Finding the best holiday accommodation for your getaway used to be a simple matter of walking into a travel agent’s office and picking a hotel from a brochure. While that’s still an option, there are now so many alternatives you can easily become overwhelmed with choices.
Based on almost 20 years as an industry insider, I’ve put together my top booking accommodation tips, and asked a few of my favourite travel bloggers for theirs too.
Read on for a rundown of the different booking options, and what you need to look out for. If you’re still struggling to schedule in the time off for a holiday, check out these great tips from Sage at The Everyday Wanderer first.
Tips for booking accommodation online
This is probably the most popular option, especially for those who like the idea of being independent, or booking at the last minute. Sites like Expedia, booking.com, etc have easily searchable databases with live availability and lots of great images to help you make your decision.
Sounds like a no-brainer? There are still a few things to watch out for:
Make sure you double-check the fine print and inclusions. Some sites don't include all the taxes and these can substantially change the price of a property.
Check to make sure there are no “resort fees” that will be added on when you get there. This is a compulsory daily rate the hotel charges to cover little extras like a newspaper and internet access. It can be anywhere up to USD$30/day so can make a big difference!
Check how many people are included in the room rate. Sometimes, even if you have searched for “2 adults, 2 children” the fine print will say there is an extra charge for more than 2 people in that room.
Always check the bedding configuration. Some will accept kids “on existing bedding” so you may end up with just one double bed between three (or more) of you. In the USA, a room for 4 people is usually 2 double beds, which is fine as long as you don’t mind sharing!
If you’re flexible on your dates, use a site that breaks down the charge into a daily rate. Some destinations have different rates over the weekends or school holiday periods (in Las Vegas they can change on a daily). If you can see the daily rate you can adapt your dates to make the most of your budget.
“Free Wifi” does not necessarily mean it will be available for free in your room. A lot of places will only provide free access in their lobby or public spaces and then charge you to use it in your room. Know what you’re buying.
Booking accommodation direct with the hotel
Whether on the phone or online, booking direct with the hotel can offer a few bonuses – particularly if you are loyal to one brand.
Here’s what you need to know:
Hotels usually have a number of different rate options for the same room. Each rate will have different inclusions and conditions, so make sure you read the fine print.
Joining up to a reward program, especially if you travel often, can give you bonuses like free WIFI, but you can also accrue points and score free stays. To make the most of the program you’ll need to either book direct or supply your membership number to your travel agent. Nights booked through third party websites don’t usually earn points.
Unlike third party booking sites, booking direct will often have an option to pay on arrival – so if you want to get your accommodation confirmed before you’ve saved the dosh to pay for it this is the way to go.
Booking tips for Air BNB and holiday homes
If you’re a family, travelling in a group or just like a little extra space, booking accommodation in someone else’s home or holiday home can be an amazing experience.
You’re more likely to have access to kitchen and laundry facilities and staying in a residential area instead of downtown will give you a more immersive cultural experience.
Here’s what you need to know:
There are generally no regulations on these sites and aside from signing up as a member, anyone can list their property.
Read the reviews thoroughly but don’t rely on them 100%. Remember often property owners have friends write reviews for them, or unfairly influence guests to leave a positive review.
Communicate with the host as much as you can beforehand. If you’re not getting quick responses, or you feel uncomfortable, cancel the booking straight away. Trust your instincts – there is such a thing as “too good to be true”.
Look for places with late cancellation policies or low cancellation fee – that way you’re not locked into something you may regret later down the track.
Booking accommodation through a professional travel consultant
Even if you’re not booking a package deal, it’s always worth checking in with your favorite travel agent when you’re booking accommodation. Contrary to the popular belief that travel agents are the most expensive option, you’re more likely to find better availability, better prices and added bonuses (like free meals!).
Here’s what you need to know:
Because of the relationships they have with their suppliers, agents will often have the flexibility to offer extra discounts, or “price match” a rate you’ve seen advertised elsewhere. It might not work every time, but It sure doesn’t hurt to ask!
If you can’t find availability online, there’s a chance your agent will be able to get it for you. Hotels allocate a set number of rooms to different agency groups to sell so what’s sold out with one may be still be available with another.
The popular destinations for an agent will likely have been visited in person by either the agent themselves or one of their wholesalers, so the chances of getting stuck with a dud are much lower. They can also provide valuable tips and information about which rooms are best and how to get there from the airport.
Whether you book through an agent or online you’ll still be paying someone a commission – it’s up to you whether that person is sitting in a call centre or someone you know personally.
If you don’t have time or energy to be reading through all the review sites and fine print yourself, an agent is the best way to go. Their reputation depends on you having a great experience, so a good agent will always put the time into choosing just the right place for you.
Travel agents really come into their own when it all turns to custard. When that happens, it’s awesome to have someone in your corner fighting your battles for you. They’ll deal direct with the problem and you won’t need to worry about time differences, language difficulties or misinterpreted booking conditions.
About those online reviews...
Online review sites like TripAdvisor are a fantastic resource but are not a complete fail-safe. Read all reviews with a grain of salt and cross reference them against at least one other review site to make sure the information stacks up.
Don’t just look at the number of bad reviews – READ them.
Did they mark the property down because it was actually bad, or was it just that it didn’t meet their expectations? People from different countries, and different walks of life, have vastly different ideas of what constitutes “normal”. Make sure your apples line up with theirs.
And remember: Personal recommendations from people like you are the most reliable reviews you can get. Just because your single party-loving friend loved that hotel doesn’t mean your teenagers will.
