In 2004, the Hotelstars Union, which was established in Europe,  took a step forward in revolutionizing the way hotels are classified throughout Europe and the surrounding area. Today, over a dozen countries in Europe have standardized their criteria for hotel ratings and by mid-2012, the concept will be applied in countries all over Europe.

The following info graphic was developed to show you all of the facilities and services that hotels must provide based on their star rating. Viewers can use this tool to help make decisions about the hotel choices.

How the Hotel Stars Ratings Works by Easytobook.com

How Do Hotel Star Ratings Work? is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

It’s 9am and there are men hanging on ropes outside our bedroom window peering in at us while we sleep. They’re just window washers, but it would’ve been nice if someone from the Novotel Hotel in Kota Kinabalu had let us know they were dropping by. I would’ve put on my pretty nightgown or gotten dressed at least!

John and I are all about backpacking, but we also enjoy staying at nice hotels when we can afford it. This trip to Kota Kinabalu was a short trip, so we decided to live it up a little and stay somewhere nice for a day or two before we set off on our sea and jungle adventures. With that said, we were still looking to save a little money and that is why we chose to stay at the Novotel. It was one of the few nice hotels in Kota Kinabalu that didn’t have construction going on (or so we were told), they offered a free tour, free breakfast, free Internet and an additional free night. We had never stayed at a Novotel before, but after our first night in Kota Kinabalu, we are pretty sure that we won’t ever stay at a Novotel property ever again.

Here are a few other things that left us feeling cold about our stay at the Novotel:

*No one told us that there would be people hanging outside our windows at 9am in the morning.

*No one told us there was construction going on near the swimming pool.

*Our bathtub was streaked in grime and didn’t drain properly. I ended standing in eight inches of water for my shower.

*The food was terrible. The hotel buffet breakfast was cold: sausages, potatoes, and eggs were all slick with cold congealed grease. When John asked the chef for a fresh omelet, the chef pointed to a lone congealed omelet on a plate and said, “Help yourself!”

*No one could be bothered to give us any information on car rental agencies in the area. We stopped by three times to speak with someone and were finally told that we should just book online. What’s the point of having a concierge if you’re going to tell your guests to do it themselves? (At Le Meridien, someone helped us rent a car within ten minutes of our arrival.)

*One of the perks of this package was supposed to be a wildlife tour. We were picked up at the airport by the hotel tour guide, and he seemed really nice and resourceful. He handed us a brochure and told us to pick our tour. We started getting a little excited to see our choices, and I commented that the tour more than made up for the price of a $80 USD room. Alas, when we got to the hotel, we were told that we would be picked up the following day at 9:20am. We asked where we were going and they told us our tour was a trip to the zoo! We asked the clerk to take us off the tour list as we weren’t interested in going to the zoo. It wasn’t a big deal and we weren’t disappointed until we received several phone calls the next morning urging us to hurry up and get downstairs as the bus was going to leave without us! That’s when we noticed the men washing our windows and having a good old gander at me in my undies. Lovely.

Workmen's Ropes Outside our Window

After our first night there, John and I talked about staying on for the additional three nights. We decided we wanted to cut our losses and move on. We explained our disappointment about the room and the services, and told them that we didn’t want an upgrade, we just wanted a refund on our credit card so that we could move on.

The management asked us to stay for an extra half hour while they investigated the problems. We ended up going back twice to find out if they could refund our credit card for the remainder of our stay. That half hour stretched into an hour, and by that time, we were absolutely furious that we had already wasted half of day of our vacation dealing with hotel issues. The manager offered us a room upgrade and we figured we could spend the rest of the afternoon having a few drinks and lazing around by the pool for a few hours. That idea went kaputch when we got to the swimming pool and found out that not only is it under construction, but a family that was having lunch in the shade had also reserved all the sunbeds. There was nowhere for us to sit, the pool staff told us we should have reserved two seats, and that’s when we decided to cut our losses and get the hell out of Dodge, so to speak.

We both found it really ironic that Novotel is in the same price range as Le Meridien and the Hyatt. The attention to detail and the level of service that we received at Le Meridien (our next destination) doesn’t even compare to the Novotel. In fact, if I had to compare the two, then I say that Novotel had no guest service to speak of.

Despite how awful our first night was at the Novotel, we still ended up paying full price for our first night there. The way we were treated at Novotel made me angry enough to write to their headquarters. When we heard back from them, they literally had an excuse for every complaint we had.

Well, they say first impressions make a lasting impression. I can say with 100% certainty that we will never ever stay at the Novotel ever again.

