Recently we were researching hotels in Africa and chuckled when we noticed that one of the hotels listed toilet seats as an amenity!
It was a great reminder of how hotels can differ, especially in Third World countries. When traveling to these places, you can forget the star system that we use in the U.S. to judge hotels. With some of these, the only stars are the ones at night visible through the holes in the hotel room’s ceiling!
So how do you decide where your group will stay, especially when you are planning the trip from the other side of the world? Here are some things to consider when choosing hotels for short term mission trips.
Don’t rely on the Internet. Many hotels in remote places aren’t even on the Internet, and if they are, there probably is not enough information about them to make a good decision.
Always preview it—either yourself during an advance trip or have someone you trust who lives in the area check it out for you. Be sure to ask to see one of the rooms.
Is the hotel safe and clean? Keep in mind that “clean” may be relative to where you are working.
Is the hotel in a central location close to where you will be working each day? If not, then what additional arrangements and expense will you incur to get your team where they need to go?
Does the hotel provide sheets and towels? Surprisingly, some don’t—or if they do you may still want to consider bringing your own. Note that many hotels around the world—even in places like Europe—do not provide washcloths.
Do you plan to have team meetings while staying at the hotel? If so, then make sure the hotel has a room that will accommodate you. Many teams like to have a daily briefing over breakfast. See if the hotel serves breakfast and if there is an area of the restaurant where you can meet.
Know what is included in the price, and how payment will be made. Is the price per room or per person? Are taxes included? If not, how much will they be? Is there an extra charge if you use a credit card? Is it even advisable to use a credit card there? Does the price includes breakfast, and if so, then what is on the menu?
Be sure to get everything in writing from the hotel—prices, dates, breakfast details, etc.
We’re sure these tips will come in handy the next time your mission team needs a hotel. Hopefully, you will find one that includes toilet seats!
Good tips Brian! Thanks for the input.
Good advice! Also remember that someone local may check out the hotel and think it is fine… their standards in hotels may be much different than yours… be sure to be specific with them about what you are looking for. First hand experience!
We’ve also learned that in some areas it is best not to pay all of the bill up front, holding some of the payment back will cause them to continue to clean rooms, change sheets and towels, etc. as they are trying to make sure you don’t change hotels mid trip.