Weekends · Before you book
The hotel + pool checklist
A suite, an indoor pool and a lovely photograph are not enough information. Confirm the room, the water, the timing and the complete price before the reservation becomes the plan.
Get the actual room layout.
Ask how many real beds there are, their sizes, and whether the second sleeping area closes with a door. “Suite” can mean a separate bedroom or simply a larger room with a sofa.
- Where are the beds in relation to the bathroom?
- Is a sofa bed already counted in the room capacity?
- Can the room be placed away from elevators, event space or ice machines if noise matters?
Confirm the water on your dates.
Ask separately about the indoor pool and hot tub. Confirm opening status, hours, age rules, reservations and any planned maintenance. If warm water matters, ask what “heated” means at that property rather than assuming.
Also ask whether registered guests may swim before check-in or after checkout. That one detail can turn a one-night stay into a much better pool weekend.
Price the whole stay.
Compare the total rather than the room rate: taxes, parking, mandatory destination or resort fees, breakfast, deposits and cancellation terms. Write down the final amount before booking so the cheapest-looking room does not become the most expensive choice.
Keep the written answer.
Hi, we’re looking at a stay on [dates]. Could you confirm the exact beds and room layout, whether the indoor pool and hot tub will be open, their hours and age rules, and whether guests can use them before check-in or after checkout? Please also include the full price with mandatory fees, parking, any deposit and the cancellation terms. We also need [specific access adjustment]. Thank you!
Reconfirm anything that would change your decision shortly before leaving. Hotel facilities and schedules can change.