Comfort, cleanliness in hotels preferred over fine dining:

The customers generally give preference to cleanliness and comfort in a hotel than a sumptuous breakfast or a luxurious pool, says a survey.
According to the data provided by online accommodation booking website Hotels.Com, cleanliness and comfort are 36 times more important than a lavish breakfast, a luxurious pool or a deluxe coffee machine in the room.
The impact of friendly and helpful staff is 10 times more important than free Wi-Fi, it said.
Consumer psychologist Simon Moore, who led the Hotels.Com research, said, "The analysis of over 148 million review comments from Hotels.Com customers highlights that the main factors that guests really care about relate to their basic human needs."

"So, it's no wonder travellers pay more attention to the fundamentals such as comfort and cleanliness over lavish pools and fine-dining," he said.
The cleanliness and comfort fulfil the need for relaxation, safety and security and a good location fulfils the need to feel connected to others and that there is a place to escape to in times of such need, says the survey.

The internet and smartphone age has given a power to the people to assess hotel reviews, it says.
Hotels.Com Director, Regional Marketing Greater China, SEA and India, Jessica Chuang said, "More and more travellers are booking their trips based on peer recommendations and consumer behaviour, which is now telling us that reviews are becoming even more important than the traditional hotel star ratings."

Hotels.Com is an online accommodation booking website which provides information about properties ranging from international chains and resorts to local favourites.