Novotel, Kota Kinabalu, Borneo Malaysia is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

Carrie and I do almost all of our booking through Priceline when we’re staying in major cities in North America. We decide how much we want to pay for a night and put in a bid. We never know where we’re going to end up, but that’s part of the fun. We’ve stayed at some really nice places – places we probably wouldn’t have stayed at on our own – in the past five years.

Unfortanately, the Westin in Edmonton was a miss for us this time around. We really didn’t enjoy our stay there, and our main beef with them was the quality of service, or rather the lack of service we received. Despite our late arrival at the hotel, the service staff didn’t seem all that interested in making us happy.

We arrived at midnight and when we got there, there was no doorman or bellhop, so we ended up lugging our suitcases on our own. Lugging our own luggage in is NEVER a problem with us, but in light of what ensued, we felt the lack of service added to our overall impression of the hotel. That is, after all, what this site is for.

When I booked the room, I asked that our room be equipped with an extra cot for Caleb. I reminded the front desk again when we checked in and when we went up to our room, we spent fifteen minutes trying to get the door unlocked. We called someone to come and take care of our keys, but after what seemed like a long time of waiting around in the hallway with our luggage, I just decided to go downstairs and get the key changed myself. You’d think that in that amount of time, they’d have the cot delivered, but no, we ended up waiting another 20 minutes for the cot to arrive. We didn’t get to bed that night until an hour after check-in.

One thing we did enjoy the next morning, however, was the The Westin’s signature Heavenly Showerhead. Now, those are a nice added touch to the rooms. Each shower is equipped with a dual showerhead which was perfect for me and for five-year old Caleb. It’s the first time he’s showered with me and had a showerhead all to himself. After a long day of traveling, that high-pressure showerhead smoothed all our travel aches and pains out.

My complaints with the Westin are minor and I haven’t written the Westin off, though I’m curious about the lack of service at midnight. Does this happen during the day as well, or did we just catch them at a bad time?

The Westin in Edmonton, Canada is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

I didn’t think anything would be able to top our free night at the Park Hyatt this summer, but I admit, I was quite impressed with the Hilton. I’ve never stayed at a Hilton hotel before. The only reason I stayed there this summer was because I was heading to Toronto with a couple of girlfriends and we wanted a nice five-star hotel to bunk down in.

I bid on a downtown Toronto hotel on Priceline and that’s where I was placed. So I guess I have Priceline to thank for a great stay in Toronto and for turning me on to Hilton Hotels.

Our room was great, the service was impeccable, and I loved my stay there. I really enjoyed the modern ambiance of the hotel. The lobby was huge with lots of wood, glass, beautiful lights and tasteful decorations that really made the whole area feel very welcoming.

We were all impressed with the scenic elevator. We whisked our way to the top floor for a great view of downtown Toronto. After we viewed downtown Toronto from a birds-eye view, we headed out into the streets. The location of the Hilton is ultra-convenient. Toronto’s main attractions: the CN Tower, the entertainment, fashion, theater, and financial districts, even the Four Seasons Center of Performing Arts are all within walking distance.

Our room was tastefully decorated with large, comfortable beds and extra dark blinds that plunge the room into darkness when it’s time to sleep. Personal grooming products by L’Occitane made us feel quite extravagant.

We were really impressed with the indoor/outdoor pool. Located on the 2^nd floor, the pool overlooks University Street and there are lots of lounge chairs and plush towels for sunbathing.

The only thing I wasn’t impressed with was the $15 fee for Wi-Fi. However, I found out later that if I had presented my HHonors VIP card, I could have enjoyed complimentary Wi-Fi and access to the Executive Lounge. Ah, well.

All in all, though, we enjoyed our stay at the Hilton. I’d definitely consider staying there again.

The Hilton Hotel in Downtown Toronto, Canada is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

Travelers who find themselves in Puerto Princesa on either business or pleasure will surely find the mid-range accommodations at the Legend good value for their money. The hotel is located in the heart of Puerto Princesa, providing an ideal jump-off for various adventures in and around the city proper.

This hotel is full of special touches and homey comforts that will make any traveler feel at ease. The Atrium is an especially nice touch. This compact alley leads into the heart of the hotel, where guests gather to read and enjoy a cold drink. The swimming pool is also tastefully decorated. A rock wall adds charm to the enclosed area. There’s also a nice lounge area for patio events such as pool-side dining.

The Legend Palawan: Malvar Street, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Philippines

The Legend, Puerto Princesa, Philippines is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

Despite being number seven on Priceline’s list of best accommodations in Manila, the Manila Pavilion and Casino was a huge disappointment. If you’re going to spend $72 a night on a hotel, spend an extra $20 and book yourself a room at a well-known hotel chain. The Manila Pavilion is nowhere near being a 4-star standard hotel.

