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A Hotels.com survey asked 1,000 people which of 33 hotel amenities are most important to guests. Here are the top picks.
1. Complimentary breakfast It’s nice to be a member of Parliament who can afford $16 glasses of orange juice when you travel. But most travellers — especially those vacationing with families — look to save a bit of cash by seeking hotels that offer free breakfasts.
2. Restaurant Not every hotel is surrounded with a choice of nearby dining establishments. Consider your average airport hotel or something that is on the outskirts of town. If you need to hire a taxi to go out for a meal, eating out becomes even more expensive. An in-house restaurant is a must. It also doesn’t hurt if the restaurant has an attached bar.
3. Internet and free Wi-Fi A hotel room without Internet access is like having no bed. It is an amenity that guests expect, so not having it can be a dealbreaker for many. Midrange and budget hotels often give free wireless access to their guests, but some higher-end places, especially those catering to business travellers with expense accounts, still charge for access.
4. Parking Having a place to park your car, whether it be for free or at an affordable fee, is a godsend for travellers who have their own vehicle. In some big cities, you can end up spending more money parking your car off-site during your stay than you will for your hotel room.
5. 24-hour front desk service When the toilet overflows at 3 a.m. or some other emergency arises outside normal working hours, it’s reassuring to know there is hotel staff on hand to help. Having 24-hour service at the front desk seems like something every hotel should have, but you’d be surprised how many don’t.