As many frequent travelers will attest, there’s nothing like a superb hotel experience, either domestically or abroad. Being warmly greeted by friendly staff, starting the day with a rich breakfast buffet, enjoying using super-fluffy towels after taking a good bath, lying on a freshly-made bed – these are just some of the addictive perks which are fun pieces of this amazing puzzle. On the other hand, the heartbreak of a terrible hotel experience can be extremely traumatic and may haunt you for the rest of your life.
Most veteran travelers have at least one spine-chilling horror story to share about their own "unforgettable adventure".
Here are a few basic factors that need to be carefully explored before booking travel accommodations on the internet.
Things To Check Before Booking a Hotel Room Online
Location
In most cases, the location will always be one of the most important selection criteria for tourists before choosing a hotel. Most vacationers will wish to stay as close as possible to the destination's major attractions, with good access to public transportation services, shopping centers, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and other popular entertainment options.
A well-located property will help manage time more efficiently, improve convenience, and help avoid traffic jams or tiring journeys. Google Maps is a great tool that you can use for checking out any potential hotel's location and seeing if it meets your needs.
Hotel Reputation
Be it for business or pleasure, nobody wants to be met with nasty surprises, disturbing discoveries, or be a part of any trip nightmare story.
Ensuring a stress-free experience requires checking popular review sites (like TripAdvisor, Oyster, or others) and reading recommendations, complaints, or warnings from people who have actually stayed at the properties. User-generated hotel reviews offer the best way to identify potential red flags ahead of time and avoid a poor hotel choice.
In-Room Features
What does the room look like? What is its size? Is there a bathtub or only a shower? Does the room include a private balcony with seating or not? Is there a large screen TV? A coffee machine? What about the window view?
High-quality room amenities have a tremendous effect on how guests evaluate and perceive the general quality of the room.
While some travelers have very modest needs, others have high expectations and even small things like robes, slippers and quality toiletries, may affect their decision on where to stay.
The Cost of Extras
Some hotels provide certain services for free, while others charge extra fees for certain amenities – even essential ones. Things like breakfast, in-room Wi-Fi connections, parking, early check-in / late check-out or even using the room's safe may incur additional charges, so it's important to read the fine print and understand what's included and what is not included before making a reservation.
What Payment Methods Are Accepted?
Credit and debit cards are the most popular choice for most people; however, some travelers prefer alternative payment options and specifically look for online travel agencies and hotels that accept PayPal, Bitcoin or other desired methods.
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