Latest news with #Sobrino
Daily Record
7 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
12 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 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 Mirror
26-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Travel expert's warning - 'never book a hotel' with these 5 signs
Travel expert reveals five types of accommodation that should set off alarm bells for savvy travellers - and the list might surprise you A travel expert has unearthed five kinds of lodgings that shrewd tourists should dodge. At the pinnacle of his list sits the notoriously overpriced airport hotel, trapping many who favour convenience without considering the toll on both their wallets and overall holiday joy. Travellers looking for the perfect getaway may want to think twice before clicking "book now", according to an expert who pointed out five red flags. Javier Sobrino, the mastermind behind Descubriendo Viajes – a bespoke Spanish travel platform – has spoken out, asking travellers to do their research before booking. He waves a cautionary flag at deceivingly cheap all-inclusive resorts, particularly those plagued by dismal reviews. The expert also had some advice about booking airport hotel accommodation. Javier said: "Unless you've got a flight departing before 8am, you're wasting your final night in a sterile room when you could enjoy a meal with local flavour and charm." While some all-inclusive packages promise savings and some of course are well worth the ease in booking, some guests often report 'let-downs' such as dilute beverages, dodgy buffet sanitation, and an underwhelming vibe. " Budget all-inclusives often serve mediocre food in buffets where items sit out for hours," Sobrino cautions. Poorly rated all-inclusive packages are more likely to disappoint, according to reviewers. Mr Sobrino suggests keeping a "vigilant" eye on food-related critiques and steering clear of resorts that have left holidaymakers less than unimpressed reports the Express. Guests are advised to pay close attention to food-related reviews and avoid any resort where the majority of comments are lukewarm at best. Should less than a quarter of feedback gleam with "excellent" badges, chances are high for an unsatisfactory stay. Mr Sobrino also points out that seemingly inexpensive roadside hotels in remote locations can harbour unseen drawbacks that have the potential to derail an adventure, especially for travellers not well-acquainted with the territory. Hotels situated along highways often fall short due to subpar soundproofing, limited dining options, and a general feeling of seclusion. Sobrino recounted a personal experience where he booked a roadside hotel near Valencia that appeared decent in photos, only to discover it was adjacent to a noisy truck stop, resulting in sleepless nights and missed local experiences. Although the prices may be enticing, the lack of convenience and ambiance makes these hotels a poor choice for most travellers. Being too far from city centres or attractions can easily turn a dream trip into a logistical nightmare. Sobrino also warns against hotels undergoing renovations, as they often mislead guests by downplaying disruptions. "They'll offer slight discounts while claiming renovations are 'minimal', but arrive to find half the amenities closed and construction noise starting at 7am," he said. The expert advises travellers to contact hotels directly before booking to inquire about any ongoing work and to be wary of vague or evasive answers. Lastly, hotels offering extremely low prices in prime locations should be approached with caution, as they often conceal poor conditions behind slick marketing. "They either have hidden fees that double the price, terrible service, or rooms that haven't been updated since the 1980s," he warned. According to Sobrino, "A truly great stay isn't about luxury, it's about honest value delivered with genuine hospitality."
