Things Everyone Should Do Before They Book A Hotel

Decide what your budget is

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To begin, it is important to determine a specific budget for your lodging expenses. This first phase assists you in narrowing down your alternatives from the very beginning of the process, making it that little bit easier. Not going into your research without a budget will only disappoint you later on when you really most of it is pretty much out of your financial capabilities.

Decide what sort of location you want to stay in

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Take some time to think about the specific spot within your holiday destination that you would want. You should think about how close you are to things like tourist sites, commercial areas, and public transport links since this may have a huge influence on how convenient your trip is overall. It’s all about weighing up what is the most beneficial to you.

Firmly decide the dates of your trip

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This is a big mistake that a lot of people do. Before going to book your hotel, you need to ensure that the dates of your trip are firmly decided. The ability to be flexible might result in cost savings since prices change based on the season and the activities that are taking place. This means you need to plan in advance and choose the best dates available for where you want to stay.

Read, read, read the reviews

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Take a look at what others are saying about the hotel on the internet. Reviews should give you loads of information on the hotel and the quality of the stay. Websites such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google Reviews provide vital insights into the quality of the hotel, the cleanliness of the rooms, the level of service provided, and the overall guest experience.

Decide what kind of hotel you’re after

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Find out what kind of hotel would satisfy your needs and wants the most! This is one that often gets overlooked in the booking process, but is great for filtering and narrowing down the results of your staycation. There are a variety of options available, including opulent five-star facilities, lovely boutique hotels, and lodgings that are kind to one's wallet (or even hostels if you prefer!).

Determine what amenities you need

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Create a list of must-have amenities that will improve your stay, such as free Wi-Fi, breakfast, workout facilities, swimming pools, or on-site dining choices, and put them in order of importance from most important to least important. By doing this, you’ll be able to easily filter through the hotel results and decide based on ones that have most of what you’re after.

Make sure accessibility needs are met

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If you or any of your traveling companions struggle with mobility, check to see if the hotel you're staying at has rooms and services that are accessible. You’d be surprised at how many hotels struggle with making their facilities accessible, and this can have a massive impact on the quality of your stay if you turn up and either you or someone in your party can’t enjoy themselves.

Compare and contrast the hotels

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You shouldn't accept the first offer that you find because it seems like a decent nightly rate. Make use of a number of different booking sites, and don't forget to look at the hotel's main website as well. There are occasions when the hotel itself offers bargains that are unavailable anywhere else. (P.S. clear the cookies on your browser to find cheaper deals).

Decide if you’re looking for a decent cancellation policy

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Make sure you are familiar with the hotel's policy regarding cancellations. If your intentions suddenly alter, it is in your best interest to be familiar with the conditions so that you can avoid any consequential and nasty fines. You’d be surprised at how many people get caught out on these hidden fees, especially if they can’t really afford to lose out on that money.

Consider the loyalty programs

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This isn’t something that many people think about, but it can actually save you a wad of cash. Consider signing up for the loyalty program of a certain hotel chain if you find yourself staying there on a regular basis. Often, these loyalty programs will offer their most-loved customers with exclusive deals, promotional offers and even free stays!

Investigate whether you’re eligible for discount

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Believe it or not, many people are actually eligible for discounts, and many of them don’t even realize it. But hotel chains are quite like food chains in this respect, and offer exclusive discounts to certain groups of people. Investigate whether you are eligible for any discounts, such as those offered for AAA, the military, or elderly citizens.

Reach out to the hotel directly

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While hotels might like third-party agents taking bookings on their behalf, most don’t. They hate the unnecessary fees that come along with agents making the booking. This means that you should make the effort to get in touch with the hotel on your own, either by calling or sending an email. There is a possibility that you may come across unique deals or curated bundles.

Decide how you’re going to be paying

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Confirm that the hotel accepts your chosen means of payment, whether it be a credit card, a digital wallet, or any other form of payment, before making a reservation at the hotel. Some older hotels won’t accept certain methods, and this might just put a spanner in the works if you were planning to put your stay on a credit card, rather than pay in cold, hard cash.

Read up on their pet policy if you need to

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If you want to travel with your four-legged companions, you should research the pet policy of the hotel, which should include any extra prices or limitations. You’d think that people who are traveling with pets would already read up on the rules, but it’s easy to assure places are cool with that. Likewise, if you hate pets, you might also want to read up on it.

Decide what smoking policy you’re looking for

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You don’t come across many hotels these days that allow their guests to smoke in their rooms, but some still do believe it or not. In order to maximize your level of comfort, decide whether you would like a smoking or non-smoking room. If you’re an avid smoker, and you know you’ll be doing a lot of that on your travels, it might be best for you to be able to do that in your room.

