10 Things To Consider Before Booking A Hotel

Booking a hotel to enjoy a few days of relaxation or exploring the sights of a
particular city is undoubtedly the most important decision you’ll make to
ensure your stay is as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Although
nowadays there are plenty of ways you can make a hotel reservation, the truth
is that the things to keep in mind – so as not to make mistakes – will always
remain the same. The advantage of the modern world is that offers are always
appearing and you have the option of making detailed comparisons of prices
and services. Furthermore, the world of online bookings has introduced a
new, but no less interesting variable: guest reviews. So we’ve put together
the ten most important factors that must be taken into consideration
when making your reservation.

1. Location

Aside from the fact that you can use a car or other means of transport, the
location of a hotel is a key factor. For example, in big cities like Barcelona, it’s
important to choose a centrally located place to stay, allowing you to move
freely and avoiding unnecessary costs in time and money. And if we’re talking
about a trip to a place of natural beauty, the proximity of your hotel to the
places you want to visit and the beauty of its surroundings will be paramount.

2.Category

The number of stars a hotel has will be fundamental to the quality and variety
of its services. In Spain, this factor is very controlled, so if you opt for
accommodation that has three stars or more, you’ll have the security that it’s
going to be a reputable and quality company. In other countries, the scene
changes a little and, occasionally, what could be a four or five star hotel in
Europe is actually at the level of a three star hotel in Spain.

3.Price

Price is a variable that you’ll need to view in relation to the previous two factors to make a final decision. The more stars and better the location, the higher the price. You should look for attractive offers and packages that include added services, and always visit the official website of the hotel to check first-hand all its features. 

Also, check if there’s a current promotion or discount for making, online reservations directly through the website or other booking platforms.

4.If you’re booking online, make sure that the website can be trusted

Online bookings are overwhelmingly popular in the hotel industry, but you
should take into account the site on which you make your booking. You
should read all the terms and conditions of your reservation, especially if it is
part of an offer. If it’s the official website of the hotel in question, then you will
be able to trust it completely.

5.Services
Depending on the kind of stay you want to have, an important aspect is to
know about the services of the hotel beforehand. Whether the hotel has a
restaurant, a pool or parking, to give just a few examples, will allow guests to
make a clearer decision about whether it will make their escape more or less
special.

6.Payment method
Normally, payment for the reservation is taken once you’ve arrived at the
hotel. Guests should be aware of how this will be done so you can verify it
yourself.

7.Catering

Sometimes there are hotels that provide fantastic accommodation with
breakfast included, which adds more quality to your stay as you avoid having
to go out and about to find your first meal of the day. For a visit to a big city,
for example, it’s a highly recommended option, but if you’re planning a family
holiday on the beach, customers need to decide if they’re more interested in
an all-inclusive option, half-board or full-board.

8.Type of rooms

This is important according to the group you’ll be travelling with, whether it’s
with your family, friends or partners, and to know how to choose the best
option for the type of room you’re going to be staying in, to be as comfortable
as possible, choosing between single, double or triple rooms for adults and
children, or interconnecting rooms, according to your needs.

9.Location of rooms

When making reservations, you can select or show preference for a room with
certain views, having the windows towards the outside or the inner courtyards.
In this case, you’ll need to find out if it’s a noisy street or if the panoramic
views are deserving of a little more money.

10. Guest reviews
Although it’s a section that must be taken with caution, it’s good to know the
experiences of other customers who’ve stayed at a hotel. Websites where
users can only leave their opinion if they’ve previously stayed at the hotel will
always be more reliable, as it eliminates any biased or unfair reviews.