It’s difficult to know where to begin because there are millions of hotels, villas, apartment rentals, and resorts on the internet.
How can you tell which websites are reliable?
Which should you pick, a hotel or an Airbnb?
How can pricing and facilities be compared?
It’s overwhelming right?
The starting point for exploring your holiday destination will be your hotel. It will serve as your short-term residence in a foreign country. The right lodging option can make the difference between an amazing trip and a complete bust.
In light of that, the following should always be verified before making a hotel or Airbnb reservation.
Price Comparison
Prices are compared
Prior to making a hotel reservation, compare prices. Prices, packages, policies, and discounts vary amongst websites. Always compare prices on booking websites and the actual hotel website.
If you have a military, student, senior, or other ID card, many hotels will give you a discount.
Prices for lodging can be compared on websites like:
Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Hotel Tonight, and Priceline
Compare the costs of rental homes on:
VRBO, Airbnb, and HomeAway
If you book numerous nights or buy a flight + hotel package, certain booking services and hotels offer additional discounts. Use add-ons like Ebates and Honey to apply coupons and get cash back!
To save even more, use referral codes.
Check the cancellation policy
Check the cancellation policy before making a reservation at a hotel or rental home. If your travel plans change, a good cancellation policy may help you avoid losing money, time, and stress.
Depending on the hotel, the cancellation policy may be 24 or 72 hours. Some require a cancellation fee, while others let you cancel for free up to a specific amount.
Sites like Booking.com let you narrow your search using “free cancellation,” while Hotels.com never charges cancellation fees. Hotel Tonight has a no-refund policy.
In order to avoid paying exorbitant fees, read the fine print.
Check the hotel reviews
It’s crucial to carefully read reviews before making a hotel reservation. To be sure that reviews are genuine, study the profiles and details. Before making a reservation, I’d suggest reading 5–10 reviews. You can learn more about customer service, cleanliness, the general atmosphere, common complaints, and other topics by doing this.
Avoid making reservations for hotels or rentals without reviews and disregard reviews that are wildly slanted.
Check for an airport shuttle
Don’t forget to account for the cost of an airport transfer when you arrive. The cost of getting from the airport to your accommodation could be $50 or more. Choose a hotel that provides a free airport shuttle if at all possible.
Check hotel payment policies
At check-in, the majority of hotels want a credit card for incidentals and security deposits. It’s crucial to be ready since they will put a hold on your card until you complete the transaction. Ensure that you have a reservation at the hotel, and bring identification to prove it. It’s wise to be aware that certain hotels only accept credit cards and not debit cards.
You can choose to pay on booking sites, apps at the time of booking OR when you arrive. If you want to make a reservation online in advance and save money before paying the whole cost, this can be helpful.
Check the hotel location
Consider the location first before booking the cheapest hotel you can find. Use Google Maps, reviews, and discussion boards to see if the hotel is at a convenient location. Costs for trains, cabs, and Uber can mount up.
Even Google Street View can be used to assess the area’s attractiveness and safety.
By choosing a hotel in a convenient location, you’ll save both time and money.
Check for free Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi can seem like a given if you’re from the US, but this isn’t always the case. This could be a key deciding factor if you need to reserve a hotel for business purposes. This is also important to consider because some hotels only have poor Wi-Fi connections or only offer it in public areas.
The hotel check-in/out time
Is the front desk open round-the-clock? If you intend to come early in the morning or late at night, knowing this is helpful. Ask about early check-in or late check-out options if you expect to arrive before or after the designated check-in/check-out time. If the room is ready, you can check in at some hotels, and if there is space, you can check out late for free at others!
Check parking costs
Some Airbnb properties don’t have parking, and many hotels charge their customers for it. Before making a hotel reservation, compare parking rates because they may significantly affect cost.
Check all additional amenities
Are you taking your pet on the road? Are you planning a solo trip? Do you intend to exercise in a gym? Are tours, bicycles, and other activities offered at no cost by the hotel? Is there a restaurant there, and if so, what are the prices? Where is the closest eatery, if not? Exist any happy hour specials?
Before making a hotel reservation, make sure to look for these extra features and compare prices.
