Latest news with #JavierSobrino
Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Daily Record
Room number tourists should 'never' pick when booking a hotel
Javier Sobrino says the room number on your booking can make or break your holiday You've been daydreaming about your holiday for months. After a tiresome day of travelling, you finally reach your hotel, ready to relax. But as you settle into your room, the peace you yearned for is disrupted by incessant noise from the corridor, slamming doors, and the unmistakable rumble of the nearby lift. According to Javier Sobrino, founder of Descubriendo Viajes, a Spanish travel platform specialising in handpicked accommodations, this common hotel nightmare can often be sidestepped with one simple booking strategy. "After spending over a decade travelling across Spain and staying in hundreds of hotels, I've learned that the room number on your booking can make or break your entire stay," he said. "Never book a room ending in '01'. 'In most hotels, rooms ending in '01' are typically located right next to elevators, stairwells, and service areas – essentially, the noisiest spots on the floor.' This room placement isn't random. Hotels are typically designed with rooms ending in '01' positioned near lifts and service areas for efficiency, reports Devon Live. While this layout makes sense for hotel operations, it creates a less-than-ideal experience for guests in these rooms. "These rooms catch all the foot traffic from other guests coming and going at all hours," he explained. "You'll also hear the housekeeping staff starting their rounds early in the morning, with carts being rolled past your door first, and supplies being restocked in nearby service areas." The disturbance isn't confined to daylight hours either. "Late-night revellers returning to their rooms, early risers heading out for breakfast, and the constant ping of elevator doors will become the soundtrack to your stay," he noted. Why hotels say nothing about room number one Hotels seldom advertise which rooms may be subject to more noise when you're booking online. Naturally, they need to book every room, even those adjacent to areas with a lot of activity. "Hotels are in the business of selling all their inventory," he noted. "They're not going to volunteer information about which rooms might be less desirable unless you specifically ask." Other hotel room numbers to avoid While rooms ending in '01' are often the main one to worry about, Mr Sobrino points out that there are additional rooms that could pose a nuisance. "Rooms directly above or below hotel restaurants or bars can be noisy well into the night," he cautioned. 'The same goes for rooms facing busy streets or located near loading docks where deliveries arrive early in the morning.' For those travelling as a family, Sobrino said: "Avoid rooms near stairwells if you're travelling with young children. These areas tend to have heavy metal doors that slam loudly when people use them, potentially waking little ones during nap time or early bedtimes. "You don't need to make demands to get a better room – it's all about smart requests. Call the hotel directly after booking online and be friendly. Mention any special occasion, even if it's just that you've been looking forward to this break for months. "A simple 'I'd prefer a quiet room away from elevators' works wonders. Front desk staff want you to enjoy your stay and will note your reservation. If you're in their loyalty program, mention it – this often improves your room assignment priority." Elaborating on what he has learnt from his many travels, Mr Sobrino said: "Hotels want happy guests who leave good reviews and return. Being polite but specific about your preferences means you're helping them give you the experience you're hoping for. In my decade of travelling across Spain, I've found that how you ask matters just as much as what you ask for."
