Finding The Perfect Hotel For Your Trip

Whether it’s a road trip or international travel, most of us love to travel.  It’s exciting to think about and decide on where we want to go and what we want to see and experience.  But then comes the details.  Where are you going to spend your nights and find a space you can temporarily call your own?  While there are a ton of booking sites out there, here are some tips to find the perfect hotel for your travels.

Use Comparison Sites

With so many websites that search for hotels, it can be confusing to know which one is best.  Generally, there are two kinds of sites.   Those that quote rates for specific hotels, like  Booking.com and Agoda.com.  And those that aggregate the quoted rates from the other sites, like Hotellook.com.  The sites that aggregate can save you some time in your price comparisons.  But remember, too, that  not all sites have access to all hotel properties, so if you’re wanting to get the best value it can pay off to look at all your options.

Check The Ratings – With a Grain of Salt

What previous travelers have posted about a particular property can be valuable in finding a good place to stay.  If you see multiple comments about something really bothersome, it might be a property you want to pass on.  But if there’s only one or two complainers in a long list of positives, they’re probably just that – complainers.

Again, check multiple sites reviews.  That way you’ll be sure to get an accurate idea what to expect.  And as you do that, don’t forget to check the ratings on sites that focus on ratings, like TravelandLeisure.com or Oyster.com.  A little extra checking now can mean a much more pleasurable experience when you arrive.

Destination Recommendations

If your destination is a more of a  tourist attraction, you’ll also want to check the destination website.  Frequently, they’ll list “recommended lodging” in the area.  This is especially useful with destinations that are more rural in nature (e.g. “Redwood National Park”), and the only lodging available is small locally-owned facilities.    Often, these small facilities don’t list on any of the major sites, so this is the only way to find them.

Cross Check

Once you’ve found what you think is the perfect place, it worth the time to do a cross check on another site, or the resources mentioned above.  You’re not just spending your money, you’re spending your time.  While it can be costly to have to switch to another hotel, that’s less important than the time and hassle.

I’ve found some of the most awesome lodging properties by doing my homework.  And there’s nothing quite like walking into your room, getting a big smile on your face, and saying “wow!”