| When traveling to an unfamiliar location it can be a | | | | Will accept most credit cards |
| difficult decision about where to stay. What are the | | | | Generous cancellation policies (often) |
| things you should consider when deciding the type of | | | | Cons |
| accommodation to book. | | | | Tends to be a more commonplace experience |
| As you know, chain hotels tend to be the larger, | | | | Frequently a sterile type ambience |
| "cookie cutter" type of accommodations. Although, | | | | More costly (this is not always the case, but |
| even if you choose a chain hotel, they are not | | | | remember - "You get what you pay for.") |
| necessarily company-run. There are many "chains" | | | | Independently Owned Accommodations |
| that are actually individual franchises. Most often, | | | | Pros |
| franchise-type hotes are required to meet some | | | | Uncommon styles of accommodations (even |
| basic company standards to remain part of the chain. | | | | underwater or in a cave) |
| The key concept here being "minimum standards". | | | | More of a cultural flavor |
| That can mean that not all the locations associated | | | | Less expensive (not always true) |
| with the chain are equally clean and well maintained.) | | | | A more personal experience with well-informed local |
| as others. | | | | advice |
| Often travelers will pick a chain hotel in an unfamiliar | | | | Can be part of the adventure |
| city so they feel like they'll know what to expect - | | | | Cons |
| no surprises. We did just that on our first trip to | | | | Not always sure what you're getting |
| Belize. We picked a well-known chain hotel and | | | | Language barriers |
| booked it for our first two nights in Belize City. It | | | | Booking difficulties (often don't have an online |
| was a mistake. We checked out after the first night | | | | reservations system) |
| for various reasons (not very clean, air conditioning | | | | Upfront deposits (smaller places need to charge |
| didn't work, etc.) and found, with the help of a guide | | | | some, or all, of the costs upfront) |
| book, the most wonderful B&B - the Fort | | | | Credit cards aren't accepted (smaller establishments |
| Street Guesthouse. It was like we stepped into an | | | | often don't take credit cards) |
| old movie - four poster beds, mosquito netting, | | | | Cancellation Fees and Policies (frequently there are no |
| amazing ambience, terrific owners (they mailed us a | | | | refunds, unless they can re-book the |
| Christmas card for years after our visit) and | | | | accommodations, if you cancel less than a certain |
| interesting guests. It made our visit to Belize City | | | | amount of time in advance.) |
| memorable. | | | | In many countries there are associations that rate |
| So, let's lay out the pros and cons so you can make | | | | independent lodgings such as Bed & Breakfasts |
| an informed decision. | | | | and Inns. It's a good idea to see if the property |
| Chain Hotel Accommodations | | | | you're looking at belongs to an association or has |
| Pros | | | | been rated by a tourism agency. |
| You know what you're getting (this is often true, but | | | | With advanced planning you can make your vacation |
| there are exceptions) | | | | a memorable experience. Even if some things go |
| Web-enabled reservations system | | | | wrong, hey, it's all part of the experience! |
| (frequently) | | | | |