What to Check Before Booking a Hotel

The hotel shapes your impression of a trip more than anything else. Yet the mistakes people make are typical: “five minutes to the sea” turns into twenty, with a highway to cross, or “all inclusive” means paid drinks after 10 pm. Here is what to look at before you hit “pay”.

1. Location

Hotel descriptions always sound appealing. So check the location on the map yourself:

• Distance to the sea, and whether there is a road between the hotel and the beach.
• Private or public beach, sand or pebbles, and whether there is a pier.
• Distance to the airport: important for families with toddlers and for short trips.
• What’s nearby: cafés, shops, a promenade, transport stops. Or, the opposite, complete seclusion, which doesn’t suit everyone.
• Noise: nightclubs, bars or a busy road next door.

In a city, being close to the metro and the sights matters. A hotel on the outskirts may be cheaper, but you will spend time and money getting around.

2. Recent reviews

A hotel’s rating builds up over years, while a renovation or a new owner or management company can change everything in a single season. So:

• read reviews from the last few months;
• pay attention to recurring themes: food, cleanliness, noise, staff, Wi-Fi;
• look for reviews from people traveling in a similar group to yours;
• look at guests’ photos, not only the official ones.

One negative review is no reason to walk away. Ten reviews about mold in the rooms are.

3. Cancellation terms

Plans change: illness, work, a visa refusal. Before paying, find out:

• whether you can cancel for free, and until what date;
• what the penalty is for late cancellation;
• whether you can change the dates.

Non-refundable rates are cheaper, but only make sense when you are completely sure about the trip. Over holidays, cancellation terms are usually stricter.

4. Meals

The meal plan has a big impact on your travel budget. Check what exactly is included:

• Breakfast only: good for city trips.
• Half board: breakfast and dinner.
• Full board: three meals a day, drinks usually extra.
• All inclusive: food and drinks, but with limits on hours and what’s included.

With all inclusive, the details matter most: are the à la carte restaurants open, do you need to book, which drinks are included? More in our guide to all-inclusive holidays. For families with children, a kids’ menu and high chairs are important.

5. Extra charges

The booking price is not always the final amount. Possible additional costs:

• Tourist tax: a local tax, often paid on site.
• Deposit on check-in: blocked on your card or taken in cash and returned at check-out.
• Parking, safe, sun loungers, towels: paid at some hotels.
• Extra bed or a cot for a baby.
• Early check-in and late check-out.
• Transfer: is it included in the tour or paid separately?

More on what a package tour includes in our guide what is included in the tour price.

How we check hotels

When a manager selects options for you, they check these points and tell you about the details straight away: where there’s a road to the beach, where the renovation is new, where the layout is awkward for families. For more on matching a hotel to your type of holiday, see our guide on how to choose a hotel.

Special situations

If you are traveling with elderly relatives, check for lifts and the distances around the grounds. With small children, check for a cot and a high chair. If you’ll be working on holiday, check the Wi-Fi quality in the room.

Want someone who knows what to look for to check the hotels for you? Send a request or message us on Telegram @GlobalDestination1, or call +998 99 760-82-88: a manager will pick several options for your dates and budget and give you an honest view of the pros and cons of each.