Having a limited budget does not mean you will end up staying in a cheap, dirty hotel. In fact, there are many discount options available for visitors on a budget. On the flip side, you may be travelling for work and have the ability to expense your accommodations to your company’s account. In this case, an affordable hotel rate may not be as much of a priority for you.
If you require disability facilities, call the hotel to confirm if they are wheelchair accessible or offer disability amenities. Consider whether or not you require extra amenities, such as a spa or a fitness center. If you need a solid internet connection, look at hotels that offer free Wi-Fi as part of the nightly rate. If you are traveling as a family or in a big group, you might want to consider booking a suite with separate living area and bedroom so that the whole group can be accommodated without space and privacy constraints.
If you are traveling for business, you may decide to search for hotels that are close to a work conference or meeting. If you are traveling for pleasure, look for hotels that are walking distance to a hot spot, or hotels that offer packages that include car rentals so that you can get around easily.
Once you enter this information into the search engine, you will be presented with several hotel options. You can order the options from lowest to highest in terms of price, or use the map option to look at hotels that are closer to a certain area or location. Keep in mind that online search engines don’t always show extra surcharges or fees for rooms. Note any small print next to the price for the room before you consider it. Some credit cards and AAA providers offer hotel search services and discounts to their members. Contact your credit card company or AAA provider for more information.
Read the reviews for the hotels you are considering to get a sense of cleanliness, customer service, and amenities. Weigh the reviews against the price and location of the hotel to determine if it will meet your needs. Some discounted search tools require you to book the hotel room before knowing exactly which hotel you were be staying in. Always read the fine print before you book a room to ensure you’re not surprised by any restrictions or stipulations.
You may want to ask questions such as: Is there a restaurant or bar on site? Is breakfast included in the nightly rate? Do you offer non-smoking rooms? Is the hotel near public transportation? Do you offer transportation like rental bikes? How far is the hotel from a specific location or area, such as the beach? Which side of the hotel has a better view or less noise? Is the area around the hotel safe? Are there facilities available for the disabled? What is the hotel’s cancellation policy? Did you know wikiHow offers coupons and discounts for a variety of travel websites? Save time and money by checking out our coupon site for: Travelocity Expedia Travel Tripadvisor Hotels. com Hotwire Booking. com
You can also reserve the room by calling the hotel directly. Try to call late evening as mornings and mid afternoons can be busy for the front desk. If you are looking for a group rate for a conference or a wedding, call the hotel directly and speak to the front desk. Many hotels do not advertise group rates online and can often offer you better rates over the phone.
Always check if your credit card or AAA provider offers any discounts on hotels so that you can use them when you pay for the room. If you are staying at the hotel for an extended period of time, you may be able to pay for the first 2 to 3 nights upfront and then cover the rest of your stay once you get to the hotel. You will then be required to leave your credit card number on file and settle your bill at the front desk on your check out day.
