No vacation can truly be perfect without comfortable accommodation, a classy and cozy hotel where you can come back after a long day of sightseeing and feel like home. However, hotel prices aren’t exactly friendly and tourists widely believe that high class hotels are just for high budget holidays. But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can save a lot of money on accommodation, as long as you keep in mind a few hacks and follow this simple hotel shopping guide. There are plenty of deals and discounts and deals out there, you just have to learn how to spot them!
Book early or last minute
The best times to start looking for accommodation is either with months in advance, or at the last minute, especially if you’re going to a popular destination. Discounts can reach up to 70%, so this is your chance to look for free rooms in luxurious five star hotels that normally cost a fortune.
Be on the lookout for cashback and promo codes
The Internet abounds in websites that give tourists cashback and promo codes for hotels, so, before settling for the offer that the hotel made over the phone or on their website, search for extra discounts online, because you can even pay half price. Most promo codes give you a certain percentage off the price of the room, but there are also some that give you free breakfast or free access to facilities that would normally cost you.
Become a loyal guest
If you are loyal to a chain of hotels, you will get points for each stay and then turn these points into discounts. This can save you a lot of money, but keep in mind that most hotel chains tend to be on the expensive side. Also, you will have to settle for the same hotel style, which is not good news for tourist who want to switch things up.
Are you eligible for discounts?
Certain tourist groups are eligible for considerable discounts. For example, if you are a senior or a student, many hotels rooms will be a bargain for you. Also, if you are a member of the Government or if you work in the military, you might also get discounts from certain hotels.
When to things are too good to be true
Nowadays, finding cheap hotel prices online is possible, but there is a limit to how much you can save. In your quest to find the best accommodation rates, you might come across spams, so it’s important that you know how to spot them. Make sure you use a reliable website to find deals and promo codes and always check hidden fees before accepting a deal. A common trend today is to accept offers from mystery hotels that give you free or almost free accommodation in exchange for positive reviews, but this practice is risky, because you might up in a suspicious establishment. The safest option is to go for hotels that have a good reputation and plenty of guest reviews.