Traveling and hotels are an important part of any vacation. It doesn’t matter whether you are traveling solo, with your family, or a group of friends, finding the right accommodation will make all the difference.
There are many ways to save money on your accommodation, but the best way to do so is to shop around and be careful. Read the fine print carefully and do your research before making a final decision.
One of the best places to start is with trivago, a comparison website that offers a wide range of accommodation options. Enter where you’re going and the dates you want to stay, and trivago will compare prices from other booking sites and give you a list of hotels that suit your budget and needs.
The price of a hotel depends on several factors including the location, property amenities and size. For example, a luxury hotel in a city will have a higher price than a lower-end one located in an area not usually visited by tourists.
Another reason hotels may be more expensive than B&Bs is that they are regulated by governments. This imposes a ceiling on the amount they can charge for rooms. It also makes it difficult for small hotels to compete with larger chains, which means they will have to raise their prices to cover their costs.
Alternatively, you can try to negotiate the price of your stay. This is a great idea if you have a special request (like a view of the ocean) or are a rewards-program member.
Some hoteliers will even allow you to pay in cash, a cheaper alternative than credit cards, which means you can avoid the credit-card company’s fee and make them more likely to offer you a discount.
You can also wrangle deals by skipping the middleman and booking directly with a hotel or the local tourist information office’s room-finding service. These companies extract a commission from the hotel and don’t want to lose that revenue.
These discounts may be especially attractive for travelers who want to stay longer or who are willing to pay cash rather than using a credit card. They’re also great for booking flights as a package deal, which often offers lower upfront costs than purchasing the flight and hotel separately.
The cost of a hotel can also vary depending on the season and where you are staying. If you’re planning to visit a country during a peak season, it’s best to book early for the best prices.
Regardless of where you’re staying, always do a quick check of the place to make sure there are no signs of bed bugs or other problems. If you notice any, you can ask for a refund or switch to a different room.
In addition, be aware that some hotels don’t include breakfast in their prices and charge extra for it. Similarly, they can have fees for late cancellations or extra charges if you are a rewards-program member. To avoid any unnecessary charges, call the hotel before you arrive and make sure your reservation is correct.
