So, you're planning that relaxing vacation to one of the thousands of forests which dot the landscape of America. You diligently check the internet for cabins, cottages or motels to make your stay even more pleasurable. And there you find it. A cabin beside a rushing creek, in a place they call a resort. The photos on the website are sure enticing: the beautiful creek; the nearby pristine lake; the restaurant. There's even a photo of the inside of a typical cabin, which they describe as rustic. Okay, so the photo's small and it's real hard to make out details of the room. It's a resort. It must be wonderful, right?

Wrong. As I found during my last vacation to Northern California, resort means diddly squat, and rustic can sometimes be a code word for dirty and rundown.

Now, if you're the type of person who doesn't mind wearing socks in your room because the floors are too dirty for your feet, good for you. You have a plethora of lodging choices. But, if you believe rustic can still be clean, there are some things you can do to avoid that sinking feeling upon walking into a dirty cabin or motel room.

First, don't put your trust completely in the word resort. Many people think resort is akin to luxurious. Not true. A resort is just a collection of lodging choices and recreational activities. It's not the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Second, remember that pictures on the internet can be deceiving. You don't know how old the pictures are. You don't know if your room will be like the one in the picture. And, besides, it's not in the resorts best interest to include a close-up of the dirty shower stall, now, is it?

Third, don't just trust the internet or brochure description. Call the motel or resort manager and ask about cleanliness. If the manager throws the word rustic around, that might be a red flag. If you're looking into a cabin, ask when the cabin last had a deep clean. Alert the management that rustic is wonderful, but if the place is dirty or rundown you'd rather go elsewhere.

Lastly, you don't have to settle for dirty lodging. If you arrive at your cabin, motel or hotel and you notice the place is dirty, demand that it be cleaned immediately. You really don't have to settle for a place which will make you uncomfortable. Most managers don't want to lose your business. They will usually try to make sure the room is given the cleaning it should have gotten before your arrival. Most managers will also give you a discount for your first day of stay if you arrive to a filthy room and have to wait for it to be cleaned.

One last word about lodging housekeeping: If you're satisfied with the job of the housekeeping staff, don't forget to leave a tip. Many people will tip the concierge, the valet parker and room service staff, but will fail to tip the housekeeper. Most housekeepers do a good job and deserve the same tipping consideration as the guy who delivers your bags.


Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of Destination Weddings and Weekend Getaways