First-class hotels in other parts of the world, those most frequented by tourists, are essentially the same as the best hotels in the United States. However, when you leave for a trip to the less well-traveled areas, it is wise to be prepared for the differences in facilities, services, customs and culture.


The services provided in European hotels other than your actual accommodations and meals are provided by a concierge. The concierge has a wide range of responsibilities and is as important as the hotel management. Some duties of the concierge are handling luggage and mail, making reservations, arrange tours, rent cars and etc. Many foreign hotels don't have a telephone in each room. Instead they have a push-button device with fascinating little pictures of maids, waiters, or valets beside each button to indicate which one you must push. This system works great and definitely overcomes the language barrier. Most small hotels don't have bathrooms with every room. Many of the rooms have wash basins, although in small towns they might only have a pitcher of water and a bowl. In these small hotels, you use the public bathrooms on each floor, which are usually marked "W.C" - the universal abbreviation known as a "water closet." There may be two, for men and woman, or just one that is shared by everyone.


In some parts of Europe even the best hotels do not provide soap for wash cloths. Every American tourist should carry a supply of toilet soap, disposable wash cloths, and a roll of soft toilet paper. Being prepared with these necessities should make you comfortable regardless of where you are staying in Europe. Even though the hotels in small towns might not all be luxurious, the desire to please and the friendliness of the staff help more than make up for the lack of comfort.

The chef's marvelous cooking, the chambermaid who smilingly brings you a cup of delicious coffee every morning or the concierge who takes great pains to make sure you miss nothing in the beautiful town will all have you feeling the spirit of the place and not just the physical comforts that enchant so many Americans who travel abroad.