Read up on the quality of the WiFi

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WiFi is so important these days. We need it pretty much all the time, whether that be doing research about our next cultural trip, looking at nearby restaurants or keeping in touch with friends and family. However, some people travel for work, and need it then more than ever. You should inquire about the quality of the Wi-Fi connection, because you don’t want to be hit with any nasty surprises.

Check out the food options at the hotel

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Not everyone likes to order room service, but some of us do (don’t judge us!). It can be particularly nice for people who’ve gone on work trips, and haven’t managed to grab something to eat. Although, you should definitely check out their menu online to see if anything tickles your fancy, and make sure it’s not extortionately priced. Also, read the reviews for more info!

Ask if any renovation works are taking place

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I wish I knew this earlier! The amount of times I’d booked a stay at a hotel where there were renovation works taking place, meaning that it was hard for me to get to sleep! You should definitely ask at the front desk about any scheduled or current improvements at the hotel. This information is essential, since the noise from the work may interfere with your stay.

Double check the safety standards

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When it comes to safety, precautions should always be taken. Inquire about the safety precautions that the hotel takes, such as the use of surveillance cameras, secure key card access, and the presence of security professionals. Some people don’t care too much about this stuff, while others will care a little bit more and will want to make sure they feel safe during their stay.

Confirm the times for checking in and out

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Make sure you are informed of the check-in and check-out timings of the hotel so that you may appropriately schedule your arrival and departure. In addition, be sure to inquire about the possibility of an early check-in or a late check-out. These things can often be crucial for those of us who regularly stay at hotels, especially if something has come up last minute.

Find out what the parking facilities are like

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Some people like to drive around to their hotels, and that’s fine, but you need to be aware of the parking situation before you get there. Find out whether the hotel has any parking facilities, how much they cost, and whether or not they are available. Or, better still, just take public transport. It might take a little longer, but it’s much more convenient than driving around.

Weed out any additional fees

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Some hotels hide fees in their contracts, for example there might be a cleaning fee or luggage handling fee, and you’ll want to be aware of these before committing to your hotel room. Make sure to dig deep into the tiny print to unearth any additional expenses that may have been concealed from you, such as resort fees, taxes, or required service charges.

Confirm your additional and specific needs

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That personal touch from the hotel staff is always nice to walk into the room to, and don’t be afraid to ask for these. After all, you don’t ask; you don’t get! Communicate any particular needs or preferences that you may have, such as more cushions, bedding that is hypoallergenic, or a room with a view of the city. Just make sure you’re aware of any extra charges (if there are any).

Always buy travel insurance

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his is a must before going ahead and booking a hotel or taking off on your travels. We’d suggest that it could be a good idea to get travel insurance depending on the specifics of your trip and where you want to go in order to protect your money in case of anything unexpected occurring. After all, you don’t want to be left out of pocket (and without a hotel room).

Double check your reservation details

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This is one thing that really does catch a lot of people out, and you’ll want to make sure you do it. Before you go ahead and confirm your booking, you should double-check all of the reservation details to be sure that they are correct. Sometimes, a date here, or a name there, can slip our minds, and it becomes an awkward convenience when turning up at the hotel.

Be prepared for emergencies

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Emergencies should always be planned for, especially when planning a trip across the country. Don’t fall short because you neglected to cater for them! Create a list of people you can call in an emergency and have it somewhere easily accessible. Include the location and contact information for the hotel just in case anything unexpected happens.

Be ready for your arrival

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As the day of your trip draws closer, be sure to bring all of the necessary paperwork, including your confirmation of your reservation, your identity, and any applicable travel coupons. The amount of times people forget their important documents on a trip and are turned away from the hotel is unbelievable, don’t be one of them people: prepare, prepare, prepare.

Consider language barriers

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It is helpful to learn a few basic phrases of the language of the country you will be visiting, even if you are not proficient in the language spoken there. This will allow you to communicate with locals more easily and also the hotel staff as well. Also, learning a little goes a long way, and they’ll really appreciate that you’ve taken the time and effort to learn the language.

Find out what the food options are in the area

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Familiarize yourself with the local dining places that are close by, as well as any local food that you would want to try while you are there. It’s important that your hotel is by some good food options, so you don’t have to pay their extortionate prices, or travel further out just to get a tasty meal! I’m sure Google Maps will help you with this one; read up on the reviews too.

Pack properly for your trip

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Don't forget to bring important travel goods like clothes and accessories that are suited for the temperature of your location, as well as toiletries, chargers, and adapters. There’s always something that we forget when going away, so it’s good to create a list before going so you’re aware of what you need and nothing manages to go amiss. You’ll thank me later.