Charlyn's Hotels / Resorts / Inns Blog

Readers check in with their reviews of Disney World in Orlando, Florida:

• "It was amazing! I would choose the Contemporary again, hands down..." (The Murphys reviews Contemporary Resort in Disney World)
• "Pros - Family friendly. Romantic. Cons - Expensive. Dated rooms. Lizards everywhere..." (Sophia reviews Polynesian Resort in Disney World)
• "Overall, this was a wonderful choice for our family..." (Shellbell reviews Animal Kingdom Lodge in Disney World)
• "As an avid Disney fan I have been to WDW 48 times..." (EEyore4me reviews Pop Century Resort in Disney World)
• "My family and I stayed at the resort for nine nights and no complaints..." (William reviews Port Orleans French Quarter in Disney World)
• "It had the feel of a motel versus a resort..." (Kathleen reviews Polynesian Resort in Disney World)
• "It definitely gave us that "home away from home" feeling..." (Mischa reviews Saratoga Springs Resort in Disney World)

More guest hotel reviews | Write your own guest hotel review

Most hotels want you to feel at home in your room, so they fill it with nice things. They're so nice, you might be tempted to take them home with you. But before you start stuffing your suitcase with goodies, take a minute to learn what's OK and what's off-limits to take home from your hotel room. I'll also fill you in on a way you can buy brand-new versions of anything in your hotel room. Best of all, they'll be delivered to your house - you won't have to stuff them into your suitcase!

^{Image copyright Getty Images}

Jamie writes,

I just checked out from a Best Western in the L.A. area after an extended stay. Upon checkout we were informed that we were being charged for using the safe in the room - over a dollar each day! I have never heard of a charge for the in-room safe. We didn't even use it every day.

That's a new one on me, too. It's so frustrating to stay in a low-cost hotel room, only to be surprised by hidden charges when you check out. If you didn't use the hotel safe at all, or if you used it infrequently, you have a case to have the fee waived, especially if you weren't informed of the fee at check-in. The best time to dispute an unexpected charge like that is while you are checking out, before you leave the hotel. Ask to talk to the manager on duty, and be persistent. It is much harder to get a charge removed or refunded after you have left the property.

Have any of you been charged to use the in-room safe? What's the most unexpected charge you've encountered at a hotel?

Related: Avoiding Hidden Hotel Fees

Readers check in with their latest reviews of hotels, good and bad. Actually, this week, they're all bad. Come on, guys, anyone have a good experience in a hotel lately?

• "I expected a Westin to be very clean but the carpet was stained..." (Susan O reviews Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles)
• "What I got was very memorable and quite funny..." (Nikki reviews The Lafayette in New Orleans)
• "And the fleas came. Fleas. I don't have pets..." (Bitten79times reviews Hotel Helix in Washington, DC)
• "We were bound and determined to have a good time despite the reviews..." (Jeff reviews Wyndham Tangerine in Dominican Republic)
• "Enjoyed the Luxor, but take the $20 room upgrade..." (Dan reviews Luxor in Las Vegas)
• "A group of teenagers staying there kept us awake half the night..." (Stephie reviews Disney's All Star Sports in Disney World)

More guest hotel reviews | Write your own guest hotel review

Terry Ward checked in recently to the Hilton Vilamour As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa in Portugal. She says, "This is Hilton's first foray into Portugal, and they maxed it out with this totally beautiful spa element. It's a mass-scale sort of place, reminded me of Orlando's offerings even, with tons of pools, themed restaurants and just an overall grand scale."

She recommends upgrading to an apartment-style room, as the standard rooms were lacking in living space. "My one-bedroom digs were super posh - I loved its modern aesthetic, pulled off without any compromise to comfort. Double vanities, a jetted tub and yummy L'Occitane shower products made my bathroom like a personal spa - trust me, I indulged."

Profile of Hilton Vilamour As Cascatas
Pictures of Hilton Vilamour As Cascatas
Portugal Hotel Reviews

^{Image copyright Terry Ward}

About.com Travel guides go to some amazing places. Whether it's celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Ireland, watching a sunrise at 10,023 feet, observing gray whales in Magdalena Bay, Mexico, exploring colorful St. Petersburg in Russia, taking a swim at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and -- my favorite discovery -- braving Bomarzo Monster Park in Italy's Lazio region, our Travel guides take you there.

Check out the amazing travel photos, including one from yours truly and a trip to an icy wonderland in Park City, Utah at the Chateaux at Silver Lake.

Readers check in with their latest reviews of hotels, good and bad:

• "I wish I could have stayed longer ..." (Tennischick reviews Trump Las Vegas in Las Vegas)
• "I am both a local New Orleanian and a frequent traveler..." (Louisianamom reviews Chateau Sonesta in New Orleans)
• "This place was great, four-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl..." (Simple reviews Wilderness Lodge in Disney World)
• "Overall, I found my experience with this Kempinksi Hotel unpleasant..." (RSM reviews Kempinski Vier Jahreszeiten in Munich)
• "Great hotel surrounded by construction..." (Ladiva52 reviews Talbott in Chicago)
• "Sadly they have let this place go..." (Tammy reviews Havana Riverwalk Inn in San Antonio)
• "This was our second stay at the MGM, and definately will be our last..." (Kim reviews MGM Grand in Las Vegas)
• "I would most certainly never stay at the Clift Hotel nor recommend to anyone..." (Brandon reviews Clift Hotel in San Francisco)

More guest hotel reviews | Write your own guest hotel review

Looking for a brand new place to stay? These hotels have just opened in the past few weeks, or are set to open this month.

• Hotel Indigo at Skyview (Rahway, New Jersey)
• Kirketon Boutique Hotel (Sydney, Australia)
• Hilton Garden Inn Luton North (First location in the UK)
• Sheraton St. Paul Woodbury Hotel (St. Paul/Minneapolis)
• aloft Philadelphia Airport (1/2 mile from the Philadelphia International Airport)
• Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
• The Water Club, A Signature Hotel By Borgata (Atlantic City)
• The Big Sleep Hotel (Eastbourne's seafront, UK)
• Hilton Baltimore (Maryland)

Get the full list: New Hotels for 2008

As fun as vacationing at Walt Disney World is, do you ever return from a trip feeling like you need...a vacation? We always try to schedule a day relaxing at our Disney resort. Even so, the pull of the theme parks is strong, and it's hard to stay away for very long. That's why I was thrilled to discover a place with Disney magic far enough away for a peaceful respite.

Disney's Vero Beach Resort is a two-hour drive from Disney World -- close enough to sleep in, drive down and still be in the pool by lunchtime. Yet it is miles away from the theme park crowds, and better yet, it's right on the beach.

Review of Disney's Vero Beach
Profile of Disney's Vero Beach
Pictures of Disney's Vero Beach
Florida Hotel Reviews

^{Image copyright © Walt Disney Company}

Readers check in with their reviews of Las Vegas hotels:

• "We picked this hotel because it was cheap and we figured we would not be in the rooms other than to sleep..." (Lora reviews Circus Circus in Las Vegas)
• "The kitchen units save you a bundle of time and money..." (Dance Angel reviews Jockey Club in Las Vegas)
• "I will never ever stay there again and would not tell anyone to go there..." (Chris reviews Tropicana in Las Vegas)
• "Lay off of the Tropicana. It is a classic and our stay was great..." (Dick reviews Tropicana in Las Vegas)

More guest hotel reviews | Write your own guest hotel review