Most hotel reservations never require a phone call—but a few specific requests are still best handled by speaking to someone directly.
While most hotel reservations can be handled entirely online, certain room requests and accommodations are still managed manually by hotel staff. In fact, years ago, when you made a hotel reservation, everything was done over the phone and it was a big deal. You had to call the hotel to complete the reservation, and if you forgot something, you had to call back so they could make whatever change it was on your record.
The advent of the internet has changed all that — you can make your reservation completely online without ever having to talk to someone. For those of us who don’t like talking on the phone, it’s been a godsend.
Some good reasons to call hotels
Of course, there are a handful of reasons why it turns out that calling the hotel after you’ve made the reservation might actually be a good idea:
Asking for a crib
If you’re traveling with a very little one, your entire travel experience is different from when you were traveling without them. Case in point, babies and toddlers are safest if they sleep in a crib. And unless you bring your own (which means one more thing to lug), you’re going to need the hotel to supply one.
According to Consumer Reports, regulation passed in 2012 in the U.S. states that hotels and other “places of public accommodation that provide cribs for use of their customers or guests must provide cribs that comply with the new federal standards.” But note that doesn’t say how many cribs they have to have on site (or, for that matter, if they have to provide cribs at all. But that’s a blog post for another day).
So confirming they really do have cribs on site (which may or may not be on their website), and, if possible, reserving one — and even asking for it to be set up in your room when you arrive (so the baby can take a nap as soon as you get there) — could increase your chances of getting a crib, especially if they have limited amounts to loan out.
Items for your pet
More people are traveling with their pets, and more and more hotels are becoming pet-friendly.
Just like with the baby’s crib, marking on your reservation that you’ll have Fido in tow, and then calling to ensure their bed, bowl, etc., will be in the room when you arrive will help increase the chances they actually will.
Years ago, we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios with our dog. We made that phone call ahead of time and yep, they had a bed, bowl, and welcome package all ready for her in the room upon our arrival.
If you need accommodations due to a disability
Those of us who are blessed to not have disabilities have undoubtedly been assigned a hotel’s handicapped accessible room (we did. It was the least accessible “accessible” room I’ve ever seen. And it was a Disney property, no less!). Unfortunately, if they give enough accessible rooms to people who don’t need them, it creates a shortage for those who actually DO need those specialized accommodations.
If you have a disability, it’s a good idea to call the hotel ahead of time to ensure that you actually get the accessible room you asked/paid for. That will also give them a heads up if you need something that may not automatically be included in the accessible room, but can be offered upon request.
And you don’t even have to be disabled as per ADA guidelines. Case in point, I’m 4’6″ tall due to a growth disorder. I can typically do everything for myself, but for years, if I was traveling alone, I’d sometimes have to move the shower nozzle. Or the bed would be too tall for me to comfortably and safely climb into it. So when I was traveling alone, I’d often ask the hotel if they had a stepstool I could borrow. Some did, some didn’t, so I eventually bought my own lightweight folding stepstool that fits in my rollerboard. But for years, I’d contact the hotel about one.
Can’t I just email them about these things?
Of course you can. But when you email the hotel, no one is going to see it until they get around to it — which might not be until the day of your arrival.
Calling also gives it a more personal touch, which could help your chances of getting what you’re asking for.
It certainly couldn’t hurt!
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