Ever ended up in a hotel, after hours of travelling and lots of $$$ spent, just to be disappointed with it? Here’s my list on the Top 5 mistakes to avoid when booking accommodation.
So you got the flights booked (if you haven’t, check out my other post on How to Book the cheapest flights Online) and next thing on the list is to book accommodation.
So where to stay? What accommodation to go for? What’s in the area? Is there Wi-Fi? SO MANY QUESTIONS! Surely it’s not just me, I’m an over-planner in travelling. No matter what trip it is, there are some things that you should always check before booking so that you don’t end up disappointed.
Top 5 Mistakes to avoid when booking accommodation
Mistake # 1: Not researching Hotel Location
This has to be my number 1 on the list of Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid when booking accommodation. Because even if the hotel or accommodation turns out to be a total dud – you can leave your stuff and go out. Go and see some fabulous places. Eat something amazing at the best food places in town at your doorstep.. and it won’t take you hours to get there.
Especially if you are staying somewhere for a limited amount of time, you won’t waste precious holiday time (and money) trying to get to and from wherever you are going.
In smaller cities or towns if you want to be close to the main attractions its quite straight forward. Just stay in the city centre or historical town centre. But in bigger cities it can get more complicated.
In bigger cities like Tokyo for example, which has over 20 districts, where do you even start with choosing somewhere? So get researching on the popular areas to stay and speak to someone you know that has been there already.
Think of what you want to be doing while there. Are there main attractions that you absolutely want to see? Is it shopping or is it checking out the best local dining spots that you are after?
Once you have a rough idea of the location you want to stay in, go on Google Maps, on street view, and check out the area, the streets. Does it look dodgy? Does it look nice? Has it got your vibe? This will give you a good starting point and narrow down accommodation options from hundreds, to perhaps a handful.
Mistake # 2: Not checking accommodation options
This will of course depend where you are travelling to – but generally, be open for compromise from your usual place to stay when travelling. Don’t make the mistake in just assuming there is just one accommodation type to stay in.
Some destinations might not be equipped for large hotels. The larger hotel might be on the outskirts of town, away from all the action. An example of this is the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia. If you want to stay right in the Old Town, smaller accommodation providers and Guesthouses are generally where you can stay if you want to be in right the beating heart of the walled city.
When travelling to a major, modern city and you want to have amenities (but read #Mistake 3 first too) and just need a place to sleep while you are out exploring, hotels will probably be your best bet.
But if you are looking for a place to stay that has a bit more space for kids and facilities like a kitchen? Then serviced apartments are a great alternative. In regional areas, family friendly cabins in accommodation parks are also a good option too.
If you are on the hunt for a one of a kind place place that has a local ‘home away from home’ feel, holiday and short stay rentals from VRBO or AirBNB might a more suitable option for you.
Mistake # 3: Not checking room inclusions
This has to have happened to everyone at least once when travelling. You get to your hotel or accommodation, unpack and then think. OPPS. I should have checked that before booking!
Think of this example. While the room you booked might not have a coffee machine for you to have your morning cup of espresso, that can be a minor inconvenience. But not having air-conditioning during a scorching hot European summer or spending exorbitant amounts on roaming because there is no Wi-Fi (yes, some places still don’t include it so don’t assume they all do), these sorts of things can put a damper on your holiday.
So, think of what are the non-negotiable amenities that you want or need when staying somewhere and check, check, and check again before you book! If you can’t find the information online, call the hotel or email them for peace of mind. A surprisingly high number of accommodation providers DO NOT list all their amenities on their websites. Yes, it’s crazy!
A word on Breakfast Inclusions:
Rooms in serviced hotels in particular may have the option to include breakfast at an additional cost. Do consider if it is worth it to add to the cost of the room. Knowing what type of breakfast it is might also help in seeing if it’s worth adding it on or not. A generous cooked buffet breakfast might cost a bit more but it might also mean that you won’t need to buy as much for lunch.
But a continental breakfast in a 3 star hotel in Rome for example might cost you around 7 to 10 Euro per person, when you can go a local bar and have a cappuccino and a fresh pastry for less than 4 Euros per person. Brushing elbows and standing at the bar with the locals, completely free :).
Mistake # 4: Not comparing prices
Booking a hotel online can be pretty straight forward if you know exactly where you want to stay and if you want to book directly with the hotel/accommodation provider.
These days there are also many comparison sites like Kayak, Trivago, booking.com, Expedia.com that you can use to compare and book accommodation online. Memberships for many online companies are free to sign up to and will give you access to discounts and/or special deals when you book and travel often.
Often the prices listed for all of these sites also differ, regardless if you looking at the same accommodation. Check at least a few of the sites and compare the pricing and booking conditions, but ensure the source you book from is a reputable, well-known company.
Make sure you are happy with the booking conditions so that you don’t end up having to pay for additional things when you arrive. Or even worse – that your booking is nowhere to be found!
A word on cancellation policies:
Travel Plans can change for a variety of reasons and most times it’s outside of our control. Booking a room with a flexible cancellation policy is the smartest idea so that you do have that maximum flexibility to cancel in case you cannot travel anymore. Do know though, that flexibility comes at a price. If you want a flexible cancellation policy it will cost you more so factor than in when comparing rates.
Mistake # 5: Not checking reviews
Another mistake to avoid when booking accommodation is not checking reviews. A place might look fantastic in the pictures, look new and clean, but you might turn up and the accommodation is dirty, the staff rude, and really be below your expectations. Always check the reviews! Read More on my post on reviews This is the ONE thing you want to see in a bad hotel review.
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I hope you enjoyed my post and found the tips useful in my 5 mistakes to avoid when booking accommodation. You can check out more of my articles with more handy travel tips right here:
How to Book the Cheapest Flights Online & This is the ONE thing you want to see in a bad hotel review
Looking for some great hotel deals? Check out Expedia or Booking.com.
To compare and book flights to Europe, head over to Skyscanner.
Compare car hire prices at Expedia Cars.