How to Create the Best Hotel Experience: Tips for a Memorable Stay
Creating the best hotel experience while away from home can make a good vacation great. The opposite is also true: a less-than-stellar hotel experience can dampen the best vacations. We have stayed in many hotels and learned what conveniences are important to us and where we can compromise. Keep reading to learn how we evaluate hotels before booking your next getaway. Plus, a few reviews of our stays in Michigan
1. Online Presence
The first tip for ensuring you have the best hotel experience possible is to look at the information online. Check out their social media pages, website, and any available reviews. A few bad reviews won’t knock it out of the running, but pay attention to recurring themes. The biggest red flags for us are anything to do with cleanliness. Actual photos of the rooms help you evaluate a property in a more detailed way. We usually skip a property if we can’t see pictures of the potential rooms. Spend some time on this first step and it will help you narrow down your options for further research.
2. Location Matters
While you dive into the digital space, be sure to check the map of the area, both regular and satellite, to see what’s nearby. Most of the time, we like to be able to walk to as many things as possible from our hotel. Occasionally, we prefer something more remote and isolated to spend a quiet weekend in seclusion. Remember that “Walking distance” is relative and depends on how far you want to walk. Are you near things you want to do and see, like restaurants, water, trails, museums, etc.? Also, look for things that will detract from your hotel experience, such as busy commercial areas, less scenic views, or large busy roads. Take the time to look at the maps and pick a hotel in the best location for your needs.
3. In-Room Seating/Table
Use the photos and descriptions of the room to see what kind of seating is included. We like to bring books, journals, and laptops, so adequate chairs and table space is high on our list. We have tried to make do in rooms with only one chair and less table space than we typically use, which was an inconvenience. One way to supplement a lack of workspace in your room is to use communal spaces with chairs and tables, which is often the same area that serves breakfast in the morning. So, if your room does not have adequate space, check to see if the hotel offers this communal space. Many small properties do not have these extra spaces for guests, so do some digging if this is important to you.
4. Bed(s) in Room
Sleeping arrangements are a personal preference. Things that may affect your bed preferences include the number of people in your party, physical limitations, medical issues, or snoring. If your sleep schedules differ, having your own bed can prevent sleep disruption. There are many reasons for choosing different sleeping options; make sure the room matches your needs because sleep is just as important as all the exploring you have planned.
5. Shower/Bathtub/Jacuzzi tub
You may not consider bathing facilities when booking a hotel, but shower facilities can be critical. You expect something to be there, of course, but is it what you want? A standard shower gets the job done. Sometimes, you may want a nice soak in a bathtub or a jacuzzi tub, so make sure it’s available. For those with mobility issues, types of bathing facilities may be higher on the list than it is for others; in either case, it is worth noting to ensure you get what you are looking for.
6. Small Appliances in Room
Small appliances are mainly important for in-room dining. Most small appliances in standard rooms include a small fridge, microwave, and a coffee pot. Often, a hair dryer and sometimes an iron are included. The most important for us is the coffee pot. Your top appliances may be different depending on your plans. We have, at times, used all of these. If you enjoy a leisurely morning and are coffee drinkers, that coffee pot is like gold. We often bring our own coffee to supplement what is available in the rooms. Sometimes, the photos on the website will give you an idea of the type of appliances included-especially the type of coffee maker, so you can plan for the sizes and types of things you want to bring along for the fridge, microwave, or coffee pot (kcups, or ground coffee and filters, real 1/2 & 1/2, microwave popcorn, etc.). Or maybe you can save a little space and leave your blow dryer at home.
7. Breakfast
Most websites will tell you if breakfast is part of your stay. However, “breakfast included” means many things and may also depend on the time of year. For seasonal areas, your off-season breakfast may consist of a few staples in a fridge near the check-in desk. Make sure to ask about this if the website isn’t clear. Ask precisely what you can expect and when it is available. Some properties offer limited items on a first come basis; when they are gone, you are out of luck. Be very detailed with your questions so you know what to expect for breakfast.
8. Communal or Shared Spaces
As mentioned above, not all properties have shared guest spaces, which can also vary based on the season. If you have adequate seating in your room, this may not be as high on your list of necessities. Knowing when the spaces are available and what size they are is essential. If you are visiting with larger groups (friends/family), these spaces can be used for a family meal or games when other spaces are inadequate. Communal spaces can be used for work, as a comfortable spot for eating take-out, or for morning or afternoon coffee (yes, we like coffee). We like to use these spaces to interact with other travelers or locals. It is nice to connect with other people. If available, these spaces can elevate your hotel experience, so don’t hesitate to ask about them.
9. Seasonal Limitations
We all know outdoor pools are seasonal, but other things may not be as obvious. The communal seating mentioned above may be outdoors or in rooms not used in the off-season and, therefore, may not be available when you are visiting. Breakfast or items for breakfast may also be seasonal. Looking around the area for things to do, you may find that half the town shuts down for the off-season. Restaurants, stores, and entertainment may be sparse at certain times of the year. Make sure to check ahead on these things. Google Maps can be helpful with this when they list venues as “temporarily closed.” You can also check websites or call ahead to any business you hope to visit.
