Travel tips how to Plan and Choose the ideal Hotel
Trusted hotel booking sites
- Expedia
- Radisson
- Marriot
Have you ever dreamed of waking up in a luxurious hotel room with breathtaking views without breaking the bank?
Planning your next adventure should be exciting, not overwhelming! But finding the perfect hotel can often feel like a daunting task.
This quick guide will share essential tips and tools to help you book the best hotels in minutes, ensuring an unforgettable stay that fits your budget.
Ready to uncover the secrets of savvy hotel booking? Let’s dive in!
Travel Tips: How to Plan and Choose the Ideal Hotel
Choosing the right hotel can have a significant impact on your trip. Researching and planning your stay in advance is essential.
1. Set Your Budget
Start by setting your budget. This will help you eliminate hotels outside of your price range.
2. Determine Location and Duration
Next, determine the location and duration of your trip. This will narrow down your search.
3. Focus on Your Goals
Do you want to explore a city, relax on the beach, or have a cultural experience? This will narrow your search and help you find hotels that fit your goals and lifestyle.
4. Check the Location
Next, check the location of the hotel. Is it close to tourist attractions, restaurants, and transportation? Google Maps helps you visualize the exact spot, nearby transportation, and dining options.
Is it in a safe neighborhood? Do your research before you book. I always Google the best neighborhoods for tourists in a city. These factors are crucial for your comfort and safety.
5. Services and Amenities
Check the services offered. Does it have a gym, pool, or spa? Does it include breakfast or Wi-Fi? Is there parking? This can improve your stay! And make it more expensive!
6. Read Reviews
Once you have narrowed down your hotel list, read online reviews. Other guests can provide important information about the service, cleanliness, and room condition.
Look for patterns in the reviews and be wary of exaggerated comments. We first check the worst reviews to know what to expect. Cleanliness is a deal breaker!
Be careful when reading reviews, as some can be unrealistic. Check the rating and read positive and negative reviews for a better perspective.
We have booked hotels based on excellent reviews. But they were years away from what we expected! The prime location was right in the middle of shipping containers at the port! The incredible room was ten, yes, ten square meters! The pool was the size of a bathtub and full of children. Take it easy, smile, and let it go! |
Some reliable sources are Google, TripAdvisor, and the platform itself. TripAdvisor has over 1 billion reviews of hotels, restaurants, and experiences. It is the largest accommodation comparison site in the world.
Trusted Hotel Booking Sites
Here are the Best online booking sites that we always use:
Booking.com: Find the perfect hotel with Booking.com! Millions of options, powerful filters, trust reviews, and 24/7 support. Book your stay now safely and with ease.
Hotels.com: Low price guarantee and one free night for every 10 stays! Hotels.com offers a wide selection of hotels, exclusive discounts, and a rewarding loyalty program. Book now and save!
Expedia: flights, hotels, and car rentals all in one place! Expedia simplifies travel with package options, competitive prices, and an intuitive interface. Compare and book everything you need for your adventure.
Radisson Experience: hotels for all styles and budgets, from economy to luxury. Take advantage of the loyalty program and earn exclusive rewards on your stays.
Discover the Marriot chain: more than 30 hotel brands, 10.000 global destinations, and options for all tastes and budgets. Comfort, luxury, and loyalty programs to make your trip unforgettable!
Booking
Booking.com is the largest hotel booking website. It offers options from boutique hotels to luxury resorts. Nowadays, you can also book apartments. And yes, it is safe to book through Booking!
With more than 28 million rooms advertised, you will easily find the perfect hotel. Available in over 40 languages worldwide.
They used to offer free cancellation on almost all properties, but recently that changed. They charged us in advance on our card, even though we chose to pay at the hotel!! |
They accept all major credit cards.
The user experience is simple. You can filter by stars, neighborhood, amenities, and price range.
They have 24/7 customer service by phone or email, which we never had to use.
Users earn points for stays made on the platform and earn discounts or upgrades on future bookings.
Hotels.com recently merged its platform with Expedia and VRBO for apartment rentals. They don't have as many rooms as Booking, but still enough to find what you're looking for.
Use the app that offers discounts of up to 40% for same-day check-in.
They accept all major credit cards and even PayPal.
The user experience is as simple as Bookings. They offer almost all accommodations with the option to pay at the hotel (it works) and better prices than in the past.
In Sardinia, I had to contact customer service because the hotel had charged me even after I canceled. They called me right away and solved the problem. |
The rewards program gives you a free night for every 10 nights.
Expedia
In addition to hotels, Expedia also allows you to book flights and rent a car. If you need to book a flight and hotel for your trip, you can do it all in a simple user interface.
Book your flight and hotel together, and save money on your trip.
Check the prices of hotels and airlines on other sites to compare prices before reserving.
Start the search through the widget on the right.
Fill out where you want to go, the check-in and check-out dates and search. Sort & Filter the options by stars, location, price and book one as per your convenience.
Radisson chain
Radisson is a world-renowned chain. It offers hotels for all budgets. From the budget Red to the luxury Collection, you will find one for you. The rewards program has benefits such as discounts and upgrades.
Marriott chain
Marriott International Global: offers 30 different brands, from budget to sophisticated. One of its properties spread around the world is sure to please you!
Additional Hotel Booking Tips
The same hotel can be found on multiple platforms but with different prices. Compare them for the same room type and check the payment rules.
There are options for prepayment, non-refundable rates, or payment at the hotel. Choose the one that suits you best. In general, we prefer to pay at the hotel, even with a higher rate, to have more flexibility in case of a change of plans.
Be careful with the cancellation deadline. Apart from non-refundable rates, you can cancel your reservation without penalty. But only up to a pre-defined date. After this period, any changes will be charged.
If you have flexibility with your dates, you may be able to find the same room for much cheaper at another time! A classic example is New Year's Eve. Prices can be absurdly high, 5 times more than in low season!
Have you ever had an incredible (or disastrous!) experience at a hotel? Share your story in the comments!
Your tips and experiences can help other travelers avoid problems and find the perfect paradise for their vacation. Let's create a community of experienced travelers!
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