Wales Online
20 hours ago
- Wales Online
Travel expert names one hotel room number you should never stay in
Travel expert names one hotel room number you should never stay in Spanish travel expert Javier Sobrino has explained one number indicates you could be in for an uncomfortable stay Always check the room number when you arrive You've been dreaming about your holiday for months. After a long day of travelling, you finally arrive at your hotel, ready to kick off your shoes and relax. But as you settle into your room, the peaceful atmosphere you hoped for is shattered by constant noise from the corridor, slamming doors, and the unmistakable rumble of the nearby elevator. According to Javier Sobrino, Founder of Descubriendo Viajes, a Spanish travel platform specialising in curated accommodations, this common hotel nightmare can often be avoided with one simple booking strategy. 'After spending over a decade travelling across Spain and staying in hundreds of hotels, I've learned that the room number on your booking can make or break your entire stay,' says Sobrino. 'Never book a room ending in '01',' he said. 'In most hotels, rooms ending in '01' are typically located right next to elevators, stairwells, and service areas – essentially, the noisiest spots on the floor.' This room placement isn't random. Hotels are typically designed with rooms ending in '01' positioned near elevators and service areas for efficiency. While this layout makes sense for hotel operations, it creates a less-than-ideal experience for guests in these rooms. 'These rooms catch all the foot traffic from other guests coming and going at all hours,' Sobrino said. 'You'll also hear the housekeeping staff starting their rounds early in the morning, with carts being rolled past your door first, and supplies being restocked in nearby service areas.' Article continues below The noise isn't just limited to daytime hours. 'Late-night revellers returning to their rooms, early risers heading out for breakfast, and the constant ping of elevator doors will become the soundtrack to your stay,' says Sobrino. Why Hotels Don't Advertise This Information Hotels rarely highlight which rooms might be noisier than others when you're making a booking online. After all, every room needs to be filled, including those next to high-traffic areas. 'Hotels are in the business of selling all their inventory,' Sobrino points out. 'They're not going to volunteer information about which rooms might be less desirable unless you specifically ask.' Beyond the '01' Rule: Other Rooms to Avoid While rooms ending in '01' are the primary culprits, Sobrino notes there are other potential problem areas to be aware of: 'Rooms directly above or below hotel restaurants or bars can be noisy well into the night,' he warns. 'The same goes for rooms facing busy streets or located near loading docks where deliveries arrive early in the morning.' For family travellers, Sobrino has additional advice: 'Avoid rooms near stairwells if you're travelling with young children. These areas tend to have heavy metal doors that slam loudly when people use them, potentially waking little ones during nap time or early bedtimes.' Sobrino added: 'You don't need to make demands to get a better room – it's all about smart requests. Call the hotel directly after booking online and be friendly. Mention any special occasion, even if it's just that you've been looking forward to this break for months. A simple 'I'd prefer a quiet room away from elevators' works wonders. Front desk staff want you to enjoy your stay and will note your reservation. If you're in their loyalty program, mention it – this often improves your room assignment priority. Article continues below 'Hotels want happy guests who leave good reviews and return. Being polite but specific about your preferences means you're helping them give you the experience you're hoping for. In my decade of travelling across Spain, I've found that how you ask matters just as much as what you ask for.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
I'm a travel expert - these are the hotel rooms you should always avoid and how to spot if you've been booked into one
After a long day of travelling, there's no better feeling than arriving at your hotel, tossing your suitcases to one side and falling onto the bed. But what if your peace is suddenly shattered by the sound of constant noise from the corridor - from the slamming of doors, to the deep rumble of the lift, to the clanging of cleaning equipment as staff dash from room to room? According to a travel expert, this common issue is often experienced by guests who have been allocated a specific room - and it can all be avoided with one simple booking strategy. Javier Sobrino, founder of Descubriendo Viajes, a Spanish travel platform specialising in curated accommodations, said: 'After staying in hundreds of hotels, I've learned that a room number on your booking can make or break your entire stay.' He revealed that rooms ending in "01" are located right next to lifts, stairwells, and service areas – essentially the noisiest areas on the floor. While this setup is practical for hotel operations, it creates a less than enjoyable experience for guests hoping for a quiet stay. Sobrino said: 'These rooms catch all the foot traffic from other guests coming and going at all hours. 