Whether you are going on a business trip, a holiday, or just a staycation, at some point in your life you will need to choose a hotel to stay at. And not picking the right hotel can completely ruin your stay. How do you know which hotel to pick?
The most obvious thing to sort out before looking for hotels is to decide on your destination. Once you have figured out your destination and your purpose of travelling, you are one step closer to knowing which hotel is the best for you.
Location Of The Hotel
It is important to figure out what kind of a stay you are looking for. If you are on a business trip to attend a conference, you might want a hotel in the city that is close to the venue of your conference or a hotel that is close to the airport. But if you are on a weekend getaway, you might want a hotel away from the busy city. You might consider a hotel in the countryside or by the beach.
In addition to that, it is also important to assess the location of the hotel from a different aspect. It would be beneficial to figure out the distance from the hotel and the major tourist attractions, the nearest restaurants, or a shopping centre. This will help you estimate the amount of money and time that would be spent on travelling.
Hotel Amenities
Before deciding on a hotel, you need to check out the amenities. Does the hotel offer the services and facilities you are looking for on your stay? And are these services and facilities free?
Some basic services that any good hotel would offer are housekeeping, room service, luggage storage, parking, and 24-hour reception. In addition to these, some guests may look for hotels that have a spa or gym, free wifi in the room as well as other areas of the hotel, dining options, pet friendly, wheelchair access, airport shuttle services, etc.
Depending on the amenities the hotel offers, you can assess whether or not the price for the hotel is worth it.
Look Up The Hotel Reviews
Hotel websites can be deceiving sometimes. It is important to read hotel reviews from past customers to see if the hotel is actually what they claim to be.
Reading both good and bad reviews of the hotel will give you an overall idea of the hotel’s rating. This would give you an insight into the previous guest experiences as well as the problems or issues people have faced. Some of the most common websites used to read reviews are Tripadvisor, Expedia, Yelp, etc.
Price
Another important factor to consider is the room rates or hotel prices. How well do those prices fit in with your budget for your travels?
The price of the hotel is directly linked to the rating of the hotel. Hotels with a higher rating are more likely to be more expensive. The quality of service and amenities provided also directly reflect on the prices.
A tip to making the most of the money spent is to keep an eye out for special deals or packages. Some hotels may offer inclusive breakfasts or other discount packages.
Room Size And Type
The hotel room is where you will be spending most of your time. It is important to consider a couple of elements before finalising your booking.
Figure out the size and type of room you would need. If you are travelling with children, you may be looking for a family room whereas if you are travelling alone, you might look for a simple suite. Another element to consider would be the view your hotel room has. If you are booking a beach hotel, you might want a seaside view room. Also, look out for the in-room amenities a hotel offers like a mini-fridge, air conditioning, coffee makers, etc.
Accessibility
When planning the budget of a hotel, a decent amount goes into travel charges. To help ease that, make sure the hotel’s location gives you access to airports, and train stations as well as local transport like buses or taxis. Also, make sure that the hotel is located in a safe environment!
Other Things To Look Out For
Before confirming your booking, make sure to check out the cancellation policy, check-in and check-out time, and more.
- Check out the hotel’s website to find out their cancellation policy. Life can be unpredictable and it’s always good to know if you would get a refund.
- Knowing the check-in and check-out timing at the hotel can help you plan your stay and synchronise possible flights accordingly.
- It would also be beneficial to figure out the mode of payment or accepted cards before booking your stay.
