If you're going on vacation, you're likely to have a few things sorted out before you go.
You've probably booked your flights, made restaurant reservations, and have the Google doc of everyone’s favorite places ready to go on your phone, but where are you staying?
For many, a hotel is an afterthought, but if you're not putting some thought into it, you could be paying way more than you should — or disappointed with what you show up to. We rounded up some tips and tricks for getting the most ideal hotel stay at the best price.
Assuming the lowest rate is the best deal
"Often, booking an offer that includes breakfast or parking ends up providing more value," Meghan Fearon, Director of Revenue at Boston's Fairmont Copley Plaza told INSIDER.
She also noted that not letting the hotel know any special occasions you're celebrating may be a misstep — who knows what special treatment the hotel will offer? "Booking early does not always mean you get the best deal," she added. "While risky, it does sometimes benefit a traveler to wait for very last minute, same day deals."
Not booking directly with the hotel
"Almost every hotel and B&B will offer lower rates, special perks or exclusive deals to guests who book directly on the hotel's website, which can save travelers hundreds of dollars on a trip," Stephen Fofanoff, General Manager of Washington's Domaine Madeleine, told INSIDER. "Often third-party sites (like TripAdvisor and booking.com) charge hotels up to 20% commission, which ultimately gets passed on to guests. Hotels don't incur those fees when you book direct, so they can offer incentives to encourage you to book directly with them."
If you see a better rate online, just ask the hotel to match it. Chances are they will.
Forgetting about the phone
Travel blogger Valerie Wilson (Trusted Travel Girl) may be all about digital but noted that not calling a property before making a reservation can be a big mistake.
"There's nothing like a phone call to try to negotiate a rate, negotiate the removal of resort or parking fees or request an upgrade before booking," Wilson told INSIDER.
Before calling, however, Wilson recommended looking at blogs or other travelers photos of the property rather than the hotel site, which only shows the hotel in its best (probably Photoshopped) light. And if real people's photos live up to your expectations, “Read reviews on service," Wilson added. “The devil is in the details and you don't want to book based solely on looks. Quality service and a good staff will make or break your stay!"
See the rest of the story at Business Insider