Originally Posted by
Cha-cha-cha
In some countries, it's quite acceptable to ask to actually see the hotel room before accepting it. Try that in the US, and the desk clerk is likely to look at you as if you are a dangerous loony and the police will be called if you utter one more word.
I can see that you've never travelled with my wife. No matter where we are, US or abroad, unless it's a hotel with which she's visited before, a room "inspection" is an essential ingredient at check in. While her rejections have been frequent, I don't remember a desk clerk ever refusing, usually without accompanying us to visit the first assigned room. While the second room assigned has often not been much better, the third time around has almost always resulted in noticeable improvement. Is all the trouble gone to worth the time and tribulation? Yes, for any property where we're staying for more than one night.
On business, alone, I'm less picky, but don't hesitate to reject a room which is badly located, awkwardly or uncomfortably sized/arranged, or with cleaning/furnishing/prep problems. Obviously, I expect more most places than at the $39.95 pet friendly Rodeway in Amarillo (when travelling with 2 Jack Russells), and all evals are relative.
After all, we're paying them, not them paying us....