Somewhere to stay...

A lot of this won't mean a thing to some people, as we are all different in our needs for accommodation in other countries. I have great neighbours who are happy to do the youth hostel thing, but that is not for me. I would do it in an emergency, but I have grown up liking my home comforts, and although it can be expensive, depending on when you go, I still like my clean sheets, and access to breakfast, etc. 
We have been very lucky with most of our choices of accommodation, and for all the trips we've done, there have been only one or two bad experiences. 
When you look on-line, not surprisingly, any establishment will always try to show themselves in the best light, but be careful as it may end up looking nothing like the photo!!

In Chester, UK, we had booked ahead for 2 nights in what looked to be a charming B & B. Not!! Apart from the difficulty in finding the place, the room was so small, (an already small room was made into an en-suite by installing a false wall, behind which was a toilet and a shower, very badly done. To sit on the loo, my elbows touched the walls on either side!! Plus, any shower in which you can't bend down to wash feet, etc., or be able to turn around in, is not a good experience).
The beds smelled stale and mouldy, and the owners were renovating the kitchen, which wasn't quite finished, and we later discovered they did not live on the property, but came in every day! Breakfast was fine, and the only saving grace of the whole episode. Anyway, the whole thing was saved by being able to wander around such a beautiful city.

The other thing to do is not to read all the comments, on some on-line booking agencies. They will allow you to see reviews of past guests, and if you are easily turned off, you might never stay at any of them. But, if you read between the lines, you can generally get a feel for what it is like. There will always be people who complain about the slightest things. Of course, if after paying out good money, you don't feel you got what you expected, then by all means let them know.

Don't be too afraid of booking on-line. I have never had any problems, and when you get good service, let them know. There is nothing better than having an on-line rapport with establishments, and most are only too happy to let you know more about the areas you are travelling to, and offer assistance.

And always thank them for taking the time to help out. Of course they want your money, but it can't hurt being appreciative up-front. You get good service, and they like to think they've provided it. There will always be "shonky" providers, but they will soon miss out, when they don't get the people recommending them, or coming back again.

What we have done for this next time is book a room at the nearest hotel at Heathrow, and just crash out until the next day. Then you can deal with some of the jet lag, and have a clearer head for what will follow. We hit the ground running last time, and it hit us the following day, so this time, easy does it.

Then we have arranged our hire car for 10 weeks. Pick up one place and drop it somewhere else, and all done from here.

Coming up soon...cruises, timeshare, self-catering, etc.