'You'll also hear the housekeeping staff starting their rounds early in the morning, with carts being rolled past your door first, and supplies being restocked in nearby service areas.' He revealed that rooms ending in "01" are efficiently located right next to lifts, stairwells, and service areas – essentially the noisiest areas on the floor He warned that late-night revellers stumbling back to their rooms, early risers making their way to breakfast, or the constant use of the lift will eventually become 'the soundtrack' to a guests' stay. The reason why hotels rarely advertise this information when guests are making a booking online is because every room ideally needs to be filled. Sobrino added: 'Hotels are in the business of selling all their inventory. They're not going to volunteer information about which rooms might be less desirable unless you specifically ask.' He urged guests to be an 'informed traveller' and be aware of which rooms are located near noisy areas, as this helps to avoid a potentially disruptive stay. Beyond rooms ending in "01," Sobrino warned guests to steer clear of alternatively problematic areas, such as rooms directly above or below hotel restaurant and bars, which can be noisy either early in the morning or well into the late night. He added: 'The same goes for rooms facing busy streets or located near loading docks where deliveries arrive early in the morning.' For families with young children or for those planning an early night, Sobrino also advised booking rooms located a good distance from stairwells, as these tend to have heavy doors that slam when people use them to access or exit corridors. Sobrino urged travellers to 'make smart requests,' when inquiring about a room, to call the hotel directly after booking online, and to 'mention any special occasion, even if it's just that you've been looking forward to this break for months'. He added: 'A simple "I'd prefer a quiet room away from elevators" works wonders. Front desk staff want you to enjoy your stay and will note your reservation. If you're in their loyalty program, mention it – this often improves your room assignment priority.' It comes as a safety expert has issued a warning to guests staying in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs to watch out for five spots in rooms that contain the most dirt. As millions of Brits plan to stay in hotels this spring, experts caution that even the cleanest-looking rooms may harbor germs. In fact, surfaces in the average hotel room are found to be dirtier than a typical home, an airplane, and even a school - while hotel showerheads contain 25,000 times the bacteria of a toilet seat.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Hotel expert says there's one room you should always avoid booking
According to Javier Sobrino, founder of Spanish travel platform Descubriendo Viajes, the right hotel room could make your holiday, while opting for the number door number could break it Choosing the wrong hotel room number could set you up for a restless holiday. You've been dreaming about your holiday for months. After a long day of travelling, you finally arrive at your hotel, ready to kick off your shoes and relax. But as you settle into your room, the peaceful atmosphere you hoped for is shattered by constant noise from the corridor, slamming doors, and the unmistakable rumble of the nearby elevator. According to Javier Sobrino, founder of Spanish travel platform Descubriendo Viajes, this common hotel gripe can be avoided with one simple booking strategy. 'After spending over a decade travelling across Spain and staying in hundreds of hotels, I've learned that the room number on your booking can make or break your entire stay,' says Sobrino. "Never book a room ending in '01'. In most hotels, rooms ending in '01' are typically located right next to elevators, stairwells, and service areas – essentially, the noisiest spots on the floor.' This room placement isn't random. Hotels are typically designed with rooms ending in '01' positioned near elevators and service areas for efficiency. While this layout makes sense for hotel operations, it creates a less-than-ideal experience for guests in these rooms. 'These rooms catch all the foot traffic from other guests coming and going at all hours. You'll also hear the housekeeping staff starting their rounds early in the morning, with carts being rolled past your door first, and supplies being restocked in nearby service areas," Sobrino went on. The noise isn't just limited to daytime hours. 'Late-night revellers returning to their rooms, early risers heading out for breakfast, and the constant ping of elevator doors will become the soundtrack to your stay,' he added. Hotels rarely highlight which rooms might be noisier than others when you're making a booking online. After all, every room needs to be filled, including those next to high-traffic areas. This is why being an informed traveller matters. Knowing which room numbers typically indicate proximity to noisy areas can help you avoid a potentially frustrating stay. While rooms ending in '01' are the primary culprits, Sobrino notes there are other potential problem areas to be aware of: 'Rooms directly above or below hotel restaurants or bars can be noisy well into the night,' he warns. 'The same goes for rooms facing busy streets or located near loading docks where deliveries arrive early in the morning.' For family travellers, Sobrino has additional advice: 'Avoid rooms near stairwells if you're travelling with young children. These areas tend to have heavy metal doors that slam loudly when people use them, potentially waking little ones during nap time or early bedtimes. 'You don't need to make demands to get a better room – it's all about smart requests. Call the hotel directly after booking online and be friendly. Mention any special occasion, even if it's just that you've been looking forward to this break for months. A simple 'I'd prefer a quiet room away from elevators' works wonders. Front desk staff want you to enjoy your stay and will note your reservation. If you're in their loyalty program, mention it – this often improves your room assignment priority. 'Hotels want happy guests who leave good reviews and return. Being polite but specific about your preferences means you're helping them give you the experience you're hoping for. In my decade of travelling across Spain, I've found that how you ask matters just as much as what you ask for.'
