肖强：教你如何获取酒店最好的客房
STORY HIGHLIGHTS 本文精要
1. Reserve with the hotel directly for tips on choice rooms 直接向酒店预订时精选房间的小贴士
2. Ask about renovations or events that might be going on during your stay 询问关于住宿期间可能产生的改造或活动干扰
3. Being nice always increases your chances of an upgrade 显示友善总是能够增加房间升级的机会
(CNN) -- I was recently given the option of paying about $20 more for a hotel room in New York City with a skyline view. It put me at eye level with the Chrysler Building, and as the sun went down and the city lights began to twinkle, I savored every beautiful minute knowing I'd made a smart choice in paying just $20 for a million-dollar view.
You can put me in a (clean) shoebox-size room, but if there's even a glimpse of my beloved Chrysler building, the Eiffel Tower or the ocean (any ocean), I'm willing to pay extra. When it comes to hotel rooms, the definition of "best" is in the mind of the key holder. Here's how to be sure that you're getting the best possible room to suit your needs.
最近我多花了20美元升级到一个可以看到纽约地平线且望过去与克莱斯勒大厦（77层，建于1930年）几乎平齐的酒店客房，看着夕阳西下和华灯初上，尽情享受着额外多付20美元换来价值百万景色的明智之举带给我的每一分钟美妙时刻。你可以把我放进一个（干净的）鞋盒大小的客房里，但如果只是为了看上一眼我所喜爱的克莱斯勒大厦、艾菲尔铁塔或是大海（任何大海），我都愿意额外多付一些。至于酒店的房间，“最好”的定义皆在拿着钥匙的房客脑海里。这儿罗列了一些能够让你获得最佳客房的方法。
Define your preferences on size, view and location
对于房间大小、风景和位置详细加以说明
Even when you know what you like, your idea of the perfect room could change depending on the purpose of your trip. If you're working the entire time, having a spacious desk area may be a priority; but if you're on a romantic escape, a spa tub and a private balcony might be on your must-have list. Write down your preferences before starting the reservation process. Once you start making calls, write down the name of everyone you speak to, especially if they promise you something specific.
即使你知道你所喜欢的房间，你关于完美客房的想法也会根据旅途的目的而发生改变。假设你全部时间都是在工作，有一张宽敞的办公桌自然是首选。但如果你正在享受一个浪漫的假期旅行，一个SPA浴缸和一个私人的阳台可能会在你必选的清单当中。当预订之前把你的要求写下来，并且记下每一个与你通话人的名字，特别当他们承诺了你一些特殊事宜的时候。
"For some guests, size matters. The larger the accommodation, the better. Some people prefer accommodations on a high level of a building, while others think the best rooms in the house are on the first or second floor for easy and quick access," says Preston Muller, of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Florida.
“对于一些客人而言，大小很重要，越宽敞的住宿越好，而有一些客人喜欢住高楼层，但也有一些客人认为便于出入的一层或二层客房才是最好的。”弗罗里达德斯汀的Sandestin高尔夫和海滨度假酒店的普利斯顿.穆勒这样说。
Whether you're staying at a high-rise boutique hotel in a busy city or at a sprawling beach resort with more than 1,300 different rooms, researching your choices online will clarify your options. But then, Muller says, pick up the phone.
"Book directly with the property whenever possible" and "be your own private investigator," are two of his top tips. This six-year veteran of Sandestin's Guest Services department says that when he travels, he takes an informal poll before booking a room.
"I call the on-site reservations team, the front desk and/or the concierge and ask for their opinion."
无论你是住在繁华都市的高层精品酒店，还是下榻于超过1300间客房的海滨度假酒店，在网上对酒店情况做一下研究将有助于你最终的选择。但是，穆勒说：拿起电话“尽可能直接致电酒店预订”和“做自己的调查员”是他两个最高提示。这位在SANDESTIN客户服务部工作了六年的资深人士说，每当他出外旅行，他在真正预订前会做一个信息测试。“致电给酒店现场的预订团队、前台或是礼宾部，并征询他们的意见。”
Be kind, and clear 显得友善而且有条理
Once you've arrived, be kind to the front desk staff. But do let them know right away if something isn't right.
"You shouldn't just be satisfied; you should be happy," says Trang Phan, front office manager at the Affinia Dumont in New York. "And remember, a little friendliness goes a long way."
Muller agrees, noting that "The Golden Rule" goes a long way in the hospitality industry. "Knowing what you want for your price range, plus kindness with the front desk agent are your best avenues" for getting a top-rate room, he says.
