Can We Talk 2

Reservations for Rooms

         I hate making hotel reservations in unfamiliar places. If you use something like Orbitz or Trivago, you book the room first, then find out where it is. They take your money before you know anything about it, like address or nearness to your destination. If you don't like it, tough, no refunds, no cancellations.

         And I'm bad about following directions. GPS runs me into dead-ends or private homes. I'd rather pay $10 more and be directly on my route than have more amenities and be off-course. It might be close for a local, but for me it could be a nightmare. Cleanliness and safety are the most important factors to me. I don't need a pool or a gym. When I get to my function, I might discover a decent hotel closer, but I won't be able to make changes with the discount reservations.

         I suppose if I traveled more, all this would be easier for me. I don't like airports either, and try to avoid them. I'm not afraid to fly, I just hate traffic, check-in, etc., at airports. And I can throw everything into the car and not worry about limits. I'll have an iron and a hair dryer if necessary, although most hotels have both these days. In other words, I won't have to be such an efficient packer.

         My sister-in-law travels a lot and is very thrifty. She'll go into a hotel, use their Internet to book a reservation for that very night, and leave to go nearby to some other 4 star hotel for a cheap price. She loves airports, but likes to travel by car, because, like me, she wants to carry things for every contingency.