Hotel Guide: How to Choose A Hotel

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, finding the perfect hotel can make or break your trip. Sorting through reviews, prices, and rewards options can be overwhelming, but once you find the perfect space, you can start your vacation off in style. Here are some things to look for when booking your next vacation.

Build Your Budget

Figure out how much you’re willing to spend each night and filter your results by that. Don’t fall in love with a beautiful five-star space if you don’t want to splurge. Discount sites like Hotels.com and Booking.com are great places to start; they offer already discounted prices and let you filter your results to find a room tailor-made for you.

Check the Amenities

Read all the fine print. Is breakfast included, or an additional expense? Can you check out late for free? Is there a pool? Depending on what you’re looking for, you might be able to spend a little extra to get better value. For instance, does your room have a kitchenette? You can save money eating out if you’re able to keep some snacks in your room. Little tweaks like these can lower your overall cost and make your trip more enjoyable.

Make Use of Rewards Programs

Most hotels have a rewards program that allows you to earn points and other rewards, and often they’re free to sign up for. Check if your hotel has a bonus for signing up, and then save up points and rewards every time you stay. If you travel a lot, you can get a free night’s stay or other fun goodies!

Talk to a Person

Reading reviews is a crucial part of booking a hotel--you want to make sure you know what you’re getting into. Sometimes, though, reviews don’t tell the whole story. If you really want to get the low-down on a potential room, call the front desk. The agent there will be able to tell you details like noise levels, local must-see spots, and other information that isn’t always available online. If you like what you hear, they’ll be able to help you book your room directly with them.