How to choose a hotel: what to check before you book
The right hotel is not the grandest on the list; it is the one that fits the days you planned. Five checks, in this order.
6 min read ·
Location first, price second
The distance in search results is usually a straight line, and the walk is longer. Open the address on a map and look at the route to where you will actually go: the station, the centre, the beach.
The neighbourhood matters more than the star. A plain room on the right street beats a beautiful one that needs a taxi every time you leave.
What the price includes
The price at booking and what you end up paying are not always the same. Local taxes, a resort fee and parking are often collected at the property, which is why they are not always in the booking total.
- Breakfast: included, or a daily charge per person?
- Taxes and fees: in the booking, or on the bill?
- Parking, internet, spa: included or extra?
The room, not only the hotel
One hotel holds very different rooms: a double bed or two singles, a window onto a courtyard or onto the street, a high floor or the ground one. The room description is what you are booking, not the first photograph in the gallery.
Travelling with children? Check what counts as a child on the rate, whether an extra bed is needed, and what it costs.
Reviews: what to read and what to skip
The overall score says less than the last few months. A hotel that was refurbished or changed hands does not look like its own average. Read the recent reviews, and the ones that mention what matters to you: noise, cleanliness, the walk to the station.
One unusual complaint is noise. The same complaint in five reviews is information.
The cancellation terms, before you confirm
This is the easiest check to skip and the most expensive to miss. Before confirming, know the last date to cancel and what happens after it, especially while the flight is still open.
Questions that keep coming up
How many stars is enough?
Stars are awarded against a local standard and measure facilities, not quality. Three stars in the centre can be a better stay than four in the suburbs.
Is booking direct with the hotel better?
Sometimes. What matters is that the price, the cancellation terms and the confirmation are clear in one place, and that you hold a written confirmation with a reference number.
What if a price looks too low?
Check what is in it. An unusual price usually hides a non-refundable rate, a room with no window, or fees collected at the property.
Rahlio answers a search with one list of hotels: the price for the whole stay, the cancellation terms on the card, and a filter for free cancellation only.