Your flights are booked. The car is rented. Now, it’s time to search for a hotel.
Searching for a hotel can be a headache. It feels like a hit or miss process, especially when you start to read the online reviews. Some people loved the hotel. Other people hated it, complaining about noise and cleanliness.
How can you ensure that you book the perfect hotel for your getaway on the first try? Let’s take a look at the top 5 things to look for when you are searching for a hotel.
5. Location
First is the location of the hotel. While it’s not necessary to be right in the heart of downtown, you also don’t want to wind up taking an hour-long bus ride each way to sight-see.
Pinpoint where all of the action is in your destination city. Draw a radius outside of that area that extends about a mile or two. This will be the area that you look in to find a hotel that meets your needs.
4. Local vs. Commercial
The next thing to decide on is whether you want to stick with the familiar at a giant hotel chain or immerse yourself in the local culture at a small-time bed and breakfast.
The hotel giants usually come with the higher price tag but they also have more reliability. The best small, locally owned hotels can offer a side to the city that you’ve never seen before, especially if you are staying at a bed and breakfast.
3. Amenities
If you’re on a family trip, does the hotel have a kid-friendly pool? On your honeymoon, does the hotel cater to newlywed couples? Can you rely on the hotel’s business center if you’re traveling for work?
Amenities are going to be important if you’ll be spending a good amount of time at the hotel. After you’ve narrowed down your location, check out what amenities you can expect to be available to you at the hotel. Be sure they fit your specific needs.
2. The Small Print
No one likes being surprised by their hotel bill upon checkout. This is why it’s so important to read the fine print at the hotel you’re staying at. Some hotels may charge extra fees for things that are complimentary at competing hotels so take the time to scan thoroughly. WiFi, for example, is a necessity for travelers and yet many hotels will tack on a daily fee for it so watch out.
1. Hotel Reviews
Thanks to the internet, you have access to thousands of reviews from people just like you who voice their appreciation or concern when it comes to choosing a hotel. After you have selected a few hotels based on the criteria above, it’s time to jump into the review board.
There are a number of review-based websites for hotels and hotel amenities including DayAxe so be sure to visit a few to get a well-rounded opinion. Consider the total number of reviews against the number of negative ones you find. The big points to focus on are cleanliness, staff, and noise.
It’s important to remember that people are more likely to leave a negative comment than a positive one; however, if a hotel is overwhelming reviewed as negative, you should scratch it off your list.
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