In your opinion what makes a good hotel?

[Coolhand]

What makes a good hotel for you? Is it the staff, the rooms, the amenities, the location?

For me, I start with the room: it should be big and clean with a king size bed, preferably with a balcony or at least a window I can open. Controllable air conditioning is a must, and a bonus if it is quiet. The bathroom/toilet should be clean and fairly modern, have sufficient shelving and storage and should be well lit.

The rest of the hotel should be clean and smell fresh. The staff should be pleasant, and if they can speak english that's a bonus. I don't really care for the extra amenities, they can be found elsewhere.

If the hotel has a good concierge, then that is a real bonus!

[laflafs]

I know ilots of people dont get up early , but I always try and stagger down for breakfast. A good morning feed always sets me up for the day- best ever bfasts- Germany everywhere.
so in answer to your question-the quality of the bfast

[cybernator_uk]

To be honest i am hardly in the room but when i am.... Comfy bed.... toilet....shower.... TV (for the news in the morning/afternoon) Thats it.... i dont need much really just the basics.... Nice hotel staff helps a little but i dont interact with them much so no real worries there...

[Rex7777]

For me, it's the location. I don't need much of a fancy hotel so long as the basics work. But the location is crtical. I like to be able to walk around the "neighborhood" and buy what I need, eat out, etc. If a hotel is secluded, then that doesn't work too well, for me.

Rex

[Mav]

Location, balcony with a nice view and good water pressure.

[steve w]

good bed,good shower,decent view first thing in the morning,and DECENT SECURITY for my stuff.by that i just mean secure locks,trustworthy staff and some sort of access to safe/strongbox

[LivinLOS]

Room outlined above is a good starter.. I also need a pool and strongly prefer to be easy access / pool level (stagger out in swimmers with a towel rather thendown through the lobby etc)..

Breakfast doesnt bother me.. Location can be out of the downtown no problems, always have a bike.

As Mav said good water pressure and large shower space with a shower nozzle thats not down at my shoulder level (and definately not stading ina bath).. Space for two desirable.

[Sirgezza]

Originally Posted by Mav

Location, balcony with a nice view and good water pressure.

555555555 Memories of Tana Patong????

For me a swimming pool is a must with plenty of sunbeds and not too crowded.

Safe deposit box, en-suite bathroom, comfy bed.

Staff should smile and when I say hello at least acknowledge my presence. Helpful attitude from staff and everywhere clean.

[Nautilus]

Room must be comfortable and clean and properly maintained. Toilet must be clean and no leaks.

Balcony is a plus, but i dont normally spend time on the balcony.

Pool facilities and restaurants on site a plus with good breakfast an added bonus.

Staff must be polite and friendly.

As long as i feel warm, comfy and the price is right, i will pay.

[barfly]

Location location location.
And a good shower and clean toilet.
Tea making always a good bonus as is a mini bar.

[seafox]

good location, easily accessible to beach or if in big city near nightlife areas.

Comfortable large bed, big bathtub and shower, A/C, balcony or patio if on ground floor, decent view, room must be well cared for, fridge, in room safe, good service from staff and pleasant attitude, lots of towels in room, good restaurant in case I want to stay in, room service, pool, large closets with adequate number of hangers to hang clothes, and a relatively quiet location if I want to sleep in.

[dawsey]

Efficient and quiet A/C is a must. I can't sleep in a hot room.
Location pretty important,no point wasting money on tuk tuks just because the hotel is 200baht a night cheaper.
Large comfortable bed,clean bathroom and shower. In- room safe is nice,as is friendly staff.
Pool essential,like an early dip to clear the head
Not fussed about the restaurant,I always eat out anyway.

[Frode10]

1. Location (close to the beach and action) Like Patong Bay Garden and Safari Beach Hotel
2. Clean
3. Friendly staff
4. Price

F

[LivinLOS]

Forgot to mention.. MUST have real coffee (meaning not instant.. coffee from beans).. Big plus points go to a hotel that can make a nice morning coffee and have espresso etc. I am really not bothered if you have to charge or over Charge me but I dont function without coffee in the morning. Now that machines and beans are available locally there is no excuse for instant.

