Whether you’re planning on going on a vacation to a country you’ve never been to or just simply itching to take a staycation, one of the biggest dilemmas you may have is how to reduce the cost of accommodation. Airfares and hotel room prices change constantly based on demand, especially during peak seasons.
Where a hotel is located is something you should consider. Is it near the places you’re going to visit or would you have to take a taxi ride to get there? Cab fares going to and from your hotel can quickly eat up your pocket money, and you may have to cut your trip short because you don’t have enough left to pay for your accommodation. If you’d rather stay near or at the heart of the place you’re visiting, here are some top tips to make big savings on your hotel stay.
Search online.
Websites that aggregate price quotes can help you get an idea of how much hotel rooms cost for the dates and places you plan to travel. You can also check out sites that specialize in discount bookings, or sites that offer travel deals, vouchers or qr code discounts for vacation packages. Take time comparing prices vis-à-vis hotel reviews to see if you’re getting your money’s worth.
It’s also worth scouring the internet for voucher codes which will give you a discount on the standard rate. There are any number of sites where you can find discounts for websites such as hotels.com.
Once you find a hotel that fits your requirements and meets your standards, contact the hotel directly to see if you can get a better deal—the management may match or offer lower rates than those found online, especially if you’re ready to book. While you’re at it, clarify the total cost, which may include fees for additional persons, Wi-Fi, parking, or resort fees. Price verification is a must as it lets you avoid any unpleasant surprises during your stay.
Don’t ignore budget hotels.
Small hotels may not always show up on major search and booking sites because they don’t want to or can’t pay the commission, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to meet your needs. If you plan on going on a vacation to see various landmarks and tourist spots, you may not even be staying in your hotel room all the time, so there’s really no need to book a luxury suite. Budget hotels can offer you the same comfort and security for less, and may even offer a free upgrade. Look for the hotel’s contact information in a local business directory and book directly—it may even have its own social media accounts in lieu of a booking site listing.
Go without reservations during off-peak seasons.
If you have a flexible schedule, it may be in your favor not to make hotel reservations at all, especially during off-peak months. Hotels would usually have a lot of empty hotel rooms at this time, so they won’t have a problem with you just showing up. Not having to deal with a third-party site or booking company means you won’t have to pay extra for any commission costs. The management may even lower room rates when they see you thinking it over, because a booked room is always better than an empty one.
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