Some of our links are affiliated, we will earn a commission when you buy a service or product. This will have no extra cost for you. For further info please refer to our Privacy Policy
Whether it’s a luxury hotel, a charming guesthouse, or even a hostel, the right accommodation can make or break a trip.
I know, I have experienced both ends of the spectrum—nights in dreamy rooms with epic views and, unfortunately, a few with bed bugs and freezing showers. These experiences taught me what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid travel nightmares. So let me share a few practical and effective hotel reservation tips that will help you book accommodations that suit your style, budget, and needs all around the world.
First of all, these hotel booking tips work for any stay. You can use them when searching for cheap hotels, Airbnbs, or a 4-star hotel, the idea here is that you can book the best room that suits your needs.
5 Hotel reservation tips for a perfect stay
Tip 1: Get clear on what you want
Before booking anything, even before looking at hotel prices, I always ask myself what kind of experience I want. Do I dream of a five-star hotel with a bathtub and city views? A quirky hostel with a vibrant social vibe? A mountain cabin with a fireplace? Or maybe just a budget-friendly spot that leaves extra cash for adventures?
Dreaming is fun, but the reality check is just as important. The next questions must be: What are my travel plans? How much am I willing to spend on accommodation? Do I want to splurge on a fantastic place to stay or save that money for unforgettable experiences? Is my travel destination about the place itself or about having a nice hotel experience?
When I started my nomad life in 2014, I didn’t take this first step so seriously, but finding the hotel became WAY easier once I began to do it.
But being honest with yourself is important, especially if you are traveling on a budget. If you are traveling with a partner, friends, or family, they also need to be part of the perfect hotel room brainstorm. By doing so you avoid any frustration and it’s also a nice way to put everybody into the travel mode and planning.
Answering these questions helps me narrow my options before diving into the next step of hotel booking.
That’s where Room Cougar comes in with a cool idea: show travelers exactly what they’re getting before they book. How? They are building a catalog of short videos of hotel rooms worldwide.
The best part? They’ll pay you up to $50 for each 1-3 minute video you make! All you have to do is capture the room’s highlights and the views. Plus, they’re adding discussion forums for each room, so people can chat about what they loved (or didn’t) and help others pick the perfect stay.
Tip 2: Use trustworthy booking platforms
Searching for accommodations can feel overwhelming, especially when Google floods you with options. Travel blogs, booking platforms, hotel websites, and social media (with all those out-of-this-world hotel rooms), all clamor for your attention.
It’s hard to focus, so I’ve learned to stick to trusted resources that simplify the process.
When in doubt, I recommend booking through reliable platforms. If it’s a big, well-known hotel chain, booking directly can sometimes get you a better or special deal. But for smaller or lesser-known properties, especially in places you don’t know, it is safer to go through international booking platforms.
The hotel booking sites usually offer secure payment methods, clear cancellation policies, and confirmations in your preferred language. Small details that make a big difference.
Here are a few platforms I swear by:
- Booking.com: A giant in the accommodation world. It’s one of the biggest online booking websites offering everything from budget hostels to five-star resorts, apartments, and holiday homes.
- Agoda: Great hotel deals, especially in Asia. This might be news for many of you, but when traveling to Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and The Philippines, check for hotel room deals on Agoda and compare them with other websites. You might be surprised that they offer the lowest prices.
- Airbnb: Perfect for longer stays or when you want a “home away from home” vibe. If you are traveling with family and friends it might offer cheaper rates compared with booking individual hotel rooms.
- Hostelworld: The go-to site for hostels, offering both dorms and private rooms. You can also find hostels on Booking.com or other booking platforms, but Hostelword usually has the cheapest rates and more guest reviews.
- Couchsurfing: For budget travelers who want to meet locals and crash on a couch for free.
I always compare prices across these platforms to find the best deal, which brings me to the next tip.
Tip 3: Compare hotels like a Pro
This step can feel overwhelming, especially when you end up with 20 tabs open (been there, done that). But trust me, comparing your options gets easier if you’ve already defined what you want and can afford (that’s why you can’t skip tip 1).
Filters are your best friend here. Most platforms let you narrow down results by price, reviews, location, and amenities. Once I have a shortlist of places, I dive into the details:
Does it fit my budget? Is it good value for money? Sometimes hostels aren’t the cheapest option, especially for couples or groups who can share a private room in a budget hotel.
It’s good to know that major cities offer more hotel options but tend to be more expensive than small towns.
Are you traveling during the high season or holidays? Prices for hotel rooms are higher on those dates, and you need to be aware of this (and book in advance, more about this on my extra booking tip).
For those planning a longer trip, you might consider that in some places your hotel can (or might be) more expensive, but then you can save a bit on a different destination. Having a clear idea of your budget helps balance here and there, and get the perfect accommodation without breaking the bank.