10. Take Stock of the Room & Ask for What You Need
The first thing we do when we arrive is take stock of what is in the room, how it smells, how clean it is, and how we will use the space. We had a room in the past that smelled very strongly of mold and were promptly given another room when we asked. Check the brochures in the room as soon as you arrive. We learned there are things available on request that we could use but hadn’t thought they would have, like a computer table or a corkscrew. You can request extra blankets or pillows if you need more than what is provided. Don’t be shy, but be respectful. It is much easier to ask right away than wait until something becomes urgent.
11. Responsive and Friendly Staff
How the staff treats guests is tough to determine beforehand, but reading reviews can help. Look for reviews that mention how the staff or owners treated them. Many times, reviews mention these things. Another way to check beforehand is to call and ask questions about some of the items listed above and see how they respond. Finally, pay attention while you are there so that you can write a review for other future travelers or recommend it to friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support small businesses in our beautiful state. Also, be mindful that friendliness is a two-way street (aka rude guests seem to end up with rude staff.)
Being selective about your hotel space doesn’t necessarily mean it will be more expensive. Simply by knowing what is most important to you, you can ensure your top priorities are included in your stay.
REVIEWS
Cadillac House Inn and Tavern
The Cadillac House Inn and Tavern is in Lexington, Michigan, on the Lake Huron shoreline. We visited in February of 2024. The room was beautiful and very clean. It included a microwave, mini-fridge, Keurig coffee maker, hairdryer, and two cozy bathrobes. There was also a chair and a tiny side table. The hotel information we found in the room listed a computer table available by request. We asked about this and the staff person brought it up right away. We missed the pastries for breakfast, but fruit and yogurt were available. Both communal seating areas were closed for the season, but you could sit in the check-in area or the bar later in the afternoon or evening. The Cadillac House is located downtown, and we easily walked to most of the places we visited. Overall, we were pleased with our stay and recommend considering them for a stay in Lexington, Michigan. You can read about our Lexington adventure and maybe use it to plan your own.
Benzonia Rustic Resort
Rustic Resort is off the beaten path and tucked along the Betsie River in Benzonia, Michigan. We have stayed here twice. This is a great quiet home base for exploring the Frankfort, Traverse City, and Sleeping Bear Dunes areas. They have a range of options for sleeping, including small cabins, campsites, larger cabins, and a hotel-style room. All the accommodations (other than the rustic tent sites) have modern amenities to suit your needs. We haven’t stayed here since the property changed hands, but we have been in touch with the new owner and are planning a trip to see the improvements. Our last stay was in 2022, and we can’t wait to return. This is an excellent spot for relaxing evenings and slow mornings. It is close to many fun things to do and see on your daytime trips. Most cabins have full kitchens and charcoal grills. There is a grocery store just down the road, so having some leisurely home-cooked meals is convenient while you are vacationing.
Harbor Beach Inn
Harbor Beach Inn is an economical choice within walking distance of downtown Harbor Beach and Lake Huron. It doesn’t look like much outside, but we enjoyed our stay in 2021. The motel manager was helpful and kind. Our room was well stocked with everything needed and was very clean. The room had a coffee pot, mini-fridge, and microwave. We enjoyed our stay here and could walk to the beach and explore downtown. If you visit Harbor Beach, check out the Frank Murphy Memorial Museum. We had an outstanding tour and learned so much!
The Weathervane Inn
The Weathervane Inn is on White Lake in Montague. This charming little hotel has a nice deck off the back with various places to sit and watch the water. Some of the rooms have balconies that overlook the water and the harbor. Our room had a couch, table and chairs, and a nice large jet tub. There was also the usual mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee pot. There were also coffee, tea, and snacks near the check-in desk most hours of the day, and a light continental breakfast was included. The Weathervane Inn is within walking distance of downtown Montague and a longer walk or very short drive to downtown Whitehall to the South or Lake Michigan to the Northwest. We had a very comfortable stay here on Memorial Day Weekend of 2022 and enjoyed exploring the area.
Beachcomber Motel and Apartments
We visited the Beachcomber Motel in March of 2024. Port Austin is a summer town, and most businesses here are geared toward the summer beach life. Much of the town was closed down, but we managed to do some exploring. We were there on a particularly windy and cold weekend, so we didn’t get out and walk around that much, but the downtown area is within walking distance. The Beachcomber is right on a beautiful sandy beach on the shore of Lake Huron. Since it sits at the tip of the thumb, you can watch stunning sunsets from the property. There are a wide range of room types here. We had a traditional hotel room with the usual amenities: mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee pot. The room was updated, well-appointed, and very clean. During the summer, the large heated outdoor pool right in the center of the property is open to guests. The communications with the hotel were outstanding before, during, and after our visit. They did an exceptional job of making sure we had everything we needed. We may have to try them out and enjoy that heated pool during the warmer months.
With some planning and a dash of wanderlust, you can create unforgettable memories on your next getaway. Here’s to happy travels and creating your best hotel experiences!