What to Consider When Choosing Hotels for Vacations? For some people, one of the best things about going on vacation is staying in a hotel. A hotel isn’t necessarily just a place to sleep at night to recharge your batteries for the next day.
The right hotel enhances your enjoyment, provides luxury, and makes your whole trip better. When it comes to choosing hotels, you shouldn’t make any decisions lightly. But what should you look for? How will you know the right hotel when you see it?
Not sure where to begin your search? No worries, that’s what we’re here for. Keep reading for a quick guide on choosing hotels.
Location
One of the most important things to consider is where the hotel is located. On the one hand, it might be nice to find a hotel that’s somewhat removed from the city and all the main tourist attractions. It will be quieter and more peaceful.
However, finding a hotel that’s right in the heart of your vacation destination makes it much easier to get around, find fun activities and entertainment, and plan your day. Just as importantly, hotels that are centrally located provide you with more dining options, whether you’re going out or ordering in.
Availability
Most obviously, when choosing hotels, you need to find a venue that has available rooms for your vacation dates. Even if a hotel has everything you need, you can’t reserve a room if it’s all booked up. This is most common during popular tourist seasons.
If you’re looking for a hotel during these times, we recommend booking your room long in advance to ensure you find the lodging you want. Many hotels will also raise their prices as rooms become more sparse.
Pricing
Comparing room prices is one of the most important things to do when looking for the right hotel. If you’re the type of traveller who doesn’t care where they sleep or what their room looks like, you can find incredibly cheap options.
However, most vacationers want to enjoy a comfortable, clean, and luxurious room. But that doesn’t mean they can’t find good deals.
Do some research online to compare prices when choosing hotels. Make sure you take all of the factors listed in this article into consideration. Remember, while you shouldn’t overpay for your lodging, you often get what you pay for.
Amenities and Accommodations
Depending on what type of traveller you are, there may be some days when you want to relax and stay at your hotel. There’s nothing wrong with taking a day off from activities and adventures, especially if you’ve been keeping up a busy schedule.
In this case, it would be nice if the hotel offered some extra things to do so you’re not stuck in your room all day. For example, common hotel accommodations include:
- Arcades
- Fitness rooms
- Tennis courts
- Pools
- Hot tubs/saunas
- In-house dining
- Lounge rooms
- And more
If you’re staying at the hotel for a while, you might also want to inquire about laundry services.
Promotions and Discounts
Before pulling the trigger on a hotel, find out if it offers any special incentives, rewards, promotions, or discounts. This includes both in-house discounts and affiliate discounts.
For example, hotels often work with other local businesses. By staying at the hotel, you can be awarded discounts for specific activities, clubs, and tourist attractions. The best hotels also provide information about the best places to visit in the area.
Lastly, find out if booking hotels online will save you money. This is often the case if you manage to reserve your room a few months in advance.
Types of Hotel
Next, when choosing hotels, make sure you’re looking into the right type of hotel for your needs. For example, for vacations for families, you need a hotel that makes safety and security a top priority. You need to know that your kids are safe, whether they’re at the hotel pool or running out into the hallway to get ice or use a vending machine.
If your vacation is an adult-only trip, you might want a hotel that has an on-site bar and lounge. This will allow you to sit and enjoy a few drinks without having to leave your hotel.
In places like Las Vegas and other states where gambling is legal, you can find hotels that have on-site casinos. This can make for a good time if you enjoy gambling.
On-Site Activities and Entertainment
Finally, if you’re the type of traveller who enjoys being active and having things to do, odds are you don’t want to spend much time in your room. In this case, consider finding a hotel that has on-site activities and entertainment options.
You can find hotels that offer outdoor recreational activities, such as:
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Four-wheeling
- Volleyball
- Spa packages
- Football/basketball courts
- Golf courses
- Etc.
These types of packages and activities are popular in resorts that are far away from the city. Typically, these resorts are the destination, not just lodging solutions.
Guest Reviews
Finally, choosing hotels wisely means doing a little research. Find out what other tourists have to say about the hotel you’re considering staying at.
You can generally find reviews and testimonials on the hotel’s website. Otherwise, Google the hotel’s name (including the location) and “reviews.” You should try to answer the following questions:
- Were the other tourists happy with their decision?
- Were the rooms clean and sanitized?
- How was the service of the hotel staff?
- How was the quality of the food provided by the hotel?
- Did they have any issues or complaints?
- Would the hotel guests recommend this hotel to other people?
The more information you can get from people who have already stayed at the hotel, the more comfortable you will feel about your choice.
Want More Advice on Choosing Hotels and Making Other Important Travel Decisions?
Are you planning a vacation soon? If so, take your time when choosing hotels to make sure your trip is everything you want it to be. Picking the wrong hotel has the potential to cast a shadow over your entire vacation.
And if you want more valuable travel tips, be sure to read some of our other articles before you go. Our blog was created to provide people like you with vital information to improve your travels. Good luck!
