How to find hotels online without
getting burned
Finding
a hotel on the Internet can be a difficult task, but
knowing what to look for can save time, frustration
and money.
WeGoPlaces.com,
a leader in internet travel planning, has put together
a guide of things to check before booking a room on
the Internet. Use this guide when visiting your favorite
travel websites as a tool to find the right accommodations.
When
searching the internet for a place to stay, check how
the hotel appears. Hotel cleanliness and appearance
are the most important factor to most travelers. Look
to see if there are additional pictures other than the
outside view of the hotel. Many hotels offer pictures
of the interior, including individual rooms. If room
pictures are not available, use the hotel rating system
(if available) as a guide.
While
price is surprisingly not the most important factor
when selecting a hotel (see our hotel selection survey
results here)
it is important. Make sure the price is reasonable.
Finding the actual price without entering in arrival
and departure dates can be difficult, so to save time,
use the rating system for the hotel as a general guide.
If
non-smoking rooms are preferred, make sure the hotel
lists this as an amenity. This is an often-overlooked
factor that is very important to many travelers. If
the travel website that is being used doesn't list the
amenities, call first or find a travel website site
that does.
Many
hotels being offered on the Internet have already been
professionally rated. Unless recently visited, pay close
attention to these ratings. Usually these ratings are
based on a one to five star rating system - one being
the lowest and five being the best. Stay away from the
non-rated or one-star rated accommodations - they can
be a gamble.
Two-star
rated hotels are usually the best bet for families or
business travelers on a budget, and just about anybody
looking to save a dime. These hotels are usually close
to a city's major attractions, including the airport,
and public transportation. Amenities generally include
cable television, free parking and possibly a free continental
breakfast. Two star properties will usually be clean
but simple. Most two-star properties are a great value
as far as price goes. For the most part, rates will
average below $80 per night.
The
rating system can be used to roughly determine the price
range of a hotel by using the following guide:
One-star: Usually below $60 per night.
Two-star: Usually below $80 per night.
Three-star: Usually higher than $100 per
night.
Four-star: Usually higher than $150 per
night.
The
rating system of the hotel can also be used as a guide
to determine the cleanliness and appearance of the hotel.
One-star: Hit or Miss, Basic.
Two-star: Clean but simple, Economy.
Three-star: Spotless, Moderate.
Four-star: Impeccable, First Class.
Five-star: Flawless, Superior.
If
certain amenities are desired, make sure the hotel being
considered has them before booking. One amenity that
is very popular, especially for families, is an indoor
or outdoor swimming pool, which can make or break a
family getaway, especially during foul weather. Other
popular amenities include air conditioning, business
centers, high-speed Internet access, refrigerators,
kitchenettes and airport shuttles.
Find
out if there is a convenient place to eat or a free
continental breakfast. Many travelers are on the go!
Having to locate nearby restaurants can be both time-consuming
and inconvenient. Many hotels offer on-site eating at
restaurants, pubs and cafés. Continental breakfasts
are an added incentive at many hotels, allowing a quick
bite in the morning for some extra sleep instead of
searching for nearby restaurants. This is also a great
way to save money if traveling with a family.
Check
to see if any reviews have been made. Reviews from other
travelers can be very valuable, but only when they are
consistent. Most travelers expect clean, comfortable
accommodations and therefore only go back to write reviews
when they have a bad experience. Look at the overall
ratings, if there aren't any ratings or if the average
is good or better, it's probably ok. If the reviews
are consistently bad, stay away. If the travel website
provides reviews, help other travelers by adding one
after returning.
Don't
get stuck. Many online travel websites offer the lowest
rates - and they're guaranteed! Make sure that the travel
website being used is one of them! The guarantee should
be in plain view with details on how to submit a refund
request.
Happy travels!
(Source: WeGoPlaces.com)
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