Ever since being bitten by the travel bug, I have found myself becoming more and more intrigued and enamoured with the minutia of travel. This certainly includes the planning and organising of the required transport and accommodation, in order to make the trip as memorable and enjoyable as possible. Hotels most often factor into this planning criterion, so much so that I experience genuine excitement from searching for the perfect option. Deciding on what that is, can vary depending on the nature of my trip, my allotted budget, the length of my stay and how I plan to spend my time there. I understand that this can be a somewhat mundane or even an overwhelming prospect for many travellers, but a necessary task that can ultimately make or break the quality of a trip. 

In this article, I aim to guide you through the components of browsing, booking and enjoying the accommodation that you choose on each of your future trips. 

 

Choosing the Right Hotel 

If you are like me, you will gain major enjoyment from choosing the hotel best suited to your trip. This usually comes in the form of accepting that the hotel will serve simply as a conveniently-located bed at the end of a long day’s exploration, or embracing the idea that it will function as a major factor in how I spend my time during the trip. An example of the latter is when the sole-intention is to unwind and relax in the comfort of your accommodation, where everything you require is at hand. The type of holiday that usually determines this form of ‘functional’ accommodation, are beach-resort destinations - where not only your bed is provided, but all of your meals and entertainment too. When you have no obligation to leave the confines of your immediate surroundings in order to focus entirely on relaxing and absorbing that specific, no-doubt blisteringly-hot location. Understanding the requirements and the function of the hotel you need, will help you to choose the right one for the trip. I suggest using a third-party booking agent to browse the list of hotels at your destination. This way, you can compare hotels in terms of their amenities, their location and also read customer reviews for each before committing to your choice. Many of these third-party sites and apps offer loyalty programmes that can save you money on future bookings, or even include bonus offerings such as hotel breakfast included, so don’t always assume that its cheaper to book your stay directly through the hotel. Shop around before locking-in that price. 

 

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If you have the luxury of flexibility with the dates of your trip, you should consider what time of year and even what time of the week you intend to book your stay for. Summer months tend to be busier and therefore more expensive, a result of higher-chances of good weather, school holidays and fully-operational tourism centres. Keep in mind that off-peak months such as April, May, September and October, often still offer fantastic weather in warmer-climate countries, without the oversaturated tourism and the peak-season prices of summer. You could save a small fortune by travelling off-season, simultaneously enjoying the bonus of destinations being much less busy of other tourists. Weekends also tend to be busier and therefore a little more pricey. Shifting your trip by a day or two either side of the weekend may save you money not only your accommodation, but also on your flights or any other methods of transport. 

 

Cost Vs. Location 

It is often the case that hotel prices rise the closer they are to the touristic centre of any location. This is particularly true of major cities and any popular tourist destinations. People want to be near the action, with as little additional transportation required, to reach those points of interest, as possible. This almost always costs more than being further away from what you no doubt travelled to see and do. Sometimes it is better to pay a little more toward the accommodation in return for a good location, than to save money, only to discover that you frustratedly spend far too much time away from the focal point of your trip. You may even end up paying back the bulk of the difference saved, in the form of transportation to and from your outskirts hotel. Weighing up the pros and cons of a hotel’s location is key to the success and overall enjoyment of your trip. I would stress the importance of this decision especially in regard to a city break, simply because, in my experience, it is certainly possibly to save a good deal of money on accommodation located outwith the city centre of many major cities, requiring only a short walk or public transportation ride in order to reach those touristic zones and their sights. Researching your destination prior to booking is key to understanding the cost vs location conundrum. 

 

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Enjoying your Hotel 

Hotels are truly magical places. A good hotel will make you feel at home during your stay, whilst also providing an opportunity to experience brand new surroundings and local culture. Unfortunately, many people don’t get the most out of their hotels, either because they don’t have the time to during their stay, or because they simply don’t know how to. I aim to offer some insight on how to gain the best possible experiences from your hotels, and their amenities, during your trips. 

 

Engage with the Staff

In my experience with hotels, it is often the staff, more so than the building itself, that truly makes the stay memorable. Good hotel staff are attentive, welcoming and helpful. It is their job to ensure that their guests feel as comfortable as possible in their establishment. Walking up each morning and being greeted by a friendly smile from any hotel staff that you encounter, is such a simple but priceless commodity. If you find that your hotel staff are particularly approachable and friendly, make the effort to engage with them as often as possible. If they are doing their job right, they will take pride and privilege in being able to assist you in any way they can, so ask about directions to the sights you want to see, ask about where to catch the bus that you need that day. Not only do you increase the likelihood that your trip will be more informed and enjoyable, but you will often find that building a connection with hotel staff can open doors to elevating the general quality of your stay, and the service that you receive throughout your stay. It is also good practice to show that you value the job that they are doing, which in turn should help them want to serve all of their guests with the same enthusiasm and warmth that they show you. Everyone wins. 

 

Utilise the Amenities 

Hotels often have a wide array of facilities and amenities that their guests are welcome to make the most of. This can range from a coffee machine in your room to luxurious spa treatments. I suggest taking advantage of whatever perks and additions that your hotel provides to get the most out of your stay. Eat at the hotel restaurant, have a drink at the hotel bar, soak up the atmosphere of the lounge or lobby, use the gym, order room service. If you make the most of these amenities, you will no doubt enjoy your hotel experiences as much as possible. 

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