Gulf Beach Inn

The first publication to come out with a rating system for hotels was the Mobile Travel Guides. In 1958, as interstate highways were being completed around the country, the publication offered brief descriptions and reviews for highway travelers.

When choosing a hotel, some things to keep in mind are what you want and what your budget will permit. For example, you may need a hotel with a pool if you are traveling with children.

Interestingly, the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York takes up an entire city block! This historical hotel is the world's largest hotel today, with almost 2,000 rooms and 47 stories all decorated in a classic Art-Deco design scheme.

If you are hosting a large family celebration, booking your guests into one location makes coordination of activities much easier. With a central location for everyone, it is easier to move people to where they need to be.

If there is even a remote chance that you will be late, most hotels will gladly accommodate this uncertainty if you let them know when you make the reservation. If the front desk knows you will be late, adjustments can be easily made.