Choosing a Hotel

Because of the diversity of hotels a rating system, based on stars, was created. However, rating systems don't all carry the same definitions. For instance, the American Automobile Association (AAA) in the United States regularly reviews and rates facilities with a scale based on one star to five stars. The ratings reflect specific written standards set forth by AAA. Travelers who are familiar with this system will know what to expect when booking a reservation at a hotel rated on this scale.

But in Europe or Latin America, ratings systems (if they exist) are widely scattered and unorganized. The same applied to most online travel booking sites that apply their own "star" system, which is not related to AAA.

If the facility is unfamiliar, rather than rely on a ratings system that could be unfounded, look to online review sites for help or ask friends or business associates for recommendations.

From their humble beginnings in spare rooms of private homes to the most plush, opulent and service-oriented facilities available, hotels have evolve into temporary housing for people of all classes who travel. With such a diverse selection, finding a hotel that caters to your needs, on your level can be the defining point in a holiday or business trip.

Hints for hotel guests

When travelling people almost always stay at hotels. It is advisable, therefore, to keep in mind the following:

1 The first thing to do is to book a room in advance either by letter, telephone or fax. Otherwise you may arrive at the hotel and be told that there are no rooms.

2 On arrival at the hotel go to the receptionist desk in the lobby and confirm your reservations. The clerk will then give you a registration form to fill in and sign. The form is to be filled in block letters. In smaller hotels you simply sign the visitor’s book and give your permanent address.

3 At large hotels you may ask for any service by phone. Tell the operator if you wish to be called at a certain time. Call room service when you want a meal or drinks sent up to you room. Call valet or maid service if you need your suit or dress cleaned or pressed.

4 Let the hotel management know well in advance the day and time of your departure. Vacate your room before noon. 12 o’clock is the international check-out time. If for some reason you stayed longer, you would have to pay for another night.

Flying still the safest form of travel

There are more flights and more passengers travelling into and out of the UK than ever before. The overall number of planes taking off and landing last year grew by five per cent - to 1.96 million. Despite the increase, air travel remains one of the safest forms of travel - especially if you're on a UK airline.

Passenger statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority show that last year the six main airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Stansted and Glasgow - handled more passengers than the year before.

Stansted showed a 37.7% increase in overall passenger numbers to almost nine and a half million people. Within that, there was a 42% increase in international passengers.

According to the British Airport Authority, Heathrow remains the world's busiest airport for international passengers and is also the world's second busiest cargo port.

On average 82 planes an hour take off and land there and more than 60 million passengers used the airport in 1998/99.

Arrivals and departures at Heathrow have to be co-ordinated not just at the airport itself but also with planes arriving and leaving other airports such as Gatwick, Stansted and London City. It makes the skies above some of the busiest in the world.

Heathrow alone can use more than one stacking system for incoming planes and a stack can hold an average of six aircraft.