Traveling for either business or leisure is no longer a new concept and neither is making hotel reservations online. Many choose to do so because of the convenience of settling everything with just a few clicks rather than making several calls to their travel agent. While many seasoned travelers know better than to book the first hotel they see online, some fall prey in trusting captivating advertisement photos—only to be disappointed by the real condition of their rooms when they arrive at the hotel.
If you don’t want to make a similar mistake and ensure you get what you pay for, here are eight important things you need to consider when booking a hotel.
Guest Reviews
The best way to know the real condition of the hotel you are looking at is by reading customer reviews. Many guests are willing to share their experiences and honest feedback. Through the reviews, you will notice a pattern on the similar things people are praising or complaining about. This can help you get more information about the hotel from the guests’ perspective.
When reading through the reviews, take note of both the positive and negative ones too. There may be a few discontented guests that may have been too fussy and complained about almost everything. A good gauge is to see the majority of the reviews. If you see one or two complaints, these may be isolated cases or something the hotel has yet to improve on. On the other hand, a series of praises may mean the hotel strives to provide excellent service to all its guests. Also, you may want to check if the hotel responds to the feedback and tries to resolve the issues immediately. This could mean they value what their customers have to say about them.
Guest reviews can also help keep you updated if a part of the hotel is under renovation or an amenity is temporarily unavailable because of the timely feedback that customers leave. You can typically find these reviews on the hotel’s website, their official Facebook page, and other trusted review sites.
Location
The location of the hotel needs to be safe and practical for you as this could affect your entire trip. You want to make sure that you can safely go back to your hotel in case you end up staying out late. Also, you want to have an idea of nearby restaurants and cafes.
If you are on a business trip, you want to easily get to the central business districts from the hotel. You don’t want to spend so much time on the daily commute. In line with this, make sure to have several modes of transportation available as well. If you are on a budget, it’s good to have options like a ride sharing app rather than just relying on riding a taxi, which may be costly.
Most hotels have brief descriptions of their location with an online map. But it’s always good to check on online maps like Google Maps and see the hotel’s exact location and the establishments in its vicinity.
Wi-Fi Connection
Internet connectivity is now considered more of a utility rather than a luxury, especially for those with a digital nomad lifestyle.
Although most hotels provide free Wi-Fi, some may charge a small fee for a high-speed connection while others limit access to one device at a time. This may be a problem if you have multiple devices or if you are sharing the room with another person. If you need to stay connected throughout your stay, you may want to ask the hotel about it before placing a reservation. Also, be cautious of how some hotels will advertise “Free Wi-Fi” but it will only be available in the lobby or other common access areas.
Complimentary Breakfast
All guests appreciate complimentary breakfast. It’s very convenient and can help save you from having breakfast elsewhere. While some hotels offer a more affordable room rate if you exclude breakfast, consider this carefully if the price difference is small. You may save more by having breakfast in the hotel than in other cafes outside.
Early Check-In and Check-Out
Early check-in can be very helpful and convenient, especially if your flight allows you to arrive hours before the normal check-in time. Some hotels allow you access your room as soon as it’s ready. On the other hand, if your flight departs in the evening, a late check-out may save you from spending hours waiting at the airport.
It’s always good to communicate with the hotel staff before your arrival and see if they will allow you to check-in early or check-out late without any additional costs. Some can be understanding with your request, as long as the room is available. If not, you can ask them to hold your luggage while waiting.
Health and Safety Protocols
With the new health standards in place nowadays, many hotels have taken up new protocols to ensure the safety of their guests and staff. You may want to keep yourself informed on the essential and additional precautions they are implementing. This can also help you prepare in case you need to make special arrangements during your stay. For example, they may encourage to settle all payments online and to have contactless check-in to reduce human contact.
Special Needs
Some travelers may be traveling with people who have special needs. If you are traveling with an infant, you may need to request a bassinet. Similarly, a person with a physical disability may need elevator access and an elevated toilet seat. Also, you may need to check if pets are allowed in the hotel. Those that do may even provide a dog bed.
Discounts and Promos
Every traveler likes discounts and promos. When booking a hotel, be on the lookout for offers that will give you the most savings. You may also avail yourself of loyalty cards for certain hotels to get additional benefits. While you’re at it, check the prices and see if there are any hidden fees. Make sure you read the fine print when it comes to taxes and clarify them with the hotel. You want to avoid being surprised when settling the final fee.
These are just some of the important details you don’t want to skip when booking a hotel, whether it may be through an online travel agency or directly on the hotel’s website. It’s always good to do some research first. You may end up saving more like when you choose to have a direct booking at Kabayan Hotel through their website.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
Post a Comment