当你抵达的时候，对前台人员要显示出友善。但如果情况出错时也必须让他们马上知道。“你不应仅仅是满意，而应当是开心。”纽约阿费尼.杜蒙特酒店前台经理Thang Phan说：“记住，小小的友善可以达到很好的效果。”
穆勒非常同意这个观点，并提示在酒店业中非常奏效的“黄金准则”：“知道在你价格承受范围内自己想要些什么，然后再加上对前台人员的一点点友善就是最佳达到目的的方法。”
Ask specific questions 详细而精确地询问
Your hotel investigation should include questions such as "Is the hotel renovated?" and "What events are happening during my stay?" If your goal is peace and quiet, you probably don't want to stay on a floor that's filled with wedding guests. Even if you feel you made yourself clear when the room was booked, your quest for the perfect room enters the next phase during check-in.
在对酒店进行调查的时候可以包括这样的问题：“酒店正在装修吗？”和“在我下榻期间酒店会有什么大型的活动吗？”如果你的目的是要安宁与平静，你可能不想住在充满参加婚宴客人的那层客房。即使你觉得自己在预订后把之前的功课都做足了，你的完美客房探寻从登记入住时才刚刚开始。
"Explain why you are traveling -- good front desk staff will elicit this information from you, but be nice and participate -- and ask if they have any flexibility or recommendations," says Paul James of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and The Luxury Collection.
You never know what you might be missing by blindly accepting whatever key is handed to you without making a single inquiry.
"I know many hotels in Paris that have great Eiffel Tower views from quite ordinary rooms. What would you rather your beloved sees the next morning -- an extra three feet of floor space, or a majestic view of the city's icon?" says James.
Friends in fun places? Be a good guest
“说明你此行的目的——优秀的前台人员会很好地解读你的需求，但要显示友善和参与——询问他们是否有弹性空间和推荐。”圣.瑞吉酒店管理集团豪华精选酒店的保尔.杰姆斯说。你如果没有仔细询问便盲目地从前台人员手中接过钥匙一走了之可能会导致你失去一些东西。
“我知道在巴黎很多酒店普通的客房都能看到艾菲尔铁塔的景色，你究竟想次日清晨让你所爱的人看到的是高起三英尺的建筑楼台呢，或是城市标志性的壮丽景色呢？”杰姆斯说。
在开心之地交朋友? 做一个好客人。
Be proactive about upgrading your experience 对于升级体验有心理前摄
In other words, if something is included in the room rate, enjoy it! James warns that guests often overlook resources that wouldn't cost them a dime more.
换句话说，如果房费中已经包含了某些东西，那就好好地享受它！杰姆斯提醒有些客人经常会忽略不花一个子儿就能得到的资源。
"Whether it is a butler service, stellar concierge team, or complimentary mini-bar items that can be pre-stocked, the hotels are offering all of these services to make your stay easier and more enjoyable. So often travelers are afraid to utilize these services and they can really make all of the difference," says James.
不管是贴身管家服务、委托代办团队或是常备的免费迷你吧用品，酒店总是想方设法让客人的居停更方便和舒适，但往往很多人仍然担心使用这些服务会使他们看起来比较另类。”杰姆斯说。
Glenn Haussman of Hotel Interactive makes a living monitoring the hotel industry. He says many overlooked benefits are easy to get -- all you have to do is ask.
"Ask for that resort fee to be removed. Ask if they have any coupons available for use on-site. You may get some free drinks or even a free meal," says Haussman.
Personally, whenever I'm faced with a hotel charge for wi-fi, I ask about a discount. You may not always get the discounts or the freebies, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask.
A free drink may not sound like much, but if you're a road warrior who spends more time in hotels than in your own home, those small items can make a big difference in your bottom line.
酒店互动科技公司的格伦.霍斯曼对酒店业做了一个深度的追踪。他反映许多住客权益垂手可得——你只要开口问就行了。
“询问度假区门票的费用是否可以免去，是否有各种各样的经营场所优惠券，由此你可能会得到免费的饮品和餐食。”霍斯曼说。
个人而言，每次我面对收费的WIFI服务，我都会要求一个折扣。你不会总是能够被动得到优惠折扣或是免费赠品，但问一下是无妨的。虽然免费赠饮算不了什么，但如果你是一个呆在酒店比呆在家里时间还多的空中飞人，这些会使你有所不同的小玩意儿应该就是你的底线。
Using the gym or the pool, watching complimentary movies in your room or relaxing in the hotel's outdoor Jacuzzi are all examples of maximizing your temporary surroundings. Taking part in an activity that may not be accessible at home can help you establish a fresh mindset for the vacation or work agenda at hand.
Some hotel programs allow you to add amenities to your room based on your personal taste or needs. For example, the "Forget it, We've got it" program at Kimpton Hotels provides guests with everything from flat irons to humidifiers to a clothing steamer.
