As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may have Amazon and/or other affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information. Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!
How to Find the Perfect Hotel to Meet Your Needs and Budget
Finding affordable hotel accommodation for your trip is a large part of travel planning. Accommodation costs are easily the largest percentage of the travel budget. Not only does the hotel need to fit the budget, but it also needs to fit the needs of the vacation. Similar to finding the perfect flight, there are a lot of things to consider when searching to find the perfect hotel. Here is how to find a hotel to meet your needs at an affordable price.
Recommendations
Always begin your hotel search by asking for recommendations from friends and family. Social media sites are also great places to get recommendations. Facebook has several travel groups focused primarily on recommendations.
Hotel Loyalty Programs
Most hotel chains in the United States have loyalty programs allowing you to earn points toward free stays when accommodation is booked directly through them. Many also reward loyalty with membership or status levels. As levels are earned guests receive perks, such as free amenities, priority check-in, food and beverage credits, special discounts, or room upgrades. Hotel loyalty programs are often partnered with several sister properties. Wallet Hub compared loyalty programs and found the top 5 to be Wyndham Rewards, Radisson Rewards, Best Western Rewards, Choice Privileges, and Marriott Bonvoy. If you are loyal to a brand, compare properties in the destination, and book directly to earn points and membership status.
Hotel Booking Sites
Reward systems on hotel booking sites allow you to earn points when staying at any hotel vs one chain. Choose a site to be loyal to in order to earn the most points. Hotel booking sites offer members-only bonuses and special deals for select properties. You must sign in to view these deals. Hotels.com prices are comparable to other booking sites, after 10 nights the 11th night is free, there is the best price guarantee and membership levels come with perks and secret prices.
Hotel booking sites are a great way to sort through options when you are traveling to a destination without brands you recognize. A filtered search on a hotel booking site saves time and money by narrowing down the results.
Open a hotel booking site such as Hotels.com. Log in to the site, members receive special discounts and perks that will not be visible if you are not logged in. Type in the destination, dates of stay, number of rooms, and number of adults and children. Hit enter and begin filtering the results.
Price and Accommodation Type
100’s of hotels populate the property page. Begin to filter the results using the price slider to indicate the low and high end of what you want to pay per night. There are also many types of accommodations listed. Check hostels and start the price filter at 0 if you are looking for the least expensive place to sleep and don’t mind sharing a bathroom with others. Leave the accommodation type empty and use the price slider if you are on a budget, or, if you are looking for a mid to upper-range property.
Star and Guest Rating
Star ratings vary from country to country. As a result, they are not reliable. Guest ratings are a better indication of the condition of the property. Filter for what you are comfortable with, 8+ is a good starting point.
Do not rely solely on the booking sites’ guest ratings. Double-check your final selection on Trip Advisor. Trip Advisor reviewers often add their own photos to their reviews. These photos can be very different from the professional pictures the hotel published. Skim through the reviews, and aim for a property with 4 stars on TripAdvisor.
Payment, Cancellation, and Rewards
Skip these filters if you are using the booking site to find the perfect hotel, but plan to book directly through the hotel using points and miles. If you are following the tips, tricks, and hacks of finding a great hotel deal, you know when to book and to book with free cancellation to catch the best price guarantee deal. Members will indicate if they desire to earn or redeem rewards here.
Amenities
Indicate what is important to you here: free breakfast, airport transfer, WiFi, parking, swimming pool, and gym. Do you need a 24-hour front desk to store your bags? You may only need WiFi if this is a brief stop and you just need a place to sleep before you catch an early morning train. Check the restaurant/bar if you plan to sightsee all day and want to return to the hotel for a cocktail and appetizer before going up to your room. Connecting rooms and a kitchen may be important for a family.
Themes and Types
This filter is useful if you are looking for a beach vacation, want a relaxing spa stay or a girl’s weekend winery hopping. Double-check each property on the map. For example, if this is a beach getaway, ensure the property is beachfront or within walking distance to the beach.
Neighborhood and Landmarks
What area of the city do you want to stay in? Is it important for you to be in the city center or within walking distance of major attractions? Do you like quiet neighborhoods or do you want to be in the middle of the nightlife? Do you have an early morning train to catch and want to be close to the train station? Indicate all options that apply.
Browse Results
Properties have now been filtered down to a manageable number, browse each option for room types. The information page lists property-specific information, photos, and a map. Check the map to ensure there is public transportation. How far will you have to carry your luggage? Is it up a hill? Are there businesses and restaurants nearby? Determine how you will reach the location from the airport. Now check the surroundings of the location by placing the address in Google Street View.
Booking
Once you find the perfect hotel, where will you book it? Are you part of the property’s loyalty program? Will you be paying with points and miles? Are you new to travel and are not sure what to do next, but you want the best deal possible?
If the property is a brand you know and will use in the future, consider booking directly with the hotel. If the hotel does not offer the same price as the booking site, ask for their best price guarantee. Be sure to join the loyalty program to earn points.
If this is a family-owned property in a different country, consider booking through the booking site and be sure to join the reward program. Hotel booking sites sometimes get bad press about reservations disappearing. If you are someone with arrival anxiety, contact the hotel to confirm the reservation. Print out your confirmation, the date you called, and the person you spoke to.
Read: How to Save Money Booking Accommodation
Bookmark and Pin Find the Perfect Hotel