Room without a window

QUESTION: On a recent overseas trip I booked a hotel room on the Internet. As I had chosen the cheapest room, I did not expect much of a view, but I was shocked when I discovered that the room not only had no view, it had no window! I refused to accept this, but the hotel management refused to refund me my deposit. As the hotel was full, I could not even upgrade to a room with a window, so I lost the money. The manager claimed that the room description specified that it had airconditioning, which it did, but did not say anything about a window. I argued that a window was an accepted feature of every hotel room, as much as a roof or floor would be. Was I correct? - John Lennington

ANSWER: Surprisingly, yours is not an isolated incident. As space becomes more expensive in prime areas, more rooms are being squeezed onto hotel floors. The only way to prevent this happening is to take precautions before booking. The first thing you can do is check for windows in photographs in brochures or on the Internet. Be especially careful when there is a big difference between the nightly cost of basic room (often called a standard or superior room) and that of the next category (usually called a deluxe or executive room). There is a reason why some rooms are cheaper - find out what it is. You can also email or telephone the hotel and specifically ask whether all rooms have windows before you book. You are unlikely to get a refund unless the hotel guaranteed a window in the room. After all, many cabins on luxury cruise liners are windowless - and people pay hundreds of dollars to stay in them!