If you read hotel descriptions in travel brochures or on websites quickly, nearly every offer sounds like heaven on earth. Important details are often hidden between the lines. ECC Austria therefore strongly advises to read the brochure respectively the online offer of the travel agent carefully and not to book when in a hurry.
What may frequently used phrases mean?
- "Central location": Central - but surely not quiet. The hotel is likely to be at a busy main road, a market place or at a much visited riverwalk.
- "Conveniently located": No sign of silence. Traffic noise afflicts the relaxation-seeking vacationer.
- "Near the airport": Speaks for itself. The noises of the airport are omnipresent. The short transfer time does not compensate for the constant noise. To claim this afterwards as a deficiency would be difficult when the hotel was described like this in the travel brochure.
- "For young people": A simple accomodation without much comfort. The next disco won't be far away. It might be fun but also loud.
- "Sea side": Does not mean ocean view! Such little details count.
- "International kitchen": Does not say much, but might be a warning for gourmets: Usual buffet style food will be served.
- "Beautiful beach": Why not sand beach? Because it's stone or gravel.
- "Natural beach": Sounds good, but rough terrain is not for everybody.
- "50 meters to the beach": Maybe true, but maybe you need to cross a busy beachfront road? This could be a problem with children.
- "Near the beach": So the hotel is neither directly at the beach, nor just a 100 to 200 meters away, but only "near". This means: long walking distance or arrival by bus.
- "Possibility to swim": It's only a possibility to swim - in most cases this means there is no beach.
