Are you planning to travel soon? Whether it’s for business or pleasure, having a place to stay is an important part of the trip. You may have come across the ‘perfect’ room and been about to click on “book.” Before you do that, check out these six mistakes people often make when booking their accommodation.
This article can help ensure you have the best possible stay without experiencing any of the common pitfalls.
1. Choosing Hotels With No Reviews / Bad Reviews
If hotels have no reviews, you need to be very careful: you’d be traveling ‘blind’ without any knowledge of what to expect. These places are either not popular or haven’t been around long enough for people to take the time and leave a review – and you’ll need to find out which. There could be massive building work underway or the facilities could be unsafe. When there is at least one review from someone who has stayed there it can be more reassuring that the hotel will suit your needs.
The more reviews available, the better idea you’ll get about the establishment. You can learn what people did or didn’t like about the accommodation, so you can make an informed choice. Previous customers have nothing to lose, so it’s easier to trust their comments than what the hotels say about themselves on their websites.
Some money advice websites include helpful blogs on their own travel experiences. A person may have booked through Amex Travel, used the Hilton App, or paid by credit. You can discover great ways to budget and save money. Help can also be gained with planning your next trip.
2. Picking The Cheapest Accommodation Available
If you secure the cheapest room you can find, you may be in for a shock when you arrive. In many countries, it could be somewhere with no luxuries or even basic amenities such as hot water and air conditioning. In some cases, it can also mean being far from any transport links, tourist attractions, or restaurants. Cheap hotels may feature shared bathrooms or be lacking in extras or room service.
In many cases, you’ll be better off spending a little more to get an overall higher quality stay. It can give you extra peace of mind and you may be able to enjoy additional benefits such as free wifi, or dinner options that are unavailable at the cheaper hotels.
3. Not Researching The Area/Country
The location of the hotel will be hugely important, so check this out online. Think about the drug, crime, and unemployment rates. If there are any natural disasters, transport problems, or civil unrest in the area this could affect you too! One way to get information on an unfamiliar destination is through social media sites, and blogs, and forums from people who live locally.
Make sure you will be close enough to your business conference or holiday destination, otherwise most of your money will be spent on transport. Avoid having to walk late at night through large cities or parks. Also ensure there are good connections to trains, buses, and motorways.
4. Not Checking The Cancellation Policy
If you book well in advance you may be able to gain favorable rates, but only do so when you are sure of the travel dates.
Check out the cancellation policy in case anything changes nearer the time. It will vary from company to company. You won’t want to discover there are minimal or nonexistent refunds should one be required at the last moment. You should also take out travel insurance to cover cancellations, illness, and loss of baggage.
5. Not Shopping Around
Don’t opt for the first hotel that you find or only view individual websites. Price comparison sites can be highly useful because they do most of the work for you.
You can view the different hotels side by side and compare the different prices to get the best offers. You can also discover which hotels provide all-inclusive packages, shuttle transport, and more.
6. Ignoring Your Budget
Plan your holiday finances well in advance. If you go for something too expensive, you may not be able to afford any extra trips or excursions. That’s fine if you want to stay in one place, but not if you plan to use the hotel as a base.
If you research the accommodation beforehand, you may be able to find a great deal. You’ll also have the peace of mind in knowing the hotel will have all that you need when you arrive, so you can have the best possible customer experience.
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