Why the front desk is the best guide you'll find

Reception staff see the same streets every day. They know which bus actually turns up on time, which pub gets rowdy on a Friday, and which café serves a decent breakfast before nine. Guidebooks go out of date and apps don't know that the footpath by the canal floods after rain, but the person behind the desk usually does.

Ask early. On arrival, or during a quiet mid-afternoon lull, you'll get a far more generous answer than at 6pm when a coach party is checking in. A simple opener works well: "We've got two days here — what would you do with them?" Most people in hospitality enjoy that question. It gives them something to solve rather than a key card to hand over.

Getting around: transport questions worth asking

Transport is where small bits of local knowledge save real money and time. Rather than asking vaguely about buses, ask about the specifics that affect your day.

• Is there a bus stop or tram stop within a short walk, and how often do services run at weekends?
• Which ticket covers a full day of travel, and can I buy it on board or do I need an app?
• How much is a taxi into the centre at that time of night, roughly?
• Is there a safe, well-lit walking route back, or is it better to take a cab after dark?
• Where's the nearest train station, and does the hotel run a shuttle or have a discounted arrangement with a local taxi firm?
• Is parking included, and is there a charge for the car park or a residents' permit?

If you're arriving by car, ask about the tightest turn on the route in. Many town-centre hotels sit behind one-way systems that sat-navs handle badly.

Finding somewhere good to eat — and somewhere quiet

Hotel restaurants are convenient, but the best meals are often a ten-minute walk away. Be specific about what you want, and you'll get a much better recommendation.

• Where would you eat if it was your night off, and would you book ahead?
• Is there anywhere nearby that stays quiet enough to talk properly — no music, no crowds?
• Which places are open on a Sunday evening or a Monday, when a lot of kitchens shut?
• Anywhere good for a late breakfast or a proper afternoon tea nearby?
• Do you have a residents' discount or an account with any local restaurants?

Quiet matters more than people expect. If you're travelling for work, or you've got a early start, ask which bars get loud and which streets stay peaceful. Reception staff hear the complaints, so they know exactly which rooms face the noise.

Your room, and getting the most from it

A few questions at check-in can quietly upgrade your stay without any awkwardness.

• Is there a quieter room available, even for a small supplement?
• Does the room have a bath as well as a shower, and is there a fridge or kettle?
• How does the heating or air conditioning work — is it controlled in the room?
• Is there a lift to every floor, and are there steps to reach the entrance?
• What's the Wi-Fi password, and is the connection reliable in the rooms or just the lobby?

If you have mobility needs, dietary requirements or you're travelling with a young child, say so at this point. It's much easier to sort out a cot, a ground-floor room or a gluten-free breakfast now than at eleven at night.

Timings: check-in, checkout and luggage

Checkout time is worth confirming precisely, along with what happens if you overshoot it. Ask about the details that affect your last day.

• What's the earliest I can check in, and can I leave bags before the room is ready?
• What time is checkout, and is there a charge for a late departure?
• Can I store luggage after checkout while I catch a train or do a last bit of sightseeing?
• Is breakfast included, what time does it finish, and is there a hot option at weekends?
• Do you need the room key returned, or can I drop it in a box?

If you've got a late train or flight, luggage storage is often the single most useful thing a hotel can offer you, and plenty of places do it free of charge for guests. Just ask — it's rarely advertised.

Money matters: what's included and what isn't

Nobody likes a surprise on the final bill. Five minutes of plain questions at the start protects you from that.

• Is the rate I booked the total I'll pay, including VAT and any service charge?
• Is a card pre-authorisation or deposit taken at check-in, and when is it released?
• Is breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi or use of the pool included, or charged separately?
• Are there charges for extras — a tray charge on room service, corkage, or use of the spa?
• Does the price change at weekends, and are there any local tourist taxes to add?

Ask for the total in pounds rather than a nightly figure. That way you can compare it honestly with anywhere else you were considering, and you'll know exactly where you stand before you hand over a card. A good receptionist will happily walk you through it — and if they can't, that's useful information too.