Faremax: Travel Forums

Does anyone have any favorite differences between hotels abroad and hotels in the US?  For example is the staff friendlier or are the rooms larger? 

I think it depends on the hotel your staying in more than the country taht hotel is in.

I agree with the other poster ...that it all depends on the type of hotel rather than the country.  I've had great and terrible experiences in everything from 5 star to guest houses in both the U.S. and abroad.

U.S. rooms tend to be roomier as a general rule but it isn't a constant rule by any means. 

I have noticed that European hotels do not have face clothes, as opposed to North American hotels and as the others said North American hotels are a bit roomier too. Other than that it all depends on the star rating. Nothing else seems too much different.

Rooms in Europe are sometimes smaller for comparably priced hotels.  The showers were the first difference I noticed, though.  Many of the budget hotels I stayed at didn't have a shower stall, just a shower head, curtain and a drain.  The water runs all over the bathroom floor.

The biggest differences I found between hotels is in Europe, there are rarely pools.  You have to request your own bathroom in many cases and the showers are less than desired.  The typical hotel in Europe just seems to be a place to rest your head although luxury chains are cropping up.

Based from my observation, hotels in the United State were more high quality standard of facilities and equipment compared to the hotels in Asia.

I've noticed that hotels with shared baths in the US are generally not attended to as well as shared baths in European hotels.  I have found a couple of good ones in New York, for when I have to travel on a tight budget.  But it took a few scenarios of "Never mind, I'm not staying here" before I found a good one.

I heard that hotel staffs in the United States are high standard. They are entertaining to all guest and very hospitable. How true?

shinningstar:

I heard that hotel staffs in the United States are high standard. They are entertaining to all guest and very hospitable. How true?

It is very much a case of you get what you pay for.  High-end hotels will treat guests with personal attention to all their needs, always finding what they need for them.  On the other hand, if all you're looking for is a place to sleep, you'll be able to pay a lot less money and get treated with a polite hello.  Of course if you ask for something not out of the ordinary like an extra bar of soap, and the hotel is able to provide it easily enough, you'll certainly get it... but you won't get the "red carpet" treatment of a higher-end hotel.

In my experience a 2 star hotel in the USA is better than a 3 star hotel in the UK - we must have very different standards.

In the UK all you need is a bed, kettle, bathroom and you are 3 star - no matter the size or cleanliness.  All the hotels I've stayed in while in America have been 2 or 2 1/2 star and they had much bigger rooms, better service, and even stuff like fridges and microwaves in the room.