Choosing Hotels Online- Tricks for Comfort at a Great Price!
Photos are nice, but how do you know you will get what you need when you arrive? Many Front Desks have language issues or are not helpful. Some hotels close the front desk at 9 PM! If your flight is late, how would you check in under such circumstances.
It is very common for hotels to be unreliable in many ways. Also, who wants to stay in a hotel with mold in the bathroom?
Most discount hotel booking websites have reviews online. Kind and generous people who have stayed at the hotel prior will give of their time and experience to tell you what to expect. This is especially important when you are not interested to pay for a 5 star resort. Things can go wrong at a 5 star property, but often they are apologetic and make things right for the traveler at their expense. Big hotel names are often on the line and their reputation is what allows them to charge high prices.
Perhaps you are looking to save money; maybe you just need a one night layover and it’s not a special occasion. This is how I reserve rooms…
First, I key in the city and the dates I need to be accommodated. At that point you will get to see more rooms than you have time to view.
Second, I narrow my search by choosing important criteria. These things can include fitness facilities, free breakfast or wifi, a swimming pool, free airport shuttle or business services, such as conference rooms, faxing and computers. I check the boxes that are imperative to my stay.
Third, I decide the price range I would like to stay within. Realize that if you start at zero $ you will see hostles and rooms that share bathrooms with other strangers staying there. Just be realistic.
By now, I am looking for certain neighborhoods. In order for me to decide upon this, in a city I may have never visited, I do it by metro train stations, points of interest that I plan to visit and if I still need more narrowing, I try to be near the city center. The criteria I am most likely to steer to will be the points of interest I plan to see. You may also look at the map and see proximity to the airport or cruise terminal. By paying attention to these factors, you will probably make your stay infinitely better.
The next thing I do before I book is to read the reviews. People will tell you if the front desk answers the phone or if they are flakey. You will know if the bathrooms are clean or moldy. The room size cannot be hidden by excellent photography and the noise level while you are asleep will be disclosed. Some of these reviews have made me laugh out loud, they are so entertaining. Of course, by reading these reviews, some of these hotels are crossed off the list immediately. I remember a man stating that the front desk closed down at midnight and he returned to a locked front door and had to sleep on a park bench! You will read reviews from people around the world. Take the ones from your home country and countries most similar to yours the most seriously so you will not be shocked when you arrive. Many travelers have steered me away from hotels with poor service. Thank you for taking the time!
The last thing I do is talk to the customer service reps on the toll-free numbers and ask if construction is taking place or if there is anything not disclosed on the listing. At that point, a decision isn’t hard. I have gotten what I paid for every time. Please write reviews for the next travelers! This strategy will work for you. “Suffering is optional.”-Dr. Cie