotel that doesn’t show many room details may be hiding something that I do not want to discover.

Food

The Italian in me likes to know that there is food nearby. Whether it is a grocery store, coffee shop, or restaurant within the hotel.

Book Directly

Very, very rarely do I book accommodations on third-party websites. Often I find that the rates are better on the hotel’s website or by calling the hotel directly. Not only do you often get points and perks (definitely look into their membership programs), but it also often makes for a much smoother check-in experience.

I would start by setting up accounts on your favourite hotel websites if you haven’t already. At the very least, download the apps. Depending on where I am travelling to, here are some of my favourite hotel apps and ones that I frequently use (listed in alphabetical order): 

• Accor (e.g. Fairmont) 
• Bonvoy (e.g. Marriott) 
• Best Western 
• Four Seasons
• IHG (e.g. Holiday Inn)

What do you look for in a hotel room? Feel free to share in the comments or message me on Instagram.

JESSICA. xx