Last Updated on February 3, 2026 by Fadra Nally
When it comes to hotels, I don’t need the best hotel but I do need a great hotel. I am definitely not an “it’s just a bed” kind of traveler. And honestly, I don’t think you should be either. With a little bit of help, I can show you what to look for and how to find a great hotel.
But if you’ve grown up in a modest environment, can you really have an appreciation and even discerning eye for the finer things in life? I’m living proof that yes. Yes, you can. I’ve gone from a plastic spoon to a silver spoon and frankly I think that’s a better way to do it. There isn’t necessarily an expectation but an appreciation for the finer things. And certainly, there’s a need for value.
Let me be clear, though. Value is different than budget.
In my earlier years, if I required a hotel (actually, I only stayed a motels or motor lodges as they were often called), it would be something along the lines of a Red Roof Inn, Best Western, or the Janie Lynn Motel. Oh, the stories I could tell.
Then in 1995 I started working in the travel industry and occasionally traveled for work on government per diem. Sometimes (and this was a magical era) luxury hotels had special “travel agent rates” that were shockingly reasonable and occasionally even less than a basic chain.
I still remember my taxi pulling up to the Willard Intercontinental in Washington, DC, where Abraham Lincoln once stayed. As the bellhop helped me out and took my bags, I felt very confused. Where was he going with my bags? How would he know where to take them? (I was clearly new to this.)
Then I got the room tour: fresh flowers in the bathroom, ice already in the bucket, everything whispering, “You’re not at the Janie Lynn Motel anymore.” I checked my per diem and ordered room service – soup, fruit, and water – which came to a whopping $22. I felt so out of my element but I knew it was an element I could become accustomed to.
Over time, I learned to hunt for hotel value – reading reviews, comparing rates across sites like Tripadvisor and Booking.com, and checking the hotel’s own website.
And along the way, I realized I’m not that picky… I just have seven non-negotiables that make a hotel tops in my book.
7 Requirements for a Great Hotel
1. Friendliness
You can call it customer service, but I’m looking for friendliness – people who genuinely enjoy taking care of guests.
It can be a housekeeper, the front desk, the bellhop, the valet, the concierge, or ideally all of them, but making me feel welcome helps the hotel feel like a home away from home.
How to spot it before you book:
Look for reviews that mention names (“Maria at the front desk…”). That’s usually a sign it’s not just “service,” it’s human.
I’ve had standout experiences with staff at places like Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia and The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis. The people make the difference.
2. Cleanliness
True story: Dr. Joyce Brothers used to travel with her own sheets because she was such a germ freak. I’m not that level of committed… but I do have standards.
I know thousands of people have slept in that bed (eww), but I do have some basic expectations:
- vacuumed floors
- fresh linens with no mysterious stains
- a spotless bathroom
- and absolutely no random hair where it doesn’t belong
How to spot it before you book:
Search reviews for words like “clean,” “spotless,” “immaculate,” and, unfortunately, “dirty.” Also check recent photos from travelers, not just hotel marketing.
3. Good linens
Can I just tell you how happy I am that we’re mostly done with the days of the polyester bedspreads in hotel rooms? I love the trend of focus on quality sleep by offering bedding like plush down comforters.
An early adopter was the Crowne Plaza in Dayton, Ohio that actually gave me a sleep kit when I checked in, complete with an eye mask, lavender spray, and a relaxation CD to help me sleep. But in recent memory, the most comfortable bed I think I’ve ever slept on was at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. No surprise there.
I once stayed at the former Crowne Plaza Dayton and got a sleep kit at check-in complete with an eye mask, lavender spray, and relaxation CD. And one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept on was at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. (No surprise there!)
How to spot it before you book:
Look for room descriptions that mention bedding specifics (thread count, duvet, pillow menu). “Luxury bedding” can be vague; details are better.
4. Free wifi
Hotels are slowly accepting that wifi is not a “perk.” It’s an essential utility, like hot water and walls.
If a hotel charges for wifi in today’s world, I immediately have questions, and not the fun kind.
How to spot it before you book:
Confirm whether Wi-Fi is free in the room, not just “in public areas.” Check the fine print on resort fees, too.
5. Great bath products
Could I bring my own toiletries? Yes. Do I want to pack half my bathroom? No.
Quality shampoo/conditioner/body wash is a big plus and honestly, it’s a great way to discover brands I might not have tried otherwise.
I’ve had excellent bath products at the former Loews Annapolis Hotel (and yes, some of those products absolutely came home with me). And the chocolate-scented products at The Hotel Hershey was exactly as on-brand as you’d hope.
How to spot it before you book:
Check room photos and reviews for mentions of the brand name. If guests keep bringing it up, it’s probably good.
6. A good hairdryer
Yes, I can bring my own hairdryer. But I love not having to.
Also: not all hotel hairdryers are created equal. I can usually rely on the hotels where I’m staying to have a hairdryer but the type of hairdryer is important. I recently stayed at a popular midtown NYC hotel and was disappointed at the cheap, plastic travel hairdryer found in the room. My hair is so much more cooperative when I can count on a good hairdryer.
How to spot it before you book:
Search reviews for “hairdryer.” If multiple people complain, believe them. If the hotel lists a brand (Dyson, T3, etc.), that’s a strong sign they’ve thought about it.
7. Character
This one matters more than people think. A hotel can be clean and convenient and still feel… forgettable.
Character doesn’t have to mean historic (though I do love historic). It can be quirky, modern, design-forward, cozy, dramatic—anything with a point of view.
I’ve stayed in grand historic hotels like The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa and sleek modern ones like Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai. I’ve stayed at famous New York classics like Waldorf Astoria New York and also loved stylish boutiques like The Refinery Hotel. They stick with you because they’re memorable.
How to spot it before you book:
Look at traveler photos. If you can recognize the hotel instantly from a random hallway shot, that’s character.
The Bottom Line
Sure, there’s more to a great hotel: location, parking, noise, views, restaurants, coffee setup, the little things. And of course, value (not just price).
But these seven requirements are what make a place stand out… and what usually earns my repeat business.
