A few decades ago, booking a hotel was a bit dicey as there was limited information and reviews about each hotel and whilst those hotels had star rankings, they were really just an universal guide as to how much money a room was worth. This has changed considerably since the technology boom. Online reviews with in-depth information, pictures of what the hotel and their rooms look like, and simple to follow smartphone GPS systems so you know precisely how to find your hotel. However there are still numerous factors that you must take into account when booking a hotel these days. Here's a quick quide of 5 things you must do when booking your next hotel. Call The Hotel To Ask Questions
Typically, you're likely to have a few questions to ask because most hotels can be rather ambiguous with the features and benefits they display online. What type of 'free' breakfast do you provide and what hours is it available? Do they have rooms in high floors or low floors and is there an elevator? You might wish to inquire about special needs rooms (pet-friendly, kid friendly, accessibility, etc.). Or the hotel might have extra rooms that aren't revealed on your booking website. You might also have the chance to negotiate a better rate if you call the hotel directly. Don't be afraid to call the hotel directly if you have any questions or concerns about your stay, as it can often prove to be valuable. Always Check Out The Online Reviews Checking out the reviews of travelers who have visited a certain hotel gives you a solid insight into quality of the hotel, the value for money, and the comfort of your stay. For instance, Tripadvisor is a credible website and app that supplies a multitude of reviews from hotels, to restaurants, to tourist attractions and personally, I've used it frequently to evaluate the quality of various services I'm interested in while I'm on holidays. By using this rvice, you can come across information you usually wouldn't know until you reach the hotel, like dreadful Wi-fi, poor food and the level of street noise. This is by far the most important thing you should do before booking a hotel. Compare The Prices You'll want to contrast the prices of comparable hotels in the same area that are more or less alike in regards to quality. There is big competition in the hotel industry, so shopping around to look for the best prices can in most cases save you a great deal of money. Even if you have your eyes set on one certain hotel, you may be able to bargain with them if a similar hotel is less expensive. Remember to account for travel costs to and from the airport and to other attractions you intend to visit. Traveling in taxis around the city can certainly escalate the expenses of your holiday, so the location of your hotel is also really important. Book Ahead of time In almost all cases, the further you book your hotel ahead of time, the less costly the room will be. Just like airlines, hotels may have special prices on particular days so it's a good idea to subscribe to free price notifications well before your travel dates. The money you can save by booking in advance will enable you to spend a little more on nice restaurants or you could purchase some souvenirs which always makes your vacation more enjoyable and memorable. On the contrary, if you get stuck needing to find a hotel last minute, always try to book in the evening instead of the morning. Cancelled reservations in the afternoon will free up some rooms and you should be able to book a room at a discounted price. Check Out The In-Room Technology It is something that few individuals consider, but your in-room technology can make an enormous difference to the quality of your stay. After a long day exploring the city or getting down to business, one thing you will want to do when going back to your hotel room is to be able to unwind. Whether it's to take a seat and watch a movie on demand, check out the menu of the restaurant downstairs or possibly you're in the mood for some internet browsing, many hotel rooms now feature in-room technology that can do all of these things. It may not appear like a big deal, but asking about what amenities and technologies are available in your room prior to booking can help you to get a better idea of what creature comforts await you for your stay. Guest entertainment systems like Lifestylepanel are a perfect mixture of entertainment and hotel and local information services. You'll be provided with tips on recommended restaurants, local tourist attractions, hotel amenities and undoubtedly, heaps of entertainment for your down-time. For more details on hotels that use Lifestylepanel, visit http://lifestylepanel.com Traveling is always an adventure so the more comfort and relaxation you can enjoy after a gruelling day of exploring is worth its weight in gold. The last thing you want is a nasty surprise when you get to your hotel, so follow the suggestions above and you'll be well on your way to an impressive holiday!
0 Comments
|