使用健身房或是泳池、在房间里观看免费电影或是在酒店户外的按摩浴缸里好好放松一下都是使你临时居停环境进一步最大化的好例子。参加一些在家里无法做到的活动能够帮助你对度假或是差旅行程产生一个崭新的观念。
一些酒店计划允许你根据个人品味和需求往居住的客房里增加一些用品，举例而言，金普顿酒店的“忘了，我们有”计划当中可以为客人提供任何东西，包括蒸汽熨斗上的平烫器和加湿调节器等配件。
This boutique hotel collection puts an emphasis on wellness, and in line with that concept, guests can also request yoga gear for use during their stay, free of charge. And if you're feeling a little lonely on the road, call the front desk at any Kimpton property and a goldfish will be waiting for you in your room. Another perk alert: Travelers who join Kimpton's loyalty program (free of charge) will get complimentary wi-fi and a $10 credit for their room mini-bar.
One word of caution: if you're questioning whether an in-room amenity is free or not, make a quick call to the front desk. I once racked up a surprise $16 fee for bath salts that I thought were part of the room package at a spa hotel.
精选精品酒店将重点放在保健方面，为了与这一理念相一致，客人可以在下榻期间要求加一些免费瑜珈用品。如果你在旅行中感觉有些孤独，打个电话给金普顿酒店前台，一个金鱼很快就会出现在你的客房。另外一个增值提示：任何加入金普顿酒店忠诚客户计划的客人均可免费获得WIFI和10美元信用的迷你吧饮品或小食品。
重要警示：如果不知道有些房内用品是否免费，请直接致电前台。有一次我因使用了房内浴盐而被收了16美元，而我原以为作为SPA酒店这些应当是包含在酒店房费中的。
When it's a celebratory stay, let the hotel know
当你住店恰遇值得庆贺的重要纪念日， 一定要让酒店知道
Is your stay in honor of your ten-year wedding anniversary, or a girlfriend's 40th birthday? As soon as possible, alert the hotel that you're marking a milestone.
Even the night before is usually plenty of time for some TLC to be arranged. "Call and speak with a manager, especially if you're celebrating a special occasion," says Phan. Flowers, hors d'oeuvres or a complimentary bottle of wine could show up in your room.
One Sandestin guest booked a surprise 21st birthday overnight stay for her younger brother. Upon their arrival "Happy Birthday" was printed on their keys for a keepsake and a personalized birthday card was waiting for him in his room.
此行是否恰逢你的十周年纪念日，或是你女朋友的40岁生日？尽快提醒酒店你正在经历一个重要的阶段，即使良宵当前通常也有充足的时间可以安排一些显示温柔体贴的环节。“给酒店经理一个电话并和其聊一下，尤其在你庆祝特殊日子的时候。”Phan说。
鲜花、开胃菜或是一瓶免费的葡萄酒可能会出现在你的客房。一个Sandestin度假村的客人为她的弟弟21岁生日预订了一个过夜房间，当他们抵达时，“生日快乐”的字样被印在了钥匙卡上作为纪念品赠送给他，房间里放置了一张精心准备的个性化祝福卡。
When you find hotel paradise, record it 当你发现了酒店的天堂，把它记下来
If a room makes you very happy, the best way to ensure a repeat performance is to write down the room number. Whip out your smartphone and take a photograph of the sign on the wall, or even the view from the window. That way you can provide your reservationist with that info the next time you call, whether it's a week or a year later.
Even if the specific room you stayed in before is taken, they will have a reference for your preferences and can reserve accordingly.
当一个客房使你很开心，最好的方法就是将房号记下来。拿出你的智能手机将墙上或是窗外的景致拍下来，不管是一周或是一年之后，这个方法可以使你下次致电时能够向预订人员提供更加清晰、准确的信息。
即使你所要求的房间已经有人住了，他们也会根据这个参考信息帮你找到符合你选择要求的房间。
The room I fell in love with in New York was at the Affinia Dumont on East 34th Street. After taking in the view one last time, I left the room and wistfully checked out. I was headed for the door when I ran back to the front desk with one final request.
"Please note in my file that for future reservations, if that exact room is ever available when I call, I want it."
"Absolutely, Ms. Oswald, it's duly noted," said the front desk clerk. And just in case they forget, the number is listed in my phone, on my computer and I texted it to my travel agent. For that one hotel at least, my private investigation is over; case closed.
这个位于东大街34号的阿费尼.杜蒙特酒店里让我一见倾心的客房，在最后环顾一周之后我终于依依不舍地离开了。当办完结帐手续步出酒店的时候，我突然想起了些什么，便径直跑回前台：“请在我的客史档案中记录一下，当我下次致电时如果这个房间还没人住，那么就给我。”
“一定，奥斯沃特女士，已经记下了。”前台人员回答。为了防止他们忘记，这个房号已经记录在我的手机里、电脑里，并且发给了订房代理。
至少这一家酒店，我的个人调查已经完成了，至此结案。