Our room on the 19^th floor was in a dark, wood-paneled corridor that smelled as much of smoke as it did of dust. The room was nasty. Threadbare carpets, uneven furniture that was obviously bottom of the barrel, a bedspread that was as distasteful to look at as it was to sleep on, moldy bathroom fixtures, and an odd smell that was vaguely suggestive of old cheese. We’ve stayed in $8US rooms that were cleaner and better equipped than our room at the Manila Pavilion.

Our disgust with the room was so great that we went down to the front desk to see if we could move. We found out we could upgrade to a room in the new wing of the hotel for an extra $12US. The new wing, however, wasn’t much better than the old wing. We didn’t find the staff helpful at all. We were reluctant to try out the hotel restaurant, and we were frisked going in and out of the hotel.

You wouldn’t be getting any complaints from us if the room had been under $20US, but $72US is a steep price to pay for such shabby accommodations. If you’re staying in Manila, the Manila Pavilion and Casino is one establishment you’ll want to give a miss.

Manila Pavilion and Casino, Manila, Philippines is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

The Galle Face Hotel

I stumbled onto the platform at sunrise at Colombo station after dizzy and naseous after a 12 hour train ride from Trincomalee.  It had been an unpleasant trip, sleepless on a hard seat winding ponderously through the dark and now presumably-guerrilla free jungles of the Sri Lanka Night.

Colombo was a city I’d never visited and about which I knew next to nothing.  I knew the name of one hotel, the Galle Face, from  a biography I’d once read about Arthur C. Clarke, the Science Fiction writer who had called the hotel home. Though I suspected it would be above my budget, I was too tired to care. I threw my knapsack in the back of a rickshaw and muttered Galle Face.

A distinguished gentleman

Despite my unwashed and slightly dazed appearance, I was treated like royalty from the moment I arrived.  This is how it was done I suppose in the days of the Raj, and at the Galle Face at least, the Raj has yet to end.

“Would you like to check in immediately, sir?  Never mind that it’s only six thirty AM. They’ll be no extra fee. Your day begins now, sir, and ends upon checkout at noon tomorrow sir, or later, should you wish.”

After checking in, I was led up the grand staircase to my room on the second floor, whose high ceilings made air conditioning superfluous (though a/c was, of course, available). I took a long bath in a claw-foot tub that, in contrast to the small tubs found in hotels in East Asia, was almost too long. Afterwards I collapsed in my bed, comforters white as a cloud and soft as an angel’s kiss.

In the afternoon I had high tea in the first floor restaurant after a long swim in the Galle Face’s salt water pool,  Invigorated, I headed out to explore Colombo before returning to the Gale Face for the evening. And while  I can’t claim to have seen Mr. Clarke’s ghost wandering the halls of Colombo’s Galle Face Hotel, I believe I saw him oh-so briefly, from the corner of my eye at sundown. He was sitting on the sea wall and looking out over the Indian Ocean, gin & tonic in hand and note pad in his lap.

Bust of Arthur C. Clarke

The Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka

http://www.gallefacehotel.com/

Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

The Riverstar Hotel

Centrally located on Sithowath Quay, the Riverstar Hotel in Phnom Penh offers reasonably priced budget accommodations with a great view of the Ton le Sap River. Major sightseeing attractions such as the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and the Royal Palace are all within walking distance of this hotel/restaurant.

We especially liked being right on the riverside. In addition to the river view, we had access to sidewalk cafes and restaurants. The entire area is a hub of activity and we enjoyed topping each day off with a long, lazy stroll along the river.

The Riverstar café is a great place to lounge and enjoy a cocktail. Open from 6am – 11:30pm, the café offers a wide selection of international cuisines, including Khmer, Chinese, Western and Thai dishes.

Traveler’s note: We arrived at the Riverstar unexpectedly and ended up getting the only room left,  located in the bowels of the basement. Although we were disappointed with our room the first night – it had no windows – the front-desk staff give us a great price on the room. They moved us to a top-level room the next day. We barely spent any time in our room, and despite the lack of windows that first night, we got a good sleep. Live and learn, I say. That’s what you get when you don’t book ahead and it’s the middle of Khmer New Year!

Rooms are basic and clean, costing between $18 and $35US. The staff are friendly and helpful. Internet service is available.

Booking tip: Receive free pickup from the airport and 20% off your room rate if you made a reservation in advance.

Address:

Building #185, Street 118 corner with Sisowath Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.Tel: (855) 23 991 450 / 990 501 / 3

E-mail: reservation@riverstarhotel.com

River Star Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

HALI HOTEL, ISTANBUL is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here