As someone stated having in room kettle is a big plus as I often travel with a plunger and grounds but can live with room service.. I will really change hotels if they dont have proper coffee.

[nelsonone]

Well it does differ for me quite a bit depending on where I am and what I am doing............

In LOS I basically started out in luxury hotels and have gone down to mid/budget level........but I do like staggering distance to MTB, easy walk to beach, pool, nice generous sized room with good quiet aircon, king bed (not joined twins), safe box or 24hr access to one in the lobby, a nicely fitted out bathroom with strong shower, sat tv etc.....oh and I also like friendly helpfull staff.....and once I plonk myself in the room I don't check out even if I am out on a liveaboard or away travelling for 3-5 nights.........

If I am working I generally stay in luxury hotels as the taxman or clients pay for most of it............and I like checking out these spaces to see how things have advanced.....as I do get involved in hotel design from time to time....I need a good space to work in and other services such as internet + concierge + secretarial help....

[Nicke]

Good location
In room safety box
Coffe/Tea (hot water in room)
Water supply

BONUS
Pool
Newspaper in the morning
Internet

I dont care about breakfast, as I eat outside most of the time and never wake up in time for breakfast. TV and available channels is not important either.

I think for Phuket Internet and DVD players would be great benefits and low investments for the hotels. More and more people ask for hotels with wifi or lan access to internet and DVD players as they can buy cheap movies on street.

When I stay in Malaysia I really enjoy to read the newspaper and have a coffee when I wake up. My hotel there also have Thai massage, pool, fitness center, live filipino band and internet access in their deluxe rooms.

[stevem]

Nice hard/firm bed, not these soft things.
Extra pillows
Be able to turn off the A/C, some hotels you cant do this
Cable/satellite TV
Decent in room internet access
Good shower, hot water and high shower head.
Big fluffy towels which really do dry you, not hand towels.
Decent in room coffee

[M & M]

We like a large, clean modern room with good, clean, well lit bathroom...Quiet, yet close to the action, balcony is good, coffee/tea facilities, fridge, King Bed, controllable A/C, Safe in room is a really big thing for us...more convenient than always going to reception...don't necessarily need a pool and definately not saunas/gyms and the like. Daily maid service is essential. Don't need business facilities...but definately friendly hotel staff

On a whole we now find that mid range hotels are the go...maybe 2 1/2 to 3 stars in Phuket...as we don't require all the other things that build up the star ratings...just builds up the dollar ratings!!!!

[lucky2]

I like a reasonably cheap hotel close to the action. Sometimes I appologize to the girls but mention that with the money I save I can spend more on the girls I take to my room. I always get a big smile and a nod of approval in response.

[billpay]

For me the length of the stay makes a big difference in my choice. For short two or three day visit, location isn't that important to me, but on long stay of a week or more, location is all important. Even before location, I look for cleanliness. After that, aircon, minibar-fridge, decent sized wardrobe. Also, will not stay in hotel that does not have in-room safe. Will not stay in room that has carpeting on the floor. Always a bonus to stay in a place where the staff knows your name.

[IRISH JONNY]

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

To be honest i am hardly in the room but when i am.... Comfy bed.... toilet....shower.... TV (for the news in the morning/afternoon) Thats it.... i dont need much really just the basics.... Nice hotel staff helps a little but i dont interact with them much so no real worries there...

SAME SAME FOR ME.............IJ

[alabardero]

Location, close to action (specially for back coming)
Staff, just professional
Price, including guest friendly

[marc26]

what sets apart my favorite hotels:

quality linens on the bed-most upscale places have upgraded their linen to make it feel more homey-big comforters, nice pillows

big thick towels

luxurious bathroom