When you’re planning a vacation, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is where to stay. With so many different hotel options available, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of factors to consider when choosing a hotel to go along with our guide for finding the best deals on hotels online.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hotel
Location
When you’re planning a vacation, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is where to stay. And when it comes to hotels, location is everything!
A hotel that’s located in a great part of town will offer guests easy access to all the best attractions and restaurants. On the other hand, a hotel that’s located in a less desirable area (or a bit further away from the primary attractions) may offer lower rates.
It is also important to think about how the location might affect your experience as well.
For example, if you are visiting New Orleans, staying directly on Bourbon Street with a young family might not be the wisest choice—it can be quite loud even late at night!
A hotel a few blocks or even miles away might provide more space at a lower price, but you also have to consider if extra transportation will be needed—such as a rental car or Uber—in order to stay there.
So when you’re choosing a hotel, be sure to consider its location carefully, and use the maps when finding deals on hotel booking sites so you can see where the options are in relation to each other.
Types of Accommodation
Another important factor to consider when choosing a hotel is the type of accommodations that are available.
For example, if you’re traveling with a family, you’ll want to make sure the hotel has family-friendly features like a pull-out couch/crib, a pool and or even a kids’ club and/or babysitting services.
If you’re traveling for business, on the other hand, you might need to make sure the hotel has features like a business center and meeting rooms, a quality Wifi connection, and coffee-to-go for the early mornings.
Price/Total Cost
The third factor to consider when choosing a hotel is the cost. Of course, you’ll want to find a hotel that fits within your budget.
But it’s also important to keep in mind that the price of a hotel room can vary depending on the time of year. For example, rates tend to be higher during peak travel seasons like summer and winter.
Some hotels have resort fees or other additional costs on top of the nightly room rate. Be sure to take that into account when working to find something while staying within your budget.
Another thing to be aware of is that some hotels offer discounts for AAA members, seniors, or military personnel. If you fall into one of those categories, be sure to take advantage of the discount!
Check out our guide for getting the best hotel deals online.
Amenities/Services
The fourth factor to consider when choosing a hotel is what kind of amenities and services are offered. This can include things like on-site restaurants, a fitness center, spa services, and more. Every hotel is different, and the amenities often can help determine which place is a better fit.
Some hotels also offer guests special amenities like complimentary breakfast or airport shuttle service. These can be great perks to take advantage of if they are available!
If there are certain amenities or services that you absolutely need during your stay (like a pool or Wi-Fi), be sure to check that the hotel you’re considering has them before making your final decision.
Hotel Reputation/Reviews
The fifth and final factor to consider when choosing a hotel is its reputation/reviews. With so many different hotels to choose from, it can be helpful to see what other people have had to say about their experience.
Before booking a hotel room, be sure to read some reviews online. This will give you a good idea of what other travelers have thought about the hotel.
Websites like TripAdvisor and Yelp are great resources for reading reviews from past guests. You can also check out a hotel’s website to see if they have any testimonials or awards listed.
Keep in mind that not all reviews are created equal. Some people may be more critical than others. So when you’re reading reviews, be sure to take them with a grain of salt.
A quick Google search of the hotel’s name can also bring up any recent news stories or reviews that might be helpful in your decision-making process.
When it comes to choosing a hotel, there are a lot of factors to consider! Be sure to keep all of the above in mind during your search so you can find the perfect place for your next trip.
When ready to start packing, check out these packing tips for vacation as well!
Happy travels!