I have a friend getting ready to go on vacation. She is a stickler about picking just the right hotel and gets a little stressed out if it doesn’t fit every parameter she feels is important. Her and her husband enjoy working out while out on vacation (are they crazy?) and they don’t like to be too far from the best activities in the area. They also hate when the hotel is dirty. On top of all of that, they want free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and free parking included. We all know how difficult it can be to fit that many details into the perfect hotel but it’s really not as hard as it sounds to get exactly what you want out of a hotel. Here are a few tips to picking the right hotel for you.
8 Tips for Picking the Right Hotel
Know what you want – Know the details about a hotel that are important to you. As in the story about my friend, they know what they want and therefore, know what to look for when searching for the right hotel. If you are unsure of what you want, picking a hotel will be a pain. Does location matter? Do you need pet friendly? So on and so forth.
Try to only settle for the one that has all the details you need. – Often if you settle for a hotel that doesn’t quite match the things you’re looking for, it can leave a sour experience because your needs weren’t met. This isn’t the hotel’s fault.
Take your time – A lot of times we try to rush and end up missing important details when booking. Take time to read the fine print and don’t be afraid to call and ask for clarification from the hotel themselves.
Use a booking service – There are a ton of site such as hotels.com or priceline.com (there are literally countless sites like this) that help you narrow down the hotels with the details you like. Often times, booking through these sites can offer you discounts you wouldn’t normally get booking straight through the hotel themselves. However, sometimes these sites will charge a fee for their services so be aware of this.
Ask those who know – If you’re booking in a place you’re unfamiliar with, ask a friend or someone who’s been there or lives in the area for some advice. Many times, a hotel looks nice in the photos but then you get there and it’s a rough neighborhood.
Stick with what you know – If you’re headed to a spot or area you’ve been to before and have a hotel you were pleased with, stay there again. You know without a doubt that it was wonderful the last time so no need to take your chances on another hotel. This will give you peace of mind as far as planning is concerned because you will know what to expect.
Reviews – There is no shame in combing through reviews. Often times, hotels will have hundreds of reviews. There are the typical negative reviews that are hard to listen to however if you read a few of the reviews, there usually ends up being the same general issues, if there is any. Then, you can weigh whether or not this is an issue you’re concerned about or don’t care about.
Price – None of us like to pay an arm and a leg for a night at a hotel while some of us enjoy the luxury of an expensive hotel. Know your price range and use this to narrow down your hotel options. Of course, if you’re wanting some pretty specific stuff, note the average price range for the type of hotel you’re looking for and don’t expect something unrealistic.
21 Comments
lashawn
October 4, 2016 at 3:59 pmListen, I am so Bougie when it comes to hotels. I will pay to dollar for a nice hotel with good beds and room service.
Nellie
October 4, 2016 at 4:07 pmsooo true! I require so much especially when I’m traveling with the family! Tripadvisor is awesome though–I trust them the most.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
October 5, 2016 at 4:43 pmThese are great tips. I never settle when it comes to booking a hotel for travel. I want to be comfortable and at ease wherever I’m staying.
Colleen Lanin
October 5, 2016 at 4:44 pmReviews are the first thing I look at when I’ve pulled a few picks for a hotel. How satisfied other people were lets me know what’s up.
Brandy
October 5, 2016 at 4:46 pmThese are all really great tips. I always check the reviews for a hotel before I make my choice.
Mitch
October 5, 2016 at 4:56 pmI always do a lot of research, unless the hotel choice is made for me. You have to be prepared and know what you are paying for, which is good advice for everything!
Pam Wattenbarger
October 5, 2016 at 6:00 pmA hotel can make or break a vacation experience. It’s important to know what you are looking for.
Mixed Reviews
October 5, 2016 at 8:22 pmWhen I am looking for a hotel, I read reviews and search for the best deals on line. Sometimes I have to overlook the reviews because I’ve seen horrible reviews for hotels that I’ve stayed at and enjoyed so it’s a matter of opinion.
Catherine Sargent
October 5, 2016 at 9:18 pmThese are great tips. When I book a new hotel, I always look up reviews on multiple sites.
Marcie W.
October 5, 2016 at 11:27 pmThese are truly excellent tips! I am kind of a hotel snob, so I always read through a ton of customer reviews before booking.
Theresa
October 6, 2016 at 1:02 amThankfully, hubby takes care of booking our hotels. He does read a lot of reviews, then picks the one that offers free breakfast lol.
Crystal
October 6, 2016 at 4:56 amI adore my home, but getting away makes me very happy. I’m feeling inspired to plan a trip now that I’m rethinking all of my favorite hotels.
Kiwi
October 6, 2016 at 6:28 amReviews are your friend! I will spend lots of time researching a certain hotel and reading through lots of reviews before I hit buy for a hotel!
Toni | BoulderLocavore.com
October 6, 2016 at 11:47 amLove these tips! I will surely keep this in mind the next time we are picking hotel! Thank you for sharing!
Jeanine
October 6, 2016 at 1:28 pmWonderful tips. This kind of thing makes me nervous. Picking hotels has never been easy for me. I don’t travel often so its not really needed a lot so when I do look for hotels, I have such a hard time. These tips will prove helpful in the next few weeks!
Shell
October 6, 2016 at 3:21 pmGreat suggestions for picking a hotel. I usually just look at proximity to where I’m going.
Ann Bacciaglia
October 6, 2016 at 3:59 pmI always do a lot of research before I choose a hotel. Asking your friends is a great way to get recommendations.
Kelly Hutchinson
October 6, 2016 at 5:39 pmWhen it comes to booking a hotel, I rely on reviews of people who have stayed there. If there are a lot of negative reviews, we move on. I also agree with sticking with what you know. Very important.
Janell Poulette
October 6, 2016 at 8:23 pmMy husband and I are also pretty particular when choosing a hotel. These are great tips to help find the right one for your and your families needs.
Ourfamilyworld
October 7, 2016 at 6:44 amThese tips are so awesome. We love booking on hotels whenever we are out of town.
What I look for in a hotel - It's Really Kita
January 2, 2020 at 6:01 am[…] trip later but let’s talk about a question I got from one of my friends. She asked me when I pick a hotel what am I looking for. Great question so let me give you the answer. This is my opinion so you may […]