Where you stay can make or break your trip, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure. That’s the only reason why you need to choose the right hotel for your needs. After all, if you’re going to spend hundreds of dollars on a room, you want to make sure that you get the most bang for your buck. But picking a hotel can be quite tricky, especially if you’re not a seasoned traveler. It all boils down to knowing your needs and whether the hotel can meet your requirements.
Of course, finding the right hotel has never been easier. If you have a smartphone or a computer, you can simply log onto one of the many travel websites on the internet. You can easily sort your search by price, location, rating, and even specific amenities. Let’s say you’re going on a weekend trip with your kids. You can limit your search to hotels with swimming pools. Just don’t forget the Liberty swimwear for children.
But there are a few things you need to keep in mind when searching online. You need to look beyond marketing. Whether you’re looking for a room for the night or a villa for an extended vacation, here are a few tips to get you started.
1. The location should work for you
You’ll often see ads for hotels touting their so-called perfect location. It’s up to you to decide whether a hotel’s location is ideal or not. What may work for some may not be applicable to you. For instance, booking a room in the resort may not be the best decision if you’re going to spend most of your time in the city. Conversely, a room in the city may not offer the comfort and view you want for a vacation.
The critical thing to remember is accessibility. Make sure to choose a hotel that’s easily accessible from points of entry. You don’t want to waste a day getting to the hotel from the airport. It’s also a smart idea to choose a hotel that has ample transit options, such as the train or bus. Public transit is often the fastest and cheapest way to get from point A to point B, and staying in a hotel near stops and stations allows you to save money on transportation.
2. Check if the hotel is family-friendly
Traveling with family may entail extra work. You might need to book multiple rooms, and juggling the needs of different people is enough to drive anyone mad. Babies and children will have to sleep with you while teenagers and young adults may want their own room. Consider a hotel that offers connecting rooms or two-bedroom suites. That way, you can easily travel from one room to another without having to pass through the hallway.
Don’t forget to inform children that minibars aren’t free. The last thing you need is to find the fridge empty. You might be tempted to take a drink or a chocolate bar, especially at night, but always remember that hotels charge a markup of as much as 500 percent.
3. Read the amenity list
With the average cost of a hotel room hovering around $100 a night, you want to get one that’s packed to the rafters with creature comforts. A basic room will get you a bath and a bed, but as the prices go up, so should the amenities. You also may have extra requirements to make your stay more comfortable. Of course, what you need in a room also depends on what you’re looking for.
A standard hotel room is usually fitted with a telephone (make sure to ask if outside calls are free), a minibar with a selection of treats for sale, a television, and internet access. If you’re traveling for business, you may want to ask for a room for business travelers. Business rooms also have a desk that can serve as your temporary office while you’re traveling.
The bottom line
Choosing the right hotel isn’t as easy as picking one off the website. There are many factors you need to consider, some of which are listed above. If you know what you’re looking for, you can pick a hotel that can accommodate your needs.
Start by limiting your search to one area, such as the beach or the city center. It also helps to find a hotel that caters to a specific kind of traveler, such as businesspeople. Make sure to check the amenity list before finalizing the booking. Finally, you may need to plan ahead if you’re traveling with children.