Also, you might want to check the prices between websites and travel apps. I already saw a price difference on the same platform but on different devices.
You can also find more tips about travel costs per country/city here.
On the other hand, if the price doesn’t bother you, just focus on the topics below. 😉
I prioritize recent reviews to get the most up-to-date insights. Look for recurring themes—whether it’s glowing praise for the comfy beds or complaints about noisy neighbors.
I also like the tool that allows you to search for a specific topic in the reviews, for example, parking, or late check-out. Things that you find important and want to know what travelers have written about.
Some websites allow people from outside to leave reviews such as Tripadvisor and Google Maps. Read those reviews with a pinch of salt, as businesses are paying people to write good reviews for them, or to give bad reviews to their competition.
Stick to booking agencies that allow only guests who have booked and stayed in the places to leave their option, chances are they are real and true.
Is the accommodation convenient for what I want to do? Is it near public transportation? Or maybe you need a hotel near the airport for an early or late-night flight?
The hotel location plays a big role in your budget and itinerary planning.
Hotels in the city center tend to be more expensive, but they are near public transport or landmarks which can save time and money. However, if you are traveling by car, you need to consider the parking cost as downtown free parking is not an easy find.
You can also stay in a nice neighborhood and have a more local experience.
As you can see, it all comes back to tip 1 – what do you want for this trip?
Do I need a gym, pool, or breakfast? Or is a simple, clean room enough?
Read all the details carefully and you might find that you can have breakfast included in the room rate, for the same price as another hotel without it.
Important things to notice: Is wifi available at the hotel and included in the room rate? Is it a non-smoking room? A hot shower or cold shower? (if you have traveled in Southeast Asia, you know how important it is to know this)
- Check-in and check-out policies:
Hotels usually have check-in time around 2 pm, and check-out around 11 am or midday. For most trips these times are fine, but if you arrive at the destination late in the night, make sure the hotel reception is open until that time and if they charge an extra fee for late check-in.
The same for a late-night flight or train. You might want to know if the hotel offers a late check-out and how much it costs, in case you want to stay in the room for a few more hours.
Tip 4: Cancellation policies
Another big one for me is the cancellation policy. Life happens, and flexibility can save you from losing money if plans change.
You know your travel plans better than me, but if I can give you some advice, opt for hotels that offer flexible cancellation policies. Even better, if they give you free cancellation with a full refund until a certain date.
It’s important to read all the small letters when booking your stay. Hotels and booking platforms have different cancellation and booking options, and you have to find the one that suits your needs when the trip goes smoothly and when it doesn’t.
Tip 5: Reach out with special requests
Once I’ve booked, I always take a moment to think about any specific needs. Do I want a double bed instead of two singles? Do I need a baby cot?
It’s better to sort these details in advance. A quick message to the property often ensures a smoother check-in and increases your chances of getting exactly what you need.
When traveling for my Ironman triathlon races I needed to talk to the hotel about storing my bike safely and early breakfast for the race day, and, to my surprise, I always got a friendly response. And because they had time to organize, I had my requests fulfilled and in some cases, I even got extra perks.
Extra hotel booking tip: when is the best time to book a hotel?
Now that you know how to define the perfect hotel for your trip, search for it, narrow your options down, and book it, let me give you an extra hotel reservation tip: when to book your stay.
I usually book my accommodation two to one month in advance. However, when traveling to famous destinations, during the high season (Summer in Italy, for example), or important holidays (Xmas, New Year’s, Lantern Festival in Thailand…) I book the hotel as soon as I have my travel dates defined and my flights booked.
I know many people love and rave about last-minute deals, but if you really want a specific type of hotel or experience it’s difficult to find it all on a last-minute hotel deal. This type of booking is for flexible travelers, with flexible needs and travel dates.
A few more things I learned from my travels
Over the 10 years of travels, I’ve picked up a few tricks:
- Be flexible with location: In expensive cities like Paris or London, staying a bit further from the center can save you money. Just make sure there’s good public transport nearby.
- Consider off-season travel: Months before or just after the high season are a good time to travel. Prices drop, and availability improves. Plus, you’ll avoid the crowds!
- Loyalty Perks: Stick to one platform and enjoy perks like discounts, free upgrades, or early check-ins. The same works for hotel memberships, if you like one hotel chain book your stays always with them, and with time you might get elite status perks. And if you are booking your room with a credit card (that you probably are) don’t forget to check if you can have any advantage, discount, or miles points for using it on your travel bookings.
That being said, I want you to know that booking the right accommodation doesn’t have to be stressful. With a clear idea of what you want, choosing reliable platforms, and smart comparisons, you can find the perfect spot to rest and recharge during your adventures.
So, where will your next trip take you? Whatever the destination is, I hope these hotel reservation tips help you book a place that feels just right. Happy travels!
Did you like these hotel reservation tips? Pin it for later!