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Daily Record
'Never' book these 5 hotel types as they can ruin your holiday, says expert
There are some places you don't want to spend your money on, according to one expert in the industry. As summer fast approaches, thousands of us are looking forward to our annual holiday and a well-earned break from reality. If you're still searching for the perfect break and scrolling for hotels, you might want to take advice from one travel expert who has warned against five types of hotel he said could well ruin your trip. Travel spending is forecast to rise by 9 per cent in 2025, according to recent industry date but not all accommodation will deliver on their promises, says Javier Sobrino, Founder of Descubriendo Viajes, a Spanish travel platform specialising in curated accommodations. He warned that there are some types of hotel that can quickly turn a dream holiday into a nightmare. Javier said: "'After staying in hundreds of hotels across Spain and beyond, I've learned which types of accommodations just aren't worth the money.' Having spent decades exploring some of Spain 's most distinctive lodgings, from luxurious resorts to quirky treehouses, Javier said he has developed a keen eye for spotting problematic properties before booking. And he warns of five types of five types of accommodations you should think twice about before reserving for your next trip. 1. Airport Hotels (Unless You Have an Early Flight) While conveniently located, airport hotels often charge premium prices for minimal amenities and soulless surroundings. 'These hotels know you're choosing them solely for location, so they rarely invest in creating memorable experiences,' says Javier. . 'You'll typically pay 30-40% more than a similar quality hotel just 15 minutes away.' The expert advises that unless you have a flight departing before 8 a.m., you're better off staying somewhere with more character and taking a slightly longer transfer to the airport. 'Why spend your last night in a place with no local flavour when you could enjoy one final authentic meal and experience?' 2. All-Inclusive Resorts With Poor Reviews Not all all inclusive resorts are created equal, and the lower-tier options can be particularly disappointing. "Budget all-inclusives often serve mediocre food in buffets where items sit out for hours," Javier warns. "The alcohol is typically watered down, and activities are frequently cancelled due to 'weather conditions' regardless of the actual forecast." When researching these properties, pay special attention to food reviews. "If multiple guests mention stomach issues or bland food, believe them. And be wary of resorts with less than 25% of excellent reviews on major booking platforms.' 3. Remote Roadside Hotels Far From Town Centres These budget options may seem attractive when comparing prices online, but the reality rarely matches expectations. 'Hotels located on isolated highways typically suffer from three major problems: constant traffic noise, inconvenient distance from attractions, and often outdated facilities,' explains Javier. 'I once booked a roadside hotel near Valencia that looked decent in photos, only to discover it was situated very close to a truck stop. The constant engine noise made sleep impossible, and there was nowhere within walking distance to eat or experience the local culture.' 4. Hotels Undergoing Renovations Many hotels fail to adequately warn guests about ongoing construction or renovations. 'This is one of the hotel industry's most frustrating practices,' Javier shares. 'They'll offer slight discounts while claiming renovations are 'minimal,' but arrive to find half the amenities closed and construction noise starting at 7 a.m.' Before booking, the expert recommends calling the hotel directly to ask about any current or upcoming renovation projects. 'If they hesitate or give vague answers, that's your red flag. Legitimate hotels with minor work will be upfront about exactly which areas are affected and during what hours,' he shared. 5. Hotels With Suspiciously Low Prices in Prime Locations When a hotel's rate seems too good to be true compared to neighbouring properties, there's usually a hidden reason. "I call these 'bait-and-switch hotels' because what you expect rarely matches reality,' the expert explains. 'They either have hidden fees that double the final price, terrible service, or rooms that haven't been updated since the 1980s." The expert suggests investigating why a hotel might be significantly cheaper than others in the same area. 'Look for recent reviews mentioning unexpected charges, and check if the hotel has changed names recently; that's often a sign they're trying to escape bad reviews.' Javier added: 'When booking accommodation, paying attention to subtle warning signs can save your holiday. 'First, be suspicious of hotels with mostly filtered professional photos but few guest images. Genuine properties encourage guests to share real experiences. "Second, check review dates – a cluster of glowing reviews in a short timeframe often indicates paid feedback. "Third, research the neighbourhood thoroughly, as many disappointing stays stem from misleading location descriptions. And finally, message the property with specific questions before booking. Slow, vague responses typically reflect the service level you'll receive during your stay. 'The best accommodations are transparent about their offerings and enthusiastic about addressing your needs, whether you're seeking luxury or simplicity. "Remember, a truly great stay isn't always about luxury. Rather, it's about honest value delivered with genuine hospitality."
