If you are moving over some distance, and travelling by car, then you will likely be on the road for at least a couple of days before getting to your new home. In most parts of Canada, that means that unless you are moving in the summer and fond of camping out, you will need to spend a night or two in a hotel. A stay in a good hotel can leave you relaxed and refreshed, and ready to start the next leg of your journey. A bad one, not so much. So, how do you find the right hotel?
Start off with a good old-fashioned road map – your GPS will not help you with this part of the project. Take a look at the distances you will be travelling, and decide how many hours you can reasonably expect to log in any given day. Make sure to build in time for meals and rest stops.
Now, once you have identified your “end point” for the day, go online and check out hotels in the area. Read the customer reviews, and review the pricing. You might also want to call the hotels you are considering, just in case the information on their website has not been recently updated.
If you are travelling with your family and need more than one room, be sure to ask if you can get a discount. If you are bringing your pets with you, make sure to find out if the hotel allows pets, and if there is a restriction on how many pets you can bring.
You may have special requirements that need to be considered. If a member of your family has a disability, for instance, you will want to be sure that the hotel is accessible. If you are planning to work while you are on the road, Internet access is probably going to be important. If you are a fitness buff, a hotel that does not have a pool or a gym may not be to your liking. Once you know exactly what you want, you are ready to book your hotel.
Many hotels provide a high level of security for their guests. With others, you may be somewhat on your own. Lock your car doors manually to prevent thieves from getting into it using code-grabbers, and if the parking lot is not patrolled, you should park where you can see it from your window. Also, even in patrolled areas, do not make the mistake of leaving valuables in your car – a security guard at one end of the parking lot is not going to be able to prevent a “smash and grab” at the other end. The best place for your valuables and any documents you may be carrying is in the hotel safe if there is one, and in your room if there is not.
Also, remember to lock your door when you are in your room. You might be surprised at how many people forget to do this after a long, tiring day on the road.
A drive that takes several days will be considerably more pleasant if you can count on a nice, comfortable bed in a good hotel from time to time. So do your research, make sure you find a hotel that offers what you need, and once you arrive, take proper safety precautions. Travellers can be vulnerable, and you want to get to your new home not just quickly and without stress, but safely as well.
