Hotel.. always a curiousity arousing word. What is the lobby like?? Is there a coffee shop?? What cuisine does there restaurant serve?? Does it havea bar?? and what about the speciality restaurant?? Does it have Spa facilities?? Gym?? Steam?? Sauna?? Jacuzzi?? Very common questions.. But what purpose do these questions actually serve?? Does it tell you whether you have decided on a right hotel to stay in or not?? Well, okay, I am gonna try to answer these questions!!

First and foremost determine the purpose of your visit to the destination. Now divide the destination in two parts.... Business & Pleasure. Thing to note here is that all the places that you visit have an importance or important monument attached to it. So when you choose a Hotel it is mandatory for these decisions to be correct.

Secondly, you have to determine if you can have time off and if you can get your family involved after your work is finished.

Third.. Determine if the Hotel has been given a corporate rate by your company.

Choosing a hotel then becomes easy.

There are two basic categories in Hotels.. Business & Resorts. The sub classification then is based on specific services offered..

In a business Hotel things mentioned below are to be looked over carefully;

1. A very friendly and efficient Front Office staff. Make sure that you make friends with the Concierge in branded Hotels and Duty Manager in non branded ones.

2. Advantage to you if they have a business centre. Small things like xeroxes, faxing and mails (in hotels where Wi Fi is not available) will be very easy to access and if you are friends with the Concierge or DM you might just score one.

3. Spa facilities will help you relax after work hours, so make sure you have one in your hotel.

4. Make friends with the House Keeping room boy. Your laundry will reach you faster than others and if you are friends with the above, an urgent laundry will cost you regular pricing ;)

The business traveller also looks for shoe shine and Cable TV in rooms to be updated on the latest news etc. Also make sure that you have a Tea/Coffee maker in the room in working condition to hasten your early rise.

A Resort should ideally have a Reception and a huge lobby. By a huge lobby I mean a lobby which suggests being huge not by sheer size but by being open to outside. The rooms have to be away from the lobby area with all the above ammenities. DO NOT order Room Service in Resorts. It naturally takes time as the main kitchen is far away from the residential area of the resort. Its always nice to walk / go cart to the lobby or restaurant, that gives you a chance to connect with your accompanying partner (spouse, Girlfriend, friend...).

In a resort you need loads of outdoor activity. That gives you an opportunity to connect with the other residents and boast a bit of yourself. Also, it rejuvenates you when you sweat becoz a visit to the Spa after a game is always very invigorating. Pamper yourself with the Massages, Steam and the works.

Sight seeing should not be done by a hotel car. You should try to find some native who will be your best guide and sugest you good places to eat, hang out, have fun and will also save you a lot of money other wise ;)

Tried to pen it in a very general manner. Suggestions and comments welcome for me to further add and keep the advice updated.