Top 5 Things to look for when choosing a hotel

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When choosing a hotel, you’ll be faced with a varied array of options. Filtering through these choices to find the hotel that suits you or your travel companions’ requirements can be a challenging task. Doing your research before you book can make all the difference to how much you enjoy your stay. Here are 5 things to look for when choosing a suitable hotel.

Location

The most important factor is location. If your intended hotel stay is for a holiday, then proximity to beaches, fun parks, tourist attractions and restaurants will play a critical part in your decision. If, on the other hand, the trip is for business purposes then being close to the town centre may be more important. Proximity to shopping centres, sporting facilities or medical services may also be a consideration.

Amenities

Hotel amenities are the second most important factor. If you are booking a family holiday with children, then a hotel with a swimming pool and kids’ club will likely jump to the top of your list. Likewise, a hotel offering Wi Fi and a wide range of business and secretarial services will be more suitable if you are travelling for business reasons. If you can’t bear to be parted from your puppy, pet-friendly accommodation will be essential. Non-smokers may request specific rooms, if available.

Value

It goes without saying that value for money is a factor when choosing a hotel. Consider value adding extras such as laundry services and extended hours’ room service that may enhance your stay. Searching for hotel deals and packages, or asking for a discounted rate, may also be worthwhile. Many hotels will consider price matching to lure you away from a competitor…. don’t be afraid to ask for a better price! Comparing hotels with a similar AAA star rating is another way to evaluate value for money.

Reviews

Reviews are a valuable tool when deciding where to stay. Many travellers enjoy sharing their experiences after they return from a trip, whether they are good or bad. Travel forums, hotel review sites and even social media are great places to check out what other travellers recommend (or not). A long list of bad reviews is a good indication that a hotel isn’t performing as it should. Keep in mind when reading reviews that what may be a negative for one traveller, for example, the noise of children playing in a pool, may actually be a positive for someone else.

Accessibility

Accessibility to transport can also be an important factor. If you are taking your own car or hiring one, is there somewhere to park it either on-site or nearby? Does the hotel offer shuttle services to the airport, shopping centre or local attractions? Is there public transport nearby, or a reliable taxi service? Unless your intention is to not leave the luxuries of your hotel, there is little worse than spending hours hunting around for parking spaces or waiting endlessly for taxis to arrive. Other things to consider in choosing a hotel are loyalty program and frequent flyer program deals, eco-friendliness, size of rooms, ambience and local flavour.