Wolters World

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Florida is one of the most popular U.S. destinations for international travelers, so today we’re giving travelers an overview of what to expect when staying at hotels in the United States. For this post, we’re only looking at hotels, but there are tons of other accommodation options in the US, including Bed & Breakfasts, Airbnb, hostels and campgrounds. And specifically, we’re going to look at the hotel chains that you will find all over the United States, and give you an idea of what to expect when booking these hotels.

What is the Difference Between a Hotel and Motel?

In the most basic terms, a hotel has interior, enclosed hallways. A motel, which is derived from “motor lodge” or “motor hotel” has exterior hallways and you can usually drive right up to your room. These were pretty popular in the 50’s and 60’s, and today are usually a cheaper (but more dated) option. Some travelers may feel less secure in a motel with doors that lead directly outside. These terms are a bit dated, so the name hotel or motel does not always indicate the hotel layout. Check photos online if you want to be sure.

How Do I Choose the Best Hotel?

Online reviews have changed the travel game for everyone. In the US, you can find reviews on TripAdvisor, Bookings, Trivago and even Yelp or Google. We live by Trip Advisor reviews, and rely heavily on them to make our hotel selection. Don’t just look at the 5-star and 1-star reviews; read some of the 3- and 4-star reviews for a well rounded picture of what the average traveler experienced.

What Are the Room Types in an American Hotel?

A double room in the United States means two double or queen size beds, which can each sleep two people. Unlike hotels in Europe, where a double room just sleeps two people, a double room in the US can sleep a family of four comfortably. The other option when booking your room is one king size bed, which is huge! You can fit two adults and a couple of kids in a king size bed with no problem.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Hotel in the US?

$100 is an average room rate for a decent overnight hotel in the United States. Paying less than $100 anywhere in the US will put you in the budget travel category and you can expect fewer services and dated rooms. In big cities or major tourist destinations, you can expect to pay between $200-$300 for a comfortable, updated hotel room. When you are choosing your hotel and comparing prices, remember that taxes are not included in the room rate. Taxes can add another 10-20%, depending on state and city taxes that are applied.

What is Included in My Room Rate?

Oddly enough, the more expensive the hotel, the fewer free things you will receive with your room rate. The more moderate hotel chains, like Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn or La Quinta will provide a free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. At some of the more upscale resorts and hotels, you can expect to pay a “resort fee” that can be around $25 per day, which covers WiFi and pool towels. Breakfast and parking will be extra on top of the resort fee. Be sure to read the fine print when you make your reservation, as the resort fee can be hidden and is almost never shown in the initial price you see.

How Do I Pay for My Hotel?

When you book a hotel online, you will be asked to provide a credit card to hold the room. When you arrive to check in, you will be required to show the credit card, and a photo I.D. Even if you want to pay cash for your hotel room, you will still need to provide a credit card until you check out. The hotel will place a “hold” or temporary charge to your card that covers any incidental charges, like movies or room service. Once you check out and pay, this hold will be removed from your card. In many hotels, you don’t even need to check out at the front desk any more; often, they will slip the invoice under your door overnight and if everything looks OK, you can just leave the key in the room when you depart.

Where Can I Charge My Devices?

Electrical outlets can be a challenge in hotel rooms, but this seems to be improving. Hotels are starting to add more outlets and USB ports built into the nightstand or lamps. Often, there’s just one electrical outlet near the bed, and it’s already being used by the alarm clock and the table lamp. Traveling with a power strip can be a lifesaver.

What is the Hotel Breakfast Like?

This will vary by hotel, but many hotels offer a complimentary continental breakfast. At a roadside mom and pop motel, this may mean a danish and some orange juice. At most hotel chains, like Holiday Inn Express, the continental breakfast is pretty generous. There’s usually a hot dish, like eggs or pancakes, an assortment of cereal and milk, plus toast, bagels and English muffins. Many Europeans expect to see meat and cheese, but that’s not usually offered as part of the continental breakfast. Also, these are almost always buffet style, meaning you can eat as much as you want. This can be a great way to save some money on travel by eating free breakfast at the hotel. Also, the time breakfast is served will vary quite a bit, even from weekday to weekend. If you have a super early departure, before 6am, sometimes the hotel can make up a to-go breakfast for you since the breakfast won’t be open yet.

What Can I Expect on The Television?

Every hotel room has a television, with standard cable and some Pay Movie channels. You’re not likely to find any international channels, although many towns have at least one Spanish channel. In areas that see a lot of international visitors, there may be one or two international channels. The pay movies are new releases you can watch in your room, but they can be expensive, and will be charged to your hotel bill.

Where Can I Find Hotel and Local Information?

Each hotel room in the U.S. comes with a folder or binder that is full of important hotel information, as well as local recommendations. The folder may also have discounts or coupons for local restaurants. For more personalized recommendations, ask the front desk staff or the concierge for their favorite restaurants and attractions. If all else fails, check TripAdvisor for local recommendations.

What If I’m Driving Across the US? Where Do I Stay?

Any trip to the United States will likely involve some driving, but if you are planning a long road trip in the US, you may worry about where you will stay each night. Fortunately, there are many hotel chains with locations along major interstates that are specifically meant for travelers just passing through for one night. Motel 6, La Quinta, Comfort Inn, etc all have convenient locations at Interstate exits. Most of the time, you can just pull in and get a room without reservations. However, if you are visiting a popular destination (say New Orleans as opposed to Exit 187 off I-80 in Nebraska) then you will want to make reservations in advance.

How Does Parking Work at Hotels in America?

In smaller towns, parking at your hotel is usually free. In big cities like Chicago and New York, your hotel may not even offer parking, and if they do, it will be expensive. When you are visiting US cities, and comparing hotel rates, this is something to keep in mind. A great deal on a Chicago hotel may not be such a great deal when you add on $60/night for parking. We prefer to visit cities without a car, only renting a car once we leave the city.

How Big Are the Hotel Rooms in America?

Compared to European hotels, American hotels rooms are usually pretty spacious, although there are exceptions, especially in New York.

Watch: Ten Things That Will Shock You in the USA

How Does the Mini-Bar Work?

Some of the more expensive hotels in the US will have a mini-bar, meaning your refrigerator is stocked with water, soda and alcohol. Most minibar systems are very sophisticated and can tell if you try to replace something, so don’t try to fool the mini-bar. Bring your own drinks, or be prepared for an expensive bill at checkout. The same goes for the lovely tray of snacks sitting out on the counter. If you are traveling with kids, you might want to put those $8 bags of M&M’s out of reach!

What if I’m Traveling with Kids?

US hotels can be very accommodating for families traveling with children, but you have to let them know your requests ahead of time. Many hotels will have baby cribs or PackNPlay’s you can use, but there are often a limited number, so be sure to reserved them prior to your arrival so they don’t run out.

Most of the chain hotels will have a pool, even if it’s just a small one. This can be a lifesaver for tired parents who need to wear out the kids before bed. There isn’t usually a lifeguard, though, so you have to watch your kids carefully.

What if We Fly Out Late at Night? Do We Have to Pay for a Night We Won’t Use?

Many times, you may have a late evening flight back home but your hotel checkout time is 11:00 am or noon. You don’t have to pay for an extra night, although some hotels will allow you to pay a late checkout fee to stay longer. Most hotels will store your luggage for you, so you can go explore during the day and collect your luggage before heading to the airport.

What If We Arrive Early in the Morning? Can We Check In Early?

Early checkins can vary by hotel and by day. If you are arriving at your destination very early in the morning, it may be worth it to book your room for the night before. Early check in is based on availability and if the hotel is fully booked, with a noon checkout time, you may not be able to check in before 3 or 4 p.m. Some hotels may charge an early arrival fee, while other will accommodate you if possible.

What Do I Need to Know About the Bathrooms in US Hotels?

For starters, you can throw your toilet paper right down the toilet. The garbage can in the bathroom is not for used toilet paper, but for anything else you might toss out, like tissues or cotton swabs and dental floss. Most hotels have a hair dryer in each bathroom, although you may have to hunt for it. Soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion are usually provided in the bathroom, as well as washcloths, hand towels and bath towels. You can leave your used towels on the floor, and they will be replaced by housekeeping. If you prefer to reuse your towels, just hang them up.

Read: Ten Things that Visitors to the USA Find Weird

How Do Keys Work in US Hotels?

Most US hotels now use electronic key cards that are programmed for the duration of your stay. A few of the older motels or fancy hotels may still use the old-fashioned keys. Unlike some European hotels, your room key is yours to keep during your visit. You don’t need to leave them at the front desk when you leave the hotel.

What if I Need Something During My Stay?

If your air conditioning stops working, or you just need extra sheets or pillows, you can request them from hotel staff. The phone in your room will have pre-programmed buttons for the front desk and housekeeping, so just give them a call. You will not be charged for phone calls made within the hotel.

How Can I Do Laundry at the Hotel?

Some hotels in the US have a laundry service where you can send out your laundry and it comes back that evening or the next day. (This is pretty expensive, however.) Other hotels will have a laundry room where you can do your own laundry. Those hotels will often sell laundry soap at the front desk. If laundry is important, make sure you call ahead because it varies greatly from hotel to hotel.

I this helps international travelers know a little bit more about United States hotels. Do you have more questions about traveling in the United States? Leave them in the comments; we use your questions to help decide what to write about in the future! For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos:

• The Don’t’s of Visiting America
• Safety Tips for Visiting the USA
• Tipping in the USA