Call them motels, hotels, or inns. They are all places to hang your hat on your travels. People who are guests of
hotels fit into two general categories. If all a hotel guest needs is a clean place to spend the night en route to
another destination, the choice of lodgings is likely to be quite different from the person who is on vacation or on
business and staying for a period of time. What category fits you at the moment will determine your priorities and
criteria. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

For the person passing through, one of the chain hotels is the best bet. They are excellent for their purpose of providing clean and affordable shelter. I've been in remote places where the Mom-and-Pop hotel is the only option, and sometimes the experience has been a delight. Quirky rooms with home-made quilts, unusual furnishings, and super-clean in all respects. On the other hand, I've also experienced lumpy beds, unpleasant odors, scratchy linen, and questionable sanitation. The beauty of the chains is that you know what you'll get, and when you're just passing through that's a comfort. They don't give you much in the way of extras, but you won't have any unpleasant surprises when you're road weary and looking for a night's rest.

Now, if you're making a longer stay, your criteria are quite different. Whether you're a guest on business, for pleasure, or some other extended purpose, you will want to define your expectations in these three areas: amenities, size, and price.

Price. To focus your search and save some time, first decide how much you are willing or able to spend. Once you've determined a price range and started shopping by phone or online in search of the best possible accommodations, you could find that there are a number of quality places available in the range you've set.

Size. Will you get a kitchenette, suite, or room? For extended stays, I highly recommend that you get a kitchen if possible because eating out all the time can actually get tiresome, as well as being costly. If not a kitchenette, then find out if you can have a microwave and fridge so that at least you can keep some fresh snacks on hand. Almost all rooms have a coffee maker nowadays, but ask about it just to be sure. Regarding the choice between a suite or room, check the prices. Oftentimes, the difference isn't that much, but the benefits are wonderful. Having a separate bedroom allows you to keep to your preferred schedule instead of compromising with someone sharing the lodgings.

Amenities. Does the hotel have a pool, an exercise room, a restaurant or lounge, shops? Are you located for easy access to the places you're planning to go? Is the room you have reserved on the quiet side of the hotel, away from street noise? Does your room have a view? If you ask about these little perks rather than leaving it up to the desk, you are more likely to get them, so decide what features you value and request them

For business. You already know what you need. Make the list and ask about them to be sure they're in place for you so that you have comfortable and productive business traveling. Two top issues for most business travelers are whether there is sufficient workspace in the room. A) There is often only one desk or table with a chair that fits it comfortably for writing or working on the computer, so if you are traveling alone you're all right, but if you're traveling with someone, then you'll need to ask how they can accommodate you for two work spaces. B) Internet service varies widely. If you need to have internet in your room for your laptop, ask if there is high-speed? Reliable wireless? Is internet included in the room fee, or is there a daily extra charge?

Your lodgings become a pleasant and restful staging area for your visit, when you have defined and communicated your expectations. For a stay of a few days or more, taking care of the details is worth your time. It pays of in comfort suited perfectly to your needs.

Luke Weyer is a frequent contributor to First Class Hotel Newsletterthe best on-line hotels information resource. Luke's archive of articles is found at http://www.fchotel.com/