How to Find a Hotel in the USA, Canada, Mexico

Pauline Kenny

List of Hotels: Hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico
Toronto, Canada: Marion's recommendations for Toronto hotels and restaurants, 2005.

Below are my notes for searching for hotels in North America.

Prices of US Hotels

An important thing to remember when booking a hotel in the US and Canada, is that the per night price does not include taxes. In New York City, these extra taxes can add as much as 25% extra to the per night cost. Parking can be extra. Using the phone in the room to make local or long distance calls can be expensive. When booking, make sure you know what the full cost will be.

Tipping in Hotels

If you are staying in a nicer hotel, it is customary in the US and Canada to tip the person who carries your luggage (a few dollars), the person who gets your car (if there is valet parking - a couple of dollars), and the maid (leave $5 - $20 in the room when you leave). You may also want to tip the concierge or desk staff if they have done extra things for you.

If you are staying in a budget hotel, there is no need to tip, but you might leave something for the maid.

Hotel Search Engines

When booking a hotel, check the hotel website and compare the prices with these popular booking sites.

Online Booking for Hotels
	Booking.com: Online booking for hotels worldwide, 25,000+ hotels in 7,000+ destinations, reviews, low rates, no booking fees, credit card used to guarantee booking but no charge is made until your stay at the hotel, contact information for hotel is provided when you book. Booking.com is part of Priceline.com.

Historic or Luxury Hotels

When searching for a hotel in the US, I like to look through websites for special hotels. This is my list of favorite sites.

Historic Hotels of America: www.historichotels.org
These are old hotels that have been well preserved. We have stayed at a few of these. There can be some quirky things - but that comes with it being historic. We have stayed in these historic hotels: The Georgian Hotel, Santa Monica, CA; The Heathman Hotel, Portland, OR; Historic Inns of Annapolis, Annapolis, MD; The Jefferson, District of Columbia; The Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, MA. All were beautiful and interesting hotels.

Small Luxury Hotels: www.slh.com
We have stayed at several of these - expensive but really great hotels. Top quality.

Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide: www.preferredhotels.com

The Leading Hotels of the World: www.lhw.com

Le Meridien Hotels: www.lemeridien-hotels.com
Luxury and upscale hotels in the US and worldwide.

Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America: www.selectregistry.com

Tablet Hotels: www.tablethotels.com
Booking engine for some interesting hotels.

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