Monday, August 30th, 2010

Hotel guests want more than just cheap discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages, according to a recent 2010 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study released by J.D. Power and Associates. Guests also are looking for wireless internet, free breakfast, smoke free rooms, bedding and pillow choices, pillow-top mattresses, free parking, and a consistent level of service at all hotels carrying the same hotel brand name.

The survey’s results were based on responses from over 53,000 people who stayed in a hotel between May of ’09 and June of ’10.

The survey found that guests’ total satisfaction with hotels have risen over the past year, particularly when it came to the cost of their rooms, the reservation process and the quality of the rooms. Slightly more people booked their room online than in the past. 58 percent of all guests are now making their hotel reservations online.
Any evidence of cigarette smoke in hotel rooms is a major negative to most hotel guests. 87 percent of the survey respondents stated that they want a smoke free room.

The following are the highest ranked hotel chains grouped by hotel type:

• The Ritz-Carlton came in top in total satisfaction in the luxury hotel group, followed by the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and JW Marriot.

• Omni Hotels, Embassy Suites, and Renaissance Hotels and Resorts were respectively ranked highest in the upscale group of hotels.

• Hilton Garden Inn, followed by Drury Inn & Suites, was rated highest in the mid scale full service category.

• Microtel Inns & Suites came in tops for economy hotels for the ninth year in a row, followed by Howard Johnson Express Inns and Red Roof Inn.

• Homewood Suites, Staybridge Suites and Residence Inn were rated highest in the extended stay category.
www.cheapfares.com