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Booking a hotel is a bit of an art and knowing how to book right could help you end up with great savings. There are tips and tricks on finding a good hotel, pricing, packages, deals and comparison information.
So which hotel do I decide to book? I want a good hotel. One that people have been happy with and one that people would want to return to next holiday. So where do I start? Well, looking at comparison websites or trip recommendations is a good place to start. I don’t trust the star system as it is based on facilities and not quality. Each country has its own way of determining the star system so it is best to find testimonies and research information that will guide and help me make an educated decision.
Comparison Websites
There are many different comparison websites out there to choose from, so pick 2 or 3 to research the best price. I found a great deal once on a hotel price that was half price. It just takes time to find them but they are out there. Even take a look at hotels in Malta. I like doing research but some people have no time for it. Find a website that does a broad search on hotels and brokers and they will do the work for you.
Research
Once you have information on the hotels and the prices take a look at some reviews online about that hotel and location. Travel website services will give you reviews and comparisons. Make sure you check the prices for taxes. Some countries will charge a rate per day in room tax so it will change the total price if you don’t know about it. Also, check to see if there are any hidden hotel charges. When there is a website saying there is a room on request it means that it is not available. But actually, it is being requested of the hotel. This might limit your chances or you might lose a good deal by choosing this option. Check out hotels in Malta for deals.
Some holiday comparison websites will give you deals on cheap holidays from the full trip from cheap flights, car rentals and hotels. When traveling abroad, sometimes it is easier to get a package deal where you are taken care of like resorts that have everything for you: all hotel amenities like restaurants, shopping, spa’s, etc. Look at the travel guide for top destinations but remember that July might be the most pricey so cheap holidays or cruises might be at a better price at other times of the year.
Questions to Ask
When making a booking here are a few questions to keep in mind:
- Is there hotel room tax? If so, how much is it?
- Are there any other hidden charges to be aware of? e.g. room fridge
- Is there transportation to and from the airport or train station to the hotel?
- What is the booking cancellation policy?
- Does the hotel have a room safe with code or key?
- Does the hotel need a deposit in advance?
- What are the check-in and check-out times?
- What are the room and hotel facilities?
- Can the hotel mind my bags after check-out?
Conclusion
Booking a hotel at a good price in a good location has become easier with all the information that is available to us. We just need to search it and make use of everything that is on the internet. Hopefully, the list of questions and the tips to remember will help to make it easier to make a good decision and to get a good hotel and price.
Look at different comparison websites as they will have a different list of hotels and brokers they deal with so it gives you more variety and more information. Look for reviews given by the latest customers to those locations. Compare feedback and decide whether it is for you. Look at the list of questions to remember to ask. The list is not exhaustive so there may be other questions you think of that might be important for you to make a decision. Most of all enjoy the research and enjoy the trip. And don’t forget to check out hotels in Malta for some really good deals on hotels and excursions to Malta.
Author Bio:
Ariana Louis is a travel magazine journalist specialising in travel to exotic places. She usually books her trips through Travel Republic, which offers great deals on hotels in Malta. She enjoys traveling and gathering stories from her trips to share with her readers. She manages her family’s businesses, composing of travel shops and websites and even gets time to travel to practice her many languages and to get to know the places that she is writing about.