No one likes to overpay on a hotel room, and your level of accommodation can greatly affect your trip. There are so many different websites for booking hotels, all of them claiming to have the best deals, that it can be hard to know just where the best place to book is- leading to hours spent scouring the internet and finally choosing any hotel and crossing your fingers that you’ve got the best bang for your buck.
Just like airlines, which have been unbundling their fees for years, hotels have joined this bandwagon, meaning you can get stung with fees that quickly add hundreds of dollars to your trip (daily resort fees are a good example of this).
If you remember the days when hotels had in-room coffee makers and those cute little shampoos and soaps, it may just be time to forget about them. Most hotels now charge for coffee and are figuring out that wall dispensers reduce costs.
Comparing hotels online is still a smart idea, however since websites won’t always list extra fees, it can be a good idea to call the hotel to check if everything is included before booking.
If you’re flexible about your travel dates, this is likely to allow you to get the best possible bargain. Google Hotel Finder can let you know the best time to head to your dream destination, and you can also input the travel dates you’d like, your budget and more, to see the best destinations for your travel time.
Simply considering hotels on the less expensive side is also often a good plan, since they will often provide you with more perks- even when they’re in the same chain. An example is the Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn which often provide free local calls, internet and breakfast, while their sister chains (which are more expensive), Hilton, Conrad and Waldorf Astoria charge for the same service.
A great option at the moment is Groupon Coupons, which have a range of extra discount on hotel websites. Examples are the promo code which gives visitors $40 off hotels when you spend $300 or more, One night free with welcome rewards programs, 25% off when using an app, and up to 53% off by choosing last-minute deals.
Before booking any hotels, be sure to check out the Groupon coupon options, which can get you additional savings on that already great deal.
Joining a loyalty program can be a great option, especially if you’re looking for a few extra perks to make that pricey hotel worth it. With the Kimpton IntTouch loyalty program and Fairmont Presidents club, you’ll get free internet for joining, and there are also many points-based hotels which will give you upgrades and freebies if you remain loyal to their chain.
Often we forget that rates are sometimes negotiable, so if all else fails, don’t forget to negotiate. If a hotel has a vacancy, managers would often rather negotiate for free internet, breakfast, or workout facility use so they can fill the room than leave it empty.
