Shamelessly stolen from another site, a lot of common sense info, orientated around hotels and a different subject area:
I am meeting someone at a hotel. Is there anything I should know?
For those who want to get up close and personal it pays to know the in's and out's of visiting hotels.
Payment
Hold the room reservation by using a credit card - but tell them you're booking for a friend who will want to pay cash when they arrive.
If you need a credit card but not willing to risk using your personal one try CashPlus for a prepay credit card which you top up with cash (at the Post office, online etc). Thus it can be kept secret with no tell tale entries on your regular credit card.
If you use cash to pay for bill never withdraw the cash from "unknown" "unusual" cashpoints and just withdraw small amounts so as not to raise suspicion.
A cheque can be a useful way to pay because you can write anything you like on the cheque stub.
Dispose of any invoice or receipt immediately - don't put it in your pocket to throw away later - you may not do it.
Where to stay
Novotel do day lets at good rates, good availability & generally happy to accept cash (and even in no smoking rooms candles don't set off the alarms)
Marriot has better beds, executive rooms very good and good room service too - all that exercise can make one hungry you know!
Days Inn - generally ok for 2 pm check in
Travelodge - not so good for early checkin, seems very variable. But has Saver rooms at £26 with 7 days notice, or SuperSaver rooms at £15 with 21 days notice.
Ibis now have a 'day refresh' rate 10am - 6pm for
Try cheap rooms on
Use large hotels or convenience motels (ie. Travelodge, Premier Inns etc) - they're more anonymous, meaning you're less noticeable. Hotels around Airports tend to be the most anonymous, and have the added bonus of being available anytime (while you wait for your flight of course!).
If you travel on business or could justify having business meetings in a hotel, then pick a hotel to match. You'll feel more relaxed and blend in more.
Don't pick a hotel where you're known in any way (business or otherwise). It's off putting for your partner if staff recognise you, and chances are, if you're a regular, they will.
Most hotels do not make their rooms available until 2pm - so if you need it earlier explain you (or your friend) are traveling long distance and will require access earlier. Most hotels will be able to accommodate, but if not, and in rare circumstances you may need to book the previous night as well to ensure you have access from whatever time you wish.
Park your car around the back or somewhere down the road.
Don't pick a hotel too local. Better to find an excuse to be miles away than find an excuse to visit a local hotel. If you are too close to home for comfort try to avoid hotels with conference facilities and bars that are open to the public.
Make sure that, when filling out your details, the box which allows the company to contact you with offers is ticked or otherwise to ensure you don't get unwanted mail. Holiday Inn will send you an invoice so it may pay to use your business address - if you do get sent promotional material or an invoice it will go to work, not home.
If you feel awkward or self-conscious, make sure your partner stays away whilst you collect the key and check-in. Two red faces giggling around a reception area could attract attention!
Ask if you can settle the bill at the point of check-inn. This will enable you to leave at anytime without a nosey receptionist asking why you won't be staying overnight.
Make a conscious effort to go through each pocket as soon as you've left to make sure there's no evidence of you being in a hotel (keys, paperwork, condom packs etc) Make sure you pick up everything from the room, or you will be called to pick up your lost property!
Once you vacate the room, don't tell reception you're checking out. Simply leave the key. They'll never check to see if you actually spent the night.
As always, have a good alibi of why you're there.
Having used this site myself (as a couple previously) for 4 years or so and now exploring this as a male I don't think there is an increase in timewasters. There is however an increase in choice and the number of people on the site which I think has to do with an increase in the number of people wanting to explore this type of lifestyle either as a single or as a couple. I think this gives the perception that there are more timewasters simply because there is more choice. (Yes, my profile says August 2012, but been on here since 2008 and on the scene since I was a teenager!)
However, having SHREP on (hey everybody wants feedback to prove they are genuine yes?) and not being shy in exchanging numbers helps perception. I've found the timewasters to be the ones who procrastinate and come up with excuses why times are not right, or want to see and endless stream of pictures or never answer the mobile etc. There are I think lots of flags you can use as to hints that a person(s) might be a timewaster. That being said sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and if it doesn't turn out make a note, blacklist them and move on. Maybe there needs to be a thread in the 'lets meet up' section for this :-) ...
- Val.
