Six important features to consider when choosing a hotel
If you think accommodations are the least of your worries when planning a trip abroad because “most of my time will be spent outdoors anyway,” think again. In fact, choosing the right hotel is very important and can make a big difference to your trip. A bad hotel can make it almost impossible to enjoy what would otherwise be a very pleasant trip. Even if you are not on a big budget, you can avoid hotels that are poor value for money, overbooked, chaotic and dirty.
Some call it a blessing while others call it a curse. Whatever it is, the internet offers a plethora of hosting options, giving you plenty of options but making it difficult for you to choose. All you have to do is type “Sydney holiday apartments” into the Google search box and you’ll get an endless list of accommodation options in Sydney. To make the right decisions, you must learn how to compare hotels effectively. You can do this when you know exactly what features to consider when choosing a hotel.
With hotels, you often get what you pay for. Therefore, the number one consideration is how much money you have to spend. After establishing your budget, the other five factors will really help you determine the best hotel for your stay. Just remember that a hotel is not something you want to save too much on. Think of it this way, after a long day out and about, the last thing you want to do is come back to an awkward, uncomfortable, dirty hotel room.
The location of a hotel is a very important factor to consider. If you’re on a business trip, it goes without saying that you’ll want to stay in a hotel close to where you’ll conduct your business. If, on the other hand, you are vacationing with your children, then a hotel with peaceful surroundings, which is also close to local attractions, would be ideal for you. Essentially, you should choose a hotel that is centrally located, close to amenities, and in a safe location. You may have to pay more for a well-located hotel, but this will be balanced by reduced transportation costs. If your budget only allows you to stay at a hotel that’s out of town, do some research on local bus routes so you can still get around easily.
Take a look at the range of in-room amenities. Does the room come with a hair dryer and coffee maker? What about a microwave oven? Almost all hotel rooms have television, but not all offer Internet connection. How these amenities will affect your stay depends on the purpose of your trip and how much time you’ll spend in the room. For example, if you are staying in Sydney for more than a week, you may want to consider looking into serviced apartments in Sydney, as these can provide useful services and facilities, such as a private laundry area and kitchenette. In any case, facilities like a pool and gym are nice little extras.
Always consider cleanliness and sanitation when deciding which hotel to book. Generally speaking, a higher price equals more attention to detail. However, hotel rooms must maintain a certain level of cleanliness. Look at the general cleanliness of the place and cross hotels that are in disrepair from your list. Customer reviews will give you an idea of the state of the hotel.
Many people enjoy sharing their travel experiences by writing reviews or testimonials. These testimonials can be found on hotel review sites and will give you an idea of the status of the hotel. If the hotel you are considering has a bad reputation, there will be a lot of negative reviews. These hotels are not worth keeping on the list.
Last but not least, the star ratings are worth looking at. Scored from 1 to 5, these internationally recognized ratings tell guests how good or bad a hotel is. Generally, the more stars a hotel has, the more it will cost to stay there.
- you get what you pay for
- Rent, Rent, Rent
- Facilities and Amenities
- Cleaning
- The word on the street